Thank you for your reply. I have not read the book, but from what I have heard and what I deduct from your message is that the writer is trying to convince disciples of Jesus Christ to return to uphold the Old Testament customs and laws as was given through Moses to the Israelites. We do of course acknowledge that the Old Testament books of Moses is part of the Bible and is a true God-inspired representation of history. As New Testament believers living under the dispensation of grace, we acknowledge this as the history from where Jesus Christ came forth as the Saviour who also redeemed us from the curse of sin and the OT law.

This book and the scriptures you gave below from this book is an excellent example of how passages quoted out of context can be used to deceit the unwary believer. Let us look at these scriptures quoted to establish the true meaning from the context:

Romans 2:13 – This verse should be read together with presceding and following verses namely Romans 2:12, 14 and 15. Paul explicity exclude New Testament believers from the the law-life referred to in Romans 2:13. Romans 2:13 then is clearly aimed at those who specifically, in ignorance, choose to live, not by the dictates of the Holy Spirit, but the dictates of the Jewish Law, and in so doing make themselves subject to the curse of the law.

Romans 3:31 – Again, this should be read in context with the previous versus, especially Romans 3:19-20,28. What Paul conveys in this scripture is that although we as NT believers do not live by the letter of the OT law, we also do not transgress the law of God. As indicated in the article above, the NT law of love, is a higher form of living in the Spirit that will by nature not do any of the things that the OT law forbids. The problem of living by the letter of the Jewish law, is that such a person should then also keep the Sabbath, the feasts and all the other prescribed Jewish laws etc., whilst Paul clearly states in Col 2:16:

Col 2:16 Therefore let no one sit in judgment on you in matters of food and drink, or with regard to a feast day or a New Moon or a Sabbath.

Galatians 3:24 – This verse cearly states that the law only served a purpose up to the coming of Christ. Because the Jews do not recognize Jesus Christ as the Son of God, they are still ignorantly subjecting themselves to the OT law. What is more clear than the following scripture:

Rom 10:4 For Christ is the end of the Law [the limit at which it ceases to be, for the Law leads up to Him Who is the fulfillment of its types, and in Him the purpose which it was designed to accomplish is fulfilled. That is, the purpose of the Law is fulfilled in Him] as the means of righteousness (right relationship to God) for everyone who trusts in and adheres to and relies on Him.

God bless!

Philip

I have recently read a book a friend gave to me written by” D. Thomas Lancaster (Restoration) “Returning the Torah of God back to the Disciples of Jesus”. He states that the Torah (The first 5 books of the old testament) is still part of Gods plan for our lives and still part of the new covenant we live in today, my feeling on this and on this man’s book is that there is a big misunderstanding when there is spoken about the “law” of God in the new testament sometimes. I think that the misunderstanding comes in with scriptures like Romans 2:13, Romans 3:31, Galatians 3:24 and so on, these are some of the scriptures quoted by Lancaster as teachings given by Paul.

As you show numerous times in your article “Nail the law to the cross” exactly what is God’s law (Law of love) and what is expected of us today.

I just want to thank you for your blog’s teachings, it is very clear that the Holy Spirit’s guidince is with you. It is great to know that when I am in a bit of confusion I can find answers on your website and ofcourse through prayer and meditation.
Thanks God bless
Fanie