[17] Cursed shall be your basket and your store. T he Old Testament is absolutely essential to having a true understanding of the Bible and God's unfolding of the greatest love story of all time. Copy. [60] Moreover he will bring on you all the diseases of Egypt, which you were afraid of; and they shall stick to you. Further, in the NT, Jesus speaks about hell more than anyone else. concerning the Son that he preached and in which we now rest (Rom. First of all, reading the Old Testament helps bring a stronger understanding of the New Testament. 12:19). The first word in the phrase Old Testament must not mean unimportant or insignificant to Christians. As we see these prophecies being fulfilled in Christ, it validates who He is as theMessiah. 30:9), Many years you bore with them and warned them by your Spirit through your prophets. Yet some so called New Testament. We meet the same God in the Old Testament as we do in the New Testament. TheNew Testament states some bold things, and the Old Testament backs it up and proves it to be trustworthy. There are many reasons to study the Old Testament. Nevertheless, in your great mercies you did not make an end of them or forsake them, for you are a gracious and merciful God. Christian Spirituality draws heavily on the Old Testament which is essential to knowing the Lord God of Hosts, the creator of the universe and to having a true understanding of the Bible and. And looking back at the Re-word articles, by and large they were New Testament focused, so I thought it would be great to do an Old Testament-focused scripture series. The Old and New Testaments work together to give us the whole picture of who God is, who we are and what God does with our rebellion. The Bible is a progressive revelation. But I think you could make that argument because peoples impression of what it is and what it's supposed to do is, in large part, informed by what its called. The Gospel Coalition supports the church by providing resources that are trusted and timely, winsome and wise, and centered on the gospel of Jesus Christ. [58] If you will not observe to do all the words of this law that are written in this book, that you may fear this glorious and fearful name, THE LORD THY GOD; Had the apostle failed to make known the Lords redemptive plan of blessing overcoming curse in the person of Jesus, he would have stood accountable before God for any future doctrinal or moral error that the Ephesian church carried out (cf. 9:812; Eph. It is the fulfillment of the Old Testament. After his resurrection, proclaiming the gospel of Gods kingdom (Acts 1:3), Jesus opened the minds of his disciples to understand the Scriptures, and said to them, Thus it is written that the Christ should suffer and on the third day rise from the dead, and that repentance and forgiveness of sins should be proclaimed in his name to all nations, beginning from Jerusalem (Luke 24:53). The New Testament is the fulfillment of Gods plans, purposes and promises which he gave in the Old Testament. [46] And they shall be on you for a sign and for a wonder, and on your seed for ever. Fast forward to a year and a half ago, and Andy Stanley, famous celebrity pastor, made a comment in a sermon that made some waves, talking about unhitching the Old Testament from Christianity. [18] Cursed shall be the fruit of your body, and the fruit of your land, the increase of your cows, and the flocks of your sheep. With the NT the Scripture is complete, and we now have in whole the faith that was once for all delivered to the saints (Jude 3). We find him in the Old Testament. The rest of the OT then builds on this portrait in detail. He declares, Do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Christianity is an Abrahamic monotheistic religion based on the life and teachings of Jesus of Nazareth.It is the world's largest religion with roughly 2.3 billion followers representing one-third of the global population. Ill give 10 reasons why the first word in the phrase Old Testament must not mean unimportant or insignificant to Christians. They experienced the highs and lows of life, the joy and pain involved inrelationships, and asked deep life questions, just like we dotoday. In the very important passage in 1 Corinthians 15, Paul says, "The gospel that I taught . Without the Old Testament we would not understand as well the original problem to which Jesus is the solution, that being our sin and rebellion against God (Genesis 3); we would miss out on reading about Gods mighty acts of rescue through which we see his character on display (eg in the book of Exodus). My CT Article on Dorothy Sayers Led to a Book Contract, How CT is Helping Christians Around the World Tell Their Stories, How CT Encourages an AI Technologist to Stand Firm in Tough Times. Paul states that the Scripture, foreseeing that God would justify the Gentiles by faith, preached the gospel beforehand to Abraham, saying, In you shall all the nations be blessed (Gal. You will find aspects of Him youve never known before. Perhaps the most foundational OT statement of YHWHs character and action is Exodus 34:6: The LORD, the LORD, a God merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love and faithfulness. The OT then reasserts this truth numerous times in order to clarify why it is that God continued to pardon and preserve a wayward people: But the LORD was gracious to them and had compassion on them, and he turned toward them, because of his covenant with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, and would not destroy them, nor has he cast them from his presence until now. According to theology editor Caleb Lindgren, the fact that the articles speak so specifically to 2020 was more of a happy accident than anything else. 19952022 All correspondence and questions should be sent to info@ucg.org. Study the Old Testament,because it points to Him. Like any other story, the Bible is meant to be read chronologicallyas it was written. I don't think it's accurate, however, to say that Christians . Its books are divinely inspired and retain a permanent value, for the Old Covenant has never been revoked. 