Continuity between the Old and New Testaments (Craig Keener)

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Was the Old Testament religion one of salvation by works, while the New Testament one by grace? Many in the church have often framed the contrast between the covenants this way: Law-keeping vs. Grace. But that's not where the biblical evidence leads, claims Dr. Craig Keener. In this Seven Minute Seminary, we learn that salvation was always by grace through faith, and covenant faithfulness on Israel's part was expressed through obedience.
The story of the Old Testament is clear: God redeemed Israel out of slavery (Exodus 20); God chose Israel because of his love (Deuteronomy 7), not because of Israel's righteousness (Deuteronomy 9). However, covenant faithfulness was expressed through obedience to the Law (Deuteronomy 30), just as love for Jesus is expressed in obedience to his commands (John 14:15). The Apostle Paul confirms that the old covenant was based on grace, as does James the brother of Jesus (Romans 10; James 2). So Paul wasn't against the Law, only against using it to boast, or misusing it to exclude others (Romans 3). This explains how Paul can appeal to the Law (the first fives books of the Old Testament) to teach salvation by grace through faith.

[@t.scottmajor1316]

Thank you for your teaching Craig. I really have enjoyed your scholarship and heart for God's ways.

[@t.scottmajor1316]

"For it is not an empty thing for you, because it is your life!" - Deuteronomy 32:47

[@theodorechavez7058]

You Guy's need to turn up the volume a little bit more with this guy's presentation.

[@RameshRambling]

Friends, I wonder if you could work on your audio. What I mean is that the intro in super loud compared to the speaker. This is common to several of your videos. It’s irritating to me. Would you balance the volume output going forward please. Thank you!

[@donj2222]

I think there is a lot of continuity between what is often called the OT and NT, so much that in my mind I remove the dividing papers.

[@brotherjim5904]

Excellent! Again, thank you so much. I most loved your pointing out the purpose of the New Covenant and its now available new birth: "to walk in My statutes, and...keep my Judgments, and do [them]." Ez.36:27b
People, Eph. 2:15 tells us it's the ORDINANCES that Jesus did away with, that THAT is the "change of the Law" (Heb 7:12), not the Ten Commandments. The 600+ OT ordinances were done in the flesh; the 10 C's under the NEW Covenant are to be done by the S(s)pirit, by Grace, by Agape' Love of God for Him and fellow man.
Also, reading some of the comments here gives light to the shortcoming how some still are missing a major point of the video lesson. We as God's NT kids are expected to live by the SPIRIT of the Law, not the letter. The spirit of the law contends man should rest one day a week, and rest in the Lord; the letter of the law wants to insist on a particular day.

[@lyndelld1]

We are free from the law.

[@t.scottmajor1316]

Yes, free from the law of sin and death. Halleluyah!