The Old Testament Law for the Life of the Church: Reading the Torah in the Light of Christ

Review\n"Richard E. Averbeck convincingly demonstrates the continuity of God's law from the Old Testament to the New Testament so that the whole law provides guidance for the life of the Christian church and the believer. This profound and refreshing book is full of insights that enlighten, challenge, and inspire the reader." -- Roy E. Gane, professor of Hebrew Bible and ancient Near Eastern languages at Seventh-day Adventist Theological Seminary, Andrews University, and author of Old Testament Law for Christians\n"Thinking through how the law relates to the gospel is like trying to cut a path through the Amazon jungle. Many have offered an array of approaches to this question. This book on the law and the life of the church cuts a fresh and revealing path to the refreshment the gospel offers without demeaning the law that helped to show the way there. It also makes a serious case for how the law can help us even now by keeping its eye on covenants, promises, and the progress of revelation. Well done." -- Darrell Bock, senior research professor of New Testament studies and executive director for cultural engagement at the Hendricks Center, Dallas Theological Seminary\n"Does the law of Christ leave the Old Testament Law behind? No! Explaining the Law's function for ancient Israel, Averbeck shows its goodness and its unity―moral, civil, and ritual belong together―and its weakness, for only the Holy Spirit can purify and vivify hearts to display the sacrificial life Israel should have exemplified as a 'kingdom of priests.' Consolidating decades of study in Old Testament Law, Averbeck cogently concludes we should be thinking how all of the laws, rituals, and sacrifices apply to Christian life. With honest exegesis, spiritual sensitivity, and personal testimony, he guides readers to a better answer than others have offered." -- Alan Millard, emeritus professor of Hebrew and ancient Semitic languages at the University of Liverpool\n"Undergirding this book is a lifetime of study by an internationally recognized specialist in Old Testament law as well as a published voice in the field of Christian spiritual formation. Clearly written and accessible to a wide audience, this balanced presentation is replete with helpful insights and will be my first recommended reading on the subject." -- John Hilber, professor of Old Testament at McMaster Divinity College and author of Old Testament Cosmology and Divine Accommodation\n"This remarkable study effectively and clearly places the Old Testament Law in its context within the ancient world of covenant making and law, and within the flow of redemptive history. From this basis, Richard Averbeck gives the church a positive and understandable view of the Old Testament Law as God's continuing good gift to his people. Anyone struggling with how the Christian should understand the Old Testament Law should read this critically important book." -- Sarah Dorsey Bollinger, assistant professor of biblical studies at Evangelical Seminary\n"Drawing on his considerable expertise, Richard Averbeck provides an accessible and authoritative introduction to the complex and challenging issue of how Christians should approach the Old Testament Law associated with the covenant God made with the Israelites at Mount Sinai. Delving into passages, some initially striking modern readers of the Old Testament as largely irrelevant, Averbeck affirms the importance of the whole of Scripture as the living and transforming Word of God. For anyone grappling with how the Old Testament Law might be best approached from a Christian perspective, this study offers insightful and compelling guidance." -- T. Desmond Alexander, senior lecturer in biblical studies and director of postgraduate studies at Union Theological College in Belfast, author of Face to Face with God\n"Everything that Richard Averbeck writes edifies me, and this work does so in abundance. Here the full range of the blessings he has to offer is on bright display: hi