13:8, 10). [11] For as the heaven is high above the earth, so great is his mercy toward them that fear him. What would this series say to those who think the God of the Old Testament is different from the God of the New? Even so, this move from physical to spiritual warfare in the Old Testament does not carry with it a critique or rejection of what went on the in the Old Testament. The OT authors understood that they were writing for a future audienceChristians identified with the NT church. It's adherents, known as Christians, are estimated to make up a majority of the population in 157 countries and territories, and believe that Jesus is the Son of God . And God is not just a God of unbridled compassion, he's also a God of justice. [7] All sheep and oxen, yes, and the beasts of the field; But because a lot of what we know about who God is, and how God is, is from Jesus on the one hand, but also from the Old Testament. Does God choose me or do I choose God? It reveals that this God is a God of love who is deeply concerned about every person who has ever lived, and that He wants to share everything with all of humanity (Psalms 8:4-8 Psalms 8:4-8 [4] What is man, that you are mindful of him? They make it clear what ordinary people . Peter asserted of the OT prophets, It was revealed to them that they were serving not themselves but you (1 Pet. The Old Testament can also just be hard to understand, with complicated passages about genocide and descriptions of harsh cultural norms. It appeals to its audiences to acknowledge and serve Jesus as the human expression of the Living God. [8] The fowl of the air, and the fish of the sea, and whatever passes through the paths of the seas. 2 Corinthians 1:20 says, For no matter how many promises God has made, they are Yes in Christ. Jesus says Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them. He is giving, jealous, forgiving, loving, and holy. American King James Version). He takes sin and repentance seriously, and so should we. or the son of man that you visit him? In the end, we must trust that since God said that the Old Testament needed to be part of the Bible, it has value andauthority in our lives. we would miss out on the predictions of Jesus death and resurrection which were 1000 years before they occurred exactly in Jesus. A: Yes, the Old Testament is God's Word just as much as the New Testament is; in fact, it was the only Bible that Jesus knew (since the New Testament hadn't yet been written). If you skip the first half of any good book and try to finish it, you will have a hard time understanding the characters, the plot, and the ending. The Old Testament may be old, but it is the beginning of the story of mankind, the gospel, and redemption. Jesus talks about judgment, sin and wrath, and hell nearly as often as he talks about forgiveness and love. Why supporting CTs work around the Christian imagination is vital to reaching the next generation. 33:16; Acts 18:6). While we didnt feel the need to respond to Andy Stanley in long form, I was talking with Dr. Robert Foster of University of Georgia about doing a series that spoke to Christians who shared this sentiment, that the Old Testament was no longer relevant. For Paul, Christian preachers like Timothy needed to preach the OT in order to guard the church from apostasy. [24] The LORD shall make the rain of your land powder and dust: from heaven shall it come down on you, until you be destroyed. And you shall love the LORD your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your might. all the days of my appointed time will I wait, till my change come. [36] The LORD shall bring you, and your king which you shall set over you, to a nation which neither you nor your fathers have known; and there shall you serve other gods, wood and stone. And that's a testament in and of itself to the relevance of the Old Testament.. For the time is coming when people will not endure sound teaching but having itching ears they will accumulate for the themselves teachers to suit their own passion, and will turn away from listening to the truth and wander off into myths. Now, you may ask, But isnt the OTs God one of wrath and burden, whereas the God of the NT is about grace and freedom? Lets consider some texts, first from the OT and then from the New. Through pictures, types, and direct prophecies, God continually promised to send a Savior to save His people from their sins. Predestination! . [38] You shall carry much seed out into the field, and shall gather but little in; for the locust shall consume it. Accordingly, the OT narrative builds anticipation for a better king, a blessed people, and a broader land. In fact, it was his first special revelation, which set a foundation for the fulfillment we find in Jesus in the New Testament (NT). It is a work of making claims about God and humanity and their relationship. We Know All Scripture is God-Breathed So today, I'd like to give you four reasons to start exploring the Old Testament. And Jesus himself even uses a lot of that language. Christians think that the Old Testament tells a story, which goes on to find its completion in the New Testament. Its here that He introduces Himself to the world. 