Segment #11 Learning Objectives

After studying this segment students should be able to:

1. List and explain how the following passages from the New Testament clearly teach that the Law of Moses has been rendered inoperative:
   1. Romans 7:1-6 – married to the Law of Moses or to the Messiah
   2. Romans 10:4 – the “telos” (end/termination) of the Law of Moses
   3. Galatians 2:16 and Hebrews 7:19 – no justification or sanctification through the Law
   4. Galatians 3:19 – a temporary addition until the Seed (Messiah) would come
   5. Hebrews 7:11-18; 9:11-10:18 – The Mosaic Law with the Levitical priesthood was disannulled, replaced by a new priesthood, after the Order of Melchizedek
   6. Ephesians 2:14-15 – If the Mosaic Law was still in effect, it would still be a “middle wall of partition” to keep the Gentiles away
   7. Galatians 3:23-4:7 – The Law served as a “pedagogue” (tutor), “we’re no longer under a tutor”
   8. 2 Corinthians 3:2-11 – the superiority of the Law of Messiah is seen by the fact that it will never be rendered inoperative
2. Describe how the Law of Moses can be used (i.e. as a teaching tool to show God’s standard of righteousness, man’s sinfulness, the need for a substutionary atonement)
3. Summarize the Dispensational view of the “moral law”
4. Correctly interpret the meaning of Matthew 5:17-18, especially in light of errors made by Covenant theologians and those who argue the Law is still binding and operative today

Segment #11 Required Reading

• Textbook: Israelology: The Missing Link in Systematic Theology
  Chapter X: A Dispensation Israelology
  B. Israel Present
  Read: 4. The Mosaic Covenant and the Law of Moses
  b. The Law of Moses Has Been Rendered Inoperative

Segment #11 Optional Reading

Charles C. Ryrie, “The End of the Law,” Bibliotheca Sacra 124 (July-September 1967).

Robert P. Lightner, “A Dispensational Response to Theonomy,” Bibliotheca Sacra 143 (July-September 1986): p. 230-240.

Stanley D. Toussaint, Behold The King: A Study of Matthew (Portland: Multnomah Press, 1980), p. 99.

Segment #11 Study Questions

1. The clear-cut teaching of the New Testament is that the Law of Moses has been rendered inoperative with the death of Messiah; in other words, the Law in its totality no longer has authority over any individual. Which are some of the biblical passages that support this truth?
2. What is meant by the Greek word for “end,” “telos,” in Romans 10:4?
3. There is no sanctification or perfection through the Law of Moses. What verse supports this truth?
4. The Law of Moses was never meant to be a permanent administration, but a temporary one. What passage(s) teach this? It was a temporary addition until what event?
5. As long as the Law of Moses was in effect, no other priesthood was valid except what priesthood? How does this relate to the priesthood of Messiah? As it relates to this topic, what biblical passage states that the Mosaic Law was “disannulled?”
6. If the Mosaic Law was still in effect, would it still be “a wall of partition” to keep the Gentiles away? How was the middle wall broken down? What Scripture passage supports this truth?
7. In this passage, the Law is looked upon as a “pedagogue” or a tutor over a minor to bring him to mature faith in the Messiah. Having become believers, we are no longer under this tutor (i.e., the Law of Moses). As clear as it could be stated, this passage teaches that with Messiah’s coming, the Law is no longer in effect. What passage of Scripture teaches this truth?
8. How can the Law of Moses be a “teaching tool?
9. What is the Dispensational view of the moral law?
10. How can Covenant theologians be shown to be inconsistent when it comes to Matthew 5:17-18?
11. What is the correct interpretation of Matthew 5:17-18?

Segment #11 Spiritual Growth: Implications and Applications Assignments

Unfortunately, doctrinal errors pertaining to the authority of the Law of Moses as a rule of life today for the believer abound. It is important for believers to be on solid exegetical and theological footing when confronting those who espouse either the Covenant theologian position with regard to the Law, or so-called “Torah observant” believers. It is important for those who are Dispensationalists, and especially for Dispensationalists who are involved with the Messianic Jewish movement, to confront such widespread doctrinal errors.

It is recommended that students type-out  or hand-write the following eight passages related to this issue on a piece of paper.  The paper can be kept handy, perhaps in your Bible, along with a short summary of the main points Dr. Fruchtenbaum brings out for each passage. Then, when confronted with this common doctrinal error, you can take out the paper and correct with these eight biblical points.  If you are a leader or teacher at your church or congregation, consider doing a teaching series on this topic using these eight passages:

1. Romans 7:1-6 – married to the Law of Moses or to the Messiah
2. Romans 10:4 – the “telos” (end/termination) of the Law of Moses
3. 2 Corinthians 3:2-11 – the superiority of the Law of Christ is seen by the fact that it will never be rendered inoperative
4. Galatians 2:16 and Hebrews 7:19 – no justification or sanctification through the Law
5. Galatians 3:19 – a temporary addition until the Seed (Messiah) would come
6. Galatians 3:23-4:7 – The Law served as a pedagogue (tutor), “we’re no longer under a tutor”
7. Ephesians 2:14-15 – If the Mosaic Law was still in effect, it would still be a “middle wall of partition” to keep the Gentiles away
8. Hebrews 7:11-18; 9:11-10:18 – The Mosaic Law with the Levitical priesthood was disannulled, replaced by a new priesthood, after the Order of Melchizedek

While it is recommended that you memorize all of these nine passages, only one Bible memory passage is required for this segment, Romans 7:4. For Unit Exam #2, you are required to memorize Romans 7:4:

“Therefore, my brethren, you also were made to die to the Law through the body of Christ, so that you might be joined to another, to Him who was raised from the dead, in order that we might bear fruit for God.” (Romans 7:4, NASB95)