Abolitionist: Has the Authority of the Law Ended? - EP3 Law & Gospel

Has the Law’s authority ended?

Do we need to keep ALL the Ten Commandments even the SABBATH? 

𝕃𝕒𝕨 & 𝔾𝕠𝕤𝕡𝕖𝕝 𝔼𝕡𝕚𝕤𝕠𝕕𝕖 3

In the final episode of this series we discuss the Abolitionist position and we come to a final conclusion about the Law. 

In the series 𝐋𝐚𝐰 & 𝐆𝐨𝐬𝐩𝐞𝐥, we will discuss the different viewpoints of this topic and passages of scripture each use. After 3+ weeks, 167 passages, and 400 pages of reading; I am excited to share about this topic! The goal of this study is to understand WHY and HOW to please God. Not to promote lawlessness, immorality, or opportunity for the flesh. We should have a desire to know WHY we do certain things so we may have the proper motive to serve Him. 

More resources for this topic: 

📚 Five Views on Law and Gospel
Bahnsen Greg L.
Kaiser, Walter C., Jr.
Moo, Douglas J.
Strickland, Wayne G.
VanGemeren, Willem A.

Transcript

Welcome to the Voice of Thunder podcast. Today, we continue our discussion on the complex topic of Law and Gospel, specifically addressing the question of whether the Old Testament law continues to have authority and relevance in our lives today. This is the third and final episode in our series on this subject, and it's been an extensive journey of over a month's worth of study, which included delving into hundreds of passages and immersing ourselves in a substantial 400-plus-page book that explores five different views of the law, published by Zondervan. We also conducted extensive research to prepare for this podcast series, aiming to present the material in a simplified and accessible manner.

In our previous episode, we examined the Preservationist perspective. These individuals believe that some form of the Mosaic Law's authority endures, although they don't necessarily advocate for the continued application of all its commands. Among the Preservationists, we identified two subgroups: the Moralists, who argue that the Ten Commandments retain their authority as reflective of God's moral law, and the Theonomists, who assert that unless a specific New Testament command nullifies an Old Testament law, it should still be considered authoritative. Today, we transition to discussing the Abolitionist viewpoint, which I've termed based on my research and understanding.

As I've mentioned before, after an in-depth exploration of the topic, I personally hold to the Abolitionist perspective. In this episode, I aim to elucidate this position, explaining why I coined this term and providing insight into my conclusions.

The Abolitionists maintain that the authority of the Old Testament law has concluded, and we are no longer bound by its directives, including the Ten Commandments. They argue that numerous passages, predominantly found in the writings of the Apostle Paul, emphasize the termination of the Old Testament law's authority for Christians. To support this viewpoint, I will refer to a few key passages from Paul's writings that make a compelling case for the abolition of the Old Testament law's dominion.

Let's begin with Romans 7:1, where Paul presents a pivotal argument for the abolitionist perspective: "Know ye not, brethren (for I speak to them that know the law), how that the law hath dominion over a man as long as he lives." Paul's proposition is clear – the law holds authority over an individual as long as they are alive. He illustrates this point with a marriage analogy: "For the woman which hath a husband is bound by the law to her husband so long as he lives; but if the husband be dead, she is loosed from the law of her husband." Paul underlines that when the husband dies, the woman is released from the law that previously governed her relationship. Egalitarians may object to this concept, but Paul's message is explicit – once a person is in Christ, they are dead to the law. The dominion or jurisdiction of the law ceases to exist for them.

Moving on to Galatians 4, we encounter another passage supporting the abolitionist viewpoint. Paul employs the analogy of a child who, while young, is no different from a servant. Despite being an heir to the family estate, a child is under the authority of tutors and governors. However, when the time appointed by the father arrives, the child is released from this jurisdiction. Paul emphasizes that during our spiritual childhood, we were in bondage under the elements of the world, symbolizing our subjection to the Old Testament law. But with the coming of Christ, we were redeemed from the law's dominion. Christ, who was born under the law, fulfilled its requirements, and upon His death, the reign of the law concluded. Paul highlights that Christ's actions on the cross emancipated us from the law's authority, allowing us to be married to another, namely, Christ Himself. Thus, Paul's argument in Galatians 4 corroborates the abolitionist perspective.

Colossians 2:13-17 further reinforces the abolitionist viewpoint, emphasizing the cancellation of the law's demands and the establishment of a new covenant. "And you, being dead in your sins and the uncircumcision of your flesh, hath He quickened together with Him, having forgiven you all trespasses, blotting out the handwriting of ordinances that was against us, which was contrary to us, and took it out of the way, nailing it to the cross." Here, Paul vividly states that Christ's sacrificial act on the cross blotted out the handwriting of ordinances, effectively canceling the law's authority. Paul continues by explaining the practical implications: "Let no man, therefore, judge you in meat or in drink, or in respect of a holiday, or of the new moon, or of the sabbath days, which are a shadow of things to come; but the body is of Christ." The application is clear – these observances are no longer binding, as they were symbolic shadows pointing to the reality fulfilled in Christ. The abolitionist perspective asserts that the law's authority has been nullified, and its demands have been met in Christ, allowing for a new covenant with new principles.

