The Myth of Law-lessness

Christianity and the Law of Moses

hristianity today is Law-less, and proud of it. There are few theological issues so jealously guarded and defended as it's freedom from Law'. But an honest and unbiased re-examination of this theological fortress will reveal an intriguing story of limited comprehension, spiritual mis-step, and prophetic surprise. Law is critical because it translates into lifestyle. Any societies lifestyle directly reflects its laws. Bad laws - a corrupt and repressive society. Good laws - a peaceful and prosperous society. Perfect laws - a perfect society - precisely the definition of the Kingdom of God, a product of the end-of-the-age drama about to unfold.

Filing the void

The kingdom is at the end of this story, but before we can apprehend it we have to apprehend the truth about Law. Christianity has built its systematic theology around the doctrine of Law-lessness. That is, it has declared the Law of Moses, so far as it affects the Christian lifestyle, null and void. That doesn't mean Christianity has no law, every 'nation' must have law and order. Christianity has replaced the Law of Moses, as revealed in the Torah given on Mt. Sinai, with another law they would call the law of Christ or the law of love. In theory it sounds good, but in practice it translates poorly into lifestyle. This new law is largely morality based with no ceremonial or ritual content. Of course there are wide ranging views and interpretation of what this NT law or 'works' would consist of. The founding fathers of Christianity provided no systematic theological basis for this new 'law'. Therefore there is no single definition of a Christian law which would be accepted universally. There are as many different versions as there are Christian sects and denominations. There would however, be virtually universal condemnation of any proposal that Christianity should abandon its law and re-adopt a lifestyle based on the Biblical Law of Moses as generally expressed by orthodox Judaism. Today, such a proposal would probably not even rate a serious rebuttal, it would be so preposterous.

The destination - Lawfulness

Notwithstanding Christianity's official position, the prophetic truth as revealed in the Holy Scriptures does indeed point to that very reality. There are many sound and reasonable arguments that the end-of-the-age will require, and that God has prophetically declared, that just such a dramatic change take place. A correct interpretation of Scripture, history and the prophetic future will illuminate God's purposes for Law and how it shaped the destiny of Israel and than the church. How two different peoples who claim to represent the same God and even read the same Scriptures have stumbled over this issue of Law. There is a profoundly rational explanation for our spiritual history. And even more important, the Law of Moses has a profoundly important future role during the end-of-the-age and beyond. Eating kosher, observing the Feasts of the Lord, circumcision, wearing 'fringes', keeping Sabbath, etc. are all in the very near future of every Christian. Its shocking but true. Don't jump to conclusions until you've heard the entire program - its probably not what you are expecting.

The unlikely possibility

Probably most people who are reading this article are extremely skeptical that such truth does indeed exist. There is good reason to be skeptical. How does one reconcile that the scholars and experts are wrong - and have been wrong for nearly 2000 years. That doesn't make much natural sense, but God will show that the obvious is not the obvious when he chooses to veil the obvious. It will all be to his glory. So, there is room for skepticism from scholar and student, but beware of much learning - it can be a stumbling block. History has shown that to be true over and over again. See with an unbiased eye and a heart of faith. How many would agree that the end-of-the-age will bring 'new' understanding of God's purposes - that is Scriptural. And how many have hearts that are stirred up in anticipation of 'new' things from God - that is the Holy Sprit. And how many are ready to acknowledge that Christianity is failing in many serious aspects. Yes, God has prepared us for this, but we must humbly ask our God who gives freely of the 'Spirit of wisdom and revelation' to give these truths life.

The contending powers

This is not just polite debate over doctrine. This issue of Law vs. Law-lessness is the cornerstone of both Godly and demonic spiritual strategies for the end-of-the-age. Neither side can afford to lose this battle. If the premise put forth here is true, it is not hard to imagine that the continuance of Christianity's doctrine of Law-lessness is Satan's most actively supported operation and he would withhold nothing in his power to defend it. The Bible refers to the antichrist as the 'lawless one' - and his spirit, the 'spirit of antichrist', has been in the world since Pentecost preparing for just such a battle. There are many obvious works of Satan in the earth, but it is always the covert operations that are potentially the most dangerous - simply because we don't recognize them. But it would be wrong to give Satan too much time and credit, he, like us, are simple moving within the sphere of God's sovereign will. Nonetheless, there are strongholds of doctrinal error that will have to be broken before it's over.

