Oral Exam

Question 1

II. From class discussion, your reading of Wenham’s “The Gap Between Law and Ethics in the Bible,” and Williams’ Far as the Curse Is Found, how would you describe the way the law was to function in the life of the people of God?

Answer 1

1. The law is good because it functions as a way to not only do life in God, but also a way to have the fullest of freedom.
2. Law is merely a function of the Covenant; It is not intended mode for a means of salvation, but rather nourishing and keeping the covenant with God.
3. Weham concludes as well, the law was for the concern of man protecting and enhancing human life for the communal people of Israel.

Question 2

II.

1. ​Contrast the Lutheran and Calvinist approach to the uses of the law.
   
   1. What was Luther’s approach to the Law?

Answer 2

• He tended to denigrate the law in reaction to the teaching of the medieval church.
• He removed the law from the center of his understanding of redemption; ergo, he negatively viewed the law.
• Grounded the law in sin.

Question 3

II.

A. Contrast Luther/Calvin

2. What was Luther’s approach to the (1) Civil Use and the (2) Pedagogical Use of the Law?

Answer 3

Civil Use

• The law exists to restrain sin, preventing humanity from being as evil as it could be.

Pedagogical Use

• The law defines what sin is and shows man his need for a Savior (mirror).
• The law was to create a sense of guilt
• The law exists in reference to sin and sin alone.

Question 4

II.

A. Contrast Luther/Calvin

3. What was Calvin’s approach to the Law?

Answer 4

• sought to ground the law in creation; ergo, it addresses us NOT as sinners first, but as image bearers.
• Grounded the law in creation.

Question 5

II.

A. Contrast Luther/Calvin

4. What was Calvin’s approach to the (1) Civil Use and the (2) Pedagogical Use of the Law?

Answer 5

Civil Use

• In agreement with Luther, the law prevents humanity from lawlessness by its threats of judgment.
• He adds that it is part of God’s common grace
  
  • Law given as a framework for covenant living (human flourishing/image bearing)

Pedagogical Use

• Agrees with Luther, shows man his sin by revealing the perfect righteousness of God.
• Law is meant to lead us to repentance and seek grace.

Question 6

II.

A. Contrast Luther/Calvin

5. What was Calvin’s Proper use of the Law?

Answer 6

Proper

• Though the law does restrain and reveal sin to man, the law also functions as a guide to the people of God, the regenerate, leading them into godliness
• Once we are delivered from the false idea of law-keeping as being receptively meritorious, we can then embrace the biblical idea of the law as the expectation of our heavenly father for his children.

Question 7

II.

B. How would these two approaches to the law be able to accommodate a discussion like Wenham’s?

1. Explain the reading

Answer 7

• The law itself sets a minimum standard of behavior.
• However, he notes that the law by itself does not prescribe the ideals of behavior. This behavior is what he calls the ethical ideal – imitation of God. In this way, the ethical ideal functions as the ceiling.