Now, let's address some common objections, such as the notion that the Old Testament law continues to be relevant based on Jesus' statement in Matthew 5:17-19: "Think not that I have come to destroy the law or the prophets; I am not come to destroy, but to fulfill. For verily I say unto you, till heaven and earth pass, not one jot or one tittle shall no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled." Some argue that these words imply the perpetual authority of the Old Testament law. However, the abolitionist perspective offers a different interpretation.

Christ's statement in Matthew 5:17-19 reflects His role as the fulfiller of the law's requirements. He did not come to abolish it but to accomplish its purpose. The term "fulfill" is pivotal here, signifying the achievement of the law's ultimate goals. Christ emphasizes that not one iota or stroke of a pen will disappear from the law until everything it points to is accomplished, which indeed took place with His death, resurrection, and the ushering in of the new covenant. In this sense, Christ's fulfillment of the law does not imply its ongoing authority; rather, it underscores its culmination and transition into something new.

Another objection raised against the abolitionist perspective involves Jesus' admonition in the Sermon on the Mount, where He delves into the moral implications of the law. He states that anyone who breaks the least of these commandments and teaches others to do so will be called least in the kingdom of heaven. Some argue that this suggests a continued obligation to follow the Old Testament law. However, when examined within the broader context of the sermon, it becomes evident that Jesus is establishing a higher standard for righteousness, not maintaining the law's authority.

Throughout the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus introduces a series of statements beginning with, "You have heard that it was said." He then contrasts these with, "But I say unto you." In these passages, He raises the bar of righteousness by revealing the true intentions of the law. He is not advocating for the strict observance of the law but emphasizing that righteousness must surpass that of the scribes and Pharisees. This challenges His audience to aspire to a righteousness that exceeds mere external obedience to the law, instead focusing on the heart and motivation behind one's actions. While Jesus clarifies the law's deeper moral standards, He is not reinforcing the ongoing dominion of the Old Testament law.

Moreover, as we discussed in the first episode, the Ten Commandments are often considered a foundational element of the Old Testament law. Yet, when we examine the New Testament, we observe that these commandments are seldom reiterated as binding upon Christians. Instead, the New Testament presents a new framework for moral conduct that supersedes the Decalogue, which is the Ten Commandments.

In the book of Romans, Paul provides a comprehensive discussion of the Christian's relationship to the law. While he extensively examines the subject, it is notable that the Ten Commandments are conspicuously absent from his discourse. Paul discusses issues such as idolatry, sexual immorality, coveting, and loving one's neighbor, but he does so without referring to the Ten Commandments. He underscores that the Christian's obligation is to fulfill the law of Christ, not the Mosaic law.

In addition to Paul's writings, the book of Acts highlights the early church's deliberations regarding the Old Testament law. At the Jerusalem Council in Acts 15, the apostles, under the guidance of the Holy Spirit, concluded that Gentile believers were not to be burdened with the observance of the Mosaic law. The council's letter to the Gentile churches emphasized avoiding food sacrificed to idols, blood, and sexual immorality, without imposing the full scope of the Old Testament law. This significant decision reinforced the abolitionist perspective, indicating that the early church did not require Gentile believers to observe the Mosaic law.

So, in summary, the abolitionist perspective contends that the Old Testament law, including the Ten Commandments, no longer holds authority over Christians. Paul's writings and key passages in the New Testament clearly articulate that the dominion of the law has concluded with Christ's redemptive work on the cross. The law's demands have been satisfied and transformed, ushering in a new covenant with distinct principles for the Christian walk.

We appreciate the Preservationist and Abolitionist perspectives for providing a comprehensive understanding of the complex issue of Law and Gospel. By exploring these two viewpoints in this three-part series, we hope to encourage further study and dialogue among our listeners, facilitating a deeper understanding of the topic. We encourage you to conduct your research, prayerfully seek God's guidance, and engage in discussions with others to develop a well-informed perspective on this vital theological matter.

Thank you for joining us in this episode of Voice of Thunder, and remember, our aim is to inspire deeper theological exploration and reflection. If you have any questions or would like to share your thoughts, feel free to reach out to us. We look forward to engaging with you in future episodes.

In our final segment, we'll summarize the main points discussed in the series and provide some parting thoughts as we wrap up our extensive exploration of the Law and Gospel. Thank you for being a part of the Voice of Thunder podcast community, and we look forward to continuing our theological journey together.