40 QUESTIONS ABOUT

Christians and Biblical Law

Thomas R. Schreiner

Benjamin L. Merkle, Series Editor

40 Questions About Christians and Biblical Law

© 2010 by Thomas R. Schreiner

Published by Kregel Publications, a division of Kregel, Inc., P.O. Box 2607, Grand Rapids, MI 49501.

This book is a title in the 40 Questions Series edited by Benjamin L. Merkle.

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means—electronic, mechanical, photocopy, recording, or otherwise—without written permission of the publisher, except for brief quotations in printed reviews.

All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are from The Holy Bible, English Standard Version, copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a division of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

Scripture quotations marked nasb are from the NEW AMERICAN STANDARD BIBLE, updated edition. Copyright © 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. (www.Lockman.org)

Scripture quotations marked rsv are from the Revised Standard Version Bible, copyright © 1946–52, 1971 by the Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the U.S.A., and are used by permission.

The Apocrypha Section, copyright © 1957. The Third and Fourth Books of the Maccabees and Psalm 151, copyright © 1977. All rights reserved.

Scripture quotations marked nrsv are from the New Revised Standard Version Bible, copyright © 1989 by the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the U.S.A. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data

Schreiner, Thomas R.

40 questions about Christians and Biblical law / Thomas R. Schreiner.

p. cm.

Includes bibliographical references (p. 231).

1. Law and gospel—Miscellanea. 2. Law (Theology)—Biblical teaching—Miscellanea. I. Title. II. Title: Forty questions about Christians and biblical law.

BT79.S37 2010

241’.2—dc22

2010004080

ISBN 978-0-8254-3891-2

40 Questions Series

To my doctoral supervisor, Don Hagner,

in gratefulness for his careful scholarship, encouragement,

and love for Christ

Contents

Foreword by A. Andrew Das

Preface

Introduction

Abbreviations

Part 1: The Law in the Old Testament

1. What Does the Word Law Mean in the Scriptures?

2. Was the Mosaic Covenant Legalistic?

3. Does the Old Testament Teach That Salvation Is by Works?

Part 2: The Law in Paul

A. Questions Related to the New Perspective

4. What Is the New Perspective on Paul, and How Should It Be Assessed?

5. What Does the Expression “Works of Law” Mean in Paul?

6. Does Paul Condemn Legalism in His Letters?

7. Is Perfect Obedience to the Law Mandatory for Salvation?

8. How Should We Understand the Use of Leviticus 18:5 in the Scriptures?

B. Questions Related to the Role of the Law in the Christian Life

9. Does Paul Teach That the Old Testament Law Is Now Abolished?

10. What Does ...