Schreiner is to be applauded for providing such an excellent, carefully crafted, well-argued work on the Law as the Apostle Paul understood its place in Christianity. Personally, what I love the most about this contribution is that Schreiner argues his position from thorough exegesis of pertinent texts instead of explaining these texts from a scheme of theology. He is reformed in his stance and maintains in the book that the Reformers, Luther and Calvin, had a right understanding of Paul's theology of the Law. Yet, by means of exegesis, Schreiner is able to critique the weaknesses of Covenant and New Covenant theology while retaining their strengths. (This is my assessment, not Schreiner's. As I recall, he does not use the terms "Covenant Theology" or "New Covenant Theology" in his argumentation. Rather, he addresses individuals and their positions.)

Schreiner tackles the question of how Paul can on one hand say that believers are not under the Law and on the other hand say that believers uphold the Law! It's not an easy task as the book is 290 pages long!

Covenant theology tends to stress that believers uphold the Law, while New Covenant theology tends to stress that believers are not under the Law. Covenant theology recognizes the continuity between the OT and the NT, while New Covenant theology recognizes the discontinuity between the two. As a result, those who hold these positions face difficulties with certain texts because Paul believed both! Paul argued for the continuation of some elements and the dismissal of others.

Schreiner argues that when Paul spoke of the Law being abolished, he was referring to the temporary nature of the Mosaic Covenant. When the New Covenant was inaugurated, the Old Covenant passed away. However, the moral norms of the OT did not pass away! The New Covenant community is no longer required to observe the ceremonial law, Sabbath, food laws, or circumcision because the New Covenant community is composed of Jew and Gentile. Those regulations were part of the Old Covenant in order to set the Jews apart from other nations as God's people. The moral norms, however, have not changed and are demanded of NT believers. All of this Schreiner demonstrates through careful exegesis.

This is not the only issue that Schreiner handles, but it is a central one.

Other conclusions are: (1) The New Covenant is the fulfillment of the Abrahamic Covenant, (2) The Law was never meant to save, (3) The Law actually increases sin, (4) The only means of obeying the moral norms is the indwelling presence of the Spirit, (5) There was an element of legalism in Judaism, (6) Love is at the basis of Paul's ethic. It is through love for God that believers strive to keep the Law, (7) That circumcision is no longer required for the NT people of God, this has enormous implications for the understanding of baptism, and (8) the issue of justification by faith alone is raised when Paul argues that good works are necessary. (Schreiner concludes that Paul is essentially arguing along the same lines as James.)

This is not an easy read. It is challenging, but it is worth it. Schreiner's precision in handling texts according to context and sound hermeneutics is very refreshing!

It was extremely beneficial for me to understand correctly that one use of the Law is to increase sin! (Rom 7:4-12) That is shocking! And the implications of that truth are massive! In fact, I have already preached 2 sermons on this aspect of the Law and how it applies to raising children and to how the Church should preach the Law. As I uncovered this truth, it was revolutionary for me, and I discovered some things that parents and the Church MUST know!