While reading Matt 15 this morning, I noticed in confronting the scribes and Pharisees, Jesus specifically addressed their twisting of the Mosaic Law, not the Law itself. I find that interesting, because in Matt 5:17-48, John Reisinger claims Jesus was specifically addressing the Mosaic Law itself, not the twisting of the Mosaic Law. While Reisinger’s view is possible, it’s highly unlikely. First, his position is held by only a tiny minority of scholars. Now, that doesn’t make him wrong, but it does suggest he’s probably wrong. Conservative scholars overwhelmingly disagree with his view, and believe Jesus was dealing with the perversion of the Mosaic Law in Matt 5, just as He was in Matt 15. Second, Matt 5:43 presents a major challenge for those holding to Reisinger’s view. Jesus said “"You have heard that it was said, 'You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy. The problem is these words are never uttered in the OT. Never. Reisinger believes Jesus was dealing with the Mosaic Law, not a twisting of it by the Pharisees and scribes. Therefore, these words or at least this concept must be found in the OT. They aren’t. When I came to the section of his book dealing with this passage, I was expecting to see some cogent explanation. There was none to be found. Reisinger claims this concept comes from Deut 23:3-6, but a quick examination will show that isn’t the case. He wrote two sentences attempting to show v43 was describing the attitude the Israelite was to have towards an Ammonite; he didn’t even acknowledge the problem. Finally, in light of Matt 15, Reisinger’s view just doesn’t make sense. Why would Jesus suddenly shift gears like this?
I admit I still have much to learn about this, but this sounds like a desperate attempt to de-link the Mosaic Law from the NT, as if the Law and the Decalogue in particular, is somehow evil. I understand most of the Law has been abrogated. I understand its primary use for the Christian is Gal 3:24 “Therefore the Law has become our tutor {to lead us} to Christ, so that we may be justified by faith.” But I don’t understand such haphazard handling of the Scripture.
1 comment:
Paul,
I think you have a good point in what you say about Matthew 5:43. It does seem there that Jesus is dealing with the Pharisaic distortion of the law rather than the law itself.
But, when Jesus goes on to say, "But I say unto you . . . " He greatly expands beyond anything the OT taught on loving one's neighbor. And that is the real point of all the "But I say unto" passage in Matthew 5.
In other words, Jesus is taking either the statements in the law or the Pharisaic distortions of the law and showing how they fall far short of His new standard of love.
Jesus is not just exegeting the law, but He is talking it to new heights in His teaching for life under the New Covenant in His blood.
Thanks for the post.
Paul Ferrie
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