Because, historically, Christianity left Judaism or vice versa, many Christians have the false impression that Jesus began a new religion. They suggest that God works in "dispensations" and the old Testament is out and the New Testament is in. All God's "old" regulations have been "nailed to the cross" and we are now under "Grace" or the "Law of Love".
One of the favorite verses used to prove this point is:
"He forgave us all our sins, having canceled the written code, with its regulations, that was against us and that stood opposed to us; he took it away, nailing it to the cross." Col 2:14
Based upon the context, what exactly is this "written code" which Jesus nailed to the cross? A cursory reading seems to support our assumption that the "written code" is God's Old Testament Laws. If the Law itself was nailed to the cross, it no longer applies to men as a standard of right and wrong.
This conclusion has some problematic side effects. We are exhorted many places in the New Testament not to continue in sin. If the Law (God's definition of sin Rom 7:7)has been rendered obselete, how do I know what sin is?
"What shall we say, then? Is the law sin? Certainly not! Indeed I would not have known what sin was except through the law." Romans 7:7
By paying attention to the context, however, we are better able to define the subject of Paul's argument. Colosians 2:14 is sandwiched between the following two verses.
"See to it that no one takes you captive through hollow and deceptive philosophy, which depends on human tradition and the basic principles of this world." Col 2:8
Since you died with Christ to the basic principles of this world, why, as though you still belonged to it, do you submit to its rules: 'Do not handle! Do not taste! Do not touch!.' These are all destined to perish with use, because they are based on human commands and teachings." Col 2:20-22.
Are the laws of God in the OT "hollow and deceptive", of "this world" or "based on human commands and teachings"? Since Paul is associating this "written code" with human teachings, it cannot be God's commandments, or his Torah.
Paul is not saying in this verse that God's commandments have been nailed to the cross but rather hollow and deceptive philosophies, human traditions, commands and teachings whether Jewish or Greek, which masquerade as God's commandments.
Now that we have contextual clarification, we might better interpret the following passage. Colosians 2:16-17 is also found in this same context and appears to be the reason Paul is having this discussion in the first place.
"Therefore do not let anyone judge you by what you eat or drink, or with regard to a religious festival, a New Moon celebration, or a Sabbath day. These are a shadow of the things that were to come; the reality however, is found in Christ." Col 2:16-17
Most of Christianity views this verse as clear evidence that we are under no obligation to keep God's Sabbath day holy. In fact keeping the Sabbath is a dangerous remnant of traditional Judaism. In practical terms, those who keep the Sabbath are looked upon as "backward" or "legalistic". Keeping the Sabbath , from a Gentile Christian point of view, is equivalent with rejecting the grace of God.
Today, these verses are used to justify those who want to ignore "certain elements" of the law. Keeping the Sabbath, the 4th commandment of God, is a now argued to be a "Jewish tradition" honored only by the most fringe elements of the Christian world. Due in large part to a poorly interpreted Col 2:16, it has become almost sinful to honor the Sabbath.
In the context of "human teachings", however, Paul is not repudiating the Sabbath. Keeping the Sabbath is a commandment of God, not men. Rather, in context, he is repudiating those who were making worldly judgments about others who sought to observe these shadows (whose origins are found in God, not men). In a backward sort of way, Paul actually affirms the important symbolism found in these shadows. They represent realities found in Christ.
The Old Testament "shadows" have much to teach us about the reality found in Christ and we lose a blessing by ignoring them. The fact is, we can't really know about the realities found in Christ except through a thorough understanding of the Old Testament Law and Prophets.
If you want to nail God's commandments to the cross, you cannot do it with Colossians 2:14.
"And we have the word of the prophets made more certain, and you will do well to pay attention to it (the word of the Prophets), as to a light shining in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts." 2 Peter 1:19-20 |
