Skip to main content

Rehash

           All your words are true; all your righteous laws are eternal. (Psalm 119:160)

 

            Let’s apply just a little logic here. All of God’s righteous laws are eternal. Are there laws that are not eternal? Before the universe was created, the law e=mc2 was not true because there was no matter. If and when the universe ends, it may not be true. So while it is (probably[1]) true now it is not eternal. That suggests that it is not a “righteous” law. And contrary to those who cling to an episode of West Wing[2], the New Testament makes clear that there are commands given in the Old Testament to which Christians are not subject, meaning that they aren’t eternally required for a relationship with God. By that definition, they aren’t righteous laws, either.

            Now, this is not to say that God is not righteous, or that all that He does is not righteous. It is merely to point out that there are different kinds of laws. Some are natural, some are cultural, and some are righteous, eternal laws (AKA truths) that stand the test of time throughout all time. We need to avoid mixing these up.

            But here’s the hard part for us. If His Word is true, and if His righteous laws are eternal, then why don’t we live by them? This is rehashing the rehashed hash, but would we not be wise to learn as much about His words, and His righteous laws, and natural laws, and cultural laws as we can, and understand the differences between them?


[1] Just me hedging

[2] (33) West Wing - Bartlet & the Bible - YouTube Keep in mind that this was scripted – there is a good answer to Bartlet’s list of questions – beginning with precisely what is said above. Christians are not subject to all Old Testament Laws. They are subject to the righteous, eternal ones.

 

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

"Especially to those who belong to the family of believers."

Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers. (Gal 6:10)   “A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another.   By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.” (John 13:34-35)           Joshua grinned when he saw Rex standing by the door, studying something on the ground. "Hey, man! Are we ready to do this thing?"          Rex looked up. "Josh, I can't do it. We're still best buds, but I can't stand your fiancée."           I've met "Rex" many times. I've been Rex. Joshua (Jesus) loves the Church. He's not a fool. He knows the Church is far from perfect, but she is His chosen bride. The Rexes of this world, who think themselves His friend, turn away from her. "You don't need the Church to...
Post a Comment
Read more

Ssssssubmmissssssionnn

Submit to one another out of reverence for Christ . (Ephesians 5:21)             "Ssssssubmmisssssssionnn." Can't you just hear the serpent hissing this most horrible of words? If you listen to the serpent or the world, submission means groveling, allowing yourself to be abused, denying yourself your own humanity. Nothing could be worse than submission, could it?             Submission has never been a problem for me, as long as things are going the way I want them to. The rest of the time? Well, let's just say that while I don't know how to fight physically, I don't know how to not fight mentally. One of the fights I've been having with myself for years is about submission.             My first breakthrough took place on a trip to a bookstore. As I walked into the store, my thoughts were very clear. 1) I was goi...
Post a Comment
Read more

Shark Fins, Triple Dog Dares, Heroes, Villains and Sidekicks

Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their work: If one falls down, his friend can help him up. But pity the man who falls and has no one to help him up! Also, if two lie down together, they will keep warm. But how can one keep warm alone? Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves. A cord of three strands is not quickly broken (Ecclesiastes 4:9-12)            There's a scene in Jaws in which someone sees a shark fin and starts a panic. As   all the swimmers scramble to shore, boats surround the fin, which falls over to reveal two kids. With several guns pointed at them, one of the kids points at the other. The message is clear: it was his idea. In Christmas Story, there's a scene in which one kid "triple dog dares" another to do something stupid. Since it's a triple dog dare, well, what choice does the boy have? There doesn't seem to be any end to the trouble that peer pressure can cause. ...
Post a Comment
Read more