- Nov 21, 2008
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a. Where does the Bible use the term moral law? If you had such a verse you wouldn't be quoting the confessions of faith.
The Confessions of Faith simply use it as short hand for "that law which defines what sin is" and "that law which is written on the heart under the New Covenant" of Jer 31:31-34
3. Besides this law, commonly called the moral law, God was pleased do give the people of Israel ceremonial laws containing several typical ordinances. These ordinances were partly about their worship, and in them Christ was prefigured along with His attributes and qualities, His actions, His sufferings and His benefits. These ordinances also gave instructions about different moral duties. All of these ceremonial laws were appointed only until the time of reformation, when Jesus Christ the true Messiah and the only lawgiver, Who was furnished with power from the Father for this end, cancelled them and took them away.
This section has a contradiction. It indicates that these "ordinances also gave instructions about different moral duties". But they don't classify it in the moral law. And they include these laws with moral duties in the cancelled laws.
How can you have a moral law category that does not include some of the moral laws? This would include the two great commandments as well, and you already stipulated they are not removed.
I don't limit it to the TEN - I simply point out that the concept of divisions into different types of Law is a concept shared across denominations.
The term is just used as short hand for "that law which defines what sin is" (As we see in Rom 3:19-20) so it is "that law which is written on the heart under the New Covenant" of Jer 31:31-34
This would include Paul referencing muzzling an ox while treading out the grain, etc. which he then applies to pastoral support. This would eliminate a number of things that should not be eliminated.
I am fine with applying the "no cruelty to animals" teachings and that being cruel to animals does not honor God.
But in that case - Paul is not commanding people to keep those muzzles off - rather he is applying this to paying pastors and evangelists and the principle of giving someone their due support - which is a moral obligation. But I would also agree that cruelty to animals is a moral issue.
As I said before - I never say the moral law of God is "only the TEN". My claim is that there are "divisions" in Law so that as Paul says in 1 Cor 7:19 "circumcision and uncircumcision is nothing -- what matters is keeping the Commandments of God" -- he shows a contrast in different kinds of law.
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