Christians: Why do we still read/use the Old Testament?

Question

Christ obliterated its prohibitions and rituals and re-made the entirety of the First Covenent into a Law of Love. Appart from Medieval obsessions with finding 'pre-figurations' in the Prophets and histories and the Psalms (which can be very inspirational), do any of you seriously explore the Old Testament as part of your faith? How/why?

Answer 1

No, but it tell's our history.

Answer 2

You've half answered your own question. Studying ancient prophecies and how they have already been fulfilled is very important to substantiating the character of God.



Firstly, your statement that Christ obliterated the Old Testament prohibitionsand rituals is not entirely accurate. Even Jesus said that he came to fulfill the law, not to utterly eliminate it. He took the punishment, not the Law.



The Psalms are inspirational, but they are more. King David was the writer of the Psalms. God called David a man after his own heart. Therefore, his Psalms (which are professions of love and adoration for God) are an example of how we are to love God.



Additionally, the history outlined in the Old Testament provides the framework for the New Testament. It is the "How and Why" of everything we believe. It validates Jesus authority.



Some Old Testament books, such as Exodus, help us to understand who God is and gives us insight into his character.



If you want specifics, e-mail me.

Answer 3

These statements in the New Testament that show the continuing validity of the Old Testament for the New Testament believer:



“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. I tell you the truth, until heaven and earth disappear, not the smallest letter, not the least stroke of a pen, will by any means disappear from the Law until everything is accomplished. Anyone who breaks one of the least of these commandments and teaches others to do the same will be called least in the kingdom of heaven, but whoever practices and teaches these commands will be called great in the kingdom of heaven." Matthew 5:17-19

ALSO: But as for you, continue in what you have learned and have become convinced of, because you know those from whom you learned it, and how from infancy you have known the holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work. 2 Timothy 3:14-17).

Answer 4

Jesus said that not a jot or tittle of the law would be changed until the end of the world, or until all things were fulfilled.



Then he fulfilled all things.



No more old law.



Now, only the New Covenant Church which Jesus founded, has the power and authority to make laws and regulate Christian practices and beliefs.



In any case, the old testament of the Bible is still the written word of God, and that's not something to sneeze at.



Plus, the ot provides the scriptural basis for many end time events, which are yet to occur.

Answer 5

I still read commentaries by W. Cleon Skousen on the Old Testament because they help me understand the psychology of how the Lord deals with people on a long-term basis better, as well as how prophets speak and act. The things that the Israelites were warned against are still in existence today, but in different forms. Also, when the Resurrection happens, don't you want to know about as many people's history as possible? Some of them might be your neighbors. Also, some prophecies in Isaiah and other places have yet to be fulfilled, so we're definitely not done with the Old Testament yet.

Answer 6

Why do musicians still praise Beethoven and other classic Musicians?

Without the Old Testament, we won't understand the new. Jesus recognized the old Testament and often quoted from it. Of course, the Jewish leaders in Jesus' time used the Old Testament as a control tool and Jesus objected to this.

The old testament is indeed filled with many old traditions and rituals which must be recognized.

Christ's new covenant never ignored the Old Testament, he just removed the Old rituals and traditions and broke it down to a testament of LOVE.

The Old testament may well be the greatest love story ever written.

Answer 7

The explanations above are all vague scriptures that could be translated anyway you like. I think the hierarchy of Christianity has kept the Old Testament because it allows them to claim they are Christians but still practice violence, rampant greed and capitalism, as well as sexism and homophobia. It also goes as far as cherry picking the parts they want to still follow, no one has a problem with eating pork or crawfish, and we don't sacrifice animals or stone unwed mothers anymore that would just be crazy, No ****** or Feminists allowed though. This is why I no longer attend church, it's not even about christianity anymore just conservatism.



"Oh, I don't reject Christ. I love Christ. It's just that so many of you Christians are so unlike Christ." Mahatma Gandhi

Answer 8

Yes we refer back to the old testament also:



2 Timothy 3:16 states that "All scripture is inspired of God and beneficial for teaching, for reproving , for setting things straight."



Romans 15:4 refers to the pre-Christian inspired Scriptures when it says: "All the thiigs that were written aforetime were written for our instruction."



