Christians: about the Old Testament?

1. I consider the ENTIRE Old Testament to be a precursor, and in total compatibility with Christian doctrine. The Old Testament is a "type" or symbol of Christ's eventual advent into the world. For example, what we read in the Old Testament about Abraham being asked to sacrifice his son Isaac, this is a type of what God would be doing with his Son Jesus Christ....sacrificing his life to atone for the sins of the world.

2. None is overruled. It is all a part of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. For example, tithing was/is a part of the gospel of Christ.

God gave us many laws in the OT, but there were groups of laws within those. For instance, there were the ceremonial Temple laws. They dealt with what could and could not be sacrificed at the temple, which sacrifices were for which reasons, etc. These went out the window when our Lord died on the cross. Then there were the dietary laws, about what could be eaten and what couldn't be. But don't forget, those people lived in a hot, arid environment. Pork as we know, can develop several type of toxins that beef, similarly stored won't. Since they were wandering around a desert I've often marvelled at the prohibitions against shellfish, but of course those applied when they came into Canaan, years later. The dietary laws were rescinded by God, in a dream of Peter's, found in the Book of the Acts.

What most people never seem to understand is, that the laws of God, weren't simply statutes, but they were generally very good ideas for living healthy and happy lives. God never told men that they could gorge themselves on foods. Instead He issued prohibitions against gluttony. If people would listen to these laws, we probably wouldn't have the mass obesity of our day.

A true believer obeys all the laws of the Bible that apply to us, both from the OT and the New. A problem existed during the Church Age, brought about by preachers, ministers and priests, who taught that Christians were only to follow the New Testament, as it was the teachings of Christ. They also admonished the faithful not to follow the OT, as it was strictly for the Jews. These 'men of God' conveniently overlooked a verse, 2nd Timothy 3:16, which stated that ALL Scripture was given by inspiration and was valuable for teaching, etc. All meant all, OT & NT.

As for me, I read it all, learn from it all, and dearly love it all. I believe that a Christian 'can' read only the NT, but that they won't learn as much there, if they don't know the Old, as well. The Apostles and disciples of that day knew the Scriptures we call the OT, so why shouldn't the disciples of our day be just as knowledgeable?

Thanks for a good question.

The issue is not that one part is obsolete or another part being overruled. There are two types of law given in the OT: ethical and Ritual. An example of ethical law is the Ten Commandments. No matter what religion one may hold to, most would agree that it is wrong to murder or steal or commit adultery. These are ethical laws and apply to everyone and make a stronger society when they are followed. The second was ritualistic law that applied specifically to the nation of Isreal. The Bible teaches that God chose the nation - descendents of Abraham to be His special chosen people. His desire for them was that they would be a holy or set apart nation. The laws we see in Leviticus were specific to how the nation of Israel lived set apart. For example: They were not supposed to patch a wool garment with a cotton patch. The point of this was not that cotton was bad but it was a mixing of two things. God wanted His people to always think "set apart". Now, you mentioned homosexual behavior from Deut. One of the ways to differentiate between ethical law and ritualistic law to is look at the subject in the full context of God's word in both the old and New Testaments. Homosexuality for example is spoken of in the New Testament as well, to a people who were not a part of the Israelite community. (Romans 1). I hope this helps.

My standard can be spelled out in one sentence: "God is Love." Passages from any part of the Bible that do not meet that standard are either being misinterpreted or they are outdated. Happily that is also Jesus's standard:

37 Jesus replied: “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’[c] 38 This is the first and greatest commandment. 39 And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’[d] 40 All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.”

and the Apostle Paul's standard:

8 Let no debt remain outstanding, except the continuing debt to love one another, for whoever loves others has fulfilled the law. 9 The commandments, “You shall not commit adultery,” “You shall not murder,” “You shall not steal,” “You shall not covet,”[a] and whatever other command there may be, are summed up in this one command: “Love your neighbor as yourself.”[b] 10 Love does no harm to a neighbor. Therefore love is the fulfillment of the law.

and the writer of 1 John agrees:

8 Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love.

None of us are perfect. We may make mistakes that we don't even know we are making like eating things that can harm us. As for the fabric thing, I haven't read that in the Bible. Not sure if I missed that or what but Jesus doesn't look on the outside of us but in our hearts so I don't believe we have a specific dress code. It's the same with us, we shouldn't be looking on other peoples outside like long hair or mohawks or odd dress wear. Jesus didn't do any of that. It's not right. I don't think God cares if we have long hair or a certain dress code. That's not important. We are to love God and love people. A loving person won't be judgemental towards another person based on what they wear. Jesus didn't come to tell us of legalism, He came to save us from our sins. God is love.

God bless.

Gentile believers in Jesus Christ were never under the laws of the Old Testament. Ever. Those laws were given by God...to Moses....for the Hebrews.

However, it should be noted that the new testament also makes it very clear that homosexuality is a sin. This is in the book of Romans and in 1st Corinthians.

The new testament, over and over, tells us that we are saved by faith, not by keeping the law. That doesn't mean there isn't still certain things that God sees as sin and we are not to do them. Homosexuality is very much one of those "things". Those who think this doesn't apply simply don't know scripture and want to indulge their sinful behavior.

1 Yes. Most Christians recognise they are not under Hebrew law.

2. Certain laws from the Mosaic code were repeated and apply to Christians many were not (see Acts 15:28, 29)

After Jesus died on the Cross for our sins not all things from the O/T still apply like making sacrifices and eating of the unclean things like pork. because everything had been washed in the blood and cleansed. Jesus gave the ultimate sacrifice so we may find grace with God. But his commandments and his laws still apply today.

Many parts of the OT law are specifically repudiated for those under Grace.

Sexual immorality (including homosex) are clearly reaffirmed as sins.

It's that simple. I do not know why you folks try to make it hard, by always talking about mixed fibres and shellfish. It's all there in black and white in the NT.

It is quite simple to anyone who reads at least Romans and Galatians.

The Mosaic Law was temporary. It has been fulfilled by Christ in the New Covenant.

Therefore, laws about dietary restrictions or Sabbaths are no longer enforced.

It isn't "cherry picking," as many say, it is knowing the Bible.