It's all the sovereign will of God

It would be nice to think that Christianity would be able to see the error of its position on Law. It is not an issue of condemnation. God is not angry that we have been mistaken. In fact it has all served his sovereign will. His perfect will has been accomplished in spite of our failure to see clearly. This is how it is supposed to be. The hidden sovereign will of God is often served by the ignorance, or even the iniquity, of his children. Jonah offers a fine example. Jonah was commissioned to bring a message to Nineveh. In rebellion he ran the opposite way - straight into prophetic history and the 'sign' of Messiahs first coming. He was an instrument of God's will, a prophetic voice to the world - even in disobedience. God will be glorified regardless, obedience to God is for our benefit not his. Whether in rebellion or ignorance Christianity has been wrong about Law. But the Day of the Lord is near, and we must prepare to move in the light of new prophetic truth. Christianity is on the brink of destiny. The greatest day it has ever seen, the day for which it was birthed and given divine life. Difficult and divisive decisions will have to be made. Ultimately they are personal decisions. One by one each man and woman will have to choose.

The authority of change

This issue of Christianity and the Law of Moses is perhaps the most complex doctrinal issue confronting Christianity. And while it may appear to be a theological issue, it will not be solved by systematic theological inquest. Systematic theology generally does not even recognize the problem, much less have the solution. This problem exposes an even more fundamental problem of church authority. God's church was designed to be lead by three separate and distinct 'branches' of government. The United States system of government, which was founded on Scriptural principles, is a good model of the function and separation of powers. The Executive branch is equivalent to the Evangelist, Pastor, Teacher offices of the church. The Judicial branch is equivalent to the Apostolic, and the Legislative to the Prophetic. For 2000 years the church has largely been lead by the Executive offices of the Body and we have all settled for their 'view' of the way things are. The 'executives' have been hard at work carrying out a prophetic vision of the world given to them by the Prophetic branch 2000 years ago. That is as it should be. But the 'old wine' is running out, the new wine, even better than the old, must now be poured into the Body. It is not within the mandate of the Executive office to also fashion 'legislation'. The Executive offices should recognize this spiritual provision of 'course correction' and earnestly and eagerly welcome it. The great need of the hour is that the Prophetic branch of the Body of Christ come forth with new 'legislative' (law) vision and direction. A whole new perception of Scripture will now be made manifest to the Body. Out from passages that have yielded delicious 'principles' will now flow glorious 'prophetic'. The prophetic content of Scripture has largely remained hidden just for this hour. Scriptures not recognized as prophetic will now become so. Stories of Adam, Noah, the wilderness journey, Joseph, Esther, the wedding at Canna are just a few of hundreds of prophetic pictures that will shape and guide the true church in the end-of-the-age. The Law problem will be defined and answered by prophetic truth coming forth as part of a larger end time master plan.

The accommodation - misunderstood

The interesting thing about Law-lessness is that it is God's 'official' program for today. Law-lessness is both right and wrong. This may be hard to see at first. What Christianity believes about Law-lessness is wrong, but what it is doing (i.e. practicing Law-lessness) is right. Today, theoretically at least, there is nothing to change. God has extended to the world a period of non-compliance to the Law of Moses, an accommodation we generally call grace. But the heart of the difficulty is this: what God provided as a temporary accommodation has been erroneously appropriated as a permanent condition. For now there is little to do but to admit a mistake - quit simple really. In reality, a change or correction in ones belief cannot help to quickly show up in practice. If we believed that the Law of Moses is still valid in God's sight, and that it is the basis for the perfect lifestyle of the Kingdom, how could one not begin to alter many practices. That will begin to happen all over the world. Truth is setting us free. But formally, the Scriptural patterns show that there is coming a day of re-compliance which in some respects could be seen as Pentecost II. Re-compliance is not just something we decide to do. It is accompanied by divine intervention and a whole stage of supporting events and conditions. The entire master plan involves much more than just the Law issue and is explained in greater detail elsewhere.

