Is it best to study scripture from OT to how it is new in Christ, or vise versa

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RedTent

RedTent

Banned
#1
Oct 31, 2011
8,200
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#1
Several years ago I did my bible study backwards: I read the Old Testament as the base from which Christ operated. From the chapters of OT, I referred to the NT to see how Christ changed what the OT told us. It amazed me! It changed me! Many things I “knew” to be true of God the Father were not true at all, I found. Many things I thought were changed remained unchanged by Christ. I learned principles of God that never changed, that I hadn’t been aware of before.

I have been scolded for this approach. They say it has made me a follower of the Jews because I now understand why God gave rituals. And why Paul was against teaching through them. They say it has caused me to not understand how terrible works are. When I suggest more reading of OT, they say they read it, not understanding my point at all.

I feel that this new approach to bible study has opened up new maturity in knowledge of God that approaching it from the NT backwards couldn’t give, and was a blessing.

Would you on CC think about this and critique it?

 
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danschance

Guest
#2
#2
I listened to a man in the bible chat room claim Hebrew is superior to Greek. He claimed many books in the New Testament are not scripture. He clearly viewed the Old Testament as being superior to the New Testament. What a load of garbage! Christians need to know the New Testament to learn about Christianity and to read what Jesus taught.

I would never suggest to a new convert to first read the old testament and then study the new testament.
 
posthuman

posthuman

Senior Member
#3
Jul 31, 2013
36,650
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#3
all the scripture is good and the Spirit shows us Christ in all of it.

it's wrong to say "you're a follower of the Jews" because you study the Torah - Christ was born a Jew! and both He and His apostles after Him used the Torah and the prophets to show Christ revealed. we do ourselves harm to ignore it.

not only is our understanding of the OT made much richer by knowing the mystery of Christ revealed in the NT, but the NT is illuminated through knowledge of the commandments, prophecies and history given in the OT.

one thing i would say - how can anyone understand John's Revelation if they don't understand the 65 books that came before it? i wouldn't suggest anyone try to study Revelation before they are grounded in the other prophets. a lot of people i think read the gospels of Matthew or John, and then jump right into Revelations, like skipping to the action scene of some movie. well, that action is meaningless if you don't understand the backstory. it may have exciting visuals, but you're apt to miss the point.
 
RedTent

RedTent

Banned
#4
Oct 31, 2011
8,200
182
0
#4
danschance said:
I listened to a man in the bible chat room claim Hebrew is superior to Greek. He claimed many books in the New Testament are not scripture. He clearly viewed the Old Testament as being superior to the New Testament. What a load of garbage! Christians need to know the New Testament to learn about Christianity and to read what Jesus taught.

I would never suggest to a new convert to first read the old testament and then study the new testament.
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I don't think your reasoning is sound!

God used Hebrew to first express His thoughts, and that is what counts not a superior or inferior language.

Scripture is scripture, how can one be superior to another?

I agree, new converts need to know Christ is our answer first. However, Christ and all Christ is to us is built from what God established at creation. Christ built on that, so much that a big percentage of NT is quoting of OT. I don't agree it is unreasonable for a new Christian, even, to mature by looking at how we are to grow through Christ. We use Christ's blood, in the OT they used animal blood. How did Christ improve on that, and how is it related. Answering that would be one way to grow in Christ. In the same way, almost every verse in the OT is a base for growth in Christ.

I think your flat condemnation as "what a load of garbage" is not thinking it through.
 
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loveme1

Senior Member
#5
Oct 30, 2011
8,083
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#5
I was guided to read the Old Testament through to the New.. I was amazed to learn the Bible told a story.

In the past being directed to this chapter/verse and then skipping to another chapter/verse it seemed to be One large Book full of different things... very confusing.

I once was left wondering where I could buy some lamp oil from, which place sold such a thing. :)

Anyhow, by the Grace of GOD for His Glory i received the Truth that set me free.

My advice to any and all is to read Genesis through to Revelation.
 
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Alfa

Guest
#6
#6
I my self am in the middle of my journey through the Bible, and like you RedTent I decided to take it from OT to the NT, like you said it's quite amazing. I personally belive that one cannot grasp a full understanding of the living word of God and the ministry of his son without reading the old testament. Why, because Jesus was operating according to the old testament and followed it's laws but often came to conflict with the Pharisees because they corrupted the law and made it harder than it could ever be. You will not fully understand the points of Jesus' arguments with them if you don't know which laws he was referring to. More over, when you read the OT then read where Jesus said I came not to abolish the law but to fulfill it, you will understand that the law still stands but has been made smoother for our sack, for example when he spared Mary Magadaline and when he countless healed on the Sabbath. The thing is Christians these days just keep trying to demonize Jews and the law which in fact God himself gave and chose them as his own people, I think it's over the top hypocritical. In conclusion at my church both the OT and the NT are equally important and we follow both of them.
 
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loveme1

Senior Member
#7
Oct 30, 2011
8,083
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#7
The Messiah is featured throughout the Bible..

There is a great mystery recorded, written but not perceived...

Ah, but the Spirit knows.
 
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Alfa

Guest
#8
#8
Yes the Bible tells a long, amazing, beautiful, and shocking story that can only be fully understood by reading Genesis to Revelations, just like any book. I mean you can't pick up a book and start from chapter 15 out of 30 and expect to understand the story. :D
 
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danschance

Guest
#9
#9
RedTent said:
I don't think your reasoning is sound!

God used Hebrew to first express His thoughts, and that is what counts not a superior or inferior language.

Scripture is scripture, how can one be superior to another?

I agree, new converts need to know Christ is our answer first. However, Christ and all Christ is to us is built from what God established at creation. Christ built on that, so much that a big percentage of NT is quoting of OT. I don't agree it is unreasonable for a new Christian, even, to mature by looking at how we are to grow through Christ. We use Christ's blood, in the OT they used animal blood. How did Christ improve on that, and how is it related. Answering that would be one way to grow in Christ. In the same way, almost every verse in the OT is a base for growth in Christ.

I think your flat condemnation as "what a load of garbage" is not thinking it through.
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I never said one is better than the other. I heard a Judaizer say that in the bible chat room and all his bad ideas were a total load of garbage. The OT is worth studying but the NT has a greater primacy for Christians than the OT. Somehow you misunderstood what I was trying to say. Maybe I did not state it well.
 
WomanLovesTX

WomanLovesTX

Senior Member
#10
Jan 1, 2010
1,390
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#10
As I study, I am amazed how much of the New Testament is actually a quote from the Old Testament. I found this quick study on blueletterbible.org I want to share. Beside each NT scripture that has an Old Testament companion is listed.

Matthew thru Luke Study Resources :: Parallel Passages in New Testament Quoted from Old Testament :: Part I

John and Acts Study Resources :: Parallel Passages in New Testament Quoted from Old Testament :: Part II

Romans thru 2 Timothy Study Resources :: Parallel Passages in New Testament Quoted from Old Testament :: Part III

Hebrews thru Jude Study Resources :: Parallel Passages in New Testament Quoted from Old Testament :: Part IV

Revelations Study Resources :: Parallel Passages in New Testament Quoted from Old Testament :: Part V
 
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