ࡱ>   bjbjT~T~ ,66D 114h=Q+tmmmmm~~~w+y+y+y+y+y+y+$l-0+l>@~ll+11mm+:::ld1mmw+:lw+::)h9h*m oazW9*c++0+I*|0p0 **&0*x~,|:d `~~~++p~~~+llll0~~~~~~~~~ : Sabbath, Circumcision, and Tithing Introduction M any Christians have questions about the laws of the Old Testament. Many claim to keep the Ten Commandments, for example, but then ignore one of them the seventh-day Sabbath. In effect, their Ten means only nine and many cant explain why. They may say, Oh, the Sabbath was an Old Testament law but so were the other nine! Why one and not the others? As another example, many churches teach that Christians should tithe give ten percent of their income to the church. But if the seventh-day Sabbath does not apply to Christians, why should the law of tithing apply? Why one Old Testament law, but not the other? Anyone who reads the Old Testament is likely to wonder: In this mix of ceremonial, civil, and ethical laws, how are Christians supposed to know which laws apply today? Are there biblical principles we can use to evaluate the laws of the Old Testament? Yes and the results challenge some common assumptions. Whether we advocate the Sabbath or abolish it, someone will like it, and others will not. Whether we teach tithing or not, someone will disagree, and others will be happy to agree. Its a controversy, so we want to see what Scripture says. What does the New Testament say about Old Testament laws? Which laws are quoted with approval, and which are said to be obsolete? What principles do we use when evaluating Old Testament laws that the New Testament does not specifically mention? Basic beliefs We begin with two basic beliefs: that Christians should obey God, and that the Bible is a reliable guide to the way we should obey. People who dont accept those beliefs probably arent interested in this book, anyway they dont care which laws apply today, because they dont consider any of them very authoritative. Entire books could be written about the authority of the Bible, and I will not discuss that question here. I will simply note that the Bible describes Gods people as people who obey God. Throughout the New Testament, the expectation is given that Christians respond to Gods grace by obeying him. A few scriptures illustrate this point: Jesus told the apostles to make disciples of all nations, baptizing them...and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you (Matthew 28:19-20, italics added). Timothy was told that the Scriptures he had known from infancy that is, the Old Testament Scriptures are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. Even in the Christian era, the Old Testament is useful for training in righteousness. It helps us know how to live (2 Timothy 3:15-17). Paul said that grace is not permission to sin, and faith does not eliminate the validity of biblical law (Romans 3:31; 6:1-2). Far from it! The law is holy, and the commandment is holy, righteous and good (Romans 7:12). Jesus said he did not come to do away with the law, but to fulfill it. Until heaven and earth disappear, not the smallest letter, not the least stroke of a pen, will by any means disappear from the Law until everything is accomplished (Matthew 5:17-18). But wait a minute, someone might protest. Christians dont keep every law in the Old Testament. We dont make sacrifices, stone adulterers, or consider ourselves unclean after attending a funeral and neither did Jesus. So what did he mean? The laws have not disappeared, but at least some of them are no longer in force. Is the law of circumcision good? Yes, says Paul. As part of inspired Scripture, is it useful for teaching Christians about righteousness? Again, yes but in what sense? Christians do not have to keep it literally, but why not? Why can Christians ignore some of the laws that God gave? Thats