Old Testament Law—–Today

OLD TESTAMENT LAW TODAY
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According to Daniel hays, most of the Christians go against the Old Testament teachings. In the old testament, women are not supposed to wear men’s clothes. However, in today’s society, women wear trousers and men wear women’s clothing too. Hays argues that it is difficult to obey Old Testament teachings because modern readers consider them strange. Despite their failure to follow Old Testament teachings, Christians embrace other teachings like the Ten Commandments. This is because the Ten Commandments teach people how to serve God and how they should live with others.
The writer questions how Christians should interpret the law. He cites that when explaining the Old Testament teachings, the existential approach. This approach emphasizes the human condition as a whole. It positively applauds the capacity of human beings, and at the same time, it acknowledges human limitations. Existential approach is mostly used by Christian counselors to help their clients. It only encourages Christians to reflect on their life and understand the consequences of their actions.
Hays agrees with evangelical scholars that the traditional approach is more appropriates when interpreting the law (Hays, 2001). He points out the difference between moral, ceremonial and civil laws. According to traditional approach moral laws are timeless and universal; they apply as laws to all Christians. On the hand ceremonial and civil laws, apply only to ancient Israel, not to modern Christians.

However, the traditional approach is still considered as inadequate because of various reasons. It has many inconsistencies, and the Old Testament does not give any hint of the differences between moral, ceremonial and civil laws.
The only approach that is in accordance to hermeneutical approach is principhsm. It is consistency and treats all the bible teachings as God’s word. It is mainly employed by evangelists to interpret the Old Testament teachings. It is consistent in understanding bible teachings by scholars, students, and ordinary people. However, the writer points out that the approach may tend to simplify complex issues.

Bibliography
Hays, J. Daniel. “Applying the Old Testament law today.” BIBLIOTHECA SACRA-DALLAS- 158 (2001): 21-35.