Yesterday I introduced a new method for interpreting Scripture.
Well, actually I got the idea from Tom Bradford’s Torah Class to give credit where credit is due.
Anyways, I called my particular take on this approach the “Sheep Pen” method.
I believe this is a much better approach compared to modern systematic theology which behaves more like a divisive wall.
In a “wall” model, you’re either placed on one side or the other with no flexibility or room for anything in-between.
So without any further ado, let’s use the sheep pen method to examine one common church doctrine.
How about we take a look at the Christian teaching that the Mosaic Law has been done away with?
To start, let’s take a look at four different verses on this topic each representing one corner of the sheep pen.
They are:
SHEEP PEN CORNER 1:
“Don’t think that I have come
to abolish the Torah or the Prophets.
I have come not to abolish
but to complete.”
-Matthew 5:17
SHEEP PEN CORNER 2:
“Accordingly, the Torah functioned
as a custodian until the Messiah came,
so that we might be declared righteous
on the ground of trusting
and being faithful”
-Galatians 3:24
SHEEP PEN CORNER 3:
“But if you are led by the Spirit,
then you are not in subjection
to the system that results from
perverting the Torah into legalism.”
-Galatians 5:18
SHEEP PEN CORNER 4:
“You who are trying to be declared
righteous by God through legalism
have severed yourselves from the Messiah!
You have fallen away from God’s grace!”
-Galatians 5:4
So now we’ve got 4 posts established in our sheep pen concerning the Law each shedding light on a different aspect of the Law.
One corner post says the law has NOT been done away with.
Another corner post says the Law was to act as a custodian for God’s people.
Another post says we’re to be led by the Spirit and not rely on the Law for our righteousness.
Finally, we have one post that says if we try to use the Law to justify ourselves, we have fallen from the grace provided by Yeshua’s sacrifice.
So here’s what you’ve got to understand.
Each one of those above Scripture verses represents one aspect of the Law that are equally valid.
They aren’t mutually exclusive and they don’t cancel each other out.
You can’t just take one verse and hold it up as superior and above all the others.
Ya feel me?
That’s the problem with Modern Systematic theology.
For example, it will take that Galatians verse where it says “You who are trying to be declared righteous by God through legalism have severed yourselves from the Messiah!” and make that the be all and end all summation of what Scripture supposedly says about the Law
However, if we use the sheep pen model…
Instead of pitting one verse against another…
And being forced to choose ONE BEST answer…
We can take a balanced view of Scripture that allows for a holistic understanding of God’s truth…which is what I believe the Lord intended.
We’ll continue this discussion the next time we meet.
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