The Law of Moses is a vital component of the Kingdom, the basis for a perfect universal lifestyle. It will play an essential role in the coming end-of-the-age drama that is about to begin. The Law is perfect, the Law is spiritual, in it is our safety and fullness of joy. In it is freedom not bondage, fruitfulness not death, the substance of the Kingdom of God. By it God will test the hearts of his sons and daughters for loyalty and obedience.

Re-compliance to the Law of Moses is a prophetic truth that will trigger many prophetic actions.

Written in stone

The Law of Moses was written by the finger of God in stone. The natural inference in that symbolism is that the Law was absolutely perfect and essentially eternal. Jesus reinforced that inference when he used the phrase "until heaven and earth disappear" in regards to any changes in the law. The Law was lavished with the highest praises and credited with the virtues of life itself by virtually all the Old Testament writers. One has to seriously wonder how it was that the law fell into such low esteem by Christianity. How can we reconcile the 'eternal' symbolism and intrinsic 'perfection' attributed to the Law of Moses with the 'abolished' reputation and position granted to it by today's Christianity? How did the law tumble from such a lofty position? and why? Does it make any sense for God to present the world with such a glorious revelation only to have it become a curse and a stigma some 1500 years later? And there is no prophetic mention of this demise of the Law. A change as profound as the abolishment of Law would certainly have been prophesied But have we really abandoned it? In fact, while 99% of all Christians may accept the official 'abolished' position of their respective church authorities, there seems to be a subtle dissatisfaction for many. Many Christians have a `innate love of the Sabbath for instance, and other aspects of the Law.

Tearing down - building up

This Law issue will be fascinating to watch. Perhaps never in all history has the power of truth been on such display. What have tens of millions of people to gain by such a dramatic and radical change of lifestyle. It certainly isn't comfortable, it goes against human nature, and against virtually every current of modern culture. There are no powerful organizations that are promoting it, religious or otherwise. In fact it is highly likely that most existing religious organizations will be opposed to such a premise once it has come to their attention. Many may voice strong and unrelenting denunciation of a return to the Law. The 'experts' and scholars from universities and seminaries will likely mount energetic defenses. Churches, ministries, families will all be divided over this issue. It will be chaos. It will cause grievous division and hurt within Christianity. Maybe we should just forget the whole thing. Maybe the cure is worse than the disease. Maybe it just won't happen at all. Maybe no one will take notice at all. Yes, the odds are against it. There is only one problem that could disrupt our party - TRUTH. Truth is coming. Spirit motivated and empowered truth. Unavoidable and unstoppable truth. Truth will expose the reality of Law and those with the seed of divine life within them will obediently respond - its guaranteed. The still small voice of truth against the world, it will be fascinating to watch.

The truth about law begins with a prophetic review:

Law Review - Perfect Plan, Perfect Man

Let's review the big concepts. Taken broadly, the Law is the definition of a perfect man (Messiah) or in a corporate sense, the perfect kingdom. The 'extended Law', which includes the Prophets and Psalms, defines the perfect plan to attain that perfect man. The Law was revealed through Israel as described in the Old Testament. By the birth of John the Baptist, the revelation of the perfect man and the perfect plan was complete. Phase I was over, the words were sealed, in cement', so to speak. As Jesus phrased it: it would be 'easier for heaven and earth to disappear than for one stroke of a pen to drop out of the Law'. There was only one problem. God had revealed to mankind his ultimate paradise, but mankind was still powerless to attain it. John and Jesus began Phase II, the process of energizing a perfect but powerless plan. The Law itself predicted this empowering.

The LORD is my rock (Law), ... and the horn (power) of my salvation.

