If morals are absolute then why don't most Christians still follow Old Testament moral codes?

Question

My point is this: Lots of Christians say that their morality (the morality of the NT) is absolute because it's given by God.

OT morality is given by the same God, yet not absolute (because it was overturned for NT morality). Why is it that OT morality isn't absolute but NT morality is?

Answer 1

Because many, if not most Christians have been taught that the Old Testament is irrelevant. This started with the Roman church - where most of our church traditions come from. The Romans had a fervent hatred for the Jews and early apostolic Christians.

Everything remotely Jewish was thrown out for sake of church traditions. In other words; Christianity as we know it is a mostly Roman creation. The Jewish names were changed, the Sabbath was made illegal, and the priests were given to celibacy... Christianity was given a Roman Empire friendly makeover.

What people have failed to realize is that the God of the Old Testament is the SAME God of the New. Christianity in the correct and spiritual sense is the fulfillment of Judaism.

The Commandments were grafted from the character of God. The same Jesus (read the Bible) that spoke to Moses on Mount Sinai is the same who spoke to the Jews and Gentiles in the Sermon On the Mount. Hence also "For the Son of Man is Lord of the Sabbath" in Matthew 12. This is also revealed by the Parable of the rich man and Lazarus. It shows how much of the Old Testament was a prophetic message regarding the coming of the Messiah. The Old Testament IS NOT irrelevant.

The Law still applies. But defining them by the works of man are not necessary when they can be done by faith in Jesus. He taught us the spiritual and prophetic essence of the Law. The Temple, stoning, and lamb sacrifices are no longer needed. He is our salvation. The Law pointed to Him. The Old Testament ordinances were a shadow of the substance which is the Messiah. By faith in Jesus the Law in its entirety is established.

Law is based on love. God is love. The Law isn't then made void, but fulfilled. This is why Jesus summed it up as to love God and your neighbor as yourself. The first four Commandments are about love for God. The last six are about love for our neighbor. See the connection? All the Law (ordinances, temple rites, sacrifices, etc...) revolved around those 10 Commandments. They were written in stone. Stone is of solid foundation like Jesus (our Chief Cornerstone). The ordinances were temporary and written on weaker substance as to accompany them. It's as simple as that.

Answer 2

Hello,

Because when Christ came he made a new covenant for the world. He said that the people like the Pharisees were so obsessed into following and interpreting more than 3000 laws that they forgot how to look after the welfare of their fellow man and neighbor. The turning point away from the enforcement of Old Testament laws was when he saved the adulteress from the ancient rock concert and also healed people on the Sabbath saying wouldn't you save your donkey on that day if it fell into a well.

Like he stated, if you are without sin throw the first stone or pick the pole out of your eye before picking the splinter out of your neighbor's eye. This is why Christians do not enforce or follow Old Testament moral codes.

Cheers,

Michael Kelly

Answer 3

Most Christians just go with the flow and do not actually study what they need to study. They have concluded that the Torah is no longer needed. They have filled themselves with self delusion and embraced hearsay. The truth is, these laws should still apply if one actually looks into it.

For a moment, take yourself back to the first century and pretend you are sitting on the hillside hearing the words of "the Jewish Christ". There is no Catholicism. There is no Protestantism. There is no belief system called Christianity and "the Christ", spoke these words: "If you LOVE Me, KEEP my COMMANDMENTS" John 14:15

Answer for yourself: Would there be any doubt to you then concerning what "the Christ" was talking about?

Since there is yet no Catholicism and Protestantism, the "we are not under the Law" doctrine does not exist in the minds of the people who heard these words. Everybody would understand that "the Christ", was talking about keeping the commandments in the Torah.


In Matthew 5:19, "the Christ", said these words:
"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. (KJV)

Once again, the commandments that "the Christ" would be referring to is the Jewish Torah.

"Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfil." Matt 5:17 (KJV)

Let me paraphrase this for you as we look deeper into what the Hebrew behind the English is really saying here.

THINK NOT that I have come to destroy (do away with / wrongly interpret) the Torah but to fulfill (rightly interpret / follow / keep / teach and do) the Torah.

Christians who want to agrue against this are ignorant of their own holy book and their beloved Jesus. Remember, Jesus never asked for a new religion. The Torah should still be followed by those who want to believe in Jesus.

Answer 4

I like this question.

I doubt you'll get a satisfactory answer from Christians. I suspect you'll get a dodge, like, "Those were minor rules and rituals that were canceled out by Jesus' sacrifice. It's not that they became immoral, they just became irrelevant. The major rules, like the Ten Commandments are absolute and are still relevant."

But that's just a dodge. Morals are socially constructed.

Answer 5

because "christ"ians follow the new testament which is based on "christ" and the new covenant which, per Jesus, cancels out the old one

Vishal - the OT doesn't have different moral codes, if you're referring to certain laws that is QUITE DIFFERENT from absolutism as it pertains to "morality".

Answer 6

....Most of the morals are followed as closesly as humanly possible. Morals? Like, Honor they father and mother, don't hook up with your neighbor, don't lie cheat and steal? That stuff? Most try to follow those.

Answer 7

Many of the Old Testament laws were under the "Old Covenant" and were abolished with the "New Covenant", the coming of Jesus.

Answer 8

I have read and studies the bible, unlike most Christians, and Jesus clearly and plainly states on several occasions that he has NOT come to change ANY of the old laws.

Christians how about you read your bible its your stupid book.

Answer 9

Jesus came to teach that the Old Testament beliefs were incorrect.
There are now only two commandments.

Read the Bible.

Answer 10

it be nice-be a lot less christians around now-----smile and enjoy the day