Objections to Torah (Commandment) Obedience

Photo by rafa1121

Based on the writings of the Apostle Paul and the book of Hebrews, Christianity has developed a theology that rationalises why it should no longer observe the Commandments (or what the Hebrews call the Torah).

As far as I can make out, they are based largely on four arguments:

1. Didn't following the Torah become obsolescent with the advent of the New Covenant?


2. By observing the Torah, aren't you abrogating your own culture and trying to become Jewish?


3. Isn't Torah observance Legalism?
4. According to Matthew 5.17 hasn't Jesus fulfilled the law already, so we don't have to comply with it?

Each question opens up other questions before it can be adequately answered. For example, the second question leads one to ask: What is Jewish culture? How much of it is due to the Torah and how much of it comes from other cultures that have influenced the Jewish people over the eons?

Clearly some of their culture is a direct result of the Bible's requirements. Other features of their culture and traditions have arisen from historical influences. I suppose one could ask: To what extent should I, as a Gentile Christian, adopt Jewish culture? Firstly, to the extent that the bible's requirements make it so, and then I can choose to adopt the cultural norms and practices that assist me to constructively obey the biblical commandments.

A Christian's relationship with the Jews is special. According to Paul's writings, we are one: joined at the hip. By faith, we are counted as a part of the Seed of Abraham, a Child of God through the Spirit of Adoption. What blended family can sustainably exist with two different sets of rules? The Torah says that there shouldn't be a different Law for the alien that lives among the Hebrews. Since we are one People, whatever threatens them must also threaten us. In theory when they weep we should be too. When they celebrate so should we.

I will continue to investigate the answers to these three questions in subsequent postings.