Messiah now fulfilled the Law. Fulfilled, not in the sense that he 'ended' or 'now stood in place of' the Law, but that he added to, or filled the 'mold' outlined as law with substance. Just as the Law had predicted and described, Messiah added all the means necessary for other men to attain to the perfection defined by the Law. He fulfilled his part of the process, a process not yet completed - in us. He was not only the power of the Law, but he was also our model of what the marriage of Law and power would produce - the perfect man. He greatly clarified what the goal of the Law was. He was the first man to succeed, and is now resting at the right hand of God the Father, waiting for the full harvest of the 'empowered plan' to mature. That is the reason the Law is so important to us today. It is a description of the continuing plan of complete redemption. To discard it, is to frustrate the glorious consummation of our relationship to Him. To diminish it, is to be unprepared for the knowledgeable, and responsive participation he desires from us. Christianity is currently settling for much less than it is destined for. It is largely due to the misappropriation of this plan. We have divine blood in our veins. Deep is calling onto deep. Being daddy's little girl is one thing, but even human societies encapsulate their children in a 'womb' of grace, protecting them from 'adult' wonders and evils. God is no different. The temporary release from the full requirements of Law is one important aspect of Grace, but the other is the power to live up to it. We, as the Body of Messiah, are a prospective bride, preparing herself to marry, about to take on His name in official representation of God. Messiah's queen of the universe must have a thorough understanding of, and be accountable to, the Laws of her Kingdom.

In practice the Law must translate into lifestyle. But which lifestyle? A contemporary Christian lifestyle - American, European, Oriental? And which persuasion - Catholic, Eastern Orthodox, Anglican, Evangelical, Charismatic? And whose exact set of laws?

Presented below, as an aid to debate, is a beginning attempt to clearly and honestly define the issue of Law-lessness.

Painting with a very broad brush, the general position of Christianity on keeping the complete Law of Moses, as lived by Jesus, an orthodox Jew of his day (with adaptations for today), could be summed up as follows:

"Mixing law and the gospel makes a corrupt form of Christianity. Judaism and Christianity cannot work together for they are opposite. At this time [Acts 21:20] God had not completely abolished all sacrifices and all the law in Israel as a national program. He tolerated the Jews continuing with all their rituals until the destruction of Jerusalem. From that time on it was impossible for them to observe these things. Thus He abolished the Mosaic dispensation by rendering the observance of the law impossible, fulfilling Dan 9:26, Hosea 3:4-5; Mt. 23:36-39; Lk. 19:41-48". [Dake's Annotated Reference Bible, NT, pg. 149, col. 4:c]

Christianity says: "The Law is Abolished"

Finis Jennings Dake, Biblical scholar and author of "Dake's Annotated Reference Bible", states it like this:

Christianity's doctrine of Law-lessness was shaped by the following events or influences:

1. Paul's writings

2. Acts 15 Jerusalem Council (a mis-application)

3. Destruction of the Jewish Temple in 70 AD

4. Gentile presumptions

5. Arrogance/Anti-Semitism

6. Christian Tradition

However Dake's view of law and grace's incompatibility is not shared by all. An honest evaluation of that view correctly identifies it as a mis-appropriation of Paul's gospel.

Law and Grace

"Jesus spoke to a popular and unsophisticated audience moved by none of these considerations. His target was not the law, but rather any style of interpretation of the law that removed its immediacy as teaching to the people. There is no hint of an antithesis between law and grace in the teachings of Jesus. In some of the Pauline writings, the matter stands differently, But Pauline antinomianism was not an opposition to law per se (e.g., Rom. 7:12), rather an opposition to observance of the law as the route to divine redemption (e.g., Gal. 5:4). Paul's approach, too, was a function of his aims and audience. Unlike Jesus, his audience was mainly gentile and his mission to convert them as likely to be impeded by insistence upon observance of the Mosaic law". [Harper's Bible Dictionary, law, pg 551]

So, how did this situation develop? What are the factors that contributed? Listed below are the major influences that converged to fabricate the myth of law-lessness.

