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Bibliography..................................................................................................................................3
Outline
I. Introduction
A. Background and Significance of OT Law within the Pentateuch
1. The Law as a divine instruction revealed within Israel’s history
2. The role of the Law in shaping Israel’s covenantal identity
B. Thesis Statement
1. This paper examines how the Law functions within the Pentateuch, focusing on
its role in ancient Israel, its theological significance for the church, and its
canonical meaning in redemptive history. The study will rely on the works of Roy
E. Gane and John H. Sailhamer while engaging with additional scholarship on OT
Law.
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II. The Law in Its Original Context: Function Within Ancient Israel
A. Understanding Law from an Ancient Israelite Perspective
1. Covenant structure and its implications for Israel
2. Distinctions between moral, ceremonial, and civil laws
B. Law as a Socio-Theological Framework
1. The Law as a means of ordering society and shaping national identity
2. The role of the sacrificial system and purity laws
3. Blessings and curses (Deuteronomy 28–30) as reinforcement of obedience
C. How the Law Functioned in Israel’s Worship and Daily Life
1. The role of the priesthood (Leviticus, Numbers)
2. Law in relation to justice, economy, and ethics
III. Theological and Experiential Role of OT Law for the Church
A. How NT Christians Engage with OT Law
1. Sailhamer’s View: The composition of the Law within biblical theology
2. Gane’s View: The Law’s ongoing ethical significance for NT believers
B. Law and Christian Ethics
1. The Decalogue and its moral authority
2. Extrapolating theological principles from OT Law for modern Christian life
C. Continuity vs. Discontinuity
1. Jesus’ fulfillment of the Law (Matthew 5:17–20)
2. Paul’s interpretation of the Law in Galatians and Romans
IV. Canonical Function of the Law Within the Pentateuch
A. How the Law Functions within the Broader Canon
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1. The Law as a commentary on Israel’s relationship with God
2. Theological themes: Covenant, exile, restoration
B. Prophetic Anticipation of a New Covenant
1. Deuteronomy’s expectation of a greater prophet (Deut. 18:15)
2. Jeremiah 31:31–34 and the promise of the Law written on hearts
3. The Law as a foreshadowing of Christ
C. How the Meaning of the Law is Determined within Scripture
1. Sailhamer’s argument that the Pentateuch was arranged to anticipate Christ
2. The Law’s trajectory toward grace and eschatological fulfillment
V. Conclusion
A. Summary of Key Arguments
B. Final Reflection on the Law’s Role in God’s Redemptive Plan
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