Walter Kaiser (Toward Old Testament Ethics) offers some helpful observations concerning Paul’s attitude toward the Law. At issue are several statements that appear to be contradictory or negative toward the Law. First, Paul upholds “the law of God” as having divine authority and being worthy of the greatest respect (Rom 7:22, 25). Paul could hardly have been abolishing the Law in Ephesians 2:15 when he enjoins obedience to the fifth commandment in Ephesians 6:2. What was abolished was the enmity between Jews and gentiles caused by the ceremonial laws. In Christ, gentiles have access to God without circumcision or Aaronic atonement sacrifices (Acts 15:7-11). Second, Paul had no ready term for legalism, which is the true object of his hostility. Christ is the “end of the law” (Rom 10:4) in the same way that He is the end (goal) of one’s faith (1 Pet 1:9). Ironically, Jewish legalism led people away from Christ, who was the goal and aim of the Law. Third, some Pauline phrases are abbreviated, which can create wrong inferences. In 2 Corinthians 3:7-16, what was passing away was not the Law but the ministry that Moses rendered. Paul was contrasting two different ministries. What faded was the glow on Moses’ face, which was only temporary. What was taken away was not the Law but the veil that blinded their minds when they read the Law. C. Thomas Rhyne also rejects the notion that Paul was abolishing the Law. Paul established the Law (Rom 3:31) in its role as a witness of the righteousness that comes by faith. Christ is the goal (telos) of the Law (Rom 10:4) because the essence of His work was to supply the righteousness, which the Law promised. Paul does not attack the Law per se but the notion that the Law can be a way to salvation. Thomas Schreiner maintains that Paul’s theology of freedom does not mean that the Law is irrelevant in the Christian life. Freedom from the Law is not freedom from obedience but freedom from the power of sin, which leads to death. In the new covenant, the Law is written upon the heart. Those who have the Spirit manifest God’s love, which is the fulfillment of the Law. While love is central to Paul’s theology, the Law also exists to provide an objective antidote to sentimentality and vagueness in a world that justifies almost any course of action by an appeal to love.
Posted on: Tue, 12 Aug 2014 08:23:43 +0000
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