Search — Theology Explorer

Torah observance Hebrew Roots movement progressive revelation

Hebrew Roots movement defined: diverse group united by belief that all believers must obey Mosaic Law including dietary restrictions, Sabbath, and feast days

Series introduction and definition of the Hebrew Roots movement

Matthew 28 Paul the Apostle Gentiles Law of Moses

Three expectations if Jesus wanted obedience to Mosaic Law: (1) clear extension to Gentiles in his teaching, (2) Apostles teaching it to Gentiles in Acts, (3) Paul explicitly commanding it

Methodological framework for evaluating Acts

Acts 2:46 Torah observance temple worship Acts 2:46

Key point: the 3,000 converts in Acts 2 did not take on Mosaic law as a result of following Jesus -- they were already observing it as Jews or proselytes

Analysis of early church composition

Law of Moses dietary laws feast days

Preaching against idolatry is not the same as imposing the law of Moses -- idolatry is condemned universally, not only in the law. Specific Mosaic laws (Sabbath, tithe to Levites, feast attendance) are never mentioned to Gentiles.

Response to Hebrew Roots claim that preaching against idolatry equals teaching Torah

Acts 15:1-2 Barnabas false gospel Paul the Apostle

Acts 15:1 -- men from Judea teach that circumcision according to Moses is required for salvation, triggering the Jerusalem Council

Survey of Acts 15:1-2, the Judaizers

1 Corinthians 9:19-22 Timothy Paul the Apostle law of Christ

1 Corinthians 9:19-22 -- Paul becomes as a Jew to win Jews, as under the law to win those under the law, as without law to win those without law. Timothy's circumcision fits this pattern.

Cross-reference to 1 Corinthians 9 to explain Timothy's circumcision

New Covenant Law of Moses Levites

Q&A: tithing -- the tithe is a Mosaic law (10% to Levites/temple) and is not required for believers; Christians should give freely as the Lord directs to the poor, persecuted, and ministers

Q&A on tithing

Revelation 20-21 eschatology Law of Moses new heavens and new earth

Q&A: Revelation 20-21 as the end of the Mosaic law -- Winger is uncertain; notes a real transition happens in new heavens/new earth but declines to definitively call it the end of the law

Q&A on eschatology and the law

Romans Romans exegesis Law of Moses

The unqualified "the law" appears 35+ times in Romans before 6:14 and always refers to the Law of Moses

Argument from Pauline usage in Romans

Romans 3:19 accountability Law of Moses under the law

Romans 3:19 — the law speaks to those under it; clearly Jewish people

Surveying Pauline uses — second instance

Law of Moses Sabbath Mosaic covenant

What does being under the Law of Moses actually entail? An all-or-nothing covenant

Q&A: explaining the scope of Mosaic law

Ephesians 5 Ephesians 5 Old Testament application Ten Commandments

Paul uses OT law as wisdom: Ephesians 5 cites the fifth commandment; the principle rather than the code

Q&A: how NT epistles apply OT law

Mike Winger idea 2019-07-31

Q&A: Adding baptism as a requirement for salvation nullifies grace — Galatians 2:21 parallel

Winger responds to a question about whether requiring baptism for salvation amounts to nullifying grace.

Galatians 2:21 Ephesians 2 salvation grace works

Mike Winger idea 2020-08-28

Christians are not under the Mosaic Law including the Sabbath; they are under the law of Christ and walk by the Spirit

Question from Cetl P about why Christians do not keep the Sabbath even though it is in the moral law and written by God's finger on stone.

Galatians hermeneutics Galatians Sabbath

Mike Winger idea 2020-08-28

Praying to the dead is forbidden — the 1 Samuel 28 (Saul/Samuel) incident is a divine rebuke, not a model; this applies to Catholic prayers to saints

Question from Elizabeth about 1 Samuel 28 (Saul consulting the medium to contact Samuel) and Catholic prayers to Mary and saints.

1 Samuel 28 1 Thessalonians 4 Mary Roman Catholicism Samuel

Mike Winger idea 2020-09-25

Acts 2 purpose: inauguration of the new covenant Spirit; Acts 10 purpose: extending that work to Gentiles

Mike's theological interpretation of the Acts tongues episodes

Acts 10 Acts 2 Acts 10 Acts 2 new covenant

Malachi 3:8 Malachi 3:10 hermeneutics tithing Malachi 3:8

Malachi 3:8 is the most-cited pro-tithe verse but is addressed to the nation of Israel under the Mosaic law, not to Christians

Examining the primary Old Testament tithing passage used to support Christian tithing

Malachi 3:8 hermeneutics tithing Malachi 3:8

The Malachi tithe rebuke also includes offerings (firstborn animals), which modern tithe-preachers ignore — revealing selective application

Expanding the argument that the Malachi tithe command is being applied inconsistently

hermeneutics tithing Levites

In the Old Testament law the tithe went to Levites and priests, not to local pastors — so enforcing a 10% tithe should logically send money to Jewish Levites

Continuing the argument against applying the Malachi tithe to modern churches

tithing New Testament ethics Mosaic Law applicability

Jesus mentions tithing twice but always speaking to Jews under the law; this cannot be extended to Gentile Christians

Surveying New Testament evidence for tithing

Mosaic Law self-defense homicide law

Old Testament law: killing in self-defense carried no penalty, establishing self-defense as a legitimate moral category

Biblical grounding for self-defense