In the New Testament the followers of Christianity had to
exemplify their faith in addition towards following the law while in the Old
Testament faith had to be demonstrated by actions. That is my answer to
the question, but the reason I am bringing up this question from the review is
because it relates back to my presentation. More specifically, I think the
influence and character that was both demonstrated differently in the Old and
New Testament had an influence on why the law was transformed. God himself was
a fearful leader and an envious one and thus demanded that his followers
demonstrate their faith by pure action, in the Old Testament, if not then there
would be repercussions while in the New Testament Jesus used his kindness,
generosity and willingness to help steer others to become faithful to him.
Jesus followers did not have to demonstrate their faith by action like in the
Old, but they did have to demonstrate their faith by remaining loyal and they
also had to follow the rules and regulations.
I agree - I think the transformation of the law was that they realized that just simply abiding by the laws wasn't enough - a spiritual component was required. Hence, they added that in through having people also demonstrate their faith by staying loyal to Jesus and his teachings/religion, unlike the OT which required faith to be shown through physical actions (such as Abraham offering his son to God).
ReplyDeleteAn important part while talking about the laws is the public it’s destined to. In the Old Testament, “God’s chosen people” should only respect his authority. Even if everyone seems to be “punished” later, it is for the Jewish people to respect his commandments. In the New Testament, a new form of authority interferes. The government laws and God’s laws are imposed on all the believers, whether they are Jews or Gentiles. In class, we discussed this higher authority between moral and civil authority. It is easy for us to judge our actions, and we can do so through political and civil authority directed by the government. However, we cannot judge our soul, but moral authority can. In general, if citizens obey civil authority, they are also indirectly obeying God because he established this authority through his omnipotence.
ReplyDeleteLaw is not stressed in the NT, because the curse of the law was lifted after Jesus Christ died for the sins of mankind. The curse of the law is not the law, itself. If it is a curse, it wouldn't make much sense as to why people would still abide by it in the NT. The curse has to do with the impossibility of fulfilling the law, which means that no one can be right with God. However, Jesus Christ makes it a possibility for people to be right with God. I mentioned this during my presentation.
ReplyDeleteI don't think the laws were transformed, because the laws are still the same.
ReplyDeleteThe difference is that the curse has been lifted.
Agreed, you mentioned that in the OT God was terrifying to the people, and because of that they abided by His every desire, thus through their actions they demonstrated their faith to God. But in the NT Jesus preached kindness, in doing so He would get followers who were faithful not because they were afraid of Him, but because they genuinely believed in Him and his laws. Thus Jesus changed peoples approach to God's laws.
ReplyDelete