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Is the Old Testament God's Word? Or has it lost its savor? Is the God of the Old Testament the same as the God of the New Testament? Should students of the Bible even bother reading the Old Testament? Is the Old Testament even part of the Bible? Lots of questions based on one topic.
"Bother" to read the Old Testament? The word, "bother" in reference to reading the Old Testament is very troublesome to me. How can I accept and understand the fulfillment of Christ in the New Testament if I do not know and believe the Old Testment? The Old Testament will never lose any of it's savor. Is the God of Abraham, Isaac, Moses, and Jacob the same God of Peter and Paul, et. al.? Most definitely YES. There has only ever been the One God. There was not, are not, a separate God for each Testament.
"Bother" to read the Old Testament? The word, "bother" in reference to reading the Old Testament is very troublesome to me. How can I accept and understand the fulfillment of Christ in the New Testament if I do not know and believe the Old Testment? The Old Testament will never lose any of it's savor. Is the God of Abraham, Isaac, Moses, and Jacob the same God of Peter and Paul, et. al.? Most definitely YES. There has only ever been the One God. There was not, are not, a separate God for each Testament.
Thank you. I have come across so much dissent concerning the Old Testament that I was beginning to wonder if everyone had lost his or her marbles. Good post. I fully agree. I love the entire Bible from start to finish. It is the greatest Book on earth and yet it seems that a number of Christians almost despise its teachings. If there is some law that interferes with their personal life, then you hear "well that's from the Old Testament...it doesn't say it in the New." There seems to be this desire to pit one against the other when the Author of both is God Almighty. It's really quite sad actually. I didn't realize that there was so much confusion within the "Christian" community. I've had "Christians" screaming at me (using all capital letters) and others calling me names just because I say something that doesn't jive with their long held traditional beliefs. I pray that Christ reveals the truth to all of us.
Gods Word? of course
the same God? of course
should we bother? of course
part of the Bible? of course
Still valid in its entirety? hmmmmm.....
I believe this stemmed from the "pork" conversation I noticed. Is all of Gods Word still valid today?
Do you stand behind EVERYTHING that the bible teaches or says? If not, who decides what stays and what goes?
Not only did it stem from the "pork" conversation (which, by the way was blown way out of proportion) but from the moral Laws of God. There's even one post that suggests that by being baptized, we are insulting Jesus Christ. So it's not even a discussion about the Old Testament vs. the New but the general schisms I've noticed since I've been here. I know that I am guilty of being argumentative at times. I've bitten my tongue so many times it's almost severed. But the screaming (all capital letters) and the name calling that I've gotten from other Christians is what has me the most concerned. I thought about it off and on all day today and I'm not sure what to make of it. Anyhoo, not much I'm gonna be able to do about it I suppose.
Hey, I put a few words in capital letters for emphasis, so you could get the feel of the post but I never screamed. NOT ever....i like you...even if you are mostly always completely wrong.
P.S. of course the old testament is VALID...I LOVE ALL of God's word...all of it, regardless of what you think. I just am a Christian saved by GRACE...(not Baptism) and I understand the difference between LAW and GRACE. I hope I that didn't hurt your ears.
This discussion will undoubtedly get to this letter that floats around the internet. While an obvious attack on the Old Testament, it does reflect some of the questionable "Laws" from the same Book. (thanks NK for the link to this)
Quote:
Dear Dr. Laura,
Thank you for doing so much to educate people regarding God's Law. I have learned a great deal from your show, and I try to share that knowledge with as many people as I can. When someone tries to defend the homosexual lifestyle, for example, I simply remind him that Leviticus 18:22 clearly states it to be an abomination. End of debate.
I do need some advice from you, however, regarding some of the specific laws and how to best follow them.
a) When I burn a bull on the altar as a sacrifice, I know it creates a pleasing odor for the Lord (Lev 1:9). The problem is my neighbors. They claim the odor is not pleasing to them. Should I smite them?
b) I would like to sell my daughter into slavery, as sanctioned in Exodus 21:7. In this day and age, what do you think would be a fair price for her?
c) I know that I am allowed no contact with a woman while she is in her period of menstrual uncleanliness (Lev 15:19-24). The problem is, how do I tell? I have tried asking, but most women take offense.
d) Lev. 25:44 states that I may indeed possess slaves, both male and female, provided they are purchased from neighboring nations. A friend of mine claims that this applies to Mexicans, but not Canadians. Can you clarify? Why can't I own Canadians?
e) I have a neighbor who insists on working on the Sabbath. Exodus 35:2 clearly states he should be put to death. Am I morally obligated to kill him myself?
f) A friend of mine feels that even though eating shellfish is an Abomination (Lev 11:10), it is a lesser abomination than homosexuality. I don't agree. Can you settle this?
g) Lev 21:20 states that I may not approach the altar of God if I have a defect in my sight. I have to admit that I wear reading glasses. Does my vision have to be 20/20, or is there some wiggle room here?
h) Most of my male friends get their hair trimmed, including the hair around their temples, even though this is expressly forbidden by Lev 19:27. How should they die?
i) I know from Lev 11:6-8 that touching the skin of a dead pig makes me unclean, but may I still play football if I wear gloves?
j) My uncle has a farm. He violates Lev 19:19 by planting two different crops in the same field, as does his wife by wearing garments made of two different kinds of thread (cotton/polyester blend). He also tends to curse and blaspheme a lot. Is it really necessary that we go to all the trouble of getting the whole town together to stone them? (Lev 24:10-16) Couldn't we just burn them to death at a private family affair like we do with people who sleep with their in-laws? (Lev. 20:14)
I know you have studied these things extensively, so I am confident you can help.
Thank you again for reminding us that God's word is eternal and unchanging.
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