what this book is about. I begin with another belief, too: that this subject is not just for scholars, pastors and professionals. It can be understood by ordinary Christians, and indeed should be. Scholarly studies can help, but they do not help everyone. Some books make the subject so complicated that the average person soon gives up. I have therefore tried to make this subject easy to follow, and rooted in Scripture at every step. I mention a few other books for those who want further reading, but for the most part, this subject can be properly understood from Scripture itself. My main goal is to help average Christian readers understand what the Bible says about the laws of the Old Testament. About the author You may also want to know a bit about me. What qualifications do I have to write on this topic? I have, at different times in my life, kept the Sabbath and various Old Testament laws. At other times, I have not. In my Christian ministry, I have written against the validity of the seventh-day Sabbath, and I have written in support of it. I have studied the issues from both sides, both in theory and in experience. I know the arguments of both sides, and in this book I hope to share with you what I believe to be the best understanding of Scripture. What are my academic qualifications? I have a Master of Divinity degree from Azusa Pacific University, and I am a doctoral candidate at Fuller Theological Seminary. I am a member of the NewLife Fellowship in Pasadena, California, serving in youth ministry and sometimes giving sermons. My wife Janet is from New Zealand and we have two children: Steven and Melinda. I thank them for their support and patience with me as I worked on the doctrinal studies that eventually became part of this book. I must also thank my church for encouraging me in my studies, giving financial support, and giving me copyright for some of my articles. Sabbath, Circumcision, and Tithing: Which Old Testament Laws Apply Today? By Michael Morrison. 4th edition. Copyright 2002, 2005 Michael Morrison. Scriptures are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version, Copyright 1984 International Bible Society. Used by permission of Zondervan Bible Publishers.     Christians dont keep every law in the Old Testament. So what did Jesus mean? In this mix of ceremonial, civil, and ethical laws, how can Christians know which laws apply today? 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B S  ?+ T, FE T !;"D;#8$D@%>&DM'<(M)A*D6+;,D:>   __i   B # gss 9*urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttagsState9 *urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttagsplace8*urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttagsCity8 *urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttagstime=*urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags PlaceType=*urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags PlaceNameB*urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttagscountry-region hT 12151719HourMinute      IPDDFFGGIJLMOPQ WklxyBDDFFGGIJLMOPQ33333313UV    CQQR s$K2ײ-wqKήh&S"#Azlvh^`OJQJo(hHh^`OJQJ^Jo(hHohpp^p`OJQJo(hHh@ @ ^@ `OJQJo(hHh^`OJQJ^Jo(hHoh^`OJQJo(hHh^`OJQJo(hHh^`OJQJ^Jo(hHohPP^P`OJQJo(hHh^`OJQJo(hHh^`OJQJ^Jo(hHohpp^p`OJQJo(hHh@ @ ^@ `OJQJo(hHh^`OJQJ^Jo(hHoh^`OJQJo(hHh^`OJQJo(hHh^`OJQJ^Jo(hHohPP^P`OJQJo(hH^`CJOJQJo(^`CJOJQJo(opp^p`CJOJQJo(@ @ ^@ `CJOJQJo(^`CJOJQJo(^`CJOJQJo(^`CJOJQJo(^`CJOJQJo(PP^P`CJOJQJo(h^`OJQJo(hHh^`OJQJ^Jo(hHoh  ^ `OJQJo(hHh` ` ^` `OJQJo(hHh00^0`OJQJ^Jo(hHoh^`OJQJo(hHh^`OJQJo(hHh^`OJQJ^Jo(hHohpp^p`OJQJo(hHhh^h`CJOJQJo(h&S-wqKs$K2Azl                           'C4Oj9^ {D9~AD;GI3,Vo7W"kisdOzs~%qPUJesGg??SV^P<DF@@UnknownG*Ax Times New Roman5Symbol3. *Cx Arial?