Jesus and the End of the Law

🎙️ Episode Summary:

Welcome back to the Bistro! In this deep-dive episode, Ryan and Brian return from their summer break to explore a provocative theological question: What does Paul mean when he says Christ is the “end” or “culmination” of the law? Drawing from Jason Staples’ book, Paul and the Resurrection of Israel, they unpack Romans 10 and connect it to key Old Testament texts—especially Deuteronomy 30 and 34.

You’ll hear how Staples’ thesis reshapes the way we think about “Israel,” the Gentiles, exile, righteousness, and the role of the Messiah in fulfilling the law—not just ending it. From linguistic nuance in the word telos to fascinating textual parallels, this is a Bible-nerd dream episode you won’t want to miss.

📘 Main Topics Covered:

• 📚 Preview of Upcoming Guest: Dr. Jason Staples, author of Paul and the Resurrection of Israel
• 🧠 Romans 10:4 – “Christ is the end of the law” – Is telos best translated as “end,” “goal,” or “culmination”?
• 📖 Deuteronomy Connections – How Deuteronomy 30 and 34 inform Paul’s theology
• 🇮🇱 Israel vs. Jews in Paul’s Letters – Staples’ argument about Israel referring to the northern tribes in exile
• 🌍 Gentiles as a Reformed Israel – How Paul’s mission to the Gentiles may fulfill the promise to regather all of Israel
• 🕊️ Transformation by the Spirit – New covenant imagery from Jeremiah and 2 Corinthians 3
• 🔥 Mount Sinai Revisited – Did the people refuse to meet with God directly?
• 👀 Face-to-Face With God – From veiled glory to unveiled transformation

🧩 Key Scriptures:

• Romans 10:1–13 – Paul’s use of Deuteronomy and the meaning of righteousness
• Deuteronomy 30 & 34 – Life, death, the giving of the law, and Moses’ final words
• 2 Corinthians 3 – Moses’ veil, transformation by the Spirit, and the unveiled face
• Exodus 20 – Israel’s fear of hearing God’s voice directly
• Deuteronomy 18 – The promised prophet like Moses

🔍 Takeaways:

• Paul’s use of “Israelite” is deliberate and theological—often distinct from “Jew”
• Christ doesn’t just end the law—he fulfills and transforms it
• The Spirit’s arrival is key to true obedience and righteousness
• The Gentile mission is deeply tied to God’s promise to regather all of Israel
• Seeing God’s glory face-to-face was always the goal—but now, in Christ, it’s reality

👥 Who Should Listen:

• Bible teachers, preachers, and theology students
• Fans of Pauline theology or biblical theology
• Readers of N.T. Wright, Michael Gorman, or Craig Keener
• Anyone interested in Second Temple literature and Jewish-Christian dialogue

🎧 Coming Soon:

Dr. Jason Staples joins the Bistro to unpack his book firsthand and talk about what it means for how we read Paul, Israel, and the church today.