© 2025 by Paul T. Sloan Published by Baker Academic a division of Baker Publishing Group Grand Rapids, Michigan
This book introduces a scholarly exploration of the complex relationship between Jesus, Paul, and the Jewish Law (Torah), arguing against simplistic understandings of "legalism" as mere ritualistic obedience. It establishes the central theological tension concerning whether salvation requires righteousness through works, contrasting the views of Christ and the Apostles with contemporary groups like the Pharisees. The text previews a methodological approach that will interpret this relationship through a restorationist-eschatological framework, examining the Mosaic covenant and the historical context of the Temple's destruction. Ultimately, this detailed study intends to provide a nuanced, unified portrayal of Jesus's ministry and the deeper, enduring meaning of the Law within the context of the New Testament.
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In the popular imagination, Jesus is often cast as the ultimate spiritual rebel. He’s the compassionate iconoclast who arrived on the scene to tear down the rigid, complex legal system of ancient Judaism, replacing it with a simple, liberating message of love and grace. We picture him in constant conflict with the Pharisees, a group whose name has become synonymous with joyless, rule-obsessed legalism. This narrative pits the "grace" of Jesus against the "law" of the Old Testament.
This picture of Jesus the rule-breaker is compelling, but it relies on a series of historical and theological simplifications. While he certainly challenged the religious authorities of his day, his relationship with the Law of Moses—the Torah—was far more nuanced and profound than that of a mere revolutionary. His mission wasn't to destroy the foundations of Israel's faith, but to bring them to their ultimate purpose.
But what if that popular picture is incomplete? What if Jesus saw himself not as the law's opponent, but as its greatest champion? Let's explore four surprising takeaways from scholarship that challenge the common view and offer a more historically grounded understanding.
One of the most persistent misconceptions is that Jesus’s primary purpose was to do away with the Law. This idea is directly contradicted not only by his explicit teaching but also by his direct counsel. When a rich young man asked him, "Teacher, what good thing shall I do that I may obtain eternal life?" Jesus’s answer is stunningly direct. He doesn't offer a new philosophy or a simple prayer. Instead, he points straight back to the foundation of Israel’s faith: "If you want to enter life, keep the commandments" (Matthew 19:17).
This is not the answer we expect from a spiritual revolutionary bent on dismantling the old system. This interaction perfectly illustrates the mission he declares in the Sermon on the Mount: "Do not presume that I came to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I did not come to abolish, but to fulfill them" (Matthew 5:17-18). His statement reframes his entire mission. It was not a rejection of Israel's scriptures, but their intended climax. To "fulfill" the Law meant to bring it to its designated goal, to reveal its deepest meaning, and to embody its ultimate purpose. Far from being an antagonist, Jesus presented himself as the Law's very fulfillment.
We often hear the Judaism of Jesus's time condemned as "legalistic"—a cold system of earning salvation through the meticulous performance of good works. While this label is common, it’s a misleading oversimplification that flattens a complex reality.