Is the Law of Moses fideism?

Answer 1

A:Fideism is the doctrine that all or some knowledge depends on faith or revelation. Law of Moses can be interpreted broadly to mean the five books of the Pentateuch, or it can mean the specific laws in those books or just the Ten Commandments.

The assertion that the Pentateuch was written down by Moses himself assists in ensuring belief that it is true and inerrant, and to that extent can be considered fideism.

When the 'Book of Law', believed to be Deuteronomy was 'found' in the Temple during the seventh-century reign of King Josiah, the evidence is that it was placed there shortly before it was found, so that it would be accepted as having great antiquity. Whether or not it was immediately claimed to have been written by Moses, this event probably means that Deuteronomy could be considered fideism.

The Book of Leviticus was written by the Priestly Source during or after the Babylonian Exile, and contains many laws and rituals to be followed. It presents them as having been told to Moses by God, so they are to be considered revelations. Leviticuswould certanly seem to be an example of fideism.

If the Ten Commandments were crafted by scribes and placed in Exodus and Deuteronomy for the simple purpose of being seen as revelations from God to Moses, they would be specific examples of fideism. However, if they developed over time as part of the oral traditions of the early Hebrews and were written down because they were part of those traditions, then arguably they should not be considered as specific examples of fideism, regardless of how the books themselves are considered.