Almost Too Effective

Peter J. Leithart, January 15, 2004

The gospel has done its work almost too effectively. OC institutions and forms �Esacrifice, laws of uncleanness, central sanctuaries, gradations of priestly privilege, distinctive dress �Ewere the very stuff of life of ancient Israel. When it is said that the gospel changed all that, we have a tendency to say, "Is that all?" while forgetting just how basic and significant all these institutions were. We are so shaped by the NC realities that we have a hard time imagining the significance of changing the OC.