Die Tora as die sleutel tot die verstaan van die verhouding tussen God en mens: ’n Verbondsmatig-Christologiese perspektief

Abstract

The Torah as the key to the understanding of the relationship between God and man: A covenantal-Christological perspective. This article indicates that the understanding and handling of the law of Moses, as found in the federal theology of the Westminster Confession of Faith, can easily lead to the relationship between God and man being understood as a legal relationship in which the covenant acquires the character of a bilateral contract. This article questions this view after looking at the nature of Moses’ law as Torah. Such understanding indicates the inextricable unity between law and covenant. As a next step, it is therefore indicated that Jesus Christ fulfils this Torah to such an extent that it can be said that he himself takes on the function of the Torah in the life of the Christian. Indeed, Jesus is the Torah under the new covenant. In conclusion, the implications for the life of the New Testament Christian are briefly touched upon.