Although some of the practices at that time were done away with at the arrival of Jesus (such as the sacrifice of animals) that were leading the way to his perfect sacrifice for all mankind; the basic principles were given for out benefit and are timeless. A thorough study of the bible will help you to put in perspective the timeline of all these events and how important they are to all people and to you as an individual.



When coming into contact with Witnesses I began the journey of actually learning what the bible says in a progressive study. There is nothing that can take the place of personal study and the understanding it gives. Then you can truly develope a personal relationship with your heavenly father and he becomes real to you instead of just words in a book. Now I truly appreciate the loving scarifice that Jesus made in our behalf and know what the future has in store. It is becoming more urgent for people to really think about these things considering the times that we live in. Soon God will act to put wickedness to a final end. We all want to be part of his kingdom and must take the time to search it out.



Jehovah's Witness's would be glad to help you to understand the bible better. Please read the following article for your information.



http://www.watchtower.org/e/20010701/article_01.htm

Answer 9

Sure, why forget this gem:



Exodus 11:5 And all the firstborn in the land of Egypt shall die, from the first born of Pharaoh that sitteth upon his throne, even unto the firstborn of the maidservant that is behind the mill; and all the firstborn of beasts.

11:6 And there shall be a great cry throughout all the land of Egypt, such as there was none like it, nor shall be like it any more.

11:7 But against any of the children of Israel shall not a dog move his tongue, against man or beast: that ye may know how that the LORD doth put a difference between the Egyptians and Israel



Or god saying this:

Jeremiah 2:30 In vain have I smitten your children; they received no correction: your own sword hath devoured your prophets, like a destroying lion.



Matthew 5:18-19

Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or tittle shall nowise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled. Whosoever therefore shall break one of these least commandments, and shall teach men so, he shall be called the least in the kingdom of heaven.



Anyway, you forgetting something:

Luke 16:17

It is easier for heaven and earth to pass, than one tittle of the law to fail.



Leviticus 23:14,21,31

It shall be a statute for ever throughout your generations.



1 Chronicles 16:15

Be ye mindful always of his covenant; the word which he commanded to a thousand generations ... an everlasting covenant.



Psalm 119:151-2

Thou art near, O LORD; and all thy commandments are truth. Concerning thy testimonies, I have known of old that thou hast founded them for ever.

Answer 10

Yes, for several reasons....

1. as a historical reference....so we know how/why we got to the sacrifice of Christ on the cross.

2. to verify that His coming and death were foretold long before it actually happened....this is important because; you and I can agree on what we will do next Thursday, but can not possibly accurately predict what will happen in 1400 years, or even ten years in the future.

3. we see a glimpse of the personality of God, for example the story of Sodom an Gomorrah reiterates His displeasure with homosexuality.

4, we also learn that over the years human nature hasn't changed and that is why the Bible is still relevant today.

5. We see the power and complete authority of God ....to create a nation from the descendants of one man of faith and then through them send a Saviour for all mankind.

If given enough time I'm sure I could find more good reasons to study the Old Testament but I hope this helps.

Answer 11

In Christ's own words: "do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfil them" Matthew 5:17



This answers your "why" question:since Christ did not negate OT, Christians should not reject it too.



Personally, I try to look for the principles behind rituals and practices. And the idea of being a people set apart for God's purpose stands up (the idea of being "Holy" unto the Lord).



I guess we all will have different sharings. The Holy Spirit in you will guide you into all understanding as you read-- and this answer your "how" question :)

Answer 12

Well I am Jewish so I think the old testament does have value but I can see why it has value to Christians who believe that most laws from it have be eliminated.

It still has importiant stuff in it like creation stories about the exodus commandments that still apply like the 10 commandments. And even the commandments that were completely "obliterated" were replaced. To understand the nature of how they were replaced and how to fulfil that best it might be better to understand it.

Answer 13

'Christ obliterated' nothing.



"Don't misunderstand why I have come. I did not come to abolish the law of Moses or the writings of the prophets. No, I came to fulfill them.

I assure you, until heaven and earth disappear, even the smallest detail of God's law will remain until its purpose is achieved.

So if you break the smallest commandment and teach others to do the same, you will be the least in the Kingdom of Heaven. But anyone who obeys God's laws and teaches them will be great in the Kingdom of Heaven.

"But I warn you--unless you obey God better than the teachers of religious law and the Pharisees do, you can't enter the Kingdom of Heaven at all!

