"Oh that's in the old testament, ignore that."?

Question

I always hear Christians said that regarding some horrendous verses in the Bible. Why don't they say the same for Genesis and accept evolution? That's in the old testament.

Answer 1

Yes, I have been reading this in a lot of answers recently.

There is definitely a lot a cherry-picking going on with some sections of the "christian" community; especially the ones who post over in the LGBT section.
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Answer 2

If people say that it is because they have a literal view of the Bible and can't figure out how to explaine the Old Testament.

The Bible is a whole book. It is 3-D. The Old Testament and the New Testament are intricately woven together. The OT foreshadows the coming of Christ. Understanding the NT requires knowing what was in the OT. Many things Jesus said have more relevance when the OT is understood...and when you have knowledge of the traditions and customs of the Jews. Also the OT gives us an understanding of the relationship God has with his people.


The Bible has some literal meaning but it has a wealth of spiritual meaning that cannot be grasped without an understanding of the old and new together.

Anyone who ignores the OT is missing the chance to have an understanding and comprehension of Christ that goes beyond just reading a few verses.

Answer 3

They're wrong to say that parts of the Old Testament should be ignored. It shouldn't be. Many parts of the Old Testament are still relevant, and it still laid the foundation for Christianity.

However, the Old Testament should be read in context. One doesn't take one line from ANY book and attach meaning to it. Why do they think that would work with the Bible?

The Old Testament is an historical account, and includes prophesies regarding Christ. Why would any of it be discarded?

Answer 4

The old testament is like a dictionary for new testament. What is mentioned briefly in new testament, it is detailed out in old testament.

Both new and old are the words of God. We cannot ignore it. However, when reading the old testament, always have this mentality that you are the new testament people, under the new convenant. Whatever, wrath that you may read about in the old testament, believe that Jesus had fulfilled the law for you and you are now the righteousness of God. Therefore, all these wrath will not be on you.

For all the promises of God are Yes and Amen!

Answer 5

I agree with you, partly. The isolation or biased treatment of the old testament is a great wickedness and sinful. All scripture is written by the inspiration of God not only the New testament but also the Old testament.

However, there are certain ceremonial practices that were done in the Old testament which the Lord fulfilled in his coming to earth - and, thus need not be performed anymore. That does not mean, they no longer have meaning, but simply they have been fulfilled by Jesus Christ our Lord. Now, what is fulfilled no longer needs to be done again. As the Lord himself declares, "Don't think I've come to abolish the Law, no, I haven't come to destroy it but to fulfill it." and again, "..not even a title of all that is written shall not be fulfilled." also "Heaven and earth shall pass away but my words will by no means pass away."

Answer 6

I would not say ignore the old testament. It is a history of Gods people and the laws set forth by God. Our salvation is in the new testament. As for evolution, sorry but your going to have to work on that some more. I didn't believe it before I became a christian. As a matter of fact the lack of valid evidence for evolution is what brought me to God. It takes more faith, and more "miracles" to believe in evolution than it does to believe in God to me

Answer 7

Any Christian who says we should "ignore the OT" needs to check themselves. The problem is that many Christians have a hard time differentiating between different types of literature. The New Testament was written primarily as letters from one individual to another, so they are easy to read and understand. The Old Testament, however, was written as accounts of the Hebrew tribe. It is not written as a letter to a person. It needs to be read in context. The Levitical laws, for example, need to be read in the context that they were written which is for the Hebrews who were wandering in the desert. It is wrong to say "ignore that". It would be better to say, "understand that in its appropriate context."

Answer 8

Hey, good thought. I am a Christian, and it drives me crazy when people say that. When Jesus came in the New Testament the only laws he got rid of were the Jewish laws of sacrifice. Before Jesus, in order to cleanse one from sin, there had to be an animal sacrifice. There are a bunch more laws, but I'm not Jewish, so I won't pretend to understand them. Anyway, in the New Testament, Jesus became the ultimate sacrifice and did away with the need for animal sacrifice. Thus, Jesus died for our sins.
Hey, never heard the Genesis/evolution thought before, that was kind of funny, I could understand. As a Christian involved in science and all it's been hard to be exposed to evolution so much and not believe it. I believe in adaptation and survival of the fittest, that is perfectly logical. I don't believe we developed from monkeys, I would like to know how evolutionists explain the origin of life, as something can't evolve from nothing, but hey, it's all good.

Answer 9

Good point. Of course, they won't do that. And they use the Old Test to condemn those things they personally don't like - homosexuals, witches, etc.... That religion picks n chooses more than any group I have ever seen. It's amazing what they'll do and say and then justify it - with a verse from the books they claim are no longer valid.

Answer 10

The old testament gives us a lot of insight but the laws on how we get to heaven changed when Jesus died for us now we are saved by his grace not by anything we do so it is the new testament that God tells us how to live now.