It would not be erroneous to say that the doctrine of Law-lessness is essential Pauline. Without Paul the doctrine would never have been formed. But upon close examination there is a clear contradictory element to Paul's writings. In one discussion he appears to be making the case for abolition, but than in others he appears to be upholding the traditional Jewish lifestyle (Law). In total, there is more abolish teachings in Paul's writings than upholding teachings. But on the surface, there is a clear and undeniable conflict in his teachings.

But what about the other NT writings? How do they add up to Law-lessness? The surprising answer is: virtually without exception the other writers paint a totally different picture of Law. Lets survey the Law issue across the NT.

But the record of human failure is now exposed by the burning light of divine truth. The truth of the end-of-the-age will challenge and finally demolish this fortress guarding the entrance to the fruitful land of promise. Instead of erroneously defending against Law-fulness, true Biblical Christianity will make a complete about-face, seeing the error of its ways, it will begin to live and proclaim the beauty of this hidden treasure of God. True Christianity will return to its true foundations, and begin again to build the Kingdom of God.

The Law issue positions truth against tradition. With it, God will test our love of the truth. To be honestly wrong

Messianic Implications

1. Abandon Law-lessness as a doctrine

2. Prepare for the day of re-compliance

3. Begin to develop the Gospel of the Kingdom

4. Begin new 'equal terms' dialog with Jews

Legalism is not a malignancy peculiar to the Law of Moses, it's a tendency of the human heart.

10 reasons why Christians keep Sunday - Dake

1. To commemorate the resurrection

2. The Lord's manifestations to his disciples were on Sunday

3. Christ ignored completely the old Jewish sabbath.

4. The outpouring of the Holy Spirit came on Sunday

5. Christ or no apostle commanded to keep the old Jewish Sabbath

6. Although no set day is commanded to be the sabbath in the new covenant, as in the old covenant, which was abolished, they did keep Sunday as their day of worship.

7. Typology of the old covenant made Sunday a day of worship - Pentecost and Feast of First Fruits came on Sunday ...

8. God honored Sunday by giving the law on that day

9. God again honored Sunday by giving the book of Revelation on that day.

10. Constantine and the Pope did not change the sabbath 321 and 364 A.D.

STATEMENTS

  1. The Law is eternal 2,8
  2. The Law is prophetic 1,2,8
  3. The Law defines the love of God, love of neighbor 4
  4. The Law, given, was completed at John 5
  5. The Law, fulfilled, was begun at John, and continuing 5
  6. The Law prophesied of Jesus, the Kingdom 8,17
  7. The Law is powerless to help one fulfill the Law 31
  8. Messiah provided power to fulfill the Law
  9. The Law is the final judge of the world 15
  10. The Spirit and Grace point us to the Law 18
  11. The Law is not nullified by faith (Grace) 18
  12. We should be slaves of (God's) Law 20
  13. The Law allows exceptions
  14. The Law reveals sin, the need of a Savior 21
  15. The Law is no longer a requirement, but a goal
  16. The Gentiles are a people without understanding because they don't know the Law

