Why are some of the Old Testament commands regarded as more important than others?

Question

This is a genuine query for fundamental Christians, please (not the knee-jerk atheists out there!)

OK, so homosexuality is an abomination according to the Bible,  Leviticus 18:22, but surely more important is working on the Sabbath, which is obviously more abominated as it should be punishable by death (Exodus 35:2)

Eating prawns and lobster are also abominations, as is pork, yet Christians seem to eat them with impunity  (Leviticus 11:10 and 11:6-8). And Leviticus 19:27 says that men must not shave their temples, yet it seems to be only orthodox Jews who observe this. 

Some people think that the whole point is that Jesus replaced all that Old Testament schtick with the simple command to love one another (John 13:31-35).  If that is true then surely there is now residual commandment against homosexuality.  If it isn't true, then why does everybody ignore 99% of the instructions in Leviticus and elsewhere?

Uncle Thesis · Accepted Answer

Anything written in the Mosaic Law Code that Christians are supposed to follow has been repeated in the NT.
Not repeated = not necessary.

? · Answer

I heard from a friend that the reason it's called the Old Testament was because the New Testament was supposed to replace it. Or something. Point is, the Old Testament isn't to be followed as the main "rulebook" I guess. It shocks me that people condemn me for being homosexual, cite Leviticus, and when I retaliate by saying it also says shellfish is a sin they just shake their heads and dismiss it.

Sad, really.

Godboy · Answer

In James it was pointed ou that if we transgress in any point of the law, then we are numbered with the transgressors.  I'm not so sure that there is a greater or lesser sin. The same one who said do not murder also said do not light a fire on the sabbath

Anonymous · Answer

Jesus stated several times and in several ways that he had fulfilled the law and the prophets, so they no longer had a hold on anyone. Fundamentalists have always been excellent at choosing verses that fit their preconceived notions and prejudices and ignoring the rest.

Anonymous · Answer

General rule of thumb,If they are repeated in the New Testament...then they are applicalble

Like God's feelings on homosexuality

New Testament:

Romans 1: 24 Therefore God also gave them up to uncleanness, in the lusts of their hearts, to dishonor their bodies among themselves, 
25 who exchanged the truth of God for the lie, and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever. Amen. 
26 For this reason God gave them up to vile passions. For even their women exchanged the natural use for what is against nature. 
27 Likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust for one another, men with men committing what is shameful,
 and receiving in themselves the penalty of their error which was due. 


1 Corinthians 6:  9 Do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived. Neither fornicators, nor idolaters, 
nor adulterers, nor homosexuals, nor sodomites, 10 nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners will inherit 
the kingdom of God

Anonymous · Answer

dueteronomy 13:6 - 9  If someone comes to you saying let us go and worship other gods, you are to kill that person(by stoning) Then go to their village and kill everyone (women children and livestock) then burn the place to the ground afterwards making an effigy to make sure no one builds on that place again.  Now i want to know why this one isn't as important anymore

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Why are some of the Old Testament commands regarded as more important than others?

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