To Christians?

Question

How come some Christians say the OT is symbolic when you quote a passage on God condoning genocide and rape, and that it's the old law that was replaced by the NT, but then they go and quote passages from Lev. saying homosexuality is wrong?
By the way, just in case people did not know, you are not supposed to ignore the OT or interpret yourself.
Know this first of all, that there is no prophecy of scripture that is a matter of PERSONAL INTERPRETATION, for no prophecy ever came through human will; but rather human beings moved by the holy Spirit spoke under the influence of God. (2 Peter 20-21 NAB)

All scripture is inspired by God and is useful for teaching, for refutation, for correction, and for training in righteousness... (2 Timothy 3:16 NAB)

Do not think that I have come to abolish the law or the prophets. I have come not to abolish but to fulfill. Amen, I say to you, until heaven and earth pass away, not the smallest part or the smallest part of a letter will pass from the law, until all things have taken place. (Matthew 5:17 NAB)

Answer 1

>>>How come some Christians say the OT is symbolic when you quote a passage on God condoning genocide and rape, and that it's the old law that was replaced by the NT, but then they go and quote passages from Lev. saying homosexuality is wrong?>>>

Because homosexuality -- unlike rape and genocide -- is specifically condemned in the New Testament, as well as in the Old.

That's the difference.

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Answer 2

Friend you are only using a couple of verses to try to compile you ideals, I am very much aware of the scriptures, I have been serving God probably longer then your age, & that is 37 yrs, That I have been serving God, I don't disgree with those verses you used, But friend you did not use them all concerning the law, I can But I wont since I have been online sine 6:00 am, But Read Romans 10:4 For Christ is the END of the LAW for righteousness to everyone that believeth. Galatians. 3:23-25 But before faith came we were kept under the law, shut up unto the faith which should afterwards be revealed. 24: Wherefore the law was our schoolmaster to bring us unto Christ, That we might be justified by faith. 25: But after that faith is come, we ARE NO LONGER under a schoolmaster.(LAW) Now Read Colossians 2:16-17 Let no man therefore judge you in meat(pork) or in drink or in respect of an holyday, or of the new moon, or of the sabbath days(Saturday or Sundays,) 17: which are a shadow of things to come, but the body is of Christ, Now Friend I can give you many more verses, When Jesus came, He did NOT do away with the law, But he fulfilled the law, When Jesus hung there on the cross, there also hung all the laws of the OT & NT, That does not mean that void any true events in the OT nor prophecy, But it means all that was in the OT pointed forward to Christ & everything in the NT points back to Christ. But that does not excludes Prophecies, or events.It means we are now under Grace. Yes I still read the OT, there is many propheies That is yet to come to pass, as there is in the NT also, & we are living at the very end of it all.

Answer 3

I don't speek for others. But my Church dosen't believe that The OT is just symbolic. It is as much God's WORD as The NT, The Apostiles, and Jesus considered it Holy Scripture. Thats why they Quoted from it.

You are RIGHT ON with II Peter 20 - 21 and II Timothy 3:16. It is All God's WORD ! All The Time !

Answer 4

Paul also said in Hebrews that the things in the old testament "were written for ensamples to us." The reason God condoned killing and other such barbaric things is because of the times. The world was young and barbaric. He dealt with man in the way they understood just as you would allow your 2 year old to poo in his pants but not your 20 year old. That's what man did back then, they conquered other nations and claimed their land and that was considered prestigeous and great back then. When Jesus came He set up a new covenant because man was now old enough to grasp more adult concepts. He forbid us to kill anyone or take vengence on anyone. And if you don't believe the old testament is symbolic then you must not understand the whole deliverance from Egypt analogy. Egypt represents our sinful life and Moses represents Christ and how he delivers us from our sins in a mighty way, passing through the red sea represents our baptism and wandering in the wilderness for a long time before we reach the promised land stands for the years after we become Christians that we wrestle with our sin and our faith in him. Finally, as Peter said, we get to the point in our walk with Him that we feel settled and secure. That respresents the promised land or that good place a Christian finally reaches in their lives where they feel settled and secure in the Lord. It's the same reason the apostles never spoke against slavery in the New Testament. They just said if you're a slave be content as you are. It's because of the times. They weren't ready yet to hear that slavery was bad. That would come when man was ready to hear it. Good question.

