Why Don't Christians Follow the Torah?

This is a question that often comes up when discussing the relationship between Christianity and Judaism. While Christianity emerged from Judaism and shares many foundational texts, there are distinct reasons why Christians do not adhere to the Torah in the same way Jewish people do. Understanding these differences requires looking at theological interpretations, historical developments, and the specific role of Jesus Christ in Christian belief.

Theological Differences: Grace vs. Law

At the heart of the divergence lies a fundamental theological difference regarding salvation. For Judaism, the Torah represents God's divine law and covenant with the Jewish people. Adherence to its commandments is a central aspect of faithfulness and relationship with God. This is often understood as a system of "law" where obedience is paramount.

Christianity, on the other hand, teaches that salvation is achieved not through adherence to the Mosaic Law (the Torah) but through faith in Jesus Christ and God's grace. The New Testament, particularly the writings of the Apostle Paul, extensively discusses the concept of justification by faith. This means that believers are declared righteous in God's eyes not because they perfectly keep the Law, but because of Christ's atoning sacrifice.

Paul's Argument in Galatians: A key passage often cited is the Book of Galatians. Paul argues that attempting to follow the Torah for salvation creates a burden that no one can fully bear. He contends that the Law was given to reveal sin and point to the need for a savior, rather than being a means of earning righteousness. In his words:

"We know that a person is not justified by works of the law, but through faith in Jesus Christ, so we also have believed in Christ Jesus, in order to be justified by faith in Christ and not by works of the law, because by works of the law no one will be justified." (Galatians 2:16 ESV)

The Role of Jesus Christ

For Christians, Jesus is not just a prophet or a teacher; he is believed to be the Son of God, the Messiah prophesied in the Old Testament. His life, death, and resurrection are seen as the fulfillment of God's plan for humanity's redemption. This fulfillment has significant implications for the application of the Torah.

The New Covenant

Christians believe that Jesus established a "New Covenant" with humanity, superseding or fulfilling the Old Covenant established through Moses. This New Covenant, as described in the New Testament (e.g., Jeremiah 31:31-34, Hebrews 8), is characterized by the indwelling of the Holy Spirit and a transformed heart, rather than solely by external laws.

Fulfillment, Not Abolition: Jesus himself stated in the Sermon on the Mount that he did not come to abolish the Law or the Prophets but to fulfill them (Matthew 5:17). Christians interpret this fulfillment in several ways:

Fulfillment of Prophecy: Jesus' life and ministry perfectly aligned with and fulfilled Old Testament prophecies.
Fulfillment of Purpose: The sacrificial system and many laws of the Torah are seen as pointing forward to Jesus' ultimate sacrifice.
Fulfillment in Spirit: The spirit of the Law—love for God and neighbor—is now to be lived out through the power of the Holy Spirit, not just through strict observance of the letter of the Law.

Distinction Between Old and New Testaments

The Christian Bible is divided into the Old Testament (which largely comprises the Hebrew Bible, including the Torah) and the New Testament. Christians view the New Testament as the divinely inspired record of God's unfolding plan of salvation, culminating in Jesus Christ. The teachings and events described in the New Testament are considered the authoritative guide for Christian belief and practice.

Specific Laws and Their Application

Many specific laws within the Torah relate to the ceremonial, dietary, and civil aspects of ancient Israelite life. Christians generally do not observe these laws for several reasons:

Ceremonial Laws: Laws concerning sacrifices, temple worship, and ritual purity are seen as having been fulfilled in Christ's sacrifice and priesthood.
Dietary Laws: Practices like kosher laws (e.g., Leviticus 11) are generally not followed. The Apostle Peter's vision in Acts 10 is often interpreted as a divine signal that such distinctions are no longer binding for believers.
Civil and Judicial Laws: These laws were specific to the governance of ancient Israel as a nation-state. While they offer moral principles, their direct application as civil statutes is not generally adopted by Christians in modern societies.

However, Christians do believe that the moral principles underlying the Torah, such as the Ten Commandments, remain foundational. These moral laws are seen as reflecting God's unchanging character and are reiterated and deepened in the teachings of Jesus (e.g., the command to love one's enemies).

The Early Church and the Gentiles

A pivotal moment in the early Christian church was the debate over whether Gentile (non-Jewish) converts needed to be circumcised and follow the Torah. The Council of Jerusalem, described in Acts 15, concluded that these requirements were not necessary for salvation. This decision, guided by apostles like Peter and Paul, established a precedent for a faith that was inclusive of both Jews and Gentiles, not bound by the entirety of Mosaic Law.

The Decision of the Council of Jerusalem: The council decreed that Gentiles needed to abstain from things polluted by idols, from sexual immorality, and from the meat of strangled animals and blood (Acts 15:29). Notably absent from this list were requirements like circumcision or adherence to all dietary and ceremonial laws.

Summary of Key Reasons

In summary, Christians do not follow the Torah as a pathway to salvation because:

They believe salvation comes through faith in Jesus Christ and God's grace, not by works of the Law.
They believe Jesus fulfilled the Law and established a New Covenant.
The New Testament, particularly the teachings of Jesus and the Apostles, is their primary guide for faith and practice.
Many of the specific laws in the Torah are seen as fulfilled, temporary, or specific to the ancient Israelite nation.
The early church officially determined that Gentile converts were not required to follow the entirety of the Mosaic Law.

While Christians respect the Old Testament and the Torah as God's word and foundational to their faith, their religious practice and understanding of salvation are centered on Jesus Christ as revealed in the New Testament.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Why do Christians still read the Old Testament if they don't follow the Torah?

Christians read the Old Testament because they believe it is the inspired Word of God and a vital part of their spiritual heritage. It reveals God's character, his covenant relationship with humanity, the history of Israel, and most importantly for Christians, it contains prophecies and foreshadowings of Jesus Christ. The Old Testament provides the theological and historical context for the New Testament and the coming of Jesus.

Did Jesus himself follow the Torah?

Yes, Jesus was a Jew and lived under the Law of Moses. He observed Jewish customs, attended the synagogue, and taught within the framework of Jewish understanding. However, as previously mentioned, Christians believe Jesus fulfilled the Law. He demonstrated the deeper spiritual meaning of the Law and, in some instances, presented a higher standard of righteousness rooted in love and mercy, which is central to Christian teaching.

Are there any parts of the Torah that Christians still consider important?

Absolutely. Christians hold the moral aspects of the Torah, particularly the Ten Commandments, as enduring and foundational. They see these as reflecting God's unchanging moral will. Furthermore, the narratives and principles found in the Torah are studied for their wisdom, historical significance, and as types or illustrations pointing to Christ. For example, the Passover story is seen as a precursor to Christ's sacrifice.

If Christians don't follow the dietary laws, does that mean they think those laws were wrong?

Not necessarily wrong, but rather understood as having a specific context and purpose within the Old Covenant. Christians believe that through Jesus, a new relationship with God has been established, and many of the ceremonial and dietary distinctions that separated people in the Old Covenant are no longer necessary barriers for believers in Christ. The focus shifts from outward observance to an inward transformation of the heart by the Holy Spirit.