Passages that Contradict the “I Am the Law of Moses” Statement
In the book of Galatians, it is stated that the law served as our guardian until Christ came, so it is clear that the law of Moses was not Christ Himself (Galatians 3:23-24). John 1:17 emphasizes that the law was given through Moses, while grace and truth came through Jesus Christ. Therefore, it can be concluded that Jesus was not given through Moses.
Galatians 3:13 affirms that Christ has rescued us from the curse pronounced by the law, and Galatians 5:18 states that when we are led by the Spirit, we are not under the obligation of the law of Moses. This implies that our obligation is to Christ, as mentioned in Romans 8:12-13. Furthermore, Romans 6:14 assures that sin no longer has mastery over us because we are not under the law but under grace. This suggests that if Christ was the law of Moses, it would mean that we are not under Christ.
Romans 8:1-4 explains that through Christ, we are set free from the law, not from Christ Himself. It clarifies that Christ fulfilled the righteous requirement of the law, enabling us to live according to the Spirit, rather than according to the flesh.
2 Corinthians 3:7-11 highlights the superior glory of the ministry of the Spirit compared to the ministry that brought death, symbolized by the law engraved on stone. This affirms that if Christ were the Law of Moses, He would be associated with death and condemnation.
Some Claim that “I Am the Law of Moses” Means Christ Fulfilled the Law
Some argue that when Jesus said, “I am the law of Moses,” He meant that He fulfilled it. However, fulfilling something does not equate to becoming that thing. Fulfilling a contract does not make us the contract itself, just as fulfilling the requirements of the law does not make us the law.
The Law of Moses forms part of God’s unfolding revelation, culminating in Christ’s offer of salvation. Considering Christ as the Law of Moses would also logically lead to labeling Him as sin, since 2 Corinthians 5:21 states that God made Him who had no sin to be sin for us. However, Christ is not sin; rather, He became sin on our behalf and rescued us from sin, just as He rescued us from the attempt to achieve holiness through obeying the Law of Moses (Galatians 3:13).
Scripture clearly states that Christ fulfilled the law, perfectly meeting its requirements and bringing it to an end (Romans 10:4, Matthew 5:17-18, Ephesians 2:15). The Law of Moses represents the Old Covenant, while Christ represents the New Covenant.
Claiming that the Law of Moses accurately describes Christ cannot be supported by Scripture. Such a claim would imply, among other things, that Christ is the embodiment of “the ministry that brought death.” It would also mean that we are no longer under Christ but under grace.
Some Claim Christ is the Law of Moses because He is the Word
Others assert that Christ is the Law of Moses because He is the Word of God, and the Law of Moses is part of God’s Word. However, Christ cannot be equated with various isolated elements of the story. Rather, He is the ultimate climax of the entire narrative.
Hebrews 10:1 explains that the law is only a shadow of the good things to come, not the actual realities themselves. The law points to Christ as its fulfillment.
In the series The Chosen, the statement “I am the law of Moses” is used to signify Christ’s ultimate authority. However, the law of Moses no longer holds ultimate authority over us.
It is worth mentioning that the Book of Mormon presents Christ as saying, “I am the law and the light.” Some speculate that this inclusion in The Chosen may be due to the creator’s partnership with Mormons. However, it is important to note that neither quote accurately portrays Christ. The Chosen quote, specifically referring to the Old Testament law, fails to consider that 1 Corinthians 9:19-23 distinguishes between the Old Testament laws and “the law of Christ.”
It is implausible to believe that Christ would identify Himself as “the New Testament law of Christ.” However, this assertion would be more defensible than claiming that He is the Law of Moses.
Use Discernment and Stick to Scripture
When faced with similar situations, Christians have sometimes defended works like The Shack despite their contradictions with Scripture. We should not allow personal enjoyment or the perceived appeal to the gospel to overshadow the need for discernment. We must be concerned with the accuracy and fidelity of the truth we present.
We should remember that the Bible is the definitive portrayal of God’s people. If God were to inspire someone to produce a series, reinforcing the teachings in Scripture, He would select an individual who discerns the distinction between the Mormon and the Christian understanding of Jesus.
In today’s world, believers are encountering numerous tests of their faith. Will we compromise accuracy and truth to reach wider audiences, or will we prioritize conveying the accurate truth to a smaller audience?
Let us remain diligent and discerning, always adhering to the truth found in Scripture. We should seek to preserve the integrity of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.
For more information, check out these additional resources:
- Examining The Shack
- Use Discernment When Watching The Chosen
- Be Careful that You Don’t Let The Chosen Affect Your Discernment
*Note: The quotes attributed to Jenkins in this article can be found in the following sources: Live Stream, Deseret News, Christian Post.