= *Cx Courier New;WingdingsA BCambria Math"1hғғƖx *x *!9'499 2QHP ?;G2!xx"Sabbath, Circumcision, and TithingMichael MorrisonMorrison      Oh+'0x   , 8 D P\dlt|$Sabbath, Circumcision, and TithingMichael Morrison Normal.dotm Morrison2Microsoft Office Word@^в@VW@pZW@pZWxGVT$m  &" WMFC l VT$m EMF8 2*    % % Rp@Times New Roman $RO]$ $O]$ v_$ 'w_?,G*Ax Times ew RomandP9_z_dv% % % Rp@Times New Roman $RO]$ $O]$ v_$ 'w_?,G*Ax Times ew RomanLZP9_z_dv% % %  % % %  TT)FAqA;L PST*FAqA*;!L abbath, Circumcision, and Tithing " &     % % % TTPAqA;L P TT$PAqA;L P 6 T AqA L dIntroduction'8!,288,!27Rp@Times New Roman $RO]$ $O]$ v_$ 5'w_?,G*Ax Times ew RomanbP9_z_5dv% % %  Tl?nAqAe0L any Christians have questions about the laws of         TtLAqAL |the Old Testament. Many   ! %TMtAqAM L `claim to   ! TtAqA L hkeep the Ten    TxAqA2L Commandments, for example, but then ignore one of !!!   !      Rp @Times New Roman$RO]$ $O]$ v_$ 5'w_?,G*Ax Times ew omanbP9_z_5dvdv% Rp@Times New Roman'w_?,hwf11Ax !@ kwP1B"@ P1`0t11,xw.Thwfwpew!*11Kv*1!@ %wTwdv% ( Rp @Times New Roman1Ax !@ kwP1B"@ hwf11r !A Z kwP1q r fwr 7 Kv1Kv)17 r `wpew!7 xJvJrKv|-wr !wTwdv% ( Rp@Times New Roman1r !A Z kwP1q r hwf11Hu !B ZkwP1q @u fwHu  Kv1Kv)1 Hu `wpew! xJvJrKv|-wHu !wTwdv% ( Rp @Times New Roman1Hu !B ZkwP1q @u hwf11r !C ZkwP1q r fwr 7 Kv1Kv)17 r `wpew!7 xJvJrKv|-wr !wTwdv% ( % (  Tlp AqAL Xthem !TTq AqAqL P *TT AqAL P Tj AqA L dthe seventh  TTkx AqAkL P-TyJ AqAyL day Sabbath. In effect, thei       T|K AqAKL \r  Ten   T8AAqA8L lmeans only nine !  TT9bAAqA98L P *TTcqAAqAc8L P TrAAqAr8!L and many can t explain why. They        TGvAqAmL hmay say,  Oh, !  TGvAqAm L dthe Sabbath  TGvAqAmL was an Old Testament law   !    TT|7AqAL P *TT8|KAqA8L P TlK|AqAL0L but so were the other nine! Why one and not the     '    T|AqAL \others?   TT&" WMFC AqAL P  T\hAqAh -L As another example, many churches teach that  !  !    TIAqA@L |Christians should tithe       TTIAqA@L P *TTIAqA@L P TIAqA@ L hgive ten perc   TdIAqA@L Tent   THN}AqAt*L of their income to the church. But if the     !        TxAqAL \seventh TTAqAL P-TAqAL day Sabbath does not apply to       THAqA*L Christians, why should the law of tithing            T0AqA&L apply? Why one Old Testament law, but  '  !     T!PAqAGL lnot the other?     TT!PAqAGL P  ThVAqAh|L Anyone who reads the Old 666 6   TPAqA+L Testament is likely to wonder: In this mix  !         !   TxAqAL \of cere T,AqA%L monial, civil, and ethical laws, how !           T0#AqA&L are Christians supposed to know which       T)XAqAO7L laws apply today? Are there biblical principles we can            Th]!AqA/L use to evaluate the laws of the Old Testament?             !  TT"]4AqA"L P  TdhAqAhL TYes TTAqAL P *TTAqAL P T0AqA&L and the results challenge some common    !!!  TAqA!L assumptions. Whether we advocate !  &  TAqAL lthe Sabbath or    T+AqA"7L abolish it, someone will like it, and others will not.   !       T0_AqAV8L Whether we teach tithing or not, someone will disagree, '      !    Te@AqA"L and others will be happy to agree.        TTAeSAqAAL P  ThAqAhL xIt s a controversy, s     T AqA L o we want to see what Scripture           TDTAqA)L says. What does the New Testament say abo '   ! TxUAqAUL \ut Old&" WMFC f     T2AqA)5L Testament laws? Which laws are quoted with approval,  !  '      T8gAqA^9L and which are said to be obsolete? What principles do we            '        TmAqA4L use when evaluating Old Testament laws that the New     !       T<AqA(L Testament does not specifically mention? !      ! TTAqAL P TTAqAL P Rp@Times New Roman $RO]$ $O]$ v_$ 'w_?,G*Ax Times ew RomanfP9_z_dv% % %  TT AqAL P % T Z: AqA2 L hBasic beliefs   TT[ q: AqA[2 L P  % % % Th? n AqAhe L We begin with two basic belie'     T? n AqAe L tfs: that Christians        Tt  AqA ;L should obey God, and that the Bible is a reliable guide to                    T  AqA 6L the way we should obey. People who don t accept those           T   AqA 8L beliefs probably aren t interested in this book, anyway               TT  AqA L P +TT  AqA L P  T A AqA8 5L they don t care which laws apply today, because they          TG v AqAm L ddon t consid  TG v AqAm "L er any of them very authoritative.         