8.155: Christian Biblical Interpretation: How Should We Understand Old Testament Law Today?

Master Christian biblical interpretation with expert theologians discussing Old Testament law, hermeneutical methods, and community discernment practices.

Subscribe:

How Should Modern Christians Interpret Biblical Law?

How should Christians approach biblical interpretation when it comes to Old Testament law? This episode tackles the essential question of Christian biblical interpretation with father-daughter theologians Paul Hinlicky and Sarah Hinlicky Wilson. They explore how proper interpretive methods help us understand the relationship between biblical law, Jesus’ fulfillment of the law, and contemporary Christian living. The discussion emphasizes that effective Christian biblical interpretation requires avoiding supersessionism while recognizing Jesus as the interpretive key to understanding Torah and Old Testament law.

The conversation reveals why Christian biblical interpretation must be grounded in deep scriptural knowledge and practiced within faithful communities. The guests discuss Lutheran interpretive frameworks, including the three uses of law, and address how churches can develop better practices of Christian biblical interpretation. They emphasize that biblical law interpretation shouldn’t be a weapon or burden, but should promote human flourishing when approached through proper Christian biblical interpretation methods rooted in the gospel of Jesus Christ.

ORIGINAL QUESTION SUBMITTED BY A LISTENER LIKE YOU:

“What is our relationship as modern Christians with biblical law? What is the law? Is it relevant?”

BIBLE REFERENCES:

RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE:

MORE FROM US:

SUBSCRIBE & REVIEW:

If you loved this episode, please take a moment to subscribe and leave a review anywhere you get your podcasts! Thanks for tuning in to the Enter the Bible Podcast! See you next week!

Today's Episode Hosted By

Joined by

Featuring:

Picture of Paul Hinlicky

Paul Hinlicky

Paul R. Hinlicky is a Lutheran theologian and prolific author of about a dozen books. He has served congregations in New York, New Jersey, and Virginia and is a eagerly anticipated speaker at church events and academic conferences alike. In his spare time he farms on a piece of once exhausted, now renewing mountain soil in southwestern Virginia.

See Profile
Picture of Sarah Hinlicky Wilson

Sarah Hinlicky Wilson

Sarah Hinlicky Wilson is Associate Pastor at Tokyo Lutheran Church and Founder of Thornbush Press. She co-hosts the podcast "Queen of the Sciences: Conversations between a Theologian and Her Dad" and writes a quarterly e-newsletter called "Theology & a Recipe." Learn more at www.sarahhinlickywilson.com.

See Profile

Hosted By:

Picture of Kathryn M. Schifferdecker

Kathryn M. Schifferdecker

Kathryn M Schifferdecker came to Luther Seminary as an assistant professor of Old Testament in 2006. Ordained in the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America in 2001, Schifferdecker was associate pastor for five years at Trinity Lutheran Church, Arkdale, Wisc., before coming to Luther. Schifferdecker is a frequent contributor to workingpreacher.org, Word & World and the author of Out of the Whirlwind: Creation Theology in the Book of Job (Harvard University Press, 2008). She is currently writing a commentary on the book of Esther.

See Profile
Picture of Katie Langston

Katie Langston

Katie Langston is a doubter by nature and a believer by grace. She grew up Mormon in a small Utah town and still isn't sure she fits in anywhere sophisticated enough to have a Target. She's the author of Sealed: An Unexpected Journey into the Heart of Grace, an acclaimed spiritual memoir about her conversion to orthodox Christianity. Katie is Pastor of Mission and Outreach at New Promise Lutheran Church in St. George, Utah. From 2020-2025, she was the director of digital strategy for Luther Seminary's innovation team, where she oversaw digital projects aimed at cultivating vibrant Christian spirituality in a post-modern, post-Christian cultural context.

See Profile