REFERENCES

  1. Mat 5:17 "Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them.
  2. Mat 5:18 I tell you the truth, until heaven and earth disappear, not the smallest letter, not the least stroke of a pen, will by any means disappear from the Law until everything is accomplished.
  3. Mat 19:17 "Why do you ask me about what is good?" Jesus replied. "There is only One who is good. If you want to enter life, obey the commandments." "Which ones?" the man inquired. Jesus replied, "'Do not murder, do not commit adultery, do not steal, do not give false testimony, honor your father and mother,' and 'love your neighbor as yourself.'"
  4. Mat 22:36 "Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?" Jesus replied: "'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.' This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: 'Love your neighbor as yourself.' All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments."
  5. Luke 16:16 "The Law and the Prophets were proclaimed until John. Since that time, the good news of the kingdom of God is being preached, and everyone is forcing his way into it.
  6. Luke 16:17 It is easier for heaven and earth to disappear than for the least stroke of a pen to drop out of the Law.
  7. Luke 24:25 He said to them, "How foolish you are, and how slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken! Did not the Christ have to suffer these things and then enter his glory?" And beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, he explained to them what was said in all the Scriptures concerning himself.
  8. Luke 24:44 He said to them, "This is what I told you while I was still with you: Everything must be fulfilled that is written about me in the Law of Moses, the Prophets and the Psalms."
  9. John 1:16 From the fullness of his grace we have all received one blessing after another. For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ.
  10. John 1:45 Philip found Nathanael and told him, "We have found the one Moses wrote about in the Law, and about whom the prophets also wrote--Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph."
  11. John 6:32 Jesus said to them, "I tell you the truth, it is not Moses who has given you the bread from heaven, but it is my Father who gives you the true bread from heaven.
  12. Acts 21:17 When we arrived at Jerusalem, the brothers received us warmly. The next day Paul and the rest of us went to see James, and all the elders were present. Paul greeted them and reported in detail what God had done among the Gentiles through his ministry. When they heard this, they praised God. Then they said to Paul: "You see, brother, how many thousands of Jews have believed, and all of them are zealous for the law. They have been informed that you teach all the Jews who live among the Gentiles to turn away from Moses, telling them not to circumcise their children or live according to our customs. What shall we do? They will certainly hear that you have come, so do what we tell you. There are four men with us who have made a vow. Take these men, join in their purification rites and pay their expenses, so that they can have their heads shaved. Then everybody will know there is no truth in these reports about you, but that you yourself are living in obedience to the law. As for the Gentile believers, we have written to them our decision that they should abstain from food sacrificed to idols, from blood, from the meat of strangled animals and from sexual immorality." The next day Paul took the men and purified himself along with them. Then he went to the temple to give notice of the date when the days of purification would end and the offering would be made for each of them. When the seven days were nearly over, some Jews from the province of Asia saw Paul at the temple. They stirred up the whole crowd and seized him, shouting, "Men of Israel, help us! This is the man who teaches all men everywhere against our people and our law and this place. ..... Acts 24:14 However, I admit that I worship the God of our fathers as a follower of the Way, which they call a sect. I believe everything that agrees with the Law and that is written in the Prophets, and I have the same hope in God as these men, that there will be a resurrection of both the righteous and the wicked..... I was ceremonially clean when they found me in the temple courts doing this. ...... Acts 25:8 Then Paul made his defense: "I have done nothing wrong against the law of the Jews or against the temple or against Caesar." ...... Acts 28:17 Three days later he called together the leaders of the Jews. When they had assembled, Paul said to them: "My brothers, although I have done nothing against our people or against the customs of our ancestors, I was arrested in Jerusalem and handed over to the Romans.
  13. /3Rom 2:13 For it is not those who hear the law who are righteous in God's sight, but it is those who obey the law who will be declared righteous.
  14. Rom 2:17 Now you, if you call yourself a Jew; if you rely on the law and brag about your relationship to God; if you know his will and approve of what is superior because you are instructed by the law; if you are convinced that you are a guide for the blind, a light for those who are in the dark, an instructor of the foolish, a teacher of infants, because you have in the law the embodiment of knowledge and truth--
  15. Rom 3:19 Now we know that whatever the law says, it says to those who are under the law, so that every mouth may be silenced and the whole world held accountable to God.
  16. Rom 3:20 Therefore no one will be declared righteous in his sight by observing the law; rather, through the law we become conscious of sin.
  17. Rom 3:21 But now a righteousness from God, apart from law, has been made known, to which the Law and the Prophets testify. This righteousness from God comes through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe. There is no difference,
  18. Rom 3:28 For we maintain that a man is justified by faith apart from observing the law. Is God the God of Jews only? Is he not the God of Gentiles too? Yes, of Gentiles too, since there is only one God, who will justify the circumcised by faith and the uncircumcised through that same faith. Do we, then, nullify the law by this faith? Not at all! Rather, we uphold the law.
  19. Rom 7:14 We know that the law is spiritual; but I am unspiritual, sold as a slave to sin.
  20. Rom 7:21 So I find this law at work: When I want to do good, evil is right there with me. For in my inner being I delight in God's law; but I see another law at work in the members of my body, waging war against the law of my mind and making me a prisoner of the law of sin at work within my members. What a wretched man I am! Who will rescue me from this body of death? Thanks be to God--through Jesus Christ our Lord! So then, I myself in my mind am a slave to God's law, but in the sinful nature a slave to the law of sin.
  21. Rom 8:1 Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit of life set me free from the law of sin and death. For what the law was powerless to do in that it was weakened by the sinful nature, God did by sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful man to be a sin offering. And so he condemned sin in sinful man, in order that the righteous requirements of the law might be fully met in us, who do not live according to the sinful nature but according to the Spirit. Those who live according to the sinful nature have their minds set on what that nature desires; but those who live in accordance with the Spirit have their minds set on what the Spirit desires. The mind of sinful man is death, but the mind controlled by the Spirit is life and peace; the sinful mind is hostile to God. It does not submit to God's law, nor can it do so. Those controlled by the sinful nature cannot please God.
  22. Rom 10:19 Again I ask: Did Israel not understand? First, Moses says, "I will make you envious by those who are not a nation; I will make you angry by a nation that has no understanding."
  23. Rom 13:10 Love does no harm to its neighbor. Therefore love is the fulfillment of the law.
  24. 1 Cor 9:21 To those not having the law I became like one not having the law (though I am not free from God's law but am under Christ's law), so as to win those not having the law.
  25. Gal 3:5 Does God give you his Spirit and work miracles among you because you observe the law, or because you believe what you heard?
  26. Gal 3:24 So the law was put in charge to lead us to Christ that we might be justified by faith. Now that faith has come, we are no longer under the supervision of the law.
  27. Gal 5:18 But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under law.
  28. 1 Tim 1:8 We know that the law is good if one uses it properly.
  29. 1 Tim 1:9 We also know that law is made not for the righteous but for lawbreakers and rebels, the ungodly and sinful, the
  30. Heb 7:12 For when there is a change of the priesthood, there must also be a change of the law.
  31. Heb 7:18 The former regulation is set aside because it was weak and useless (for the law made nothing perfect), and a better hope is introduced, by which we draw near to God.
  32. Heb 10:1 The law is only a shadow of the good things that are coming--not the realities themselves. For this reason it can never, by the same sacrifices repeated endlessly year after year, make perfect those who draw near to worship.
  33. James 1:25 But the man who looks intently into the perfect law that gives freedom, and continues to do this, not forgetting what he has heard, but doing it--he will be blessed in what he does.

