Biblical Answer

The Old Testament law still applies in various ways. Some of the laws are repeated in the New Testament, such as laws against idolatry, lying, and loving your neighbor. Jesus himself says that he has not come to abolish the Law or the Prophets, but to fulfill them (Matthew 5:17). This fulfillment is not an abolition, but a completion of the law's intended purpose. The law remains valid until it reaches its intended culmination, which is the coming of Jesus Christ. The moral norms of the law, now clarified, remain in force for the church.

The New Testament writers emphasize the fulfillment and abolition of the Old Testament law. Paul, for instance, never conceived of a situation in which the church arrived, then the law has diminished. The Old Testament itself concedes that the law pointed forward to a new situation which has now arrived. The Christian is not technically under the stricture of the Old Testament law, but the New Testament restates all but one of the Ten Commandments as being applicable today. The only exception is the commandment regarding death, which is no longer applicable.

In conclusion, the Old Testament law still applies in various ways, but its application has been fulfilled and abrogated in certain aspects. The New Testament writers emphasize the importance of understanding the law in its proper context and application. The moral norms of the law remain in force for the church, but the specific laws and regulations are no longer binding in the same way. The Christian is free to live a life that reflects the teachings of Jesus, who came to fulfill the law and bring about a new era of God's redemption. The Old Testament law serves as a guide for living a moral and righteous life, but it is not the ultimate authority for the Christian. The Bible as a whole, including the New Testament, provides the ultimate authority for Christian living and practice.