Mosaic Law in 2017

What should we make of the Old Testament law in 2017? Why is it that we still enforce prohibitions on homosexual behavior (as described in Leviticus 18-20) but we neglect the restrictions on haircuts, piercings and diets that are found in the same passages?

Ways to define “law”

The entire Old Testament
The commands given to Moses
The legalistic distortion of the teachings of Moses (from John Piper)

Before we can discern how the law should be applied today, now that we are thousands of years from the day of Moses and living in a culture that is completely different than the one in existence when the law was given, we should look at God’s intention in revealing the law to the Israelites.

Here’s a brief look at some of the primary uses of the law.

To distinguish God’s chosen people from the nations around them. Got set Israel apart. This separation was made evident by several ceremonial observances. For example: what they were to eat or not eat; how they were to dress, etc. The intention was for the Israelites, God’s chosen and set apart people, to look different from the world around them. The outward appearance is not what made them different, God’s grace and promises toward them is what truly set them apart, but that separation was made evident by outward expressions, distinguishing them from the nations around them.
To restrain the power of sin and the reign of evil. We know that the law cannot eradicate sin but it was purposed to curtail it. For example: while a speed limit sign may not prevent people from speeding since most people will drive 65 or 70 in a 60 mph zone, few people will drive 90 out of fear of penalty.
To diagnose the sinful state of man. The law was to function as a mirror, revealing our sinfulness and how we fall short of God’s standard for righteousness. It was meant to make us aware of our need for a Savior.

There is a tendency among Christians who don’t understand these primary uses of the law to say things like “that was the old system, we don’t have to go by the mandates of the Old Testament now”. While there may be some truth to such statements, they don’t account for Jesus saying that He did not come to abolish the law but to fulfill it!

On the other side of the fence, those who oppose Christianity say things like “the same chapter that condemns homosexuality also says you can’t eat pork, so if you had bacon for breakfast you are a hypocrite for opposing gay marriage”. Again, this is only a partial truth. Jesus says that all food is clean, but He never removes restrictions on sexual immorality of any kind.

So, back to our original question. What should we make of the law today? I think rather than dismissing the law entirely, or applying every aspect of it literally, we should effort to approach the laws of the Old Testament in a way that seeks out their underlying principles. Here’s what I mean.

Study and familiarize yourself with the context and original audience to whom the law was given.
Identify the substantial differences between the original audience and the modern audience.
Identify the underlying universal principle from the instruction or prohibition that was given.
Consider this principle through the lens of the gospel and the teachings of the New Testament.
Apply the modified universal principle to your life today.

Here’s an example.

The Israelites had laws on how, when and if their hair could be cut.
In the Old Testament we see that visible signs distinguishing God’s chosen people from the nations around them were highly emphasized.
We know that the purpose for these restrictions was so they could be easily recognized as people set apart by God.
The New Testament teaches us that God’s people are still set apart but that the distinguishing factors are no longer defined by laws but rather spiritual sanctification.
Now we can clearly see that the original restriction is no longer applied because it is not our hairstyle that sets us apart as the people of God. The people of God are those who have received the gift of faith.

In summary, Christ has freed us from the penalties of the law, but we should not take that to mean that we are exempt from the moral boundaries and obligations found in God’s original intent. In Christ we are no longer slaves under the law but we are now sons and daughters under grace.