The Biblical Religion Existed Before Abraham and
God’s Law Was Given to Mankind Before Moses
Two things that few Christians understand, but which can be easily discerned from the Bible:
(1) The biblical religion existed before Abraham and; (2) God’s law was given to mankind before Moses.
Failure to understand these facts leads to doubt in the minds of Christians who are unable to answer atheists and other anti-Christs when they point out similarities between the biblical religion and religions that predate the Israelites, and imply that the religion of Abraham and the law of Moses were just copies or modifications of more ancient pagan beliefs.
The similarities contained in all ancient religions is a result of the fact that all of humanity is descended from Noah, who knew the true religion from his ancestors and did sacrifice to God as a result, “Noah builded an altar unto the LORD; and took of every clean beast, and of every clean fowl, and offered burnt offerings on the altar” (Genesis 8:20). Likewise, the similarity in laws is a result of the fact that the law of God was known among the ancients. As an example, more than five hundred years before Moses gave the law to the Israelites, God said that “Abraham obeyed my voice, and kept my charge, my commandments, my statutes, and my laws.” (Genesis 26:5)
Understanding the ancient roots of religion and law strengthens the claims of the Bible rather than weakens them.
WCF 19:5
5. The moral law doth ***forever bind all***, as well justified persons as others, to the obedience thereof; (a) and that not only in regard of the matter contained in it, but also in respect of the authority of God the Creator who gave it. (b) Neither doth Christ in the gospel any way dissolve, but much strengthen, this obligation. (c)
a. Rom 13:8-10; Eph 6:2; 1 John 2:3-4, 7-8.
b. James 2:10-11.
c. Mat 5:17-19; Rom 3:31; James 2:8.
I agree.