Someone just asked a question which book of the Bible to start with and one of the answers was to read the New Testament first because the old one is too violent and literal.
? Is it just me, or does that send an unpleasant message about the Bible?
No offense to the answerer, I know they meant well.
2007-07-26 18:16:54 · 30 answers · asked by rebekkah hot as the sun 7 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
Well, it;s possible the person wanted you to see the new agreement God has made with humanity first.
The Old Testament has many good things that will lead you in the correct path to follow, however; when Jesus came, He came to set the captives free.
It is best to start off with the New Testament because you need to understand God's mercy towards all mankind.
In the Old Testament, it was mostly about the Jewish people and them being obedient to God.
The New Testament is geared towards all mankind.
With all that said, both Testaments serve their intended purpose and that is to lead you to a life that pleases God.
2007-07-26 18:26:37 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
I would recommend reading John and Romans first to anyone who asks, as that is where my pastor aimed me when I asked the same question and I found it to be valuable advise. Those books both happen to be found in the New Testament. After that, I would recommend the reader to continue with the Bible in any order they choose, or feel led to read, including the Old Testament.
Only one person answered the way you mentioned, and that is either the way that person feels, or perhaps they chose their words wrong. It's possible that they really feel that way, and that's a shame. There are useful messages throughout the entirety of the Bible.
Yes, there is violence and literalness (is that even a word?) in the Old Testament, but there is also in the NT. That's because history isn't pretty, but can be very beneficial to us as a learning tool. Isn't that what the Bible is here for?
2007-07-26 18:27:07 · answer #2 · answered by January Love 4 · 2⤊ 0⤋
The whole old testament is the history of the Jewish people. It is the Law and the prophets telling about what is to come. Jesus was promised in the Old testament and fulfilled in the new. If you want to be a good Jew then you start with the Old testament. If you want to know how to be a good Christian you start with the New testament. Both are valid and important. Christians just want you to get to the fulfillment first then go back and read the history. Hope this helps.
2007-07-26 18:31:32 · answer #3 · answered by Yo C 4 · 2⤊ 0⤋
I just find the New Testament easier to get an understanding of what Jesus is asking for us to follow (because the questioner asked when beginning to read the book)... The O.T is very important to a greater understanding of the N.T but the N.T has some great things that stand alone for example Jesus said to love each other as we Love ourselves and Love God as with everything inside of us...
As for the hidden question... statements like that do send an unpleasant message about the bible.
2007-07-26 18:22:26 · answer #4 · answered by Abbasangel 5 · 3⤊ 0⤋
How come when there are verses in the Old Testament that many Christians are not proud of, they disregard it and detatch it from the Bible? It is part of the Bible whether you like it or not, yet Christians try and get around it all the time. You cannot just abandon much of the Bible because you don't like it. And then many of those Christians go so far as to criticize other religions of being violent because they have the excuse that Christianity is peaceful, you know, the New Testament. Because they try and deviate from the Old Testament and do not like its teachings, they disregard it. How shameful.
2007-07-26 18:26:27 · answer #5 · answered by Omer 5 · 2⤊ 1⤋
No, as a beginner you would get confused with the old testament easily. You would try to abide by the rules but they are no longer there. The new testament explains why they were changed. For example, Jesus said don't eat pork in the old testament. However, in the new testament he Say's "don't worry about what you put into your mouth anymore but rather what you say through your mouth because it could affect your soul." Such as cursing. It's just easier for you to understand but if you wish to start of there then that's fine too.
2007-07-26 18:26:28 · answer #6 · answered by Stephanie 3 · 3⤊ 0⤋
The Old Testament shows us the commonalities between all the religions, the Jewish religion, for example, has its roots in that . The diversity occurred after the birth of Christ, and since many people think that ONLY their "brand" of religion is the "right" one, suggesting that we should ignore the Old Testament is just another way of separating themselves from all those they see as "unsaved".Violence in the Old Testament?? Religious differences are at the root of many wars and much bloodshed throughout human history.
2007-07-26 18:41:19 · answer #7 · answered by starcrssdlover 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I hate when people use old and new testament. It makes the other sound more relevant then the other. You should start with the Hebrew scriptures 'cause just like any other book. You start with the first one and work your way up, or else you will not get the full understanding of the second one.
2007-07-26 18:23:31 · answer #8 · answered by emanyio712 2 · 2⤊ 0⤋
The New Testament is about the gospel of Jesus and the acts and letters of His apostles which are written to guide us as Christians.
The Old Testament is the history of the Jews as well as poetry, dietary laws - some of which we are not to observe, as well as other laws that were laid down for the Jews, and prophecy - some of which has come true and some of which is coming true and some of which is prophecy for future events.
2007-08-01 03:19:41 · answer #9 · answered by KAT PET 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Remember some Christians are babes. It is troublesome. More troublesome are those who say the Old Testament is for the Jews or for another time and has no meaning today or that God has changed. It is indeed all the word of God and much to be gained from the Old Testament. His word is the same yesterday, today and tommorow.
2007-07-26 18:28:45 · answer #10 · answered by djmantx 7 · 3⤊ 0⤋