Matthew 5:17-20

Answer 14

Because it is the Word of God. The Old Testament covenants, prophecies were fulfilled in Christ. The old is a shadow, a type, of the things to come in Christ.



Jesus fulfilled old testament Sabbaths also.



God is the same yesterday, today & tomorrow. The LORD God of Israel is the same LORD God of Christians. The whole bible is inspired by the Word of God. And the Word of God stands face to face with God and Is God.

Answer 15

Even though the OT is not our Testament, there is still a lot of things to be learned from it. How God interacted with men and what his likes and dislikes are.. How he formed the whole of creation.

One example.. Even though we do not have to keep the dietary laws of the OT, we find that the foods that were prohibited are not the best for our diet. Shrimp = 80% colesterol, pork heavy fat and hard to keep healthy and free from diseases.

While we are not under a command, many of us with high colesterol find ourselves staying away from these foods..



You can read the OT prophecies about Christ and his birth and then read the fulfillment of them in the New. There is just a lot of insight of how God interacts with us and who he is in the OT

Answer 16

Christ did NOT obliterate the law, but rather fulfilled it, making it so that the sacrafice system no longer is dependant on continual sacrafice of animals, but the eternal sacrafice provided by Jesus, who died for our sins, once and for all. And the Old Testament is as relevant to us believers as the NT. It's prophecies, examples for living, wisdom, and history serve as the backdrop for the NT and are essential. The Bible is ONE fluid book written by God; yes, there is a dotted line (metaphorically speaking) indicating before and after Christ in the Bible, but that is only to mark the significance of Christ. All of the Bible (66 books) is important for true believers.

Answer 17

Good question!!



I think the stories have good lessons to them. Friendship, honor, forgiveness in King David. Courage in Queen Esther. Loyalty in Ruth, etc. The 10 Commandments are good.



As far as all the picky "thou shalt not have a moldy piece of clothing" type laws in Leviticus, nope, don't follow them. I think that those books are there to show how far we've come. Now, why people use them as verses to back up some odd fundamentalist view, I have no idea. I think if you are going to quote verses from the same passage, then you should be following kosher and covering your head, too. you can't pick and choose. (well, you can, but people won't take you seriously when you try to convince them doing something is wrong)

Answer 18

Rejecting the Old Testament would by like rebuking the teachings of our past great Prohets such as Moses, Noah, David and etc.

Answer 19

First; one is not to add to or take away from God's word.

There is a scriptural old testament and a unscriptural old testament. (Test)

There are a lot of things that the unscrital old testament includes that the scriptural old testament does not. Along with changing 'definitions' of scriptural terms.

So Yes I study the old testament to see God's true will for us.

Answer 20

The covenant has changed, but God hasn't. Its good to know the history and ways of God. The books of Psalms and Proverbs are full of wisdom and encouragement.

Answer 21

um sorry but Jesus never obliterated Hebrew law.



Mat 5:17 Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfill.



early Christianity was a small Hebrew sect and you had to be a Jew to be a Christian. it was Paul who undermined Hebrew law so as to make Christianity easier for the Gentiles to join. Paul did this much to Peter's dismay. you remember Peter. right? the one upon whom Jesus built his following? in following Paul Christianity abandoned Jesus long long ago for a TRUE Christian would follow Jesus by following Hebrew law as Jesus did and not be following Paul who never even met Jesus in the flesh as Peter did. Christians aren't really Christ ians. you all are Paulists.

Answer 22

Christ did not obliterate the law. That is a HUGE misrepresentation. Jesus himself said he came to fulfill the law and that not one dot of it should be removed.



The Bible, whole and entire, is a love letter. Our lives change when we realize that.

Answer 23

i thought Jesus said not a 'jot' should be removed from the law? And he was a practising jew who lived according to the rules of the old testament?

Answer 24

There are 300 other prophecies in OT concerning of the Coming Messiah ....Jesus Christ fulfilled them all.There are many prophecies also in OT concerning His second coming....go read them.

Answer 25

Romans 15:4

1 Corinthians 10:11

The OT is of limited benefit, but ...of benefit.

We learn from others mistakes.

But first we gotta know their mistakes.

Answer 26

Christian have to have the old testament. They us the first chapter in the bible to validate the rest of it. ( they believe in the bible because god wrote it, they believe in god because it's in the bible). Stupid

Answer 27

to justify hating gays. why else?