In the Gospel of Matthew, Jesus preaches against the Law. Pick a side of the resolution and argue for it using as many specific examples from the text as possible. Keep in mind that the most persuasive arguments anticipate (and answer) counterarguments.

Question

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The Answer is The affirmative side might put forward the following arguments: Jesus' giving of the Law superseded Moses' Law, perhaps indicating its incompleteness; Jesus' Law focused not on ritual practice but on ethical behavior; Moses' Law guided the Jews, while Jesus' Law guided all people who believe that he is the messiah; Jesus suggested that the entire Law rested on only two requirements, to love God and to love one's neighbor; Jesus referred to those Jews who followed the Law (e.g., Sadducees and Pharisees) as hypocrites because they adhered to the fine details of the Law (tithing, giving alms, praying, fasting, food laws) but not its spirit.
The negative side might put forward the following arguments: Jesus' commandments did not overturn Moses' but served to explain the reasoning behind them; Jesus himself followed the Law and expected his followers to as well; Jesus chastised the Jewish leaders for focusing on the letter of the Law while ignoring its larger and more fundamental meaning.

In the Gospel of Matthew, Jesus Preaches Against the Law