One thing is guaranteed to publically confront Professional Theologists in attempts to manipulate the requirements of God into legalisms that confuse and confound most. The way this will be done is through the reference of the Old Testament legal genre. Conservatives will list choice bits of laws to prevent the homosexuals from participating in Christian activities and by the Liberals to justify the right of women to choose what is best for themselves. Many will know the popular goto verses against LGBTQ expression, but be unawares that many other verses damn them also if it is just the law that is examined. It is the legal genre that will be the most critical need for good interpretive analysis, and Professional Theologists must get it right, or risk corrupting the inerrant Word of God to young Christians unable to know these things for themselves.
Dr. Heiser claims that all laws in the Bible are predominantly controllers of human relationships [1]. While this claim is true to a point, it must be understood that first and foremost, God’s laws delivered to mankind are providing opportunity for them to have relationship with Him. This relationship cannot happen without the control of human behavior which is overcome by the hold of sin. That is why the LORD God formed laws to govern His people, to guide them toward obedience to Him so their relationship could continue and grow.
The two types of Old Testament laws are Apodictic and Casuistic. Apodictic Law gives commands and prohibitions with regulations given by divine command; thus, God orders and obedience is expected. The other type of Hebrew law codes is the conditional law that also expresses the type of punishment to be meted out should it be violated; this is called Casuistic Law.
Old Testament Laws are found in the Books of Exodus (20-23; 25-31), Leviticus, Numbers (3-6; 8-10; 15; 18; 19; 28-30), and Deuteronomy (5-26). They are complex variations and take different forms such as recorded in The Ten Commandments (Exodus 20:1-17 Deuteronomy 5:6-21), The Book of the Covenant (Exodus 20:23-23:19), The Priestly Laws, (Exodus 25:31; 35-40; Leviticus 1-27; Numbers 4-10), The Holiness Code (Leviticus 17-26), and the Laws of Deuteronomy [2].
All of the Old Testament Laws are the way for God’s people to receive sanctification when their sins were upon them. Sanctification is the means for His people to become holy and freed from their sinful natures after God had consecrated Israel through His grace and established a government to guide them with His expectations [3]. The LORD God required His people’s holiness and obedience to Him in order that they might have relationship with Him. God’s Law was kept by His people as an act of devotion to Him, though it proved to be an impossible task through their fallen natures and removal of focus upon the things of God.
Later, the Lord Jesus Christ confirms the purpose of the law [4], and through his crucifixion and Resurrection, those that turn to Him for salvation are freed from sin, sanctified and made holy, and enter into full relationship with the LORD God. But, before the fullness of Christ unfolds in God’s timing, it began with His Laws to teach and guide His people to walk in His way with their disobedience to His Laws becoming teaching moments that progresses His people and prepares them for the arrival of Christ.
Bibliography
Elwell, Walter A., Barry J. Beitzel. Baker Encyclopedia of the Bible Grand Rapids, Mich.: Baker Book House, 1988.
Heiser, Michael S. BI101 Lecture Introducing Biblical Interpretation: Contexts and Resources: LOGOS Bible Software.
Footnotes
[1] Michael S. Heiser, Bi101 Lecture Introducing Biblical Interpretation: Contexts and Resources (LOGOS Bible Software).
[2] For those Professional Theologists that highlight their Bibles, God’s OT laws are typically marked with the color green.
[3] Walter A. Elwell, Barry J. Beitzel, Baker Encyclopedia of the Bible (Grand Rapids, Mich.: Baker Book House, 1988), 1316.
[4] Ibid.
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About the Author
Kathy L. McFarland is President and Founder of Becker Bible Ministries, Inc. and the Becker Professional Theology Academy. She is also a Becker Bible Studies Teacher and author of Guided Bible Studies for Hungry Christians. She has received her Bachelor of Science degree in Religious Studies from Liberty University, is on track for the Master of Divinity (Professional Ministries Track) degree from Liberty Baptist Theological Seminary & Graduate School in 2016 and will be seeking a Doctor of Philosophy Degree in Theology and Apologetics beginning in the fall of 2016. She is the originator of the newest theological movement to encourage Christian leaders to minister within the modern-day marketplace as Professional Theologists. She is also the Curriculum Developer for Becker Professional Theology Academy and a teaching faculty member. Kathy's favorite studies to teach include the connections between Old Testament exegesis, Christian Apologetics, and Bible typology and mysteries.
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