TT G v AqA m L P  T|  AqA 9L Entire books could be written about the authority of the             T  AqA 9L Bible, and I will not discuss that question here. I will             T  AqA 5L simply note that the Bible describes God s people as  !           T I AqA@ 3L people who obey God. Throughout the New Testament,      !  TXN .} AqAt L Pth T/N } AqA/t 8L e expectation is given that Christians respond to God s                T(?nAqA(e7L grace by obeying him. A few scriptures illustrate this   !           Tp(tAqA(L Xpoint:  TTtAqAL &" WMFC FP Rp@Symbol`RO]`XD$O]`X v_X` I'w_7,5Symbol]p]⯀H|f9_z_Idv% % % Rp@"Arial `RO]`X D$O]`X v_X` S'w_?,3. *Cx Arial]p ]⯀Sa9_z_Sdv% % %  % % % TT(=AqA(L P% % % TT>rAqA>L P 5% % % TxsAqAs2L Jesus told the apostles to  make disciples of all      !     ! " Rp@Times New Roman $RO]$ $O]$ v_$ <)'w_?,G*Ax Times ew Roman(PP9_z_<)dv% % %  % % % ThsAqAs /L nations, baptizing them...and teaching them to          ! % % % TdAqA L Tobey% % % TTAqA L P ! "  T$sJAqAsA$L everything I have commanded you (Ma  " !"!!""%TpJAqAAL Xtthew  ! "  TlsPAqAsvL X28:19 TTPAqAvL P-TPAqAvL t20, italics added).    TTPAqAvL P ! "  % % % TT(=AqA(L P% % % TT>rAqA>L P 5% % % TxsAqAs2L Timothy was told that the Scriptures he had known  !         ! "  TsAqAs L hfrom infancy !$  $TTAqAL P *TTAqAL P $TAqAL that is, the Old Testament  #  # $ $ ! ! "  Ts7'AqAs L dScriptures   TT8a'AqA8L P *TTb}'AqAbL P T~'AqA~L  are able to make you wise for   !  ! "  Tv,[AqAvR"L salvation through faith in Christ   " "  ! !  ! "  T8vaAqAv'L Jesus. Even in the Christian era, the           ! "  TvAqAvL lOld Testament i   ! TAqAL |s useful for  training         ! "  T$vAqAv$L in righteousness. It helps us know       ! "  TvM.AqAv%L how to live (2 Timothy 3:15     !   TTN[.AqAN%L P-Td\.AqA\%L T17). TT.AqA%L P ! "  % % % TT+3@mAqA+cL P% % % TTA6ulAqAAcL P 5% % % T8v=lAqAvc'L Paul said that grace is not permission        &" WMFC & !   ! "  T,vrAqAv%L to sin, and faith does not eliminate         ! "  T,vAqAv%L the validity of biblical law (Romans        ! ! "  Tv  AqAv L `3:31; 6:1   TT AqAL P- T AqAL 2). Far from it!  The law is   !     ! "  TsE?AqAs6 L dholy, and th   T,F?AqAF6%L e commandment is holy, righteous and !!!       ! "  TsEtAqAskL tgood (Romans 7:12). !   TTEtAqAkL P ! "  % % % TT(x=AqA(L P% % % TT>{rAqA>L P 5% % % TsAqAs4L Jesus said he did not come to do away with the law,        !        ! "  TrAqAs6L but to fulfill it.  Until heaven and earth disappear,          ! "  TsAqAs8L not the smallest letter, not the least stroke of a pen,   !           ! "  T$s!'PAqAsG$L will by any means disappear from the !  ! TT(!<PAqA(GL P T=!PAqA=G L `Law until  ! "  TDsUNAqAs{)L everything is accomplished (Matthew 5:17    !  $   TTOU\AqAO{L P-Tl]UAqA]{L X18).  TTUAqA{L P ! "  THAqA*L But wait a minute, someone might protest.  & %%!   %!%!  %   % % % T(AqA(L xChristians don t keep    % % % TlAqAL Xevery% % % TT AqA L P TAqAL law in the Old Testament.     !  T(#AqA(8L We don t make sacrifices, stone adulterers, or consider '          TT((GWAqA(N,L ourselves  unclean after attending a funera      TXG(jWAqAGNL Pl TTk(WAqAkNL P *TT(WAqANL P Td(WAqANL Tand   T(]AqA(6L neither did Jesus. So what did he mean? The laws have      !   T(AqA(9L not disappeared, but at least some of them are no longer       ! !     T(AqA( L `&" WMFC in force.   TTAqAL P  T* AqA! 4L Is the law of circumcision good? Yes, says Paul. As      !         