He knew it and studied it and often quoted from it! If he read and knew the OT, then why is it that some Christians feel that it can be discarded? Is it not important to know and also learn from it? I do not think any part of the Bible should be diminished by God fearing people! What say you? Please keep your comments respectful....even if you disagree!
2007-09-02 05:01:11 · 32 answers · asked by Marie 7 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
coffee_pot; There are some Christians who have posted answers here on yahoo that seem to think the study of Old Testament is not important. This is where I got this idea that some do not study OT. Thank you for asking.
2007-09-02 05:21:34 · update #1
The Bible is a progressive revelation. If you skip the first half of any good book and try to finish it; you will have a hard time understanding the characters, the plot, and the ending. In the same way, the New Testament is only completely understood when it is seen as being built upon the foundation of the events, characters, laws, sacrificial system, covenants, and promises of the Old Testament (OT). If we only had the New Testament (NT), we would come to the gospels and not know why the Jews were looking for a Messiah (a Savior King). Without the OT, we would not understand why this Messiah was coming (see Isaiah 53); we would not have been able to identify Jesus of Nazareth as the Messiah through the many detailed prophecies that were given concerning Him (e.g., His birth place (Micah 5:2); His manner of death (Psalm 22, especially vv. 1,7-8, 14-18; Psalm 69:21, etc.), His resurrection (Psalm 16:10), and many more details of His ministry (Isaiah 52:13.; 9:2, etc.).
2007-09-02 05:39:58 · answer #1 · answered by Freedom 7 · 3⤊ 1⤋
The Old and New Testaments complement each other. Without the NT the OT would be just a sacred book for the Jews. Without the OT the NT would make little sense. You wouldn't be able to understand anything. I know of no Christian who says you shouldn't read the OT.
Those who think the Bible was just made up to keep folks in line have obviously not read the book. Try making a bible that can withstand the scrutiny of thousands of scoffers. The Bible is an anvil that has worn out many hammers.
2007-09-02 05:20:08 · answer #2 · answered by kdanley 7 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Why wouldn't Jesus have studied the Old Testament? He, like his earthly parents, were Jews.
I personally never said that the Old Testament wasn't to be studied. i think it should be studied. there are parts of it which contain great wisdom. But to say that it is necessary to study the old testament in order to be a good Christian is incorrect.
Jesus is the authority. He laid down the law for Christians. Christian law can be found in the gospels: Love God, and love your neighbor. Anything that conflicts with that, is not Christian law. Many of the rules/laws in Old Testament, Leviticus in particular, are contrary to Christian law, and cannot be reconciled with Jesus teachings. Many say otherwise, but if they truly believe their own words, then they need to go back and read the gospels.
Some of the old testament laws which don't jibe too well with Jesus teachings are:
Lev 19:19 ?check the label, for goodness' sake!
Lev 21:20 ?need glasses?
Lev 15:19-24 ?haha
Lev. 25:44 ?uh oh...
Lev 11:10 ?hungry?
Exodus 21:7 ?What would Dr. Spock say?
Exodus 35:2 ?Working overtime?
Leviticus 18:22 ?Death is the last great adventure!
Be well.
2007-09-02 06:34:14 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Jesus studied the Old Testament because it is important. It contains history, law, numerous prophecies, wisdom writings.. all those are simply essential for a good Christian to know.
Many Christians consider it not important because since Jesus died on the cross, we dont have to keep the sabbath, stay away from certain foods, keep all the holidays and new moons, and many other laws from the OT to stay right with God. Nevertheless, Paul said that the older scriptures (i think he was referring to history, first 5 books of the Bible) were left to us as symbols; he himself constantly referred to the OT, explaining some things and events.
The bottom line is, the Old Testament IS to be studied.
2007-09-02 05:20:08 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 1⤋
If You look at the context of the quotes from the Old testament Christ used them to prove how little the leading religious scholars knew about the scripture.
Essentially the religious leaders of the times had totally lost touch with God by focusing on their own understanding of the scripture. This is why even today many Jewish people refuse to accept that Christ is the Messiah.
Christ used the Old Testament scriptures to prove that the religious leaders were using the scripture to oppress people and line their own pockets.
When God's law, the Torah, was used to Crucify the Messiah the Old Testament was fulfilled and finished. The New Testament of a personal relationship with God through Baptism of the Holy Spirit was begun.
People are no longer given authority to judge using God's Law, nor hold authority over others by God's Law.
Only God is qualified to judge God's Law.
Those who break the Law, who accept guidance from the Holy Spirit through the sacrifice of Christ and learn from their mistakes are Forgiven, this is the Good News.
Those who believe they do not break the Law and do not make mistakes and therefore do not learn from their mistakes are damned.
2007-09-02 05:36:12 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 2⤋
Where did you get the idea that the Old Testament is not to be studied? And asking Christians the why of this? The Old and New Testament are the Bible, one part can not be read with out referring back to the other .....The whole word of God is to be studied....
2007-09-02 05:08:40 · answer #6 · answered by coffee_pot12 7 · 4⤊ 0⤋
The Old Testament should be studied. There are lots of good principles, prophesies, etc. to be learned from it. I often suggest, however, to new or younger Christians to start in the New Testament; the reason being that one can get bogged down in the Old Testament in Leviticus or Second Chronicles for example and get discouraged and quit if they haven't read the New Testament first.
2007-09-02 05:38:13 · answer #7 · answered by Cee T 6 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Anyone that believes that any part of the Bible should not be read; probably is not really Christian.
Jesus was a Rabi, from the David line. And in Matthew chapter 5 says he is NOT here to start a new religion, but to fix the Jewish one. Most the the "new" commandments most Christians are claiming are from the 306 Commandments Moses was given by God. But it is rare to find a church that is willing to admit they are there. (IF they did then they would have to work a lot harder.) The Catholic Church only has nine comandments, they even removed the second commandment and split the tenth into two, so they can say they have ten.
So you see it is to save them from reading, relizing what it dose say, and working harder to love God and Jesus.
2007-09-02 05:19:21 · answer #8 · answered by geessewereabove 7 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Jesus was a Jew. He studied the Torah. That is what the old testament is based on. So who said the Old Testaments were not to be studied? It is the history of Jesus' past and God's work! That would be like being told not to study history... Oh wait, Hitler and all those who try to concur us try to keep us in the dark by keeping us from studying history... Go figure! Anyone who says don't study the past is looking to take over your life and future and make you into mindless sheep!
2007-09-02 05:51:18 · answer #9 · answered by Rev. Kaldea 5 · 1⤊ 1⤋
The OT has many things to learn from. A lot of these things are things we should not do, and avoid. Just because something is in the Bible, does not make it permissible, nor does it make it right. It is a history of the Jewish People, and, as such, portrays the events up to Christ, and prophesies about him. Beyond that, the NT has replaced it.
2007-09-02 05:16:01 · answer #10 · answered by great gig in the sky 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