Hammurabi

Q:How can we articulate to someone examining Christianity the difference between The Code of Hammurabi and the Law of Moses. This person is very logical and is trying to work thru some doubt when it comes to the authenticity of Scripture?

A: I imagine his concerns are that Moses just copied some of the Code of Hammurabi. My answers would personally be open to Moses, under the inspiration of the Spirit, adapting traditions from the Code of Hammurabi to be conformed to God’s will, which is often more just (such as requiring similar penalties for the injury of slaves and masters). However, remind him that our trust in the OT, and all of scripture, is based on Jesus: His life, death, resurrection and ascension.

The Law given to Moses came from God. 

There is much similarity between all legal systems regardless of the source or the time period. That similarity comes from the natural law that is in our hearts. Nobody needs to be told that it is wrong to lie/steal/kill, etc. We are born with this innate understanding. So this moral law comes from the moral Law Giver (God). "For since the creation of the world God's invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature—have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that people are without excuse" Romans 1:20. 

Eye for an eye, tooth of a tooth, bone for a bone, etc. I'm sure that this law was created because someone lost an eye/tooth/broke a bone.  

I am sure that Egypt also had a very extensive code of laws that prescribed many of the same things. Lex Talionis style laws are usually born out of a need to rectify certain past behaviors that the society has dealt with.   

It is not much different with American law. We have a system to remunerate for things lost/damaged/etc. It's a careful reminder that even though we espouse grace and forgiveness, we cannot simply expect there to be no consequences for our behavior and choices.

We have thousands more verification of transcripts on the Bible than any other transcripts that are accepted without questions. It is reliable. The best preserved to tbh. 

Romans 2:14 For when Gentiles, who do not have the law, by nature do what the law requires, they are a law to themselves, even though they do not have the law. 15 They show that the work of the law is written on their hearts, while their conscience also bears witness, and their conflicting thoughts accuse or even excuse them”

This is a good and deep help for those wanting to investigate and examine Christianity and Biblical Reliability. 

The lower inner link it does a deep dive 😊

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