10:2627). Nevertheless, the point stands that the OT, while not written to Christians, was still written for us. [45] Moreover all these curses shall come on you, and shall pursue you, and overtake you, till you be destroyed; because you listened not to the voice of the LORD your God, to keep his commandments and his statutes which he commanded you: [65] And among these nations shall you find no ease, neither shall the sole of your foot have rest: but the LORD shall give you there a trembling heart, and failing of eyes, and sorrow of mind: Yet they would not give ear. (Matt. In a similar way, the New Testament is the final chapter of the Old Testament. How do we know that the Bibles account of Jesus life is accurate? New Testament authors understand the work of Christ through concepts in the Old Testament. "The Old Testament is first and foremost a collection of religious books, created by faith and addressed to persons who share that faith. Could you give an answer to the question of why is the Old Testament so important as we now have the New Testament and are asked to live by that alone. Regards Roald. It was there that he first became interested in publishing, an industry in which he has worked for more than 40 years. Get the full picture; know the whole tale. In the NT we find literally hundreds of OT quotations, allusions, and echoes, none of which well fully grasp apart from saturating ourselves in Jesuss Bible. [12] As far as the east is from the west, so far has he removed our transgressions from us. 30:8). Therefore you gave them into the hand of the peoples of the lands. [27] And I will put my spirit within you, and cause you to walk in my statutes, and you shall keep my judgments, and do them. In the whole Bible we meet a God who is faithful to his promises to both bless and curse. Its important to note here that, while the age of the old covenant has come to an end (Rom. It's no wonder that Satan has blinded the minds of people into thinking that it's obsolete, irrelevant or something that God had to discard because He had a better idea. Bob Oliver. Mosess old covenant law called for life-encompassing love, and Christians today, looking through the lens of Christ, can gain clarity from the OT on the wide-ranging effect of love in all of life. The Old Testament is made up primarily of the Mosaic Law, thehistoryof the nation of Israel, writings by Israelite kings, and prophecy for the Jewish people. Christians/Churches claim the Old Testam ent is. In short we would not understand Jesus as well as we do without the Old Testament. It's not hidden. Throughout the Old Testament, Jesus the Messiah is foreshadowed again and again. I know the phrase is a part of the book title of one of the series authors, John Goldingay, so how did you decide it was right for this series as well? The Catechism of the Catholic Church explains: The Old Testament is an indispensable part of Sacred Scripture. It reveals that humanity is created in God's image, created to be like Him and to share rulership with God over the entire universe (Genesis 1:26-27 Genesis 1:26-27 [26] And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness: and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth. 3:8, emphasis added). Moses also said that those enjoying this divine work in this future day would obey the voice of the LORD and keep all his commandments that I command you today (30:8). As Jesus himself said, You search the Scriptures because you think that in them you have eternal life; and it is they that bear witness about me (John 5:39; cf. I am a New Testament Christian enough, and a believer in Reformed theology enough, to think that Jesus is also serious when he's talking to the disciples on the road to Emmaus and it says that he opened their minds to understand the Scripturesthe Scriptures here referring to the Old Testament. The ancient texts show Him to us in profound and unique ways. American King James Version; Psalms 103:8-13 Psalms 103:8-13 [8] The LORD is merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and plenteous in mercy. GN. It contains some of the most ancient writingseverpreserved. And not just because it's the foundation that we build Jesus stuff on. It corrects us when we are wrong and teaches us to do what is right. It corrects us when we are wrong and teaches us to do what is right. Is the bible the only way to know Christ? [32] Not according to the covenant that I made with their fathers in the day that I took them by the hand to bring them out of the land of Egypt; which my covenant they broke, although I was an husband to them, said the LORD: Rom. We see that Abraham is important to Christianity for his faith is brilliantly revealed when he is ready to give up his son, Isaac. As Moses asserted, in the day of heart circumcision (Deut. Hopping into the story in Matthew fails to establish . We would be silly to expect to understand a book by opening it to the middleinstead of at the beginning. American King James Version; 86:5; 100:1-5). [22] The LORD shall smite you with a consumption, and with a fever, and with an inflammation, and with an extreme burning, and with the sword, and with blasting, and with mildew; and they shall pursue you until you perish. 