The skeptic loves to point out contradictions, and if there is only one law, then there are plenty. I have listed below the contention of the skeptic, but I have also pointed out that my answer to the skeptic is that the bible distinguishes between the moral law (the commandments) and the ceremonial law (sacrificial system). The former is established while the latter is done away with by Christ's sacrifice.
Most Christians deny this rebuttal to the skeptic. For those who do not follow this line of reasoning, how do you reconcile the fact that the law is established, and done away with simultaneously? How do you reconcile that we are judged, yet no one is judged? etc.
THE GREAT MORAL LAW vs. THE CEREMONIAL LAW
1. Called the "Law of the Lord" (Isa. 5:24).
1. Was called the "law of offerings and sacrifices." (Heb 9:9, Lev. 7:37-38).
2. Called "the Royal Law" (
James 2:8,10-12).
(At the time James was writing, the Old Testament was considered the only Scripture.)
2.
3. Will be the standard in the Judgment (Ja. 2:10-12; Rom. 2:12,13; Eccl. 12:13,14).
3. Judges no man (Col. 2:14-16).
4. Written with the finger of God, on stone (Deut. 4:13; Ex. 31:18; Ex. 32:16).
4. Written by Moses in a book (2 Chron 35:12).
5. Placed inside of the Ark in the Sanctuary (Ex. 40:20).
5. Placed in a pocket on the outside of the Ark (Deut. 31:24-26).
6. Symbolized Christ’s Act of sacrifice, and work of atonement (
John 1 29,36).
6. Points out sin (
Romans 7:7). A mirror (
James 1:23).
7. Where there is no law, there is no sin therefore the law existed before sin. (1 John. 3:4; Rom. 4:15). Lucifer sinned when he broke God’s law.
7. Was added "because of sin" (Gal. 3:19).
8. Is not burdensome (
1 John 5:3). Called "the law of liberty" (
James 2:12).
8. Was a "yoke of bondage". (Gal. 5:1, Acts 15:10).
9. Is "holy, just and good" (Rom. 7:12).
9. Was "carnal" or "fleshly". (Heb. 7:16).
10. "Till heaven and earth pass away, no part will be done away with or changed (Matt. 5:18)
10. Was taken away (Heb. 10:9), annulled (Heb. 7:18), abolished (Eph. 2:15), made obsolete (Heb. 8:13), changed (Heb. 7:12).
11. Is perfect (Psalm 19:7;
Romans 7:12).
11. Was a "shadow" of the real "things to come" (Col. 2:17, Heb. 8:6, Heb. 9:9).
12. Is "established" (
Romans 3:31).
12. Is "obsolete" (Heb. 8:13).
13. Is "the whole duty of man" (Eccl. 12:13;
John 15:10.
13."Let no man judge you in regard to ... a festival or a new moon or (ceremonial) sabbaths, which are a shadow of things to come, but the substance is of Christ" (Col. 2:16-17).
14. Is built upon principles of supreme love for God and love for our fellow man (Ja. 2:8-12; Matt. 22:36-40; Deut. 6:5; Lev. 19:18).
14.Is a beautiful prophecy of Christ’s death, resurrection, and Heavenly mediation.
15. Is written in our hearts by the Spirit of Christ when we accept Him by faith as our Saviour (Heb. 8:8-10; Rom. 2:15; 2 Cor. 3:3; Jer. 31:33,34).
15.
16. Carries a promise ( Jer. 31:33,34; Gal. 3:29).
16.
17. Converts the soul (Psalm 19:7).
17. "Made nothing perfect" (Heb. 7:19; Heb. 9:9).