T(0 /_ AqA(V L part of inspired Scripture, i        TT00 >_ AqA0V L PsTT?0 Z_ AqA?V L P TT[0 f_ AqA[V L Pi TTg0 r_ AqAgV L Pt TTr0 _ AqArV L P T0 _ AqAV L tuseful for teaching        T(d  AqA( L tChristians about rig    Td : AqA L |hteousness? Again, yes    TT;d d AqA; L P *TTed { AqAe L P Tx{d  AqA| L \but in     T(  AqA( 9L what sense? Christians do not have to keep it literally,           T'  AqA( 3L but why not? Why can Christians ignore some of the   '   !   T( 2 AqA() 4L laws that God gave? That s what this book is about.             TT 2 AqA) L P  T7 f AqA] 7L I begin with another belief, too: that this subject is                Tp(l  AqA( L Xnot ju Tl  AqA 6L st for scholars, pastors and professionals. It can be                T(  AqA( 9L understood by ordinary Christians, and indeed should be.               Tt(  AqA( 1L Scholarly studies can help, but they do not help                 T( 9 AqA(0 5L everyone. Some books make the subject so complicated  !!   !    T8(? n AqA(e 'L that the average person soon gives up.         TT? n AqAe L P !@Rp@Times New Roman lRO] T$O] v_ 7'w_?,G*Ax Times ew Roman@a9_TTz_| 7dv% % %  TT@AqAL@PMsTTAqAL@P :" F(GDICB!b $$==% % V0D?@D?_8`_8`@D?@D% % $$AA: $$==_8 88 2% % V,/?@D?_8`_8`@D% % $$AA( : " FGDIC!URp @Times New Roman lRO] T$O] v_ lN'w_?,G*Ax Times ew RomanL9_TTz_|lNdv% % %   TUfAqALUlIn this mix of , TAqALUtceremonial, civil, , TAqALUpand ethical laws, *"&:WMFC Td`AqASLUThow *Td`AqASLUTcan T`AqAS LUdChristians ( TaAqALUlknow which laws *** THAqA LUdapply today?TTIbAqAILUP " % % 6 6 6 66 6 6 66 6 6 66 6 6 66 6 6 66 6 6 66 6 6 66 6 6 66 6 6 6  c."System?????????????--@Times New Roman---@Times New Roman------  2 LAeS=2 LH!eabbath, Circumcision, and Tithing --- 2 Le  2 Le 2 t eIntroduction    @Times New Roman---S2 ]0eany Christians have questions about the laws of /2 ]ethe Old Testament. Many  2 eclaim to i2 ekeep the Ten V2 A2eCommandments, for example, but then ignore one of  @Times New Roman-@Times New Roman- @Times New Roman-@Times New Roman- @Times New Roman--2 Aethem u 2 Ye 2 ce 2 f ethe seventh 2 e-52 eday Sabbath. In effect, thei2 er Ten #2 Aemeans only nine  2 e 2 e =2 !eand many cant explain why. They  2 Aemay say, Oh, 2 ethe Sabbath 22 ewas an Old Testament law  2 Ae 2 Ke S2 P0ebut so were the other nine! Why one and not the  2 Aeothers?  2 `e O2 W-eAs another example, many churches teach that h/2 AeChristians should tithe  2 e 2 e 2  egive ten perc2 eent J2 A*eof their income to the church. But if the 2 Aeseventh  2 `e-82 ceday Sabbath does not apply to J2 +A*eChristians, why should the law of tithing D2 8A&eapply? Why one Old Testament law, but  "2 DAenot the other?  2 Dze 12 QWeAnyone who reads the Old y    L2 ^A+eTestament is likely to wonder: In this mix t2 jAeof cere C2 j]%emonial, civil, and ethical laws, how D2 wA&eare Christians supposed to know which ^2 A7elaws apply today? Are there biblical principles we can R2 A/euse to evaluate the laws of the Old Testament?  2 e 2 WeYes  2 ke 2 ue D2 z&eand the results challenge some common =2 A!eassumptions. Whether we advocate m "2 ethe Sabbath or ^2 A7eabolish it, someone will like it, and others will not. _2 A8eWhether we teach tithing or not, someone will disagree, >2 A"eand others will be happy to agree. 2 e +2 WeIts a controversy, sh;2  eo we want to see what Scripture I2 A)esays. What does the New Testament say abom 2  eut Old [2 A5eTestament laws? Which laws are quoted with approval, e a2 A9eand which are said to be obsolete? What principles do we  Y2 A4euse when evaluating Old Testament laws that the New G2 A(eTestament does not specifically mention? 2 e  2 e @Times New Roman--- 2 )e 2 5 eBasic beliefs 2 5e ---72 BWeWe begin with two basic belier )2 Befs: that Christians d2 NA;eshould obey God, and that the Bible is a reliable guide to \2 [A6ethe way we should obey. People who dont accept those _2 gA8ebeliefs probably arent interested in this book, anyway  2 ge 2 g(e [2 tA5ethey dont care which laws apply today, because they a2 A edont consid>2 s"eer any of them very authoritative. 