I think there would be more light and less heat if in discussions on the law people defined their terms. I think there are three main meanings of 'the law'. The trouble is people import concepts from one to another. Here are my three:
1. The Torah
2. Commands
3. God's word working death
The law [1] contains, but is not exclusively, law [2] which usually functions as law [3] to cause us to run to the Gospel.
The Torah is the Mosaic Covenant which contained both commands and promises. And the promises are not all conditional!
Commands are found not just in the Mosaic Covenant but throughout the bible; even Galatians. They can condemn us because they reveal our sin (2nd use of the law), but inherently they are good and so can help reveal how we should live once we have been saved (3rd use of the law).
God's word working death can come through commands (using the 2nd use of the law) but not exclusively (it can also come through phrases like 'Christ died for my sins' - see here) God's word working death is opposed to his word working life. But everlasting life can only be found by going through death. This is the meaning of 'law' in the phrase 'law and gospel' if that phrase is used in its true sense.
Hi Dave
ReplyDeleteWould you add a fourth - a kind of general principle - 'so I find this law at work...'?
Hi Pete,
ReplyDeleteYes you could. And to be crystal clear I could subdivide Torah into: (a) the Moasic covenant; and (b) the scriptures.
I think I wanted to focus on the three main ones when talking about law and gospel. Perhaps I should have talked about the three meanings of gospel which correspond to the three meanings of law I posted:
1. The New Testament (a. covenant; b. scriptures)
2. Promises
3. God's word giving life
Really my motivation in writing the post was to clarify what we are talking about when we are talking about law and gospel. Because we can mean 3 different thinks, but the third meaning is the most fundamental.
Perhaps I should re-write the post. I wrote it at 2am which is never a good thing to do. It just became clear in my mind at that point and I wanted to get it down!
Are you well? How long before you move to Doncaster?
hey dave.
ReplyDeleteI always find these little observations of yours helpful, so I'd love to hear more on this.
Studying James with homegroup at the moment. Which do you think is james 1-2 about?
how about instruction (as in wisdom and revelation as in "I am the LORD"?
any summer plans?
Chris
So Chris, you really got me thinking...
ReplyDeleteI hadn't really thought about James for a long while and I was challenged that I should have done.
I have done a bit of stream of conciousness blogging as I've worked through some of it in my own mind this evening. Anyway you can tell me what you think.
You may need to expand on your 'instruction' point though, as I'm not 100% sure I understand you.
As for summer, I'm just working. I used up all my holiday allowance about 6 months ago on revision and a week in the lakes. I haven't had 2 consecutive days off work since November. I'm feeling a bit burnt out. But I haven't got any money either. But you make your choices and you have to live with them!
Thanks for asking. You?