Mark October 25th, 2009

Hmmm…that was interesting…LOL….I have to admit…at this point in my life I really wanted to hear that it was ok for me not to confess all my sins…not to wake up tomorrow and have my self-worth based on performance…not to feel like being angry with God was a dealbreaker…and that my sins that are sometimes very, very, deliberate and well thought out are not signs that I am outside of the work of the cross. I wonder if Andrew's lack of respect for the Law for lack of better terms is just a reflection of Paul's description of our relationship to the law….I find it hard to remove the condemnation of the law if I even look to it for a moment to see how I am doing. I become condemned the instant I realize that when I broke the law…I did it knowingly, willingly and with knowledge that I was doing it. So, I guess my question is…is there a way of sinning that still respects the law and keeps me safe? Or can I live like Andrew and be unconcerned that I am in violation on a constant basis?

Mark October 25th, 2009

Btw, you guys do an awesome job with the show…would love to hear from Susan Isaacs again…and the Douglas Gresham interviews are really cool. I also love Hugh Ross..there is an author named Guy Consalmagno – God's Mechanics: How Scientists and Engineers Make Sense of Religion that might be interesting…a "vatican astronomer and a 'techie'" …c'mon…you can't beat that!

Obed October 26th, 2009

I'm gonna assume that Steve's not a Dispensationalist. I just this weekend took a class where one of the more prominant Dispy's explained some of their systematic theology. While I don't agree with some of Dispensationalism, I think their take on the Law is pretty accurate. E.g. the bible doesn't explicitly make a distinction between ceremonial, civil, and moral laws. There's just The Law. Similarly, the bible doesn't explicitly make a distinction between the 10 Commandments and the other 603 commandments in the Law of Moses. Rather, the Law of Moses has been replaced by the Law of Christ. Now what's that look like? I dunno. But I know that Christian Liberty (aka Freedom, baby!!!!) is a big part of it.

Erik October 26th, 2009

Hi Mark. Glad you like the show.

I think you can be free of guilt and condemnation and still honor what Jesus said about the law.

He said that all of the law was summed up in loving God and loving your neighbor. That means that if you want to see what loving God and your neighbor looks like, break that law of love into the component parts that you added up to get there…namely the OT moral law.

When you do that, your failures to love need not cause you to run from God in fear. Instead, the recognition of your sin can lead to union with God. Check out what I mean here…

http://themerrymonk.com/?p=150

Doug October 28th, 2009

i do agree with the point that we dont have to confess every sin and ask for forgiveness for each one, and shouldn't feel condemnation or prolonged guilt when we sin. But i do believe we should address sin in our prayers and thank Jesus for his grace and forgiveness,not because it is required by the Law but because it helps me feel His love and strengthens my relationship with Him. Also Andrew said in the interview that if we know Christ, the Bible never tells us we should ask for forgiveness of our sins – what about the model prayer that Jesus gave us in Luke 11 ?

Daniel October 30th, 2009

Are we not a progressive group of people? By people I mean Christians. Why is it we fixate so much on law and forgiveness? Maybe it has to do with the many "Hell" productions casted by so many churches. After all, these amateur productions are quite compelling. If John 3:16 is absolute, then belief is all that matters and should be the focal point of our thoughts. For Christ sake, let us live and live happily believing in our salvation. The discussion of sin was very compelling for the Pharisees, was it not? Who wants to be associated with them? Not I.

carly November 6th, 2009

If I'm really really good on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday does that mean I can have my free sins on Saturday especially if I read this site 12 times a day? If I read it just one more can I get a bonus 2 more sins free?

kenneth davis November 7th, 2009

free at last free at last thank God im free at last! oh thank heaven for hebrews 7.11 andrew got it right all of religion[usa] is into the levitical
preisthood mood! two things cut on mt sinai 1.asking forgiveness
thur shedding blood 2. tithes and offerings also cut on mt sinai! grace vs law give me grace! thanks bro in christ kenneth.

Acushla November 20th, 2009

Ever since I was a teenager (I am 74 years old) I have known the Peace of Yeshua. "Oh the peace my Saviour gives, Peace I never knew before. And my way has brighter grown since I've learned to love HIM more and more."

Glenn December 10th, 2009

Just read about a father and daughter who developed a relationship and gave birth to a child. No where in the New Testament is there a law against father-daughter incest. So the church should allow this practice as Andrew says the entire Mosaic Law was done away with!!!