Answer 5

The Old Testament is not symbolic yet there are many verses found in the Old Testament that have a twofold or symbolic meaning.

If you can produce a single verse showing that God condones rape, I will send you a money order for $100.00 or more. Just email the verse to me or post it here.

There is general misunderstanding about why God told His people to cut short the lives of others in the Old Testament. On the part of some who read the Old Testament it is sincere misconception but on the part of some others it is dishonesty.

Here is a description that is often left out of the discussion about the Old Testament. It explains the character and lifestyles of those whom God saw fit to put to sleep.

Sacrificing babies and children on altars of fire to the sun god under various names (Leviticus 20:2-5)

Trying to communicate with spirits from the dead. (Leviticus 20:6)

Sex with animals, parents, in-laws, etc. (Leviticus 20"16-23)

Many abominable and wicked deeds (Deuteronomy (:4,5)

The most merciful thing that God could to for individuals who were in bondage to self-destructive and debasing lifestyle habits...


The most merciful thing that God could do for them was to shorten their self-infliced misery by abbreviate thier life.and cutting short their. existence.

Not only were they destroying themselves but through their evil influence, others were also being destroyed mentally, physically and spiritually.

If the Old Testament is going to be considered for its violence, the cause must be considered as well.

wrong motives for reading the Bible = wrong understanding or misunderstanding of the Bible

right motives for reading the Bible = right understanding of the Bible

Show N Tell

Answer 6

God never condoned rape & the wars waged in the Bible were justified - as any cursory reading of the Bible itself will attest.

And, just so you know, 2 Peter isn't talking about a hermeneutical principle. It's referring to the origin of Scripture. Scripture doesn't come from man's own mind, but rather is breathed out by God (2 Timothy 3:16).

Study the Bible more, please.

Answer 7

Most of what you have said is correct. The part where you are in error is where you state that God condones rape. He does not. It is forbidden and an abhorence to God.

Be careful when you read the Bible that you don't misinterpret man's will and way of dealing with things as God's will or condoning them.

Answer 8

In the name of Allah, the Gracious, the Merciful.

And remember the time when We said, 'Enter this town and eat therefrom - whatever you will - plentifully; and enter the gate submissively and say, 'God! forgive us our sins.' We shall forgive you your sins and We shall give increase to those who do good.'

The transgressors changed it for a word other than that which was said to them. So We sent down upon the transgressors a punishment from heaven, because they were disobedient.

And remember the time when Moses prayed for water for his people and We said, 'Strike the rock with thy rod;' and there gushed forth from it twelve springs, so that every tribe knew their drinking place. And they were told, 'Eat and drink of what Allah has provided, and commit not iniquity in the earth, creating disorder.'

And remember when you said, 'O Moses, surely we will not remain content with one kind of food; pray, then, to thy Lord for us that He may bring forth for us of what the earth grows - of its herbs and its cucumbers and its wheat and its lentils and its onions.' He said, 'Would you take in exchange that which is worse for that which is better? Go down to some town and there is for you what you ask.' And they were smitten with abasement and destitution, and they incurred the wrath of Allah; that was because they rejected the Signs of Allah and sought to slay the Prophets unjustly; this was because they rebelled and transgressed.

Surely, those who believe and the Jews and the Christians and the Sabians - whichever party from among these truly believes in Allah and the Last Day and does good deeds, shall have their reward with their Lord, and no fear shall come upon them, nor shall they grieve.

And remember the time when We took a covenant from you and raised high above you the Mount, saying, 'Hold fast that which We have given you and bear in mind what is therein, that you may be saved.'

Then you turned back thereafter; and had it not been for Allah's grace and His mercy upon you, you would surely have been of the losers.

And surely, you have known the end of those amongst you, who transgressed in the matter of the Sabbath. So We said to them, 'Be ye apes, despised.'

Thus We made it an example to those of its time and to those who came after it, and a lesson to those who fear God.

Answer 9

If Jesus Christ found it wise to quote from various OT authors, then it must be valid and worthy of not only consideration but contemplation. I don't want to ignore what He taught, and He taught often from the OT books.

Answer 10

Gal 5:14 For all the law is fulfilled in one word, [even] in this; Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.

If we could love one another then these questins would not have to be.