Christians and the old testament?

Question

I have spoken to many christians who don't believe the rules and guidelines of the old testament apply to them. Why is this the case?
If the bible is the word of god, shouldn't you follow the whole thing, not just the parts you agree with?

Answer 1

The New Testament is kind of like a do-over. Things weren't going so well with the Old Testament so some guys wrote some letters and created a new rule book for Christianity. Eventually, if Christianity retains its popularity, someone will make a 3rd Edition Testament or something like that.

Answer 2

What a good question! My grandfather, who is a strict Bible believing, by-the-book type of person, says the Old Testament should be thrown out of the Bible. My views are not as radical; however, I do believe there is some validity to not taking everything word for word from the Old Testament. As a devout Christian, I know there are certain things we should and should not do. However, the reason why Christians tend to discount the words in the Old Testament are because most of it really does not apply to modern life. We don't sacrifice animals anymore (you probably would be thrown in jail if you did,) the woman is not subservient to the man to just please his every need but is now in the workforce, etc, etc....the list could go on and on. Of course, some of it is still applicable. You just must differentiate between what is meant for modern times and what is not.

Answer 3

Dear Danzarth,

there are parts of the Old Testament that were rendered in-effective by Jesus. For example when Jesus died on the cross- the need for animal sacrifies for sin is no longer required because Jesus was the perfect lamb of God sacrificed for sin.

Part of Biblical interepretation is the concept of precedence. There are many old-Testament principles that still apply- but some of them were contextual- for example many of the Levitical laws were specfically for that time and people. This is where our study of the Bible is key. Many people twist the Bible for their own purposes.

i agree with you every part of the Bible should be followed. But there are things in which Jesus' NT commandment made the OT commandment null and void- though the principle still applies.

Hope that helps,

Nickster

Answer 4

The old testament is the old covenant between God and man. Yes, we do have to follow all the commandments of God. Those in the old and new testament. However, after Jesus came and paid the ultimate sacrifice for our sins the stuff about sacrificing animals and grains and things is not necessary!

Answer 5

The Old Testament contains the Law of Moses which was a law of outward ordinances and sacrifices intended to keep the Israelite mindful of the spiritual purpose and intent of the law, to lead them to the promised Messiah, or Christ. Christ fulfilled the law of sacrifice by being himself the ultimate sacrifice for all mankind. Thus, the Mosaic Law was fulfilled in Christ making it no longer necessary to live according to those precepts of the outward ordinances. However, we are still under obligation to live according to the spiritual purpose of those laws. Instead of sacrificing our animals, we sacrifice our pride by offering to God a humble heart and a contrite spirit, meaning penitent. We still follow the ten commandments because they all have spiritual consequences as well as the obvious physical consequences. We need to know about the Old Testament and the laws contained therein in order to appreciate the New Testament and the laws of the Gospel contained in it. If we follow Christ, we will be following the spirit of the Old Testament as well.

Answer 6

True people do beliee this way. However it do not matter how thay they are believing because the guidelines in the old and new testament are literally the same and add up being about the same except now we have the blood of jesus wheas before we did not. Explanation gets better read your bible for yourself.

Answer 7

Guidelines, yes. They were put there for a reason. But there were a lot of rules and laws that were outdated and unnecessary because Jesus died to save us from the need to follow every Jewish law, that were designed to show their devotion to God. It isn't about picking and choosing the parts you agree with. The most important thing is to follow what you feel in your heart that God is leading you to do, especially loving Him with all your heart, and loving your neighbor.

Answer 8

Accordingly, the laws and rules in the OT were meant for the Israelites and for in those times. However, Jesus came to fulfill the OT; hence, the New Testament. You just have to use common-sense as to which OT laws apply today, if any or some.

Answer 9

Jesus did not come to abolish the law, rather he fulfilled it. The pharisees wrote thousands of fence laws to protect the people from ever getting close to breaking an actual law. ie. thou shalt not drag thy chair across the floor on the sabbath. because dragging the leg through the dust on the floor could build a furrow and might be considered farming, therefore your working on the sabbath.
Jesus saw much deeper than these superstitions the religous leaders had concocted. He called His followers to a spiritual walk with God which transcends written law. In upholding obedience to Christ we naturally do not break the commandments. As far as animal sacrifice for atonement of sin, Jesus was our sacrifice, there is no further need to slaughter animals whose blood only covers sin, Jesus blood totally erased it forever.

Answer 10

While I agree that both books are the "Word of God (if there is one)" Christians don't believe in the "HEBREW" bible as many of the sects still refuse to believe it was the ROMANS that killed Jesus and not the Jews. It's for that reason mostly that they don't ascribe to the OT. Of course if your question was truly accurate than why don't we all respect what's in the Quran...Is it not also the " Word of God"? PEACE!