First, We are confused by the categorical myth. Many think law and grace are two ways God deals with humanity. As if historically God's dealings with humankind move from law to grace. 'Law and Grace' are not parallel nor are they in competition. Truth be told, law is grace. All of God's deals with man are by grace. The giving of law as the way to live is an act of grace. The use of the law to bring us to awareness of our need is an act of grace The writing of the law on the hearts of believers is an act of grace The enabling of Spirit-empowered, love-motivated obedience to the law is an act of grace.
Some have wrongly made law and grace two different categories as to understand God's saving relationship to man. Nope, Grace is the category law is under. The only conceivable ways that law can be opposed to grace are when sinners misuse it. They may fail to understand the purpose of law and try to use it to do what it was never meant to do. For example1.) the law can't restore sinners to right relationship with God; The error of legalistic acceptance 2.) they may rely upon it to give what it was never designed to give - the power to produce the obedience it commands; Legalistic empowerment. Doing the law can't make God love and accept you, nor can it changes your heart from wanting to rebel nor brings spiritual power to obey. Law is not a rival to grace but a tool in the hands of grace - to guide, convict, drive to Christ, explain God's will, and so on.
Second, we are deluded by the ritualistic myth, that is, that Old Testament law is pre-occupied with boring ritualistic trivia, declared to be obsolete with Christ's final sacrifice on the cross. So, it is seen as not having an applicable meaning for people today just a bunch of out of date rituals.
Third, we are driven away by the historical myth, that is that Old Testament law concerns the times and cultural context of nations so far removed from our own that, unless one has purely academic or obsolete interests. Most just think, what it has to say about the human condition is hopelessly out of date.
Fourth, we are repelled by the ethical myth. The OT law reflects a standard of ethics that is rejected as grossly inferior to the law of love announced by Jesus and the high stock placed on tolerance in our enlightened age.
Fifth, we are dumb struck by the literary myth, that is, that the Old Testament laws are written in literary forms that are so different from modern literature we cannot understand them. The gap between today and biblical times is hard to jump but not impossible.
Sixth, we are indoctrinated by the theological myth, that is that Old Testament law presents a view of God that is utterly objectionable to modern sensitivities.
So long as these “mythconceptions” determine the our disposition toward Old Testament law there is little hope that the average Christian in the pew will pay much attention to the legislative parts of the Old Testament. In Honor of this fact I have composed a little lament.
Oh Exodus, your commands are now suggestions
All absolutes now have to pass a general election
"Read her" - oh, Children of Jerusalem
"Read her" - oh, daughters of Zion
Oh, Leviticus, you scorned book of old.
Oh, Number, full of laws now untold
Oh, Deuteronomy, what is there to learn.
Oh, books of old, how your leaves no longer turn.
In pot and ash, we cry, "read her,"
"Read her" - oh, Children of Jerusalem
"Read her" - oh, daughters of Zion
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