Biblical Answer

Step 1: Introduction

The applicability of the Old Testament law is a topic of ongoing debate among scholars and theologians. While some argue that the civil laws given to the Old Testament people of God are still in force today, others contend that they have been fulfilled or abolished. In this response, we will examine the question of whether the Old Testament law still applies, considering the perspectives of Jesus, Paul, and other New Testament writers.

Step 2: Fulfillment and Abolition

Jesus himself said that he did not come to abolish the Law or the Prophets, but to fulfill them (Matt. 5:17). This suggests that the law remains valid until it reaches its intended culmination. However, Paul and other New Testament writers emphasize the fulfillment and abolition of certain aspects of the Old Testament law. For example, Paul writes that the law was our guardian until Christ came (Gal. 3:24), implying that it has been superseded by the gospel. Similarly, the book of Hebrews argues that the ritual laws of the Old Testament are no longer applicable (Heb. 7-10).

Step 3: Repeated Laws and Moral Norms

Some laws of the Old Testament are repeated in the New Testament, indicating that they are still in force today. For example, laws regarding idolatry, lying, and loving one's neighbor are repeated in the New Testament (Lev. 19:4; 1 Cor. 10:7; Eph. 4:25; Col. 3:9). However, not all laws of the Old Testament are equally valid today. The moral norms of the law, now clarified, remain in force for the church. This suggests that while some aspects of the Old Testament law have been fulfilled or abolished, others continue to be relevant and applicable to believers today.

The final answer is: $\boxed{No}$No, the Old Testament law does not still apply in its entirety, but certain aspects of it are still in force today. Some laws are repeated in the New Testament, indicating that they are still relevant, while others have been fulfilled or abolished. The moral norms of the law, now clarified, remain in force for the church.