Judges: Longing for One like Melchizedek
3 days ago
Friday, August 28, 2009
The Moral Will of God and the Law
I am a former OPC member (moved to different city) and have settled at an Independant Reformed Baptist church. It is a small congregation which embraces Calvinism and New Covenant Theology. There are folks with varying views within the congregation regarding Covenant Theology including the pastor (obviously). I have been challenged to re-think my views on Covenant Theology and the Law of God (Mosaic); and as a result, the continuity / discontinuity issues with respect to the Old and New Covenants. The WCF seems to affirm unity with respect to the decalogue in particular with strong affirmations with respect to the third use of the Law. The NT seems clear when it speaks of the difference between the Old and New Covenants and the liberty from the Old. Yet the 10 Words appear to have relevance in the current age. It cannot be disputed that in the economy of the New Covenant period that the church at large and the individual christian has ethical/moral responsibilities. Yet these responsibilies are laid at our feet as a path to walk in a different manner. The law of love is to motivate and guide us. Lee Irons has written about the Moral Will of God and perhaps expresses our relationship to it in the differing redemptive economies very well.
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Brother Perkins,
ReplyDeleteAt issue is simply this. Where do the saints go for their ethic in this present age? Do they run to the Law for just a little use of the law, or as Paul so clearly states it, to the Spirit? His point being, the Spirit of God will supply their ethic as well. Walk in the Spirit and you will not....!
Hi R.,
ReplyDeletePraise God for your humble, teachable heart to reconsider your doctrine. When we're willing to follow Christ wherever He leads whatever the cost, He often reveals truth to us.
I respect a teachable man whom I disagree with, more that an unteachable man whom I agree with. The former is a true disciple of Christ.
Yes, you're right that we have ethical/moral responsibilities in the NC. But, we need to beware of drawing an illogical, false dichotomy between the Spirit and the law of Christ.
The Spirit didn't replace the Law of Moses. Christ fulfills the Law eschatolgically/prophetically by His kingdom which includes His birth, teaching, death, res., reign, return, and Spirit who empowers and motivates us to obey His commands in the NT.
Christ transferred 9 of the 10 commands into the NT. And, we obey those 9 from the authority of the NC, not the OC.
Just some thoughts to stimulate your thinking. Pray and ask the Lord for wisdom, and He will answer.
Moe and Greg,
ReplyDeleteThanks for your helpful comments. I truly have come to the place where I must affirm the unity of the moral will of God expressed in creation, in the redemption of Israel and her covenant at Sinai, and under the New Covenant. The discontinuity rests not in the moral desire of God for man; but rather in the purpose of the revelation of the "right" path revealed in it's work under each administration. In creation, Adam was under probation; At Sinai and in Israel's history, Israel was under law (moral, ceremonial, and civil)as a child is under her tutor AND as a covenant of works typologically in posession of the Land; and for us from the Incarnate Word as a means of expressing gratitude and love. I see 9 commandments re-cast in the N.T. and the 10th (Sabbath) as changed and designated as "the Lord's Day" under which "none should be judged". Can we look to the Sinaitic Covenant in any positive light for us now? I believe we can look to it and say on the one hand... yes... as it reveals an enduring standard of righteousness by God as a republication of the Covenant of Works from creation; yet on the other hand... no... if it is the normative standard for us to live in this age. The Siniatic standards are fulfilled in Christ's life and work and establish a pattern by which we are called to reflect His image in this age as faith works through love.
Lee Irons has drawn a careful and useful line with respect to God's Moral Will discussing how it revealed in the COW in Creation, and in the Sinaitic Covenant and then in the New Covenant. The OPC had problems with his definitions when compared with chapter 19 of the WCF. However, I think Lee's formulation is an outstanding observation and expression of what may very well be a superior of the Biblical-Redemptive Historical record.
Oops! Last sentence above should read: "However, I think Lee's formulation is an outstanding observation and expression of what may very well be a superior INTERPRETATION of the Biblical-Redemptive Historical record."
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