LIBERTY UNIVERSITY

                            RAWLINGS SCHOOL OF DIVINITY                                

Reflection on J. Daniel Hays’ “Applying The Old Testament Law Today”

Submitted to Dr. Gary Yates,

in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the completion of

OBST 515-001

Old Testament Orientation I

by

     Shanté Grossett        

                  September 24, 2021                

Introduction

Christians often struggle with knowing how to interpret and apply the Old Testament Law to their modern day experiences. While some passages such as the Ten Commandments in Exodus 20 seem to have a clear application, others like Leviticus 19:27 which commands men to avoid cutting the sides of their hair and edge of their beards can be confusing for Christians reading the Old Testament. However, the entire law is applicable for Christians since it was given by the God whom both Christians and Jews profess. While the entire law is significant for Christians, we do not apply it in the same way the Israelites did many years ago when the Law was first given through Moses. J. Daniel Hays discusses this at length in his article, “Applying the Old Testament Law Today.” He explains that the traditional approach to Old Testament interpretation is flawed. Christians cannot merely divide the Law into moral, civil, and ceremonial categories. Instead, Christians should extract and apply the timeless theological principles of the Law to their modern situations. This reflection paper will include an explanation of why and how the Mosaic Law applies to Christians, an application of Leviticus 25:23-28 using the principlism method, and finally, a reflection on Hays’ response to the common criticism that Christians are “picking and choosing” which laws to follow and which to ignore.

Why and How the Mosaic Law Applies to Christians

The Mosaic Law applies to Christians because it was given by God and it teaches Christians about who God is and how he expects his people to live. Specifically, the Law is related to the covenant God made with Israel. It set the boundaries, rules, and conditions for the Israelites’ relationship with God. At this point in salvation history, human beings did not have the capacity to live in right relationship with God without an external law.

Interestingly enough, the Mosaic Law is distinct from other Ancient Near Eastern law codes because it appears within a historical narrative.^[1] One cannot apply the Law without first considering the narrative it is embedded within. For example, the Ten Commandments in Exodus 20 comes after God led Israel out of Egypt, through the wilderness, and gave them victory over their enemies, the Amalekites.^[2] Before God gives Israel the Law, he reminds them of who he is and what he has done for them.^[3] The relationship Israel has with God is covenantal: God has been faithful to Israel and he expects faithfulness in return.

Next, the Ten Commandments are repeated in Exodus 34. This comes after another significant narrative. Israel sinned by creating and worshipping the Golden Calf. God not only reiterates the Law to Moses, he also reveals that he is a compassionate and merciful God.^[4] If a Christian today were to only focus on the Ten Commandments and not the narrative, they would miss what the Old Testament has to say about God’s character.

Finally, Leviticus 10 contains the narrative about Nadab and Abihu, sons of Aaron who took their own fire and offered it on the altar, instead of offering the kind of fire God required. The fire of the Lord consumed both Nadab and Abihu and they died.^[5] It is important to note that the Law in Leviticus contains many references to God’s holiness. The Israelites were required to separate the holy from the profane.^[6] However, the narrative in this passage puts the law on display. Nadab and Abihu died because they failed to recognize the importance of God’s holiness, although God had already made it clear.

While the principles of the Law remain for Christians today, the same specific boundaries do not necessarily transcend between the two time periods and cultures. God is not dealing with modern day Christians in the exact way in which he dealt with Israel. Still, though Christians do not have to follow the Law like Israel did, they too need to recognize who God is and how he has commanded them to live. Christians are not offering sacrifices, adhering to dietary restrictions, and keeping ceremonial codes like the Israelites did but it is important that they acknowledge God’s character and relationship with them and how this should inform how they live their lives.

The Law Christians follow is distinct from and yet stands on the shoulders of the Mosaic Law. God has always been the same and his ways do not change. Therefore the Old Testament principles are applicable for Christian living, though Christians should not take them and apply directly without first recognizing the difference between themselves and the group of people God originally gave the law.

