On Morality (Seventh Article), Why God Gave Man Two Distinct Revelations?

SEVENTH ARTICLE

Why God Gave Man Two Distinct Revelations?

Objection 1. God gave man two distinct revelations (the law of Moses and the prophets and the Law of Christ and the Apostles) because God changed the law and He desired that man may know and understand these changes. In one point in time justice consisted of an eye for an eye (Exodus 21:24), but Christ revealed a new law to man when he said if someone strikes you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also (Mathew 5:39). The Law of Moses was binding on man for some period of time, but with Christ man was freed from that law and a completely new law was introduced.

Objection 2. There were not two distinct revelations of God. The Old and New Testaments are one. The New Testament does not change or add anything to the revelation that preceded it.

On the contrary, St. Thomas says, (Summa Theologica, Book Two, Question 91, Article 5) The difference between laws of the Old and New Testaments is not that between an ox and a horse, but of that between a boy and a man. One is imperfect, the other perfect.

I answer that, As it is with many things, errors come in pairs. On the one hand some claim there is an absolute and complete difference between the Law of Moses and the Law of Christ, while others claim there is no difference at all. The truth lies somewhere between these erroneous extremes.

There is no difference in kind between the two revelations of God, but there is certainly a difference in degree. The old and new law both had the same end: God, but they differ in their means. The old law was based in fear and restrained the actions of man—do not kill, steal, or commit adultery, etc. While the new law directs the mind of man by means of love—we are to not call a man a fool in our hearts nor lust after a woman in our thoughts. All of this obedience is to flow naturally out of our love for God, for Christ says (John 14:23) if you love me, you will obey me.

It is natural and expected that the revelations of God should come to man in this order. Only when a man is free from his passions and sin may he be free to voluntarily love and obey God.

Reply Obj. 1. Christ said, (Mathew 5:17) do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them. If God has changed the law, then the authority of the law rests on God’s power alone. But law cannot rely on power alone, for if it did the law would be arbitrary. Justice must be more than a mere changing opinion of God, for if it was it would be nothing than utter folly to praise God for his goodness and justice in conforming to the law (Fifth Article). Therefore the revelation of Christ cannot be a completely new and distinct from the revelation that God gave Moses.

Reply Obj. 2. God is not arbitrary and He would not have given man a second revelation if He had nothing new or different to say. This is a matter of common sense: if God told man all he needed to know in His first revelation He would not have given mankind another. From the fact that God gave man a second revelation we may know that there is something new or different within this revelation that man needs to know.