When someone points out the instances of commanded genocide or nonsensical murders in the Old Testament, why is it that Christians respond, "That's in the Old Testament, and we don't follow that," or, "Jesus would never say that."
What's my point, you may ask? My point is this: these stories are contained in a book or books you claim to be divinely inspired. However, you also claim that you don't follow them. So why do you keep this books in your Bible?
2007-02-04 07:48:40 · 17 answers · asked by Nowhere Man 6 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
The Old Testament is as important is it ever was; or it is as unimportant as it ever was.
All the church people wish the Old Testament would go away, for they are bothered by God's emotional problems there.
They try to explain it away, but cannot.
2007-02-04 08:06:44 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
the bible is a book that shows how god has related with man and how man has constantly disobeyed god throughout the ages. the old testament is primarily written for the nation israel as they were the chosen people of god and that there were times when god used the nation israel as a tool to judge the sins of a nation. a holy and pure god cannot stand sin in his presence and will always judge sin. that is why he sent jesus christ to pay the price for mens sins so that all who believe will be redeemed to god. when jesus came the first believers were the jews and they had the opportunity to accept christ in which many did which made the first church but many didnt - judaist. Now we follow the new testament for the believer today because jesus fulfilled the requirements of the law and the prophecies of the old testament and made a new way.
2007-02-04 07:56:30 · answer #2 · answered by disciple 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
YES! It is possible. It sounds like you are on your way to discovering "preterism" - a view that is gaining momentum today because people are reading the Bible and seeing that it doesn't make sense that Jesus would delay His coming for thousands of years. Put yourself into Palestine back in AD30 and consider their culture, thru what history has taught us. Read the epistles as though they were written to the people living back then, not to us today. We're reading 2,000 year old mail, and we can learn and be blessed by it, but it's not written directly to us. The old covenant did not end at the resurrection, but 40 years later, at the destruction of Jerusalem. Proof is in Paul's letters as he talks about the sacrifices that are still going on in the temple. There was a 40 year "in-between" period where the old was phasing out and the new was phasing in. Read Hebrews to see how the 40 year period of Moses' wandering in the desert was an object lesson for that. Jesus' coming was AD70, yes, He came in the lifetime of His own disciples, which is exactly what He said He would do! "There are some standing here who will not taste death before they see the Son of man coming in His kingdom." God has reclaimed us, sin no longer separates us from Him; He is ever present with us today in this imperfect but redeemed world... it is done and finished as we live in the "new heavens and the new earth" or the new covenant, which is everlasting.
2016-05-24 05:10:31 · answer #3 · answered by Kelly 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The Old Testament was the laws BEFORE the birth of Christ. The new testament was used after JESUS was born.
2007-02-04 10:22:31 · answer #4 · answered by jasmin2236 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If you change the word "testament" to "covenant" you can better understand the difference. Christ has made a new and better way. Instead of "an eye for an eye", it's" turn the other cheek". Not a contradiction, just two ways God has dealt with problems. Both testaments point to Christ and His suffering redeeming us to God. Both contain wisdom and instruction for living this new life in Him. The Spirit uses both, and as such, both are needed.
2007-02-04 08:00:21 · answer #5 · answered by Bill Mac 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
The Old and New Testaments are included in the Word of God, to give the complete story from our beginning to our end. If it is not read and understood as such there is no true meaning.
2007-02-04 07:56:13 · answer #6 · answered by rezany 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Why do we continue to teach history in our schools if History has already happened? It is for our "learning" as GOD said the Old Testament is "for our learning". We are to study and obey the New Testament yet we are also to get an understanding of the Old Testament as it has some relevance in those studies.
Study these scriptures and see what you think. To become a Christian:
HEAR - Romans 10:14 How then shall they call on Him in whom they have not believed? And how shall they believe in Him of whom they have not heard? And how shall they hear without a preacher?
BELIEVE - In Mark 16:16, Jesus said “He who believes and is baptized will be saved; but he who does not believe will be condemned.”
REPENT - Luke 13:3 I tell you, no; but unless you repent you will all likewise perish.
CONFESS CHRIST - 1 Timothy 6:12 Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, to which you were also called and have confessed the good confession in the presence of many witnesses.
BE BAPTIZED - Romans 6:3-4 do you not know that as many of us as were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into His death? Therefore we were buried with Him through baptism into death, that just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.
CONTINUE TO BE FAITHFUL - Jesus said in Matthew 7:21 "Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,' shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven.”
Send me a note if you have questions. I am anxious to hear from you. Have a Great day.
Eds
2007-02-04 07:56:08 · answer #7 · answered by Eds 7 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Well until I see a message from God saying "Kindly disregard the Old Testament", I would say the believers are on shaky theological ground, no matter how many quotes from St-Paul they can throw up.
2007-02-04 08:04:33 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
First yes it all did happen, and will once again happen when Jesus himself returns. He will rid the earth of sinners by burning them. In the Old Testament those who were killed had ample opportunity to change and follow his law. Upon his return any one against him or his anointed people will be burnt.
2007-02-04 07:57:18 · answer #9 · answered by saintrose 6 · 0⤊ 1⤋
God never changes.
Consider this: "I shall destroy man whom I have created from the face of the earth; both man, and beast; and the creeping thing, and the fowls of the air; for it repenteth me that I have made them." (Genesis 6)
God never changes. The God who considered destryoing his own creation, included all the innocents who where there, and including the animals -- this God never changes.
"Christians" act like God changes, and so the Old Testament does not apply, but God never changes; and if he contemplated horrible things before, then he can do it again.
The New Testament is an effort of re-invent God, but it won't fly.
Jesus tried to cheer everybody up by promising eternal life, but God himself never mentioned such a thing.
2007-02-04 07:54:02 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 1⤋