Temple Theology And The Mosaic Law

[kryoung1983]

We are told in the book of Mormon that the law of Moses was a type and a shadow of things to come. A few months ago I had to give a sunday lesson on the trial of Abinadi and I addressed the question of the mosaic law as far as it is related to the atonement of Jesus Christ. I obviously got the paschal lamb but little else. It seemed that no one looked more in depth into the issues of the temple, covenant, and the rituals and laws, and how this is all fits into the old Testament and how they looked forward to Christ. The greatest example of adding context to the whole picture for me has been margaret Barker. I haven't had the chance to read her book temple Theology though I loved her book temple roots of christian liturgy. What are some other scholars that Highlight and add depth to temple theology in the Old Testament? What are some insights of others on both scholarship and the mosaic law as a type and a shadow?

[maklelan]

See here.

[David Waltz]

>> The greatest example of adding context to the whole picture for me has been margaret Barkerâ?¦ What are some insights of others on both scholarship and the mosaic law as a type and a shadow?>>

IMHO you do not want to look to Barker if you want â??insightsâ? on â??the mosaic law as a type and a shadowâ?. Barker presents a sharp dichotomy between what she terms the â??Moses-Sinai traditionsâ? with the â??David-Zion traditionsâ? (The Older Testament, 143), â??between the religion of Moses and the older religion of the templeâ? (The Great High Priest, p. 245.)

She even goes so far as to ask the question: â??Why is Moses not part of the religion of the pre-exilic prophets? It has even been suggested that Moses is not mentioned in any genuinely pre-exilic writing.â? (The Great Angel, p. 13.)

Grace and peace,

David

P.S. You might find my 4 part series on Barker of interest:

http://articulifidei.blogspot.com/search/label/Mormonism

[rameumptom]

I think D&C 84 and some of Joseph Smith's teachings can help. The Mosaic Law is based on the Aaronic/Levitical priesthood and Terrestrial commandments. The keys to the AP include the ministry of angels, gospel of repentance, and baptism by immersion for the remission of sins.

Meanwhile, the keys of the MP include the mysteries of godliness and God. It includes the spiritual gifts.

Moses attempted to take the children of Israel up onto Sinai, so they could all have their own theophany with God. They refused, so God took the MP out of their presence and gave them the AP with the lesser keys.

So, instead of preparing to see the face of God, they were now preparing to see angels. There is a symbolism in this.

As for temple symbolism, I'd note the representations of the various sacrifices to the types of spiritual sacrifices we must make. Also, the representations of items in the temple. The shewbread table representing the sacrifice of Christ. The menorah representing the light of the Holy Spirit. And, of course, the Ark representing God in his Holy of Holies.

The high priest entering into the Holy of Holies once a year, representative of a theophany. This is the only time an individual supposedly enters into God's presence, while the rest of the year is spent in the inner court, where the angelic visitors supposedly can greet them.

[David Waltz]

Hello Gary,

A very enlightening post! Think I will take your views over Barkerâ??s!!!

Grace and peace,

David

[thesometimesaint]

See Hugh Nibley's "Temple and Cosmos".

[Billy]

Moses attempted to take the children of Israel up onto Sinai, so they could all have their own theophany with God. They refused, so God took the MP out of their presence and gave them the AP with the lesser keys.

With respect to the Melchezedek Priesthood being taken out of their presence, do you have any Biblical reference for this, or is it strictly an extra Biblical idea?

The high priest entering into the Holy of Holies once a year, representative of a theophany. This is the only time an individual supposedly enters into God's presence, while the rest of the year is spent in the inner court, where the angelic visitors supposedly can greet them.

You would agree then that the High Priest as you noted above was an Aaronic Priest and not a Melchezedek Priest?