Are Pauls writing severely confusing and contradictory concerning the importance of following the Mosaic Law ?

Answer 1

No... If by the Mosaic Law you are referring to the Ten Commandments, they are still valid. If you were to summarize them, it would be the quote below by Jesus. Christians live by the Spirit and the intent of the law, which is to love God and other people. Christ fulfilled, once and for all, the sacrificial requirements for sin. He establishes a new covenant between God and mankind by His blood, which does away with the Mosaic covenant and it's requirements.

Romans 5 and 6 explains Paul's viewpoint more clearly.
Hebrews 8 and 9 explains more about the new covenant..

Answer 2

They can be. We have to understand that there is a huge difference between Mosaic law concerning sacrifice which pointed to the coming of Christ and the 10 commandments which is not Mosaic law but instead is God's law and is eternal. Paul says that Mosaic law was done away with at the cross which makes sense. Why would we continue to sacrifice animals when the ultimate sacrifice has already been made. Some, however confuse this with God's eternal laws which Jesus said will never change.

Answer 3

Paul was very clear about Mosaic law: we are free of it. Our example is Jesus. We are to mimic how he lived and to obey His commands. All else is needless trivia.

Answer 4

Matthew 5
17 Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfil.
18 For verily I say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled.
19 Whosoever therefore shall break one of these least commandments, and shall teach men so, he shall be called the least in the kingdom of heaven: but whosoever shall do and teach them, the same shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven.
20 For I say unto you, That except your righteousness shall exceed the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, ye shall in no case enter into the kingdom of heaven.

No Paul was correct.

Answer 5

No, not at all. This question is still debated today. Does following the Mosaic law qualify you for heaven or is it by the grace of Christ that we get into heaven. It is by the grace of Christ. He is the only path to salvation and Paul clearly preaches this. Now for the second part of the question - does this do away with the law? No. Christ is not a "get out of jail free card". We are saved by grace and no amount of works will get us into heaven. Obeying the law shows our obediance to God which shows our love for God - and this is a product of our salvation. Christ referred to this as producing fruit. As our faith, knowledge, and strength grows in Christ Jesus, we will begin to produce more fruit (works, obeying the law, etc.) And as you continue your walk with Christ, you feel the urge to produce more fruit. Christ himself stated that He did not come to abolish the law. In face, He expanded upon the law (He did not change it or abolish it) when He gave the beatitudes in Matthew Chapter 5:

3"Blessed are the poor in spirit,
for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
4Blessed are those who mourn,
for they will be comforted.
5Blessed are the meek,
for they will inherit the earth.
6Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness,
for they will be filled.
7Blessed are the merciful,
for they will be shown mercy.
8Blessed are the pure in heart,
for they will see God.
9Blessed are the peacemakers,
for they will be called sons of God.
10Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness,
for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
11"Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. 12Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.


Christ talked about the law later on in the chapter as well:

17"Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them. 18I tell you the truth, until heaven and earth disappear, not the smallest letter, not the least stroke of a pen, will by any means disappear from the Law until everything is accomplished. 19Anyone who breaks one of the least of these commandments and teaches others to do the same will be called least in the kingdom of heaven, but whoever practices and teaches these commands will be called great in the kingdom of heaven. 20For I tell you that unless your righteousness surpasses that of the Pharisees and the teachers of the law, you will certainly not enter the kingdom of heaven.


Read verse 18 again:

18I tell you the truth, until heaven and earth disappear, not the smallest letter, not the least stroke of a pen, will by any means disappear from the Law until everything is accomplished.

This statement absolutely clears up the matter that the law and Christ are not separate. We are saved by grace but show are love for God by following His law. We can never live up to His standard and so need Christ to intercede upon our behalf. This is what Paul clearly preaches.

Answer 6

No, because the Law was a prophecy that had been fulfilled in Christ.
http://www.schneblin.com/studies/pdfs/keeping_the_commandments.pdf