Do you try and distance yourself from all the cruelty, intolerance, and violence that is in the OT? Truth though, even if it was before Christ, all that I just mentioned that was in the OT was God commanded...was it not His will, just because Jesus was not around then? Did God not command the barbaric actions of his followers?
2007-12-28 04:09:01 · 16 answers · asked by sketch_mylife 5 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
They do not read the old testament except the book of Genesis.
Why do they keep the old testament anyway?
2007-12-28 04:15:57 · answer #1 · answered by OKIM IM 7 · 0⤊ 2⤋
This is a very good question, indeed.
Actually, those little sheets of paper in every Bible that say "OLD TESTAMENT" and "NEW TESTAMENT" were put there by the publishers, and are not correct.
God does have TWO separate and distinct methods of worship shown to us in His Word. One has to do with a NATION comprised of Jewish folks, and having to do with an EARTHLY inheritance, while the other has to do with a plan for HEAVEN and a BODY which God is putting together today.
The OLD and NEW Testament had to do with the Nation Israel . It was their "marriage agreement" with God and has nothing whatsoever to do with we who are believers today. Look at Jer. 31:31 and you will see that both testaments, or covenants were with Israel.
We are under the dispensation of the GRACE of God which is an entirely DIFFERENT program. We aren't governed by the law of Moses, but INWARDLY by the Holy Spirit.
God didn't INDWELL people in times PAST, but He changed programs and NOW, He lives His life in and thru those who place their trust in the finished work of the Cross. (see Gal. 2:20)
So, the real difference is NOT in OLD and NEW Testament (as both of these were for the Nation Israel and one is yet to be implemented), but between Prophecy and MYSTERY.
Israels instructions are found in the prophetic books where God is dealing with them.
The instructions for the Body of Christ are found in the MYSTERIES revealed to Paul specifically TO and ABOUT us.
That information is in Romans thru Philemon and the bible tells us that it was KEPT SECRET until revealed to Paul.
Exciting stuff.
IF you want to know more, Please visit www.graceteacher.com
2007-12-28 12:30:30 · answer #2 · answered by goinupru 6 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Most Christians do much worse...they interpret the Old and New Testament by the letter. We should be interpreting the Old and New Testament by the Spirit. This is the most profound error in modern Evangelical Christian thought.
From 2 Corinthians 3
"And we have such trust through Christ toward God. Not that we are sufficient of ourselves to think of anything as being from ourselves, but our sufficiency is from God, who also made us sufficient as ministers of the new covenant, not of the letter but of the Spirit; for the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life.
But if the ministry of death, written and engraved on stones, was glorious, so that the children of Israel could not look steadily at the face of Moses because of the glory of his countenance, which glory was passing away, how will the ministry of the Spirit not be more glorious? For if the ministry of condemnation had glory, the ministry of righteousness exceeds much more in glory. For even what was made glorious had no glory in this respect, because of the glory that excels. For if what is passing away was glorious, what remains is much more glorious.
Therefore, since we have such hope, we use great boldness of speech-- unlike Moses, who put a veil over his face so that the children of Israel could not look steadily at the end of what was passing away. But their minds were blinded. For until this day the same veil remains unlifted in the reading of the Old Testament, because the veil is taken away in Christ. But even to this day, when Moses is read, a veil lies on their heart. Nevertheless when one turns to the Lord, the veil is taken away."
The reading of Moses does not remove the veil...Christ removes the veil from the heart.
If we interpret the New Covenant by the letter, the veil remains.
The wisdom of man is the knowledge of good and evil. If we interpret the Word by our own wisdom and refine it by the commandment, we will never know Christ.
Grace is unbelievable....it is foolishness to us. The last time i checked I can teach "do good and God will love you", "do bad and God will forrsake you" and it makes perfect sense to everyone...Christian and Pagan alike. If I teach that we are all equal in death and all equal in life by Jesus, peoples hearts reject this as foolish and ridiculous. We all want to help Jesus save us and therefore we all minimize the power of the Blood of Jesus and proclaim in our hearts that the Blood of Christ is not sufficient.
Sin is not our problem. It is the symptom of our problem. Our problem is faith. True faith gives all Glory to God and walks as Christ walked. I am not even close.
How about yall?
Interesting, isn't it?
agapefromnc
2007-12-28 12:30:01 · answer #3 · answered by harry killwater 4 · 0⤊ 1⤋
You do not understand either Testament. He is the same God, only in the New Testament, the sacrifice of Christ fulfilled the requirements of judgment regarding the law of sin and death. Now, I can show you incredible acts of mercy in the old testament. Have you even READ Revelations? He's the same God in both testaments.
Old Testament
God forgive Manasseh, the second worst king (next to his father Ahab) to ever rule. Manasseh repented, and God forgave Him.
God forgave David after he repented of his murder of Uriah.
God forgave the entire city of Nineveh when they repented of their evil.
God interceded for Abimilech when he almost sinned with Abraham's wife, Sarah.
New Testament
God struck down Ananias and Sephira for cheating the Holy Spirit.
God killed King Herod and had him eaten by worms.
God sends Egypt-styled plagues in Revelation.
Why not spend more time looking in to your own cruelty and spend less time trying to justify yourself by pointing to others?
2007-12-28 12:13:28 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 7⤊ 0⤋
Yes, they are trying to distance themselves from the obvious cruelty of the OT, and the blatant contradictions to what they claim is the core Christian belief (love, peace). Oh, snap; there's still Matthew 5:18 to contend with. They usually gloss that one over with some lame excuse or other, but it's pretty obvious what it means if you read it.
2007-12-28 12:17:29 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
Sketcher,
We are not Judged by our forfathers. We are to work out our own salvation. Had the Israelites listened to GOD they would have had a whole different world to live in. They refused to do so and they lost what they were given as a result. Man wants to run his own life and not listen to what is best for him. That is very sad indeed. Have a great life.
Thanks,
Eds
.
2007-12-28 12:14:51 · answer #6 · answered by Eds 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I don't. The OT is just one page apart from Mathew chapter 1.
2007-12-28 12:17:53 · answer #7 · answered by Darth Eugene Vader 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
God commands are righteous. His judgement is just.
You see it differently. You believe that God is barbaric, we will see if your perceptions serve you well through eternity.
2007-12-28 12:14:02 · answer #8 · answered by L.C. 6 · 3⤊ 0⤋
Because the Old Testament is about the Jewish faith and they don't like to admit they have a secondhand religion
2007-12-28 12:32:05 · answer #9 · answered by brainstorm 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
The rock that they followed was the Messiah! (1cor. 10:4). They don't want to obey the Almighty's rules, and have been told they can have salvation in disobedience. (It's a lie)
2007-12-28 12:15:23 · answer #10 · answered by hasse_john 7 · 0⤊ 2⤋