Salvation – law
Christians have various beliefs about how to achieve salvationThe healing of a broken relationship between people and God.. For some, the most important way to achieve salvation is through doing good works, such as giving to charity. However, other Christians focus on worship and faith. Some Christians believe that as well as having faith, people achieve salvation by following God’s law, which is found in the Bible. Through these laws, Christians believe that God has helped them to identify sinAct of rebellion or disobedience against the known will of God in Judaism, Christianity or Islam. – to go against these laws is to sin.
The first five books of the Old TestamentThe first part of the Christian Bible which corresponds to the Hebrew Bible but is arranged differently. in the Bible are:
- Genesis
- Exodus
- Leviticus
- Numbers
- Deuteronomy
Together they are known as the Books of Law because they contain the instructions that God gave to instruct people on how to live good lives according to his will.
Christians follow the laws laid out in New TestamentThe second part of the Christian Bible containing 27 books consisting of four types of literature: letters (epistles), gospels, history and prophecy. teachings and believe that only some of the laws in the Old Testament still need to be obeyed. This is because, for Christians, Jesus is the highest authority in the Bible and his teachings overrule many of the older laws.
However, the Old Testament is still very important to Christians because it contains guidance that Jesus upheld – for example, the Ten CommandmentsThe list of rules, revealed by God to Moses, found in the Old Testament books of Exodus and Deuteronomy. Also known as the Decalogue..
Different Christian views on biblical law
Different Christians follow the Bible’s laws in different ways according to their denominationA group within a religion. Christian denominations include, for example, Roman Catholic and Anglican denominations. and personal beliefs. For example, evangelicalGroup, or church, placing particular emphasis on the gospel and the scriptures as the sole authority in all matters of faith and conduct. Christians interpret the Bible more literalRepresenting the exact words of the original text. than many members of the Church of EnglandThe Church of England (C of E) is the official Protestant state religion of England. Its supreme governor is the monarch of the UK, with the Archbishop of Canterbury as the most senior priest., who might believe that some of the Bible’s laws are no longer relevant, or need to be adjusted for modern life.
As well as the Bible, there are other sources of wisdom that help Christians to follow God’s law:
- Christians believe that each person’s sense of right and wrong, or conscienceAn inner sense (or 'voice') which communicates what is right or wrong in one's behaviour., is God’s voice.
- Senior religious leaders give guidance on God’s law. For example, CatholicA group of Christians who accept the Pope in Rome as their leader. Christians believe that God appoints the PopeThe Bishop of Rome and head of the Roman Catholic Church. to be his representative on Earth.
- Each Church has its own interpretations of the Bible. Each set of leaders advise the Christians in their Church about how to apply the Bible’s teachings to modern situations.
- Some Christians see prayer as a conversation with God. By asking God for guidance, they believe he can show them the path towards salvation.
Question
For Christians, what is the main purpose of God’s law?
God’s law enables Christians to identify sin. God has set down laws, in the Bible, for them to follow, so they know that going against these laws is sinful.