2 e a2 A9eEntire books could be written about the authority of the oa2 A9eBible, and I will not discuss that question here. I will o[2 A5esimply note that the Bible describes Gods people as aX2 A3epeople who obey God. Throughout the New Testament, s2 Aeth_2 I8ee expectation is given that Christians respond to Gods ^2 =7egrace by obeying him. A few scriptures illustrate this 2 =epoint: 2 Te @Symbol---@"Arial------ 2 =e--- 2 Be ---V2 O2eJesus told the apostles to make disciples of all ,e'@Times New Roman------R2 O/enations, baptizing them...and teaching them to ---2 eobey--- 2 $e ,e'A2 O$eeverything I have commanded you (Ma  2 etthew ,e'2 Oe28:19  2 fe-(2 je20, italics added). 2 e ,e'--- 2 =e--- 2 Be ---V2 O2eTimothy was told that the Scriptures he had known ,e'2 O efrom infancy  2 e 2 e 42 ethat is, the Old Testament   ,e'2 O eScriptures  2 e 2 e :2 eare able to make you wise for ,e'>2 "esalvation through faith in Christ ,e'F2 'eJesus. Even in the Christian era, the ,e'"2 #eOld Testament i.2 #es useful for training ,e'A2 0$ein righteousness. It helps us know ,e'42 <ehow to live (2 Timothy 3:15 2 <e-2 <e17). 2 <e ,e'--- 2 K{e--- 2 Ke ---F2 K'ePaul said that grace is not permission ,e'C2 X%eto sin, and faith does not eliminate n,e'C2 d%ethe validity of biblical law (Romans n,e'2 q e3:31; 6:1 2 qe-72 qe2). Far from it! The law is ,e'2 ~O eholy, and thC2 ~%ee commandment is holy, righteous and n,e')2 Oegood (Romans 7:12). 2 e ,e'--- 2 =e--- 2 Be ---Y2 O4eJesus said he did not come to do away with the law, ,e'\2 O6ebut to fulfill it. Until heaven and earth disappear, ,e'_2 O8enot the smallest letter, not the least stroke of a pen, ,e'A2 O$ewill by any means disappear from the 2 e 2  eLaw until ,e'I2 O)eeverything is accomplished (Matthew 5:17   2 e-2 e18).  2 e ,e'J2 S*eBut wait a minute, someone might protest.      ---,2 =eChristians dont keep ---2 eevery --- 2 e 22 elaw in the Old Testament. _2 =8eWe dont make sacrifices, stone adulterers, or consider M2 =,eourselves unclean after attending a funera2 el  2 e 2 e 2 eand \2 =6eneither did Jesus. So what did he mean? The laws have a2 =9enot disappeared, but at least some of them are no longer o2 $= ein force. 2 $_e Y2 1S4eIs the law of circumcision good? Yes, says Paul. As 72 >=epart of inspired Scripture, i 2 >es 2 >e  2 >ei 2 >et 2 >e )2 >euseful for teaching )2 J=eChristians about rig.2 Jehteousness? Again, yes  2 Je 2 Je 2 J ebut in a2 W=9ewhat sense? Christians do not have to keep it literally, X2 d=3ebut why not? Why can Christians ignore some of the  Y2 q=4elaws that God gave? Thats what this book is about.  2 qe ^2 }S7eI begin with another belief, too: that this subject is 2 =enot ju\2 U6est for scholars, pastors and professionals. It can be a2 =9eunderstood by ordinary Christians, and indeed should be. U2 =1eScholarly studies can help, but they do not help n[2 =5eeveryone. Some books make the subject so complicated F2 ='ethat the average person soon gives up.  2 e ,]A@Times New Roman--- 2 AA]M 2 ]A] '- - $oror- - - - $oror- -  ',kr @Times New Roman- - -  "2  rkIn this mix of  (2 ' rkceremonial, civil, y &2 7 rkand ethical laws,  2 G rkhow  2 G rkcan 2 G/  rkChristians #2 W rkknow which laws    2 h  rkapply today? 2 hE rk '--eeddddddddddcccccc՜.+,0  hp  Worldwide Church of God* 9 #Sabbath, Circumcision, and Tithing Title  !"#$%&'()*+,-./012345679:;<=>?@ABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZ[\]^_`abcdefghijklmnopqrstuvwxyz{|}~Root Entry FyzWData 1Table0WordDocument,SummaryInformation(8DocumentSummaryInformation8CompObjy  F'Microsoft Office Word 97-2003 Document MSWordDocWord.Document.89q