Book II Chapter 7

Calvin was a big fan of the Law (Torah, etc.). Some people (I'm glaring at you Antinomians) thought the Law was made useless by the work of Jesus Christ. Calvin rejects this strongly. He thought that the Law has several integral uses still.

But, wait. Didn't Paul, and even Jesus himself, teach that the Law was set aside? Yes, Calvin says, but we have to ask what about it was set aside? To Calvin (and many others), the effect of the Law was set aside, not the authority of the Law. 

Calvin goes to great lengths to show the nuance within the concept of the Law. To him, there are three 'laws' within the Law:

• Ceremonial
• Moral
• Civic

This comes straight from Aquinas. Sometimes, when we say the 'Law' we actually mean something within the Law. When Jesus or Paul spoke of setting aside the Law, were they referring to the effects or the authority? Were they referring to the ceremonial, moral, or civic laws? 

Much of the ceremonial law is kaput, says Calvin, since it was only there to point to Christ's sacrifice in the first place. I love the following quote:

For what is more vain or absurd than for men to offer a loathsome stench from the fat of cattle in order to reconcile themselves to God? Or to have recourse to the sprinkling of water and blood to cleanse away their filth? In short, the whole cultus of the law, taken literally and not as shadows and figures corresponding to the truth, will be utterly ridiculous.

Yeah, rip it, Johnny! However, I am not sure that the Patriarchs would have been all that happy to hear that God was using them as a giant metaphor. Oh well. Joke's on them. 

The Moral Law is very useful. It testifies to the hope we have in Christ; Reveals God's righteousness; Restrains the Reprobate; Keeps the Elect humble and on the straight and narrow. We're all still damaged goods and we're still naturally sinful. So, we need the Law to keep us from blowing it. 

Finally, the Law offers civic guidance. Modern societies can use the Law as a guide for establishing moral standards in their community. But, be sure not to get the ceremonial law mixed up with the civic and vice versa. Or else, you might make pork illegal while allowing murder. Or something like that. 

I think it is interesting that Calvin was so concerned about differentiating laws. When, he would send people to jail for three days because they were caught DANCING! 

This is some fancy theology, to be sure. But, I am not sure Jesus or Paul were aware of it. I am sure that Moses was not aware of it. I have a problem with any theology that necessitates so much more inspiration for the interpreter than the original writer. 

You licentious sinners should all go to jail!