QuestDriven and Farouk,
I am providing the flip side to the argument that is more weighted to not getting one. I have provided all of Levitucus 19 for all to read. Decide which one of these verses are for the believer today, and which one was for the Jew yesterday. Unfortunately, Christianity has removed itself so far from the Jewish origins of our faith, that the whole Levitical laws have no understanding for how they were interpreted by the sages of old. And that is unfortunate, because there is so much wisdom and knowledge from the origins of our faith.
Your theology implies that man gets to pick which ones are relevant. Why can we not conform to God's commandments, not God conform to ours. And yes, there are many laws that were solely given to the land, priesthood and what not. Mostly because they just cannot be practiced today, so they're out of service temporarily. But really think, which Law will be written on our hearts? It's the only law God has ever known, and the one that revealed his character to a redeemed people. I highlighted and underlined the ones that cannot be observed today.
Here's a video about why we no longer follow the Old Testament (Old Covenant):
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M_QACgqKtT8
It's addressed to non-Christians who use this to criticize Christianity, but I think it offers a good explanation here, too. There's three parts to the video. (Here is part two, which especially illustrates the point I'm trying to make:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hpPYWUvez9c And part three:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GMS4WNIP6ks )
Even doing a Google search on this subject could help you out, and explain the reasoning behind not following OT law.
Again, the Old Testament law had historical reasons behind it, much of which is no longer relevant to our day and time. It's not there for us to follow ourselves, but to help us understand what the law used to require before Jesus' sacrifice. This has nothing to do with "picking and choosing". I simply don't believe the OT is there for the same purpose as the NT, and this goes probably for the vast majority of Christians. Including theologians.
I believe God has logical reasons for the rules He gave us. He had logical reasons for the OT laws and practices. And there are logical reasons why many of those laws and practices are no longer necessary.
As the video points out,
many of the OT laws reflect universal morals, that are still followed today (in some modern equivalent, where necessary), or should be.
Other parts of OT law reflect specific conditions in Israel and are simply not applicable today. Some of these did involve universal morals. Others didn't.
And then some are simply ceremonial, and as you said, do not need to be followed as that would be pretty much impossible.
The New Testament specifically amends some of the OT laws. For example: circumcision. This is mentioned in the NT where there was a dispute among believers over whether circumcision was necessary or not. Paul confirmed that it's no longer necessary. It also says we are no longer under the law, but under grace. (If I could remember the reference, I'd name it here.)
All of that said, I do not wish to debate.
