The Biblical Languages Podcast (brought to you by Biblingo) Jesus and the Law of Moses with Paul Sloan
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Dec 5, 2025 
In this discussion, Paul Sloan, an Associate Professor of Early Christianity and teaching pastor, explores his new book on Jesus and the Law of Moses. He critically examines flawed assumptions about law and grace, especially in Matthew 19. Sloan emphasizes the historical context of Jesus's authority claims, contrasting Pharisaic practices with those depicted in the Gospels. He also touches on the nuances of ritual purity, the urgency of Jesus's mission, and addresses misconceptions about the Sermon on the Mount, aiming for clearer readings that avoid anti-Jewish interpretations.
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Personal Background And Family
- Paul Sloan lives in Houston with his wife Meg and three children and is Associate Professor of Early Christianity at Houston Christian University.
- He also serves as teaching pastor at Heights Church and expects a fourth child in February.
Research Detour Sparked the Book
- Paul Sloan traced his interest in Jesus-and-law studies to a failed Paul-and-law book proposal that redirected him to gospel-era Torah questions.
- Catching up with recent scholarship (Sanders, Thiessen, etc.) reshaped his research trajectory and produced this book.
Rethinking Rich Young Ruler Assumptions
- Sloan critiques readings that pit law as the "impossible standard" against grace, using the rich young ruler as an example.
- He argues Matthew 19 should be read without assuming the young man's wrong motives or that law means perfect sinless obedience.
