Earlier this week, a member asked me about what relationship Christianity had with the Jewish Law (after reading AJ Jacob's book, "Living Biblically." Below is my response.
I have heard the book. I have not read it, but I did see his interview on the Today show several months back. Your question about the Law and Christianity is a great one, one that the church has been discussing for thousands of years. For the answer to this, we must look at Jesus and Paul. Jesus picked grain on the Sabbath. He did not stone a woman who was caught in adultery. Jesus came to fulfill the Law, not to abolish the Law. The trick is understanding what fulfilling the Law means.
Christ was born under the curse of the Law . . . the Law was originally a blessing for the Ancient Israelites. In Deuteronomy, Moses warned that if they did not follow God’s Law that the Law would become a curse to them. It was either going to be a blessing or a curse. It was their choice (much like money or sex or status or celebrity, in a way). Instead of having theocratic Rule with God as Israel’s head, the people wanted a King (See the book of Samuel). God obliged, but warned that this was not what the people truly want. Now that the Israelites had a King, it was the King’s responsibility to follow the Law on behalf of the people as their representative before God. The Kings failed, the Torah was now a curse, and Israel was sent into exile.
Upon returning from exile the Isrealite people rebuilt the Temple and they picked up right where they left off . . . failing at following the Torah, which was still a curse. Jesus (God) was born under the Law as a curse so that the Law could once again become a blessing for the people. Throughout his ministry, Jesus redefined the Law . . . “You have heard it said . . . but I tell you . . .” Jesus was obedient unto death on a cross (He who is hung on the tree has been cursed by God). Essentially, God died under God’s own rule so that the Law could be completed and fulfilled.
Now, in walks Paul, who helps us understand what it means to love God in the post-Torah world (and eventually the Post-Temple world. The Temple was destroyed by the Romans in AD 70). Paul says things like, the Law is death and Christ is life, and we are to be circumcised with the heart not with the flesh. Paul also says that we know that we can eat “unclean” foods because we know that all things are clean, but if your brother does not think the same as you, you should abstain from eating so that your brother will not stumble (kind of like the age old question—Do Methodists drink. To which the answer is “some do.” In other words, it’s ok to have a drink, but if you are in the presence of an alcoholic, you should abstain. The basic answer of Christian ethics is, “It’s ok, unless it’s not ok.”)
So, what part of the Law are we to follow? Jesus said it himself—Love God with all of your heart, mind, soul, and strength, and love your neighbor as yourself. It is the Christian ethic of love (Ecclesial Ethic). Paul, through the experience of Christ, tries to break us out of our binary understanding of the world (black and white, Jew and Gentile, Male and Female, homosexual and heterosexual). In the realm of ethics, most feel that ethics are either Universal (applies to everyone) or situational (only applies to context). Paul’s point is that in Christ we should follow an Ecclesial Ethic, or an ethic of love which is both universal and situational. Like in Romans, folks have asked Paul if Christians can eat meat which have been sacrificed to Pagan Gods. Paul’s answer is sure, unless you shouldn’t. Yes you can because we know that the Pagan God’s don’t exist, but if your brother thinks you are committing a great sin, than don’t (Do Methodists drink . . .).
In conclusion, as far as the book is concerned, following the Law as strictly as you can without any kind of love ethic is missing the point. Likewise, living by love without any type of justice element is also missing the point. We are to love both God and neighbor. AJ Jacobs is a self-avowed Atheist. Following every jot and tittle of the Law without a love of God is nothing but damning. Conversely, loving God without loving your neighbor is equally so, at least, you can't do one without the other. Can you really love God and hate your neighbor?
To answer your question. Jesus fulfilled the entire Law, transforming the Law into a blessing through the power of the Spirit. Transforming the Law into an ethic of love which we can only follow in the power of the Spirit.
What does an ethic of love look like within some of the Church's most heated debates? Abortion? Homosexuality? Aids? Immigration? . . . etc. Let me know what you think.
