Of Swine and Men
A certain cultural attack on Christianity has been more commonly used in the last fifty or so years than it may have ever been. Believers nowadays are often blindsided with the following two questions:
“Oh you’re a Christian? Let me ask you something. Do you think homosexuality is wrong?”
*Christian answers, “Yes,” and perhaps even references a relevant Bible passage*
“Oh yeah? Well do you eat bacon? ‘Cause your Bible says that eating bacon is wrong too!”
Some Christians have actually studied the Old Testament law and our relationship to it in Christ, and are equipped to explain the subject to the misinformed skeptic who most likely will change the subject before they get the chance. However, it has been my observation that most Christians are not prepared for such an encounter. My intention in writing this article is to help resolve that problem.
First I would like to address the false dichotomy*** that is the underlying logical fallacy that some try to use when discussing this topic. It goes like this, “Either all of the Old Testament laws apply to people today, or none of them apply.”
The problem is, we have another possibility, and when you look at all of the relevant passages throughout scripture, there is a third option that fits beautifully with the whole of scripture. Before you can understand this point, though, there are a couple of things you need to know about the Old Testament law:
1) It was given to Israel as a nation. When God brought His people out of Egypt, He purposed to establish them as a new nation. When a new nation is created, it needs new laws. God did not judge gentile nations by this law, although gentiles traveling through Israel were held to this law, much like someone from Germany would be expected to obey our laws if they were visiting America. “One law and one custom must apply to you and to the resident foreigner who lives alongside you.” Numbers 15:16 NET. This judgement is repeated throughout the Torah.
2) There are two main kinds of laws that were included in the Mosaic Law.They are commonly called ceremonial laws and moral laws. Here is a brief explanation of each:
a) Ceremonial Laws - These laws dealt with feasts/festivals, sacrifices for sin, cleanliness issues such as prohibitions of certain foods, how sewage was to be handled, how farming fields were to be separated, and all manner of things that would “defile” or make one “unclean” as to disqualify them for a time from participating in corporate worship in the nation of Israel. You may think of this category as laws regarding religious practices for the nation of Israel.
b) Moral Laws - These laws are included in the Mosaic Covenant but transcend the law. For example, murder was still wrong before the law of Moses was given. Otherwise, Cain did nothing wrong when he killed his brother, Abel. These laws are binding on all people for all time because they reflect the just and holy nature of God.
Some further divide the laws into a third category called the “civil” or “judicial” law, but we’re just going to focus on the two for the sake of this issue.
Regarding the ceremonial laws, we are free in Christ to follow or not follow certain customs such as observing the feast days and festivals, eating certain food or drinks (Colossians 2:16-17), eating food sacrificed to idols (1 Corinthians 8:4), as well as many others. There are some who mistakenly teach that Christians today are required to follow the entire old testament law including the rules about cleanliness and food which we are clearly told throughout the New Testament are not required under the new covenant (Acts 15).
In relation to the passage in Leviticus 18 regarding homosexuality (which is the main reason why this discussion arises today), the question is whether this is a ceremonial, or a moral law. To determine this, it often becomes clear when you check the surrounding context of each individual law. If we do this with chapter 18, we see that it is lumped in with bestiality, engaging in sex with someone else’s spouse, and sacrificing your children in the fire to a false god named Molech. Do these laws also not apply to believers today? That is the necessary consequence if we are to say that none of the Old Testament laws apply anymore. These are moral truths that transcend the law; bestiality, adultery, and child sacrifice were morally evil before the law, and they remain morally evil even after the law’s replacement came (Jeremiah 31:31-32).
Many people are intimidated by the Old Testament Law, whether it is out of confusion about the things written in it, or simply by the tension and division it causes in our culture. We should not be afraid to study a large portion of the Old Testament that is rich in theology and typology, and also helps us understand much of the Jewish background of the gospels. There is nothing wrong with the law. Paul tells us in Romans 7:12 that the law was good.
Much more can be said about this incredibly deep topic, but this article is meant only to give a basic understanding of the law so the believer can stand firm when asked about it.
*** A false dichotomy occurs when one proposes that there are only two possible choices when there are, in fact, more than two.
Recommended Resources:
Youtube Video: “Understanding The Old Testament Law - part 1 of 2” By Mike Winger
Youtube Video: “Understanding The Old Testament Law - part 2 of 2” By Mike Winger