An Anglicostal Connecting to a Real World
In preparation for my Old Testament survey course I teach in the spring, I want to express my thanks for those who have given me wonderful ideas for OT passages to memorize.
Now, the question I propose is this: WHY do we pay attention to the Old Testament? As a believer, not one who is taking a required course, WHY do we read and STUDY the Old Testament? I’d love your thoughts.
Just a couple of quick thoughts:
1. We see a broader picture of the nature and attributes of God in the OT
2. We see a clearer picture of the sinfulness of sin and the necessity of a Savior in the OT
3. Study of the OT sets the stage for the NT and helps us understand the NT. As with any book with a storyline, the background material and information is needed for the book to make sense. One can’t simple read the last third of a book and expect it to make sense. The storyline or theme of the Bible is “The Redemption of Mankind”
4. When Paul wrote to Timothy, “All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work,” (2 Timothy 3:16,17) he was referring to the OT.
5. In writing to the Corinthians Paul also said that the events of the OT were for our example and “they are written for our admonition” (1 Corinthians 10:11)
I have to agree with Steve. You can’t really understand the NT unless you know the OT.
That was great Steve. I especially like #3 and had that in mind.
Also, Jesus quoted it a lot for many reasons.
Jeff
Reading Richard B. Hays “The Conversion of the Imagination: Paul as Interpreter of Israel’s Scripture has certainly renewed my interest in the OT, esp. from an eschatology perspective. See my post here.
Because it is the Word of God. All Scripture is God breathed and useful….
I agree with brainfulthorp–we read the OT because it is the Torah, the instruction from God. It is the Word of God. It brings us to salvation. Paul tells Timothy that he was raised on the scriptures which brought him to salvation, and those were OT scriptures. If we don’t know or appreciate the OT, we will have a faulty understanding of the NT. How can you read or understand Hebrews if you don’t know the OT? How can you appreciate what Paul says about the faith of our father, Abraham, if you haven’t read Genesis?
Apprentice 2 Jesus 
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