Today, we’re rounding out our look at the question “What is the Law in the Bible?”
In Part One, we defined the four concepts represented by the term “the law” when it’s used in scripture.
And now, in part 2, we’re going to put these ideas in place and discuss:
When we make sure we understand more nuance about the ideas presented by the Bible, we can do a better job of receiving what Biblical writers intended to communicate. This helps us keep from unintentionally applying our own box of understanding to the Bible, and will, instead, let the Bible teach us on its own terms.
At the end of this video, we’ll have a full picture of Jewish cultural concepts around the Law. We’ll understand what is so central about these ideas, and we’ll grow as readers, interpreters, and receivers of the Word.
In the Old Testament
References to “the law” in the Old Testament offer are to either narrative stories of receiving God’s instructions or specific laws themselves.
For the Israelites, all of God’s teaching and instruction was and is a part of the law. Not only specific statues or directives. This understanding is woven implicitly and inherently throughout the Old Testament.
In the New Testament
Understand the subtitles of Jesus’ teachings often requires more understanding of the Jewish culture into which he was born.
The sub-groups within Judaism referenced in the New Testament (the Sadducees and Pharisees, for example) were groups that had different approaches to application of the written Law. Although they often directly opposed the views of one another, both these groups were challenged by Jesus and his teachings.
In many of the letters and epistles of the New Testament, the law refers to a mindset or way of approaching life as God’s people – one that they help demonstrate has been eternally offered by Jesus.
Taking one understanding of the Law, or one historical context, and applying broadly to all instances of the law in the Bible would seriously misconstrue its meaning in many places.
Studying the different ways in which the Biblical authors used this term also provides a richer understanding of “the law.” There is much more to it than a list of rules.
You can learn practices designed to help you dig into passages from different angles with my FREE Guide “5 Practices for Engaging Bible Study.” Sign up for your download here!
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