3:1516). [49] The LORD shall bring a nation against you from far, from the end of the earth, as swift as the eagle flies; a nation whose tongue you shall not understand; The last of my 10 reasons why the OT still matters for Christians builds on the fact that Paul was referring to the OT when he spoke of the sacred writings that are able to make a person wise for salvation and the Scripture that is breathed out by God and profitable (2 Tim. 4:2324). Why We Cant Unhitch from the Old Testament. It reveals Godthat there is a Creator, that the world didn't just happen, and that He is in control over everything at all times (Genesis 1; Isaiah 46:9-10 ). The Old Testament is the basis and foundation of our faith. Knowing this colors our understanding of his following charge to Timothy: Preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, and exhort, with complete patience and teaching. The Old Testament forms a backdrop against which we can understand the New Testament. [31] Your ox shall be slain before your eyes, and you shall not eat thereof: your ass shall be violently taken away from before your face, and shall not be restored to you: your sheep shall be given to your enemies, and you shall have none to rescue them. You made him to have dominion over the works of your hands; you have put all things under his feet. For example, in John 8:48-59, Jesus is talking to the Jews. Why Is the Old Testament Important to Christians? [47] Because you served not the LORD your God with joyfulness, and with gladness of heart, for the abundance of all things; How much we would be missing if we didn't have the first 39 books of the Bible! So then it became a matter of finding a new adjective to describe it. 40:911; 52:710; Luke 4:1621). 6:1415; 1 Cor. [57] And toward her young one that comes out from between her feet, and toward her children which she shall bear: for she shall eat them for want of all things secretly in the siege and narrow place, with which your enemy shall distress you in your gates. The Truth About Martin Luther, the Ninety-Five Theses, and the Castle Church Door, Why Christians Should Oppose Marijuana Legalization, How to Talk with Your Kids About Transgender Ideology, Debunking Griefs Myths: 4 Lies You Need to Stop Using. And so nobody made the argument that we ought to just rename the whole thing. President Bidenalong with millions of churchgoersthinks marijuana isnt a dangerous drug. [34] And they shall teach no more every man his neighbor, and every man his brother, saying, Know the LORD: for they shall all know me, from the least of them to the greatest of them, said the LORD: for I will forgive their iniquity, and I will remember their sin no more. Similarly, in the opening of Romans, Paul stresses that the Lord promised beforehand through his prophets in the holy Scriptures (i.e., the OT prophets) the powerful gospel of God . (Neh. [55] So that he will not give to any of them of the flesh of his children whom he shall eat: because he has nothing left him in the siege, and in the narrow place, with which your enemies shall distress you in all your gates. It Is Part of God's Word. PrivacyPolicyTerms ofUse. Jesus came not to destroy the Law and the Prophets but to fulfill them. 9:3031). [41] You shall beget sons and daughters, but you shall not enjoy them; for they shall go into captivity. As Moses himself asserted, the very reason God promised to circumcise hearts in the new covenant age was so that you will love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul (Deut. This sentiment has a multiplicity of causes: some Christians read the Old Testament as the "old covenant," and assume it's been made irrelevant by the writings of the New Testament where the "real" gospel is made plain. Why not? His resource website is jasonderouchie.com. How can Jesus help me with my anger management issues. Similarly, Paul noted, The whole law is fulfilled in one word: You shall love your neighbor as yourself (Gal. Copy. Finally, the NT worldview and teachings are built on the framework supplied in the OT. I tell you the truth, until heaven and earth disappear, not then smallest letter, not the least stroke of a pen, will by any means disappear from the Law (1st 5 books of the Bible) until everything is accomplished. (Matt 5:17-18). It is important to study the Old Testament, and here are eight foundational reasons why: All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives. And so, it's not just about Israel, but it is about God and the way that the character of God is revealed in a lot of the Old Testament, even in the nasty parts. American King James Version; Deuteronomy 6:5 Deuteronomy 6:5And you shall love the LORD your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your