         As Hays explains in his article, the traditional approach of separating moral, ceremonial, and civil law does not hold weight.^[7] Since the Bible does not make this distinction, Christians cannot either.^[8] The entire law is important. However, modern believers understand the Law differently because Christ has died and is risen, and has opened up a new and better way to God than the Law could provide.^[9] Rather than attempting to directly apply the Law, Christians should use Hays’ principlism method to extract timeless theological application from the Old Testament.^[10] Hays explains that in order to do this, one must recognize what the specific law meant to the Israelites, determine the difference between believers today and the Israelites of the past, pull universal principles from the text, ensure that the principle discovered aligns with New Testament teaching, and finally, apply the principle to today’s modern situation.

Applying Leviticus 25:23-28 Using the Principlism Method

Leviticus 25:23-28 includes a law about redemption of property. Through Moses, God explains that land should not be sold perpetually. A previous owner who needed to sell due to financial hardship should have the option to redeem his land when he can afford to, or have a relative redeem his property on his behalf. If the original owner does not make enough to redeem his property, then he can redeem it in the year of jubilee when debts are released.

In order to apply this passage, I would first consider the significance of land and property in ancient Israelite society. How would an Israelite be impacted if he or she lost their property? It is likely that he or she would lose their entire livelihood and source of income. Next, I would acknowledge the fact that land is not as significant for modern day believers as it was for the Israelites. Today, our livelihood is not necessarily connected to property. However, if we lost our source of income and had no means of providing for our families, this would be a tough situation.

The theological principle that is clear from this passage is that everything belongs to God and as humans, we do not actually own anything. We simply borrow it from the Lord. Furthermore, God wants all of his people to have a source of provision. Human beings do not have the right to be greedy with their belongings or horde items, because all things belong to God. This principle aligns with New Testament teaching since New Testament believers are taught to give, share, and be generous with one another. Finally, I would apply this passage by making sure to give to others in my community rather than seeking to gain more wealth and provision for myself. Everything I own belongs to God and as I have freely received, I should also freely give.^[11]

“Picking and Choosing” in Applying the Old Testament Law

Finally, in his article, Hays addresses the criticism that Christians choose some parts of the Law to follow and others to ignore, rather than being consistent in their application. He further explains that many Christians do haphazardly decide which Law they believe is relevant and which they consider to be irrelevant.^[12] As previously mentioned, this is a poor hermeneutical approach. Christians should not base their application of scripture in arbitrary methods.

Instead, faithful Christians should apply the Old Testament in light of the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. Hays explains that Jesus fulfilled the righteous demands of the Law and brought it to its intended meaning.^[13] While the Mosaic Law may seem confusing in many areas, Jesus makes it clear. Furthermore, Hays clarifies that Jesus, being the Son of God, is the final authority and interpreter of the Law.^[14] 

The life of the Apostle Paul is a great example of this principle in practice. Paul did not suddenly reject the Law or deem it insignificant. Instead, after his encounter with Christ, he approached the Law through the lens of what Jesus had done in the world. Hays also mentions that Jesus restated many Old Testament Laws, modified some, and intensified others.^[15] The entire Law was pointing to Jesus and could only be fully realized through him.

Since Christ’s death and resurrection ushered in the New Covenant, Christians are not held to the stipulations of the Old Covenant. Christ completed the Law fully, freeing God’s people from it’s demands. Christians now follow the Law of Christ, a better and fuller version of the Old Testament Law.^[16] Christians are empowered to follow this law because of the Holy Spirit.^[17] Therefore, while we recognize that the Law is good and comes from God, we interpret and apply it differently than the ancient Israelites would.

Ultimately, Christians do not “pick and choose” when it pertains to following the Law. Christians reinterpret the Law in light of Christ and apply its theological principles to their daily lives. This is why Hays’ Principlism approach is a strong technique for interpreting the Old Testament. Without it, Christians would have difficulty knowing which principles to follow and why. While some like the ones explicitly addressed by Christ in the New Testament would be clear, they would be missing out on many others.

Hays has artfully addressed a significant issue in modern day Christianity. Principlism is a simple and straightforward method to follow. Rather than skipping over two thirds of scripture, Christians can confidently approach passages of scripture they previously found puzzling. By studying, interpreting, and applying the Old Testament, Christians learn more about God and grow in a deeper relationship with Christ. As 2 Timothy 3:16-17 appropriately states, all of scripture is God-breathed and useful for instruction, correction, and training in righteousness.