Discussion Jumpstarter
Study leader reference - not a definitive answer
Question 7
The teacher argues Paul is appealing to the “law of Christ” / “law of nature” rooted in Eden and restored by Jesus (citing Matthew 5 and Mark 10); how does that claim confront the common evangelical instinct to treat moral demands as mostly “Old Testament,” and what does it imply about creation-order ethics?
Another way to ask: The teacher says Paul appeals to the “law of Christ” or “law of nature” from Eden, brought back by Jesus. How does this challenge the idea that strict moral demands are mostly “Old Testament,” and what does it say about right and wrong being built into creation?
Discussion Jumpstarter
Direct Answer
The transcript argues that the binding moral standard on marriage is not merely “Old Testament law,” but a creation-rooted “law of nature” that Jesus reaffirmed; this challenges any approach that dismisses moral demands by labeling them “Mosaic.”
- The speaker asks what law Paul means in Romans 7:3 since it wasn’t Mosaic practice (divorce/remarriage existed under Moses).
- He answers: “He’s referring to the law of Christ, or… the law of nature… established in the Garden of Eden.”
- He says Jesus “brought that law back into force,” implying continuity from creation to Christ.
- He cites Matthew 5:32, stressing the weight of Jesus’ words: “whoever marries a woman who is divorced commits adultery.”
- He cites Mark 10:11–12, including Jesus addressing both husband and wife scenarios.
- He notes by Romans’ writing (AD 50–55), this was “already just an accepted fact in the Christian church.”