What was Judaism's failure? - legalism and the inability to perfectly counteract sin and produce a perfect man.

The Perfect Universal Lifestyle (PUL) is the lifestyle lived by Jesus, Peter, James, John, Paul and all the Apostles, and believers, both Jew and Gentile, for the first few years of the NT church. Based on the perfect, holy, just, and good revelation of Torah, it would include all or most of the 613 'commands' established as the lifestyle of a fully observant Jew in the days of the Messiah. Technically, compliance to the PUL is the 'sign' of one's acceptance of the covenant of Abraham (Rom 4:9-11).

But how could such a radical change take place in Christianity? Its hard to even imagine the circumstances that could bring such a change about.

If it were to be done, two issues would have to be dealt with - first, to detail the case for recompiling to the Law of Moses, and second, explaining how Christianity could have been wrong for most of 2000 years. The two cases are quit different, however related:

The first argument, the Biblical justification for Law-fullness, is presented elsewhere in a document entitled "The Perfect Universal Lifestyle." For the new convert or lay person who has not closely studied their churches position on Law, the case presented in "The Perfect Universal Lifestyle" would likely be convincing and accepted as a legitimate emerging prophetic reality. The evidence is overwhelming in favor of a return to a Law-full lifestyle.

The first is building a new doctrine, the second is tearing one down. The second seems to be by far the most difficult, with the momentum of 2000 years and 'official dogma' behind it. It is virtually impossible to think that it could happen by any force other than the sovereign work of God. It goes completely counter to the current stream of thought. It would not be easy, comfortable, or quiet, but truth is coming and truth seekers will hear the still voice of the Spirit and respond - to change the world.

