In the Christadelphian vocabulary, it is not uncommon for “the law” to be described as having “died,” “passed away,” “ended,” as having been “abolished,” “abrogated,” “superseded,” “overruled,” “repealed,” “nullified,” “done away” or “set aside.” The Scriptures, however, never assign such terms to the law. To the contrary: “Thy righteousness is righteous for ever, and thy law is true” (Psa. 119:142, RSV as all quotes). “The sum of thy word is truth; and every one of thy righteous ordinances endure for ever” (Psa. 119:160). “Think not that I have come to abolish the law and the prophets; I have come not to abolish them but to fulfill them” (Matt. 5:17). “Do we then overthrow the law by this faith? By no means! On the contrary, we uphold the law” (Rom. 3:31). For I delight in the law of God, in my inmost self…” (Rom. 7:22). “…love is the fulfilling of the law” (Rom. 13:10). “…out of Zion shall go forth the law…” (Isa. 2:3).
Why the discrepancy?
Why has such disparity arisen between biblical terminology and the phrases in common usage within our community? The Bible emphasizes the continuity and consistency of divine law; careless exposition can undermine that teaching and instead emphasize discontinuity and imply inconsistency in the scriptural revelation.
The problem has developed because of the difficulty in harmonizing various Scriptures that, superficially, appear to be in conflict. The passages quoted above may not be easily reconciled with others that define the limitations of the law of Moses as being anticipatory of, and preparatory for, the Messiah; burdensome in its teaching methods and temporary in its shadowy elements.
The law an elaboration of the name
Clearly, with the life, death, resurrection and ascension of the Lord Jesus, the purpose of God was dramatically advanced. The process of the redemption of the faithful moved ahead. The light of God’s love now shone with unprecedented clarity. There would be some changes in the methods by which divine lessons would be taught, but the principles would remain unaltered. The law of the LORD would endure; its message would remain true and righteous forever. That which was revealed through Moses would be clearly manifest in the Lord Jesus Christ.
“The LORD, a God merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love and faithfulness, keeping steadfast love for thousands, forgiving iniquity and transgression and sin, but who will by no means clear the guilty, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children and the children’s children, to the third and the fourth generation” (Ex. 34:6,7).
The law of the LORD is an elaboration of the name of the LORD. Its hallmark is consistency. It is true in Eden and as revealed to Noah, Abraham, David, Micah, Habakkuk, Peter, Paul and John. At every stage of its revelation, it principles are unchanging. “For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ” (John 1:17). This involved a development, not a contrast. Grace and truth have never changed; they remain the components of divine law, of God’s teaching, in every age. They were revealed through Moses, at times with clarity, at times in shadowy figures; through Jesus Christ they are illuminated with awesome magnificence.
The law is true
The law of Moses is a major, vitally important element in the unfolding revelation of God’s principles and purpose. It is entirely consistent with what goes before and what follows. Its lessons have critical significance for disciples of Christ: they reveal the divine view of human conduct and the human condition; they lead us to a proper understanding of deliverance in Christ.
We undermine its eternal message if we apply to its status such unscriptural concepts as are identified in our opening sentence. The changes flowing from the work of the Lord Jesus need to be understood and explained in a way that flows consistently from the word of God. Careful, precise, scriptural terminology should be used in describing and defining the unfolding development of God’s purpose. The process of redemption advances in dramatic stages, with accompanying changes in teaching methods. The principles revealed in the law of God, in His Torah, His teaching, however, are consistent from Genesis to Revelation. They are revealed through the words of angels, prophets, apostles and the Christ. They are detailed through commandments, precepts, statutes and ordinances. They are illustrated through parables, symbols and emblems. In all its multifaceted manifestations, the law of the LORD remains true, living, vital and relevant.. .always.
This study has been undertaken with a sense of the writer’s personal inadequacy in exploring a theme so vast and so profound. He is familiar with many passages that, when misunderstood, lead to the mistaken ideas referred to at the beginning of this article. In future articles, God willing, these passages will be reviewed.
The Origin of the Organic World – Part One