Subject: Must all the Bible be taken literally? |
Bible Note: Magnum Let me try to explain it to you. In the Old Testament God gave the people the law within that law were Governmental laws, (don’t kill or steal), Religious laws (what to eat and when to worship) and unchangeable natural laws (there is only one God, God is to be worshipped). Most of these laws also carried with them their punishment should they be broken. The governmental laws change as we change our form of government. They were handed down when man was ruled by a theocracy (by God alone) and while the law itself usually didn’t change man as he became more “enlightened” usually changed the punishment. Example adultery is sin under a theocracy God called for the death penalty, under our present form of government adultery is almost encouraged, however God still views it as a sin. Today's society and government views it differently and since they now make the social laws in which we live it caries no punishment. Religious laws were set in place to make the people of Israel set apart from the rest of the world and to give instruction on worship of God. There is much conjecture on why laws like the dietary laws were made. Many believe it is for health and sanitation, however these laws were set aside in the New Testament in 1 Tim. 4:3-5 …men who forbid marriage and advocate abstaining from foods which God has created to be gratefully shared in by those who believe and know the truth. [4] For everything created by God is good, and nothing is to be rejected if it is received with gratitude; [5] for it is sanctified by means of the word of God and prayer. Laws like the Sabbath, the day to worship God we believe has changed to Sunday (the Lord’s Day) as seen in the scriptures as the day Christians came together and by church history. Many of the religious laws dealt with sacrifice which are unneeded since Jesus was the perfect sacrifice and we are no longer under temple worship. However other religious Laws like God is holy and such still stand and are to be honored. Basically all the religious laws stand unless they have been superceded (such as the system of sacrifice) or specifically done away with such as the food prohibitions by 1 Tim 4:3-5. What I call Natural laws are basically immutable truths that will never change even though man may try to change or deny them. Example God is the creator of heaven and earth, man was created, God is to be worshipped, God never lies, what god has declared sin is sin no matter what man declares (adultery issue for example) I hope this helps if not, please get back and let me know. EdB |