Table of Contents
Parent: JesusWordsOnly
Chapter 5 Conclusion
Paul is blunt in (Eph. 2:15), (Col. 2:14), (2Cor. 3:11-17), (Rom. 7:13) et seq, and (Gal. 3:19) et seq. The Law is abolished, done away with, nailed to a tree, has faded away, and was only ordained by angels who are no gods. If we were to cite Paul's condemnations of the Law in one string, the point is self-evident that Paul abrogated the Law for everyone. See 2Cor. 2:14 ("old covenant"); (Gal. 5:1) ("yoke of bondage"); (Rom. 10:4) ("Christ is end of the law"); 2Cor. 3:7 ("law of death"); (Gal. 5:1) ("entangles"); (Col. 2:14-17) ("a shadow"); (Rom. 3:27) ("law of works"); (Rom. 4:15) ("works wrath"); 2Cor. 3:9 (ministration of condemnation); (Gal. 2:16) ("cannot justify"); (Gal. 3:21) (cannot give life); (Col. 2:14) ("wiped out" exaleipsas); (Gal. 3:19), 4:8-9 ("given by angels...who are no gods [and are] weak and beggarly celestial beings/elements").
To save Paul from being a heretic, some claim Paul is talking against false interpretations of the Law. But this ignores that Paul tears away at the heart and soul of the Torah.
- Martin Abegg, "Paul, 'Works of the Law,' and MMT," Biblical Archaeological Review> (November/December 1994) at 52-53.
He disputes it was given by God. He claims instead it was given by angels. Paul says no one can judge you any longer for not keeping the Sabbath. This is one of the Ten Commandments. Paul, as Luther said, clearly abolished the Sabbath. All efforts to save Paul that do not grapple with these difficult passages are simply attempts at self-delusion.
Rather, Calvin was correct when he said "this Gospel [of Paul] does not impose any commands, but rather reveals God's goodness, His mercy and His benefits."
To Paul, faith was everything and a permanent guarantee of salvation. There was no code to break. There was supposedly no consequence of doing so for Abraham. We are Abraham's sons. We enjoy this same liberty, so Paul teaches.
Then how do we understand the Bible's promise that the time of the New Covenant would involve putting the "Torah" on our hearts? ((Jer. 31:31) et seq.) How do we understand God's promise that when His Servant (Messiah) comes, God "will magnify the Law (Torah), and make it honorable"? ((Isa. 42:21) ASV/KJV.)
You have no answer if you follow Paul. He says you no longer have to observe all God's Law given Moses. You just choose to do what is expedient. You do not worry about the letter of the Law. You can, instead, follow your own conscience. Whatever it can bear is permissible.
How are the contrary verses about the Law in the New Covenant Age then explained? It is seriously asserted by commentators that when Christ returns, the Law of Moses will be re-established. Thus, prior to Paul, there was Law. After Paul but before Christ comes again, there is no Law. When Christ returns, the Law of Moses is restored. (See Footnote 20 on page 393). So it is: Law-No Law-Law. God is schizophrenic! It is amazing what people can believe!
Consequently, one cannot escape a simple fact: Paul's validity as a teacher is 100% dependent on accepting his antinomian principles. Then what of (Deut. 13:5) which says someone with true signs and wonders must be ignored if he would seduce us from following the Law?
Paul even anticipated how to defend from this verse. Paul has shielded himself from this verse by ripping away all of the Law. He would not even acknowledge that we can measure him by (Deut. 13:5). This is part of the Law of Moses. Paul claims it was given by angels (Gal. 3:19). Paul says you are not to believe even an angel from heaven if it should contradict "my gospel" (Gal. 1:8). Hence, Paul would reject the test from Deuteronomy 13:5.
Yet, Paul has not escaped thereby. For Jesus in (Matt. 7:23) reiterated (Deut. 13:1-5). In doing so, Jesus specifically warned of false prophets to follow Him that would teach anomia. They would come with true signs and wonders. However, they are false because they taught anomia. As discussed earlier, they would be workers of negation of the Law. This is a legitimate dictionary definition of the word anomia in the world's best Greek lexicon-the LiddellScott Lexicon. For a full discussion, see page 60 et seq.
Now Christians must ask themselves this question: do you really believe Jesus made all those warnings about false prophets who come with true signs and wonders yet who are workers of anomia (negation of Law) (Matt. 7:23) so we would disregard the protective principle of (Deut. 13:5)? So we would disregard even Jesus' words in (Matt. 7:23)?
You can only believe this if you are willing to disregard Jesus. You can only believe this if you then disregard the Law of Moses was given by God Himself. The Bible clearly says God delivered it personally in Exodus chapters 19-20, 25. Jesus likewise says it was God in the bush speaking to Moses. ((Mark 12:26); Luke 20:37.)
Or will you allow Paul to convince you that the Law was given by angels (Gal. 3:19) and thus Paul's words are higher than of angels (Gal. 1:8)? Will you be seduced to believe you are thus free to disregard (Deut. 13:5)? And have you also somehow rationalized away (Matt. 7:23), and its warnings of false prophets who bring anomia ?
Your eternal destiny may depend on how you analyze these simple questions.