If the bible is so true, why aren't we killing people for adultery, theft, etc.?

Question

Why do we leave out things that we feel are "irrelevant for the times"? Don't tell me it is the Old Testament, and don't give me 500 pages of scripture. I have read the bible many times. If the Old Testament was null and void there would be many things, such as the ten comandments that we could ignore, but plenty of people use the ten commandments as ammunition for arguments. Use your brains and give me an educated answer. Thank you.

Truth Handler, you did not even attempt to answer the question.

Chef Bob, you didn't answer either, I said *not* to say anything about the old testament being abolished.

Abby C, I see where you are coming from, but that's not what the bible says now is it...

Answer 1

Without going into specifics on each item, it has in part to do with the overall trajectory of scripture and the ability of societies now have to punish criminals in other ways without destroying the fabric of the community.

Answer 2

Well maybe we should be killing people for adultery. I don't know where in the bible OT included that they killed anyone for theft, you will have to enlighten me on that one. The levitical law was written to the nation of Israel,but you should know that if you have read it several times. The Christian church functions on a higher law, written in our hearts, and does not require the same penalities. The reason we don't ignore the 10 commandments is because 9 of the 10 commandmenst are repeated in the NT. The only one that isn't is to remember the Sabbath Day, and we don't we meet on Sunday.

Answer 3

Those laws were for the Old Covenant, the Mosaic Covenant (God made many covenants, the Edenic, Noahic, the one in Deuteronomy, New, and Everlasting). God made that covenant with the Israelites so they could continue to dwell and rule over that land. It was God's land and His rules. Once they moved outside that covenant, they were under judgement of sin and deserved death, according to God. Not that they listened anyway, look at the 7th year law. They never let the land rest from planting and harvesting!
Now it is a result of the death of Jesus we don't have to pay for our sins. We still have to answer to the laws of the land and the government though, but still can call on the name of Jesus to be justified before God.
Even though we don't have to die for those sins, such as adultery, and stealing, they are still wrong, which why we point in reference to the Ten Commandments.

Answer 4

I believe in using my brain for every answer- the answer is found where men were about to stone a woman to death, as the Bible said- and Jesus said- "He without sin cast the first stone" In other words, we have all sinned-so if we are going to go around killing people for every offense- then we better look at our life first. You see, the Israelites had just come from slavery when all this killing stuff was recorded in Leviticus, so a people that had rules shoved down their throats were now free to do whatever- and they started to. God knew that if you make some examples- the others will fall into place-we do this even to this day in many situations- so people saw that God was serious about these ules and obeyed them. Jesus saw that people were taking advantage of this and told them- not to stop-but to proceed only if they had no reason to be killed themselves.

Answer 5

Even it were true, it is still irrational. One commandment states that people aren't allowed to kill; the punishment for breaking this commandment is . . . you guessed it, being killed!
People can use their brains and still be religious. It's just that they can't think rationally about an irrational subject. You are asking people to justify something that's logically impossible to deduce. Jesus tells us how to beat our slaves; yet people seem to think slavery is somehow immoral, even though they use the Bible (well, the New Testament at least) as their guide for morality. You will receive many answers that skirt the question or state that "it's out of context and not meant to be taken literally." Only when it fits the respondents motives/desires, will you *not* receive this justification.

Answer 6

I can only answer for us Christians...

We live under grace of the New Testament with Jesus Christ as our savior.

The Old Testament is the law and we can learn the principles of the Old Testament as we live under the grace of Jesus Christ.

Jesus told us the two greatest commandments:

1) Love the Lord your God with all of your heart, mind and soul.

and

2) Love one another as I have loved you.

If you follow these two commandments, you won't be committing adultery, stealing, lying, coveting...etc.

Answer 7

First, here's a relevant Scripture: Matthew 5:38 "You have heard that it was said, 'An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth.' 39 But I say to you, Do not resist one who is evil. But if any one strikes you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also; 40 and if any one would sue you and take your coat, let him have your cloak as well; 41 and if any one forces you to go one mile, go with him two miles. 42 Give to him who begs from you, and do not refuse him who would borrow from you. 43 "You have heard that it was said, 'You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.' 44 But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, 45 so that you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven; for he makes his sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust. 46 For if you love those who love you, what reward have you? Do not even the tax collectors do the same? 47 And if you salute only your brethren, what more are you doing than others? Do not even the Gentiles do the same? 48 You, therefore, must be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect." (RSV)


The eye for an eye rule was in effect in a time when the grace and example of Jesus Christ was not known. Jesus opened the way to freedom and peace, and the laws of retaliation found in the Old Covenant do not supercede those of the New. However, this does not mean that turning the other cheek is to be taken in the strictest literal sense, either. Otherwise, it would be impossible to even defend yourself in an argument. What Jesus does mean, is that we are not to react out of blind anger or rage when someone has wronged us. We're not to stoop to the same level as our persecutors. Otherwise, how are we any different from those outside our faith? How can we grow into the likeness of Christ if we don't put our faith into practice? St. Paul, too, addressed this issue very well. Romans 12:20 "if your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him drink; for by so doing you will heap burning coals upon his head." 21 Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good." So, a Christian can strike back in self-defense, but must not resort to the tactics of their abusers. Others may be cruel and vengeful, but Christians have a higher standard to appeal to.

Answer 8

Because when Jesus came, died, and rose again, we entered a new period of history, a period of God's grace. God holds back his hand of judgment for a time because "he is not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance."

Jesus said he came not to abolish the law but to fulfill it, yet he did not hand the adulterous woman over to be stoned according to the Law, but offered mercy and taught that those who lust after another woman in their hearts have also committed adultery. According to this standard, how many would need to be killed? The Old Testament Law pointed out the incredible, demanding holiness of God. Jesus points us in a new direction and emphasizes the incredible mercy, love, and grace of God as well.

All this works together to help us understand our need for a savior--as sinful people we can't approach holy God, and it helps us to understand the incredible love and mercy of God to provide that Savior and a way to approach him and live in his presence once again.

Answer 9

Evolution. Eventually even the hardcore Christians will evolve beyond the silliness of the Bible. Unfortunately, right now they are stuck between still believing some and realizing the Bible is losing relevance.

Answer 10

If you pay attention, there are three types of laws in the old testament. Moral law (right and wrong), ceremonial law (how Israel worships), and civil law (punishment in Israel). We don't live in Israel so the only one that applies is the moral laws. If your Jewish, you're still obligated under all three so be careful back talking you parents.