Old Testament Law for Christians: Original Context and Enduring Application

The Old Testament law is foundational for our understanding of the Bible, but for many it remains some of the Old Testament's most foreign and exotic material. This book by a leading evangelical expert in biblical law helps readers understand Old Testament law, how it functioned in the Old Testament, and how it is (and is not) instructive for contemporary Christians. The author explicates the often confusing legal system of ancient Israel, differentiates between time-bound cultural aspects of Israelite law and universally applicable aspects of the divine value system, and shows the ethical relevance of Old Testament law for Christians today.

• Contents
• Introduction
• Part 1: Getting into Old Testament Law
  • 1. Is Old Testament Law Relevant for New Covenant Christians?
  • 2. What Is Old Testament Law?
  • 3. The Purpose of Old Testament Law
• Part 2: Literature and Background of Old Testament Law
  • 4. Navigating Old Testament Laws and Related Literature
  • 5. How Does the Old Testament Law Genre Inculcate Values?
  • 6. Historical Contexts Illuminating Old Testament Laws
• Part 3: Applying Old Testament Laws
  • 7. Introduction to Applying Old Testament Laws to Christian Life
  • 8. Approaches to Applying Old Testament Law
  • 9. Progressive Moral Wisdom
  • 10. Case Study of Progressive Moral Wisdom: Lost and Profound in Exodus 23:4
• Part 4: Values in Old Testament Law
  • 11. Ten Commandments and Related Laws, Part One
  • 12. Ten Commandments and Related Laws, Part Two
  • 13. Social Justice in Old Testament Law
  • 14. Old Testament Law and Theodicy
  • 15. Questions about Keeping Old Testament Laws Today
  • 16. Values Reflected in Ritual Laws
• Conclusion: The Value of Obedience to God
• Indexes