BIBLICAL INSIGHTS in less than 500 words
The Old Testament For Those Who Follow Christ
Richard Leslie Parrott, Ph.D.
I remember a brief time of vacation in the beautiful city of Victoria, British Columbia. Being there over the weekend meant that I look for a church to attend. I found a beautiful Anglican church with a bright red door. The building was impressive, all stone and stained glass. The pulpit was high and lifted up. And, I remember the ministers opening words of his message, “I walked around this building yesterday and noticed that the foundations are cracked.”
I must admit, for just a moment I lifted my eyes and looked at the stone pillars, impressive ceiling, and had a brief thought of impending disaster. To build a strong life in Christ, we need a solid foundation. That foundation is found in Jