Is the church-age believer obligated to obey the Old Testament Law? Should we observe Sunday as the Christian Sabbath? What about tithing? In this short book, Halsey tackles these questions and more. Laying Down the Law treats the believer’s relationship to the Law with thoroughness, using an abundance of illustrations to make what could have been a dry treatise into an interesting read. His conclusions are spot on. This book should be helpful for the serious believer seeking to lead a more godly life.
- Print Length: 199 pages
- Publisher: Grace Acres Press
- Publication Date: 2020
- Print Retail: $19.95
- eBook Retail: $7.00
What People are Saying
I appreciate not only Dr. Halsey’s writing style and wit in his book, Laying Down the Law, but even more his clarity on the gospel of grace and interaction with the text of Scripture. He clarifies that the law can neither justify the sinner nor sanctify the saint, while explaining the rightful place, content, and purposes of the Mosaic Law. In addition, he exposes legalism in its various forms and fleshes it out practically for others to discern from his years of observation and experience as a pastor. I also enjoyed how Dr. Mike showed the problem of legalism historically throughout the Church Age. Unfortunately, there are many believers and churches today who would proclaim that “we are not under Law, but under grace,” yet they find themselves practically in its yoke of bondage. I highly recommend this outstanding, well-written book on a subject that touches all of our lives. Galatians 5:1: Stand fast therefore in the liberty by which Christ has made us free, and do not be entangled again with a yoke of bondage.
—Dr. Dennis Rokser, Senior Pastor of Duluth Bible Church and the Grace Institute of Biblical Studies
When it comes to biblical concepts that are widely misunderstood, there are two that stand out. The first is grace. Grace is a foundational principle the significance of which is frequently overlooked or predictably downplayed. The second is the Law. The Law, like grace, is an equally essential theme in Scripture. Yet, throughout church history, it has been the victim of such misinformation and inaccurate teaching that the mere mention of the word “law” engenders feelings of nervous uncertainty. This is unfortunate indeed, since a proper understanding of the role of the Law is vital for daily Christian living. Over the years, my friend and colleague Dr. Mike Halsey has introduced untold numbers of people to a friend called “grace” through his exceptional writing ability, brilliant theological mind, and faithful teaching ministry. In Laying Down the Law, he introduces us to another dear friend, “the Law.” Using clever illustrations, meaningful anecdotes, and his inimitable wit, Halsey strips away layers of confusion and reminds the reader that the Law, when properly understood, is worthy of a warm embrace.
— J.B. Hixson, Founder, Not by Works
This book presents a good, honest look at the Old Testament Law, going beyond the Ten Commandments to examine its effect on the nation of Israel and the early Christians of New Testament times. Though exhaustive at times, it holds the reader’s interest with many illustrations of things most churchgoers are very familiar with, where the OT Law is combined with the grace of the NT. Indeed, most churches have “rules of conduct” guiding the behavior of their members and especially officers and their families.
Halsey traces the thread of legalism from theology gleaned by early Church Fathers’ writings, through Augustine, Aquinas, Luther, Calvin, and the Council of Trent. All is examined by scrutiny of Scripture itself. Halsey is certainly not a Calvinist and takes a careful dispensationalist approach in his examination of familiar rules in the light of OT and NT teachings and the reality of church practice
— Rev. David J. Bauer, Director, Bible Related Ministries
Is the church-age believer obligated to obey the Old Testament Law? Should we observe Sunday as the Christian Sabbath? What about tithing? In this short book, Halsey tackles these questions and more. Laying Down the Law treats the believer’s relationship to the Law with thoroughness, using an abundance of illustrations to make what could have been a dry treatise into an interesting read. His conclusions are spot on. This book should be helpful for the serious believer seeking to lead a more godly life.
— Bruce Baker, PhD, author and former pastor
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