Do you read/study the Old Testament?

[B-A-C]

Just curious, an informal poll... do you read the Old Testament?
Do you study it?

 

[B-A-C]

Jos 8:32 And as the Israelites watched, Joshua copied onto the stones of the altar the commands Moses had given them.
Jos 8:33 Then all the Israelites—foreigners and native-born alike—along with the elders, officers, and judges, were divided into two groups. One group stood in front of Mount Gerizim, the other in front of Mount Ebal. Each group faced the other, and between them stood the Levitical priests carrying the Ark of the LORD's Covenant. This was all done according to the commands that Moses, the servant of the LORD, had previously given for blessing the people of Israel.
Jos 8:34 Joshua then read to them all the blessings and curses Moses had written in the Book of Instruction.
Jos 8:35 Every word of every command that Moses had ever given was read to the entire assembly of Israel, including the women and children and the foreigners who lived among them.

I find it interesting that before the Jews fully conquered "the promised land". They had Gentiles living among them, and they read the Law of Moses to them as well.
I personally don't believe you can really understand the character of God unless you read the Old Testament.

 

[Thiscrosshurts]

Not sure how vote without an "other" choice.
I study it looking for clues and patterns that reveal the divine plan of the Lamb who was slain from the foundation of the world.

However it obscures the true nature of God which Jesus himself revealed as Love.
John 10:8 All that ever came before me are thieves and robbers: but the sheep did not hear them.

 

[Fragrant Grace]

Just curious, an informal poll... do you read the Old Testament?
Do you study it?

Greetings @B-A-C

Yes I read and study the old testament.
It is full of beautiful types and shadows of our Lord Jesus Christ
And so much to learn and discover in its pages.

(I couldn't answer your poll question......as the choices weren't quite appropriate)

Search the scriptures....they are they which testify Me
John 5:39.

 

[B-A-C]

I had trouble creating this. I would have put more options, but realized in the middle of it, that there are probably more reasons than I can think of.
So please, even if you don't vote, post a message with your reasons and opinions of the Old Testament.

 

[Fenn]

I voted. Yes, it reveals the Character of God.
So many people view the OT as stories and a jealous and vengeful God. I think it is wrong to put Him in such a small box. There is clearly more to it from Abraham, Joshua, Jacob, Joseph, and David. Their characters and God's interaction with them shows love and kindness and a desire for closeness between the creator and creation.

 

[james1523]

The early church used the Old Testament, but the New Testament was not fully developed yet. Not having the Old Testament in Christianity would be beneficial in a number of ways. Sometimes misuse of the Old Testament has hindered Christianity. It would be much easier just to have the new testament. No unbeliever I know of, ever criticized Christianity based on the New Testament. I guess that is why when giving out free bibles, it is most often only the new testament or the gospels.If the Old Testament was not in our bibles, non-Christians would not be able to say Christianity is about violence, slavery, against women's rights etc. Also no false preachers would be able to justify their lavish lifestyles or "seed faith" , prosperity gospel based upon tithing verses. Many of the ideas brought into Christianity that contradict the New Testament come from the Old Testament. This includes the altar rail and altar in traditional churches. If the New Testament is the reality and the substance, then we don't really need the shadow (Old Testament). Reading the Old Testament is like looking at the picture of someone you love when they are already in the room with you. But if we didn't study the Old Testament we would not know about the past history of God and of mankind, so our Christian experience would be incomplete. I would say the Old Testament is not vital for the Christian life, but it is important for a complete and fulfilled Christian life. I think if we don't study the Old Testament it's like marrying someone and not knowing anything about their past.

 

[blackbear4110]

I think that the Old Testament shows us the Character of God, shows us why we need Jesus, and helps us understand the New Testament better.
I think it also has promises that pertain to us (if not in the physical, then in the spiritual), and gives us many examples of Who God Is and how He cares for us, His children (as spiritual Jews).
Do I study the OT much?
Honestly, no.
I spend most of my time reading and studying the New Testament.
However, I do not think the OT should be neglected or ignored.

In the aspect of "show us why we need Jesus", I've heard my dad give his testimony many times. He didn't become a Christian until he was in his twenties, and when he first started going to church and reading the Bible (before he got saved), he was reading through the Old Testament. The Mosaic and Levitical Laws scared him half to death, because they left no hope for him as a sinner. But then he read the Gospels, and the NT, and learned about how Jesus paid the price for us so that we could be saved and live with Him in eternity. It was such a relief to him, and I think he has more appreciation for what Christ did.

Do we need the OT to be saved? No. We need a relationship with Jesus Christ upon receiving God's free gift of Salvation.
But I agree with james1523:

But if we didn't study the Old Testament we would not know about the past history of God and of mankind, so our Christian experience would be incomplete. I would say the Old Testament is not vital for the Christian life, but it is important for a complete and fulfilled Christian life. I think if we don't study the Old Testament it's like marrying someone and not knowing anything about their past.

I think I place more importance on the OT than james1523 does, but I still agree with his statement.

 

[SpiritLedEd]

Not having the Old Testament in Christianity would be beneficial in a number of ways. Sometimes misuse of the Old Testament has hindered Christianity. It would be much easier just to have the new testament. No unbeliever I know of, ever criticized Christianity based on the New Testament. I guess that is why when giving out free bibles, it is most often only the new testament

As I see it, the Old Testament does not promote violence but it reports it as a matter of historical record. God cannot be love (1 Jn 4:8) and at the same time endorse violence.

SLE

 

[james1523]

As I see it, the Old Testament does not promote violence but it reports it as a matter of historical record. God cannot be love (1 Jn 4:8) and at the same time endorse violence.

SLE

Yes I think His perfect will (love, no violence) versus His permissive or necessary will. God sometimes uses or commands violence to accomplish His purpose. That includes allowing World War 2 etc. That's the answer I give unbelievers.

 

[Rockerduck]

The Old Testament is the New Testament hidden, the New Testament is the Old Testament revealed.

 

[SpiritLedEd]

Yes I think His perfect will (love, no violence) versus His permissive or necessary will. God sometimes uses or commands violence to accomplish His purpose. That includes allowing World War 2 etc. That's the answer I give unbelievers.

Aren't you then saying that He sometimes creates violence? I don't believe God needs violence to accomplish His will. If He does, He's not all-powerful.

SLE