Matthew Morizio December 19th, 2009

I found the interview enlightening and confirming. Enlightening as to how we who are "in Christ" fear living like it. And, confirming, as to how we find comfort not in out being "in Christ" but in our being careful enough to dot the "i" and cross the "t".

A low-view of 'The Law' = thinking we can keep it by memorizing and applying it.

A high-view of 'The Law' = knowing that Christ kept it once-for-all and applies His righteousness to those who believe this to be true.

We are called, brethren, to keep a high-view of the Spirit's working the fruit of righteousness in us as we meditate and depend upon the righteousness of God revealed (incarnate) in Christ and then manifest in us according to the Gospel.

The demeanor of the responses to Andrew's challenging traditional theological constructs (that deserve a second, critical look) is quite revealing and differed rather substantially to Andrew's own manner (think: gracious and humble). Folks, the apostolic gospel has this effect upon people who take it for all it is worth.

Peace to all who are in and thinking in accord with the grace of our Lord.

PS
I'm sorry to see that folks lost their cool during this interview…in their being out of step with the Spirit.

Heather April 26th, 2010

This is just another sign of what Christ refers to as a 'false teacher'. The Word says that it will never change, it is the same, yesterday, today, and forever. Christ spoke of the Ten Commandments in the New Testament and said that we did, indeed, need to follow those, as well as love our neighbor as ourselves. Also, several times it is stated that we need to repent/stop our sin and that we are still weak in our flesh. Until Jesus returns for us, we are not perfected in Him, we are still flesh and are still struggling against the flesh, hence the verse, "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me". I do not see how intelligent, thinking Holy-Spirit filled Christians with an ounce of discernment can be led astray by this slick talking blasphemer. But then again, the Bible states that in the last days, men will be lovers of themselves, boastful, proud, arrogant, haters of God and will not want to repent or confess their sins, so I guess this just fits right into that type of thinking and is called 'theology'. It is wrong and will lead straight to hell. Harsh words, perhaps, but God's word states that He disciplines those whom He loves, chastens is the word most often used. Study out the quiz on Andrew Farley's website and see for yourself. See specifically Psalm 51. It is very full.

Jason April 30th, 2010

I think it's important to distinguish between what Jesus said to the people of Israel before the cross and what was said to Christians after the cross. When Jesus was speaking to Jews (before the crucifixion) He told them to follow the law because at that time they were still under the law of Moses. He said that only once "all was fulfilled" would the law pass away. On the cross, Jesus said "It is fulfilled" thus ending the old covenant era and beginning a new era with a new covenant.

As far as the comment that the "Word will never change", I refer you to Jeremiah 31:31-32 in which God says that He will make a "new covenant" with His people that is nothing like the old one. That, in and of itself, signifies that while the Word never changes, the covenant that God has with His people certainly did change and has been forever altered. The old covenant (Mosaic Law) was a covenant between God and Israel that depended on their performance. The new covenant (law of love) is a covenant between a Holy God and His perfect Son, Jesus Christ, who will never fail. Everyone who puts their faith in Him is made righteous by default. As long as Jesus remains perfect (forever) then we will be accepted into the Father's family just by believing that His sacrifice is enough to make us pleasing in God's sight.

Hebrews 8:13 says that by speaking of a new covenant God made the old one (Mosaic law covenant) obsolete.

Galatians 3:13 says that Christ has redeemed us from the curse of the law.

Romans 10:4 says that Christ is the end of the law for righteousness for everyone who believes in Him.

2 Corinthians 3 talks refers to the law of Moses as the "ministry of death carved in tablets of stone" and the "ministry of condemnation" about a veil that continues to lie over the faces of those who put their trust in works of the law.

Colossians 2 teaches us not to let anyone pass judgment on us over things like sabbaths, feast days, festivals or what we eat or drink (all found in the law of Moses). Paul says these things are shadows that have been fulfilled in Christ.

Galatians 3:11 says that no one is justified by the works of the law.

Hebrews 12 speaks of a "new and better covenant" that Christ has mediated on our behalf.

Andrew Farley is exactly right. Those who put their faith in Jesus Christ have God's Holy Spirit to guide them and no longer have need of the "school master" whose sole purpose was to point us to Christ (see Galatians 3:24).

Those who are led by the Spirit of God (not tablets of stone or words on a page) are the children of God. (see Romans 8:14)

The new covenant is not a lawless covenant. I John 3:23 tells us what God expects from followers of Jesus, "And this is his commandment, that we believe in the name of his Son Jesus Christ and love one another, just as he has commanded us."

That's all the law we need as followers of Jesus who are trusting in His sacrifice to be our righteousness.