Traditions seemingly based on
Scripture but not taught therein occupy and often dominate Christian thought
and practice. A previous book written by this editor[1]
examined many of these traditions; there are more that have entangled many over
the years.
Here's the message from Hebrews 11:17-29, the Testing of our Faith. May the Lord be glorified and His saints equipped. Forget the one speaking; focus on the One who is faithful.
This chapter is encouragement to the saints to live like we believe what the Bible says; opening with a description of faith. Biblical faith is key to our world-view and contrasts strikingly with walking by sight. But it’s important to reflect on the foundation which was laid in the preceding chapter – see verses 22-25. That passage exhorts us to faith, hope, and love which are part and parcel of our walk with the Lord. Chapter 11 develops faith, chapter 12 hope, and chapter 13 love. The suffering and perseverance of the saints summarized in chapter 10 are expounded with biblical examples in this chapter.
Confessions, Covenants, and Law
Latest publication from Brogden's Books! Four authors on four related topics.
Daniel Chamberlin on Confessions
and Confessionalism.
Isaac Backus on covenants, from
Galatians 4.
William Huntington on the rule of
life for the saints.
Stuart L. Brogden on The Children of Abraham.
Comprehending the covenants in Scripture lays the foundation for structuring confessions of faith and rightly understanding how the various laws in the Bible relate to the covenant in which they were given and to people who were or are not in that given covenant.
This section represents a change in direction for this letter – a
hinge-point, moving from theological truth to how that impacts our lives. It’s
not an absolute change in direction, as all of Scripture has something for us
in both of these arenas. We have read of intense teaching of how Christ is
better and greater than all and has brought His people into a better and
greater covenant and state of being, coupled with warnings about drifting away
and false belief. This section repeats the warning and ends with encouragement
to the saints to live like we believe; opening the way to chapter 11 and
following, where the focus is on living worthy of our call.
Did Jesus Have Long Hair?
A man under a Nazarite vow was not permitted to cut his hair; he
was to let it grow long. Number 6:5 You must not cut his hair throughout the time of his vow of
consecration. He must be holy until the time is completed during which he
consecrates himself to the LORD; he is to let the hair of his head grow long. This
requirement makes no sense unless the normal Jewish man had short hair.
This normal condition is revealed by nature, as Paul pointed out: “Does not even nature itself teach you that if a man
has long hair it is a disgrace to him.” (1 Cor. 11:14). That would seem to shut the door on long-haired Jesus portrayals. Paul
was very well educated on Mosaic Law and Jewish customs.
Historians have determined that ancient Jewish men did not wear their
hair long; they mocked men with long hair, which was somewhat common among
Roman and Greek philosophers, emperors, and pagan gods.[1]
Archeologists found, for the first time, hair from a Jewish man, in a site
south a Jerusalem, in the year 2000. Hair from Jewish women was common in
excavations, but not hair from men. Until recently.
One of the more fascinating finds in this tomb, one that has not
received much attention, was the preservation of a sample of Jewish
male hair. The hair was lice-free, and was trimmed or cut evenly, probably
indicating that the family buried in this tomb practiced good hygiene and
grooming. The length of the hair was medium to short, averaging 3-4 inches. The
color was reddish.[2]
Why have we settled on portrayals of Jesus with long hair? The biblical
record, historical records, and archeological research all agree: other than
men under a Nazarite Vow, Jewish men had short hair. There is nothing in the
Bible suggesting Jesus was under a Nazarite vow. He had short hair.
[1]
https://relevantmagazine.com/current/buzzworthy/if-jewish-law-says-men-had-to-have-short-hair-why-does-jesus-have-long-hair-in-every-movie/
[2] https://www.biblicalarchaeology.org/daily/ancient-cultures/ancient-israel/the-only-ancient-jewish-hair-ever-found/
In Law Is Not Faith, Stuart L. Brogden presents a robust, Scripture-saturated exploration of the place of the Mosaic Law in the life of the New Covenant believer. With theological clarity, Brogden dismantles the assumption that Christians are bound to the Law of Moses, arguing instead that we live under the law of Christ, which is written not on tablets of stone but on hearts made new by the Spirit. Each chapter challenges long-held traditions with bold exposition, urging readers to interpret Old Covenant commands through the lens of Christ’s finished work. For those weary of legalistic religion or confused by the role of the Decalogue today, this book offers both freedom and clarity grounded in the Word of God. Brogden’s deep reverence for Scripture and unwavering commitment to the sufficiency of Christ are evident throughout this book. This is an essential read for pastors, teachers, and any believer seeking to walk more faithfully in the grace of the New Covenant.
This thought-provoking book challenges many assumptions about the role of the Mosaic Law in the Christian life. Brogden writes with clarity, conviction, and a deep commitment to Scripture, guiding readers through the differences between the Old and New Covenants with theological insight.
What you have is not a dry academic treatise. It’s a readable, accessible, and Scripture-rich exploration of how Christ ends the old covenant and brings His people into a better covenant with better promises. Brogden reminds us that our rule of life is not found in stone tablets, but in the living Word and the law of Christ written on our hearts.
Law Is Not Faith is essential reading for pastors looking to preach and teach the gospel of grace clearly, and for any believer who desires to understand their freedom in Christ more deeply. It will strengthen your grasp of New Covenant theology and renew your confidence in the sufficiency of Christ’s finished work.
Robbie Jeffries
Pastor, Rye Patch Baptist Church
Founder and Chairman of the board of directors of New Covenant College.
