Is the change from Old Testament ot New Testament moral relativism?

Question

I have tried to get some straight answers about why some of the moral codes in the OT, (such as murdering people for worshipping false idols etc) no longer apply today. The answers seem to me to be morally relativistic. Many people believe it was acceptable to kill people for witchcraft and adultery or to own slaves in Old Testament times but now now. The reasons range from "we are no longer under the law" to a "new covenant" or "Jesus's sacrifice on the cross" made many of those laws null and void.

Isn't that moral relativism ? If owning slaves is wrong, if there are moral absolutes, wouldn't it have ALWAYS been wrong ? If it is wrong to murder people based on their religious views, shouldn't it have ALWAYS been wrong ? Or are morals relative depending on weather or not we are talking about OT times or NT times.

Paulie D: The is killing witches right or wrong ? The OT says it is right, I am not sure what the NT says, but I am fairly certain that today's Christians in America would not condone murdering witches. So which is it ? Murdering witches is right ? Or murdering witches is wrong ? If it is wrong to murder witches, then isn't the OT in error for commanding this ?

Answer 1

Some could view it that way but I believe Paul has a better answer. He states that the law of Moses was a "schoolmaster" used to discipline the rebellious Israelites. Remember the Law of Moses was given to them right after they beheld all the marvelous miracles in being delivered from bondage... and they turned right around and worshipped the gold calf. The Law of Moses was like being sent to a correctional facility for juvenile boneheads. It was strict, very harsh, and had no allowances for forgiveness. It also had many symbolisms that were prophetic of Christ. Once Christ came and was crucified, all things were fulfilled. It was time to be let out of prison, so to speak, and move on to higher learning.

Answer 2

Before Christ's death on the cross, the Jews thought that righteousness consisted of observing the law as it was written in the Torah (Genesis,Exodus,Leviticus,Numbers,and Deuteronomy). Jesus said that there are two main commandments; to love the Lord your God with all your heart,soul, mind and strength,and to love your neighbor as yourself.All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments. The God of the Old Testament is the same God of the New Testament. Christ's sacrificial death has made it possible for mankind to be reconciled to God and to enjoy a relationship with Him.

Answer 3

No.

The Mosaic Law was given by God to a desparate band of exslaves who were learning to become a nation and the chosen people of God.

When we were ready for the next step in the journey of salvation, Jesus Christ, God the Son, came to Earth and tweaked things a bit.

Matthew 19:17-78 states:

Now someone approached him and said, "Teacher, what good must I do to gain eternal life?"

He answered him, "Why do you ask me about the good? There is only One who is good. If you wish to enter into life, keep the commandments."

For Christians, Jesus fulfilled the Law of Moses.

Christians are not held to the ceremonial parts of the Mosaic Law concerning of dietary purity and temple worship.

Christians are held to the moral law of God, some of which is expressed in the Ten Commandments.

However Jesus took the Ten Commandments to the next step summarizing them into the two Great Commandments:
+ You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength.
+ You shall love your neighbor as yourself.

And teaching things like
+ Everyone who looks at a woman with lust has already committed adultery with her in his heart.
+ Everyone is our neighbor including our enemies.

Therefore we have to go much farther than the original recipients of the Ten Commandments ever dreamed.

For more information, see the Catechism of the Catholic Church, part 3, section 2: http://www.usccb.org/catechism/text/pt3sect2.htm

With love in Christ.

Answer 4

What was sin in the Old Testament is still sin today.
The difference is we are under GRACE, not the law as the nation of Israel was.
God was also preparing a nation for the birth of his Son.
When you read the Old Testament keep that in mind...
God was dealing with a nation and also entrusting them with his word to reach the world.
Certain things could not be allowed in the nation and it also shows us the true face of God and how he hates sin.
The things that God disliked and hated, he still dislikes and hates..
Killing people for their beliefs is but one example.
Who sets the standard?
God does...
It was a serious thing to whore after other "gods"
To turn away from the one True God.
The problem is when we don't have a larger view of scripture, taking the whole picture and seeing why God would not allow certain things.
I don't recall the Jew's having a lot of "slaves" although they were slaves for 400 years.
Some had slaves but God warned them to set them free after 7 years.
As far as witchcraft and adultry, God hates both.
Jesus said, those without sin cast the first stone.
Jesus is the one that will judge, for he is the one without sin.
If we do not have him in our lifes then we are condemned.
For WE condemn ourselves.
When you look at the Old Testament try to keep in mind that God had to choose someone to reveal himself to. He chose the nation of Israel, he could not allow false god's.
Look at the bigger picture, In the physical day to day life of Israel, God literally expected those to be put to death for whoring after other god's. In our lives today the spirtual implications are frightening.

Answer 5

the Jews are known for being a people with an identifying religion. so, from the very beginning, God's Laws were meant to keep the sin apart. if someone sinned, he had to die in order to have that erased. because God is perfect. You won't murder anyone in Heaven;) but because humans' nature clings onto the evil, and God is just and righteous, He should have punished to death all human kind. but He is also love and created us for loving us, so He chose to save us. but still, the price had to be payed. and that's what Jesus did. the perfect One, the Lamb.

Answer 6

So you can get five and go away. Try studying the whole thing . Do a real study not just try to pick it apart. Who the heck are you to judge God? Especially as you haven't met him and that's an obvious judgment on my part as I find your question juvenile and disgusting. I pray to Jesus you wake up before it's too late. If not don't boar me.
God Bless!