Did Jesus Contradict, Disagree with, Change, or Break the Law of Moses (original) (raw)
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Jesus' Legal Theory--A Rabbinic Interpretation
Villanova University Legal Working Paper Series, 2007
This article locates the ancient debates between Jesus and the Talmudic rabbis within the discourse of contemporary legal theory. By engaging in a comparative reading of both Gospel and rabbinic texts, I show how Jesus and his rabbinic interlocutors sparred over questions we now conceptualize as the central concerns of jurisprudence. Whereas the rabbis approach theological, ethical and moral issues through an analytical, lawyerly interpretation of a dense network of legal rules, Jesus openly questions whether law is the appropriate medium to structure social relationships and resolve interpersonal conflicts. Through an examination of Talmudic sources, this paper argues the controversies between early Christianity and the nascent rabbinic Judaism (summarized by Paul in terms of Letter vs. Spirit) have the same argumentative architecture as the ongoing debates over law vs. equity, procedural vs. substantive justice, rules vs. standards, formalism vs. instrumentalism, and textualsim vs. contextualism. Moreover, the contrast between the Gospels and the emerging rabbinic discourse brings Jesus' bold claims about the role, rule and domain of the law to the fore. Thus while the mainstream representation of Christian legal theory tends towards rules, procedural justice, formalism and textualism, this analysis of primary sources shows that Jesus argued for exactly the opposite.
The Matthean Jesus’ surprising instruction to obey the teachers of the Law and Pharisees
HTS Teologiese Studies / Theological Studies, 2018
Jesus’ instruction to the crowds in Matthew 23:3 to obey and do everything the teachers of the Law and the Pharisees tell them comes as a surprise. It is the only case in Matthew where the words of the Jewish leaders are seemingly portrayed in a positive light. If this portrayal indeed is positive, it seems to stand in tension with how Matthew construes these leaders and their teachings in the rest of the gospel (e.g. Mt 5:20; 15:3–6, 15:14; 16:11–12). Jesus’ positive remark furthermore seemingly stands in contrast with Matthew 28:20, where Jesus claims all authority to himself and instructs his disciples to teach all the nations to obey everything he has commanded them. The question therefore arises as to how this seemingly positive reference of Jesus, which apparently stands in contrast with Jesus’ criticism in the rest of the gospel, should be interpreted. In answering this question, an intra-textual approach is followed.
2006
Since the first advent of Jesus Christ there has been unceasing conflict between Christianity and Mosaic Judaism. Jesus told the Jewish people that, “the scribes and the Pharisees have seated themselves in the chair of Moses; . . . they say things and do not do them. They tie up heavy burdens and lay them on men’s shoulders, but they themselves are unwilling to move them with so much as a finger” (Matt. 23:2-4). When the Pharisees boasted that “we are disciples of Moses” (John 9:28), Jesus responded, “Did not Moses give you the law, and yet none of you carries out the law? Why do you seek to kill Me?” (John 7:19). The resultant Christian church became embroiled in the same controversy, so that at Jerusalem “the sect of the Pharisees who had believed [that Jesus was the Christ], in opposing a delegation from Gentile Antioch under the Apostle Paul, stood up saying: ‘It is necessary to circumcise them [Gentile Christians] and to direct them to observe the Law of Moses’” (Acts 15:5). As...
Jesus and the Mosaic Law: Agapic Love as the Foundation and Objective of Law
Touro law review, 2020
Sam Levine gave me a particular insight—one that is central to this conference—that has helped in my work on Christianity and law. Sam suggested that American Law might view Jewish Law in the way comparative law scholars view the law of other countries or the way a state judge might view the law of another state. Not imposing religious law on those who do not share the Jewish faith but drawing in its insights where they might fit. As I will note later in this essay, that is the way I have come to believe Jesus looked at the Mosaic Law and its implications for positive law. It may give us insight as to what our law should be. I have also come to view Christian insights into law this way. Secular law should use them when they are helpful. Chaim Saiman of Villanova Law School pushed me to think about what Jesus said about the law and how that might relate to our understanding of law today. I have concluded that much of what Jesus said about the Mosaic Law gives us insight into what Jes...