How can someone see the new testament as being in harmony with the old?

Question

Someone answered my last question by saying "I see the NT as being in harmony with the OT"

What the?????

Has the guy ever read any of either one?

OT= Do as I say or I'll wipe you out in a really heavy handed manner.

NT=Invented Jesus dude suggests people try being nice to each other.

I can remember as a kid in the catholic church, they were very selective about which bits of the OT to push onto everyone, and most of it was dismissed as just stories.

Apart from both the OT & NT being works of fiction, what could people find they have in harmony with each other?

Answer 1

I was taught that the New Testament is Jesus' new covenant. He came to take Judaism to the next level.

At least, that's the theory. To me (as an agnostic), it's all bunk.

The convoluted, contortionist logic (beginning with the lie of "Original Sin") behind the salvation offered by Jesus is incredibly hard to swallow. I like much of what the Bible, Old and New, has to say but some of it requires that I suspend disbelief. I just can't do it.

Answer 2

THe OT is interpreted by Christians through the Apostolic Tradition from which the NT came.
The literal level is not the only or always the highest level of interpretation for built onthe literal are the spiritual interpretations that transform the primitive and ghastly sacred texts.
The Bible needs to be set in its spiritual contexts of the Tradition,Reason(Natural Law) and the Church.
The NT use of the OT is usually typological,seeing Christ in the stories,details and prophecies of the OT and seeing the just,compassionate Father of All throughout the OT.

Answer 3

What i find hilarious is how some of the christians i know live their lives according to the bible..they literally have this self-satisfied shine about them when they come across a certain uplifting verse and its from the old testament.Then when you point out the harsh,punishing god depicted there and they quickly tell you: "Thats why you have the second coming and the new testament."
Its a contradiction of sorts!

Answer 4

if you look at the history of religion, there have been at least 11 "children of god" born on dec 25, had 12 apostles, was crucified, lay in the tomb for 3 days, resurrected... All were born of a virgin whose name started with an M. All were sons of god or half gods. Rather you are a believer or not, you will find this video very enlightening just from a religious history point of view.

Answer 5

The times of the old testament completely lack the grace of God.

The new testament times enjoy abundant grace, courtesy of Jesus Christ.

Jesus makes all the difference.

Revealing Jesus, and God's plan for our salvation, is the whole point of both.

It's time to go back and review what you should have learned about God and the bible when you were young.

No authentic Catholic would ever dismiss "most" of the old testament as "just stories".

Answer 6

Well, besides the ideas that were stolen from the ot and somehow are attributed to the nt they aren't.

And please before making general broad statements about both books (how you can sum them up) you should try actually reading them. You can't take an argument seriously unless you actually read the material. It's like saying to the astronemer "I know everything there is to know about astronomy 'twinkle twinkle little star'"

Answer 7

The tyrant of the OT is much the same as the NT god who promises to cast non-believers into an eternal lake of fire.

Answer 8

Honestly, I think that because of your base of unbelief, you would not be able to understand even if you were shown.
Believing the Bible to be fiction will prevent you from seeing it for what it really is. Without exception, it just works out that way for everyone that doesn't believe.
And just so I can say I answered your question, I'll tell you the prophecies of Christ's coming written in the O.T. are recorded as being fulfilled in the N.T.
The "stories" many discard are not realized by many to be "types" of things that would come, usually about Christ's life.
And one specific, just for further fun and enjoyment- the feasts listed in the O.T., these were also foreshadowings of the work Christ has done and will be doing.
But, you need eyes that can see in order to understand.

Answer 9

Think of it more like this: the people in the OT had faith in God, so they did what they thought God wanted them to do (even if what they did was wrong, they acted in faith). Today it is by the same faith that others do what they think God wants. It has always been by faith. That is how they are the same. Read Hebrews 11.

Answer 10

The ten commandments in the OT all are covered in the two great commandments in the NT.