biblical commandments: do they apply to us?

It's not uncommon to hear: "Of course, we don't follow dietary or clothing laws prescribed in the Old Testament today." And, "Of course, we wouldn't dream of executing a child as punishment for disobeying a parent." So, how does one sort through what seems to be a myriad of Bible commands that seem contradictory, if not, absurd?

Here are a few questions with suggested answers to help sort through the confusion:

• Are there different types of laws and commandments?

Simplistically, the laws outlined in the Bible can be categorized as ceremonial or moral. Ceremonial laws are "signs" pointing to some event or person in the future. Ceremonial laws are only valid until they are fulfilled in the future by the designated event or person. At the time of fulfillment, the law no longer applies.

On the other hand, a moral law relates to relationships that humans have with God, with each other, with themselves, and with the environment. The Ten Commandments are examples of moral laws. Moral laws do not expire.

• Are the commandments given in the Old Testament and New Testament different?

Both ceremonial and moral laws are specified in the Old Testament. The ceremonial laws make the most sense when we understand them as pointing to some type of fulfillment at which time they would no longer apply. Dietary and clothing laws are just some of the ceremonial laws that no longer apply to us today. "Therefore, do not let anyone judge you by what you eat... or religious festival... These are a shadow of the things that were to come; the reality, however, is found in Christ." Col. 2:16, Heb. 9:10-11 Because dietary laws were so important in the Old Testament, in the New Testament there are many passages that clarify that it is now wrong "to abstain from certain foods... For everything God created is good." I Tim 4:3-4

Moral laws are consistent throughout the Old and New Testaments and not rescinded as ceremonial laws are. In the New Testament, moral laws are reinforced, elaborated, and even extended by lists of negative behaviors (Gal. 5:19, Col. 3:5,8) and positive qualities such as the fruits of the spirit (Gal. 5:22, Col. 3:12).

There is also a major difference in how moral laws are to be followed in the New Testament. The New Testament is clear that the requirements for following moral laws cannot be accomplished by individual effort and apart from the indwelling Spirit "who works in you to will and to act." Phil 2:12

• Are the punishments for breaking moral commands different under the new covenant of the New Testament?

The types of punishment prescribed for moral infractions in the Old Testament setting were severe. While governments are authorized to punish evil doers (Roman 13) and even wage wars within certain constraints, the individual is instructed in the New Testament to turn the other cheek, forgive one another, not to judge those outside the church (I Cor 5:12), love our enemies, and over come evil with good. It should be more than noteworthy that the Old Testament and even the Koran speak of God forgiving human beings but it is only the New Testament that also insists on human beings forgiving each other.