Monday, September 20, 2010

Old Testament vs. New Testament

I have heard people say that they don't enjoy reading the Old Testament (OT) as much as the New Testament (NT). The OT is so violent and bloody. Of course there are the Psalms and Proverbs, and every pocket-sized NT I ever owned (including the one in my purse) has appended these two books.
But there is a problem with this kind of thinking that divides Scripture into unequal halves and (often) separates them with a blank page. Actually, what we call "old" is new and what we call "new," is old. I suppose you're waiting for an explanation: I have one.
What Christians call the "new covenant" was first alluded to in Genesis with the promise of the Christ that would crush the head of the serpent (Satan) [Genesis 3:14, 15]. When Abraham "believed God" and left his homeland to follow God's instructions, the Bible says that "He (God) accounted it to him (Abraham) for righteousness" [Genesis 15:6, 7].
If one reads Exodus chapter 3 carefully (especially vss. 2 and 14) and compares this with John 8:56-58 a wonderful discovery is made, and this is it: Jesus Christ is the God of the Testaments both Old and New. OT references to God, the Lord, the Angel of the Lord, and the Angel of God are all references to the Christ. John makes that very clear in the verses cited above because...Christ clearly claims the title of, I AM.
Having this clearly in mind gives one an entirely new perspective when reading the OT and seamlessly melds the OT/NT together as a thoroughly Hebrew writing about the Son of David who liked to be called the Son of Man.
A careful reading of the NT, noting the hundreds of OT quotes underlines the fact that without the OT the NT not stand because everything about the Christ that we read in the NT is presented as foundation preparation for in life and death of Jesus as our Savior.
Think on these things. Better yet, read on these things.
Blessings. e.c.

1 comment:

Flutterby said...

I like your perspective. I agree with the Old Testament preparing the way and interlocking with the New Testament.