might.American King James Version; Leviticus 19:18 Leviticus 19:18You shall not avenge, nor bear any grudge against the children of your people, but you shall love your neighbor as yourself: I am the LORD.American King James Version). [13] Like as a father pities his children, so the LORD pities them that fear him. As such then you can say that both the Old and New Testaments are about Jesus - the Old Testament points to Jesus, and the New Testament describes his life, death and resurection, and reflects on the impact this has in the world. This is why Paul says in the next verse, All Scripture is . Affiliate disclosure: As an Amazon Associate, we may earn commissions from qualifying purchases on Amazon.com. . If space says anything, the OT matters to God, who gave us his Word in a book. The Old Testament laws that deal with such situations show that such concerns were common and important enough to need to be enshrined in official law. [9] He will not always chide: neither will he keep his anger for ever. United Church of Godis a501(c)3organization. Christian spirituality today as it was in the past. The New Testament is how we best and most know about all these things. Accordingly, the apostle emphasized to Timothy, who was raised on the OT by his Jewish mother and grandmother (Acts 16:1; 2 Tim. So is it important to study the Old Testament? 1:12). Let's briefly summarize some of the things it reveals to us. He and his wife, Connie, live near Denver, Colorado. This is because Jesus was the fulfillment that's the key New Testament word, the fulfillment and the goal of so much Old Testament religion. Does it really pertain to our day? [10] Declaring the end from the beginning, and from ancient times the things that are not yet done, saying, My counsel shall stand, and I will do all my pleasure: [53] And you shall eat the fruit of your own body, the flesh of your sons and of your daughters, which the LORD your God has given you, in the siege, and in the narrow place, with which your enemies shall distress you: Rather fear him who can destroy both soul and body in hell (Matt. It Preserves and Passes on the History of God Saving His People 19:11-21). The Old Testament also contains examples of: other people that Christians can learn from, eg Job. Send inquiries regarding the operation of this Web site to webmaster@ucg.org. Some Christians highly value the Old Testament because it describes the Mosaic feasts and Ten Commandments. For in that he put all in subjection under him, he left nothing that is not put under him. The Old Testament is very important for Christians. [52] And he shall besiege you in all your gates, until your high and fenced walls come down, wherein you trusted, throughout all your land: and he shall besiege you in all your gates throughout all your land, which the LORD your God has given you. It reveals Godthat there is a Creator, that the world didn't just happen, and that He is in control over everything at all times (Genesis 1; Isaiah 46:9-10 Isaiah 46:9-10 [9] Remember the former things of old: for I am God, and there is none else; I am God, and there is none like me, All Scripture is important, not just the New Testament. We need the OT to understand fully Gods work in history. Let's briefly summarize some of the things it reveals to us. It reveals that there would be a new covenant under which God would give people the gift of His Spirit, which would remove our heart of stone and replace it with a heart that would love and obey God (Jeremiah 31:31-34 Jeremiah 31:31-34 [31] Behold, the days come, said the LORD, that I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel, and with the house of Judah: [21] The LORD shall make the pestilence stick to you, until he have consumed you from off the land, where you go to possess it. Abraham was already aware of the message of global salvation we now enjoy. Best Answer. The very God who spoke through the OT prophets speaks through Jesus. They had families and friendships. The Ten Commandments, and the statutes and judgments based on those commandments, show us how to live God's way of love. But it's there. The Old and New Testaments work together to give us the whole picture of who God is, who we are and what God does with our rebellion. Now these things happened to [the Israelites] as an example, but they were written down for our instruction, on whom the end of the ages has come (1 Cor. 5:19; Col. 3:16)? It is through the Exodus experience that the Jewish people come to know who they are and whose they are. Even though this article can nowhere near cover the breadth of reasons why Christians should study the Old Testament, it can provide a handful of grounds to spend an equal amount of time in the Old Testament as we do the New Testament. The OT creates the problem and includes promises that the NT answers and fulfills. In fact, our students are in classes for almost an entire year before they ever delve into the New Testament. Just because it wasnt all written directly to us doesnt mean we dont need it. If we want to deeply grasp the New Testament, it will require us toalsoknow the Old Testament. American King James Version). Books like the Gospels, Romans,andHebrewsaremore easily understood witha working knowledge of theMosaicLaw, Israels history, and Old Testament prophecies about the Messiah.