However, for a relatively mature Christian, who has studied and accepted the churches doctrine concerning Law a whole new barrier is encountered. Under normal circumstances someone who is 'grounded in the Word' is better prepared and protected from false teaching. It is commendable and in fact essential that a Christian know in what he bases his faith. But ultimately each man is responsible to God for his own walk and conclusions in regard to 'what the Scriptures say'. No man or denomination should be expected or permitted to be infallible in speaking the truth of God. On the whole, Christian institutions protect and further the presentation of the gospel, but history has clearly shown that when they are wrong on some issue they can actually inhibit and even worst, stand directly opposed to the very God they claim to represent. This is always the human dilemma - to stand strong and un-moveable in the face of attack, but be humble and teachable in God's progressive journey of redemption. We are admonished to keep in step with the Spirit.

Law Review - Perfect Plan, Perfect Man

Let's review the big concepts. Taken broadly, the Law is the definition of a perfect man (Messiah) or in a corporate sense, the perfect kingdom. The 'extended Law', which includes the Prophets and Psalms, defines the perfect plan to attain that perfect man. The Law was revealed through Israel as described in the Old Testament. By the birth of John the Baptist, the revelation of the perfect man and the perfect plan was complete. Phase I was over, the words were sealed, in cement', so to speak. As Jesus phrased it: it would be 'easier for heaven and earth to disappear than for one stroke of a pen to drop out of the Law'. There was only one problem. God had revealed to mankind his ultimate paradise, but mankind was still powerless to attain it. John and Jesus began Phase II, the process of energizing a perfect but powerless plan. The Law itself predicted this empowering.

The LORD is my rock (Law), ... and the horn (power) of my salvation.

Messiah now fulfilled the Law. Fulfilled, not in the sense that he 'ended' or 'now stood in place of' the Law, but that he added to, or filled the 'mold' outlined as law with substance. Just as the Law had predicted and described, Messiah added all the means necessary for other men to attain to the perfection defined by the Law. He fulfilled his part of the process, a process not yet completed - in us. He was not only the power of the Law, but he was also our model of what the marriage of Law and power would produce - the perfect man. He greatly clarified what the goal of the Law was. He was the first man to succeed, and is now resting at the right hand of God the Father, waiting for the full harvest of the 'empowered plan' to mature. That is the reason the Law is so important to us today. It is a description of the continuing plan of complete redemption. To discard it, is to frustrate the glorious consummation of our relationship to Him. To diminish it, is to be unprepared for the knowledgeable, and responsive participation he desires from us. Christianity is currently settling for much less than it is destined for. It is largely due to the misappropriation of this plan. We have divine blood in our veins. Deep is calling onto deep. Being daddy's little girl is one thing, but even human societies encapsulate their children in a 'womb' of grace, protecting them from 'adult' wonders and evils. God is no different. The temporary release from the full requirements of Law is one important aspect of Grace, but the other is the power to live up to it. We, as the Body of Messiah, are a prospective bride, preparing herself to marry, about to take on His name in official representation of God. Messiah's queen of the universe must have a thorough understanding of, and be accountable to, the Laws of her Kingdom.

Law and Grace

However Dake's view of law and grace's incompatibility is not shared by all. An honest evaluation of that view correctly identifies it as a mis-appropriation of Paul's gospel.

"Jesus spoke to a popular and unsophisticated audience moved by none of these considerations. His target was not the law, but rather any style of interpretation of the law that removed its immediacy as teaching to the people. There is no hint of an antithesis between law and grace in the teachings of Jesus. In some of the Pauline writings, the matter stands differently, But Pauline antinomianism was not an opposition to law per se (e.g., Rom. 7:12), rather an opposition to observance of the law as the route to divine redemption (e.g., Gal. 5:4). Paul's approach, too, was a function of his aims and audience. Unlike Jesus, his audience was mainly gentile and his mission to convert them as likely to be impeded by insistence upon observance of the Mosaic law". [Harper's Bible Dictionary, law, pg 551]