Dr Paul Allen

The relationship between the Old Testament Law and the Christian is a surprisingly complex issue. Not everyone understands it in the same way. First, the laws in the Old Testament essentially reflect the holy nature of God himself. This principle is found within the Law: “ I am the LORD your God ; consecrate yourselves and be holy, because I am holy” (Leviticus 11:44, repeated in vv. 45; 19:2; 20:7–8).  Because God’s nature does not change, this principle does not change, and therefore it is repeated in the New Testament : “But just as he who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do; for it is written: ‘Be holy, because I am holy’ ” (1 Peter 1:15–16). Just as Old Testament Israel was called by a holy God and therefore expected to reflect his holy character, so New Testament Christians are called by a holy God, who rightfully expects the same thing from us. Second, the essence of the Old Testament Law is summarized by Jesus in Matthew 22:36 –40. Jesus answered the qu...

God rules His universe by law. Nature itself operates under His providential government. The so-called laws of nature merely describe God’s normal way of ordering His universe. These “laws” are expressions of His sovereign will. God is not accountable to any laws outside of Himself.  There are no independent, cosmic rules that God is obligated to obey. Rather, God is a law unto Himself. This simply means that God acts according to His own moral character. His own character is not only morally perfect, it is the ultimate standard of perfection. His actions are perfect because His nature is perfect, and He always acts according to His nature. God is therefore never arbitrary, whimsical, or capricious. He always does what is right.  As God’s creatures, we are also required to do what is right. God demands that we live according to His moral law, which He has revealed to us in the Bible. God’s law is the ultimate standard of righteousness and the supreme norm for judgi...

“But the Spirit saith expressly, that in later times some shall fall away from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits and doctrines of demons, through the hypocrisy of men that speak lies, branded in their own conscience as with a hot iron; forbidding to marry, and commanding to abstain from meats, which God created to be received with thanksgiving by them that believe and know the truth” (1 Tim. 4:1–3, ASV). The expression “in later times” refers “to a period future to the speaker.… In the apostasy of the present the inspired Apostle sees the commencement of the fuller apostasy of the future.”56 Thus demonic doctrine has been increasing and will continue to increase in the church, reaching a climax at the end of the age. LIARS OF NEW MORALITY That this false system of teaching originates from demons is clear, but the text also says that it is promoted through men who speak lies . Comparing this passage with 1 John 2:19 and 4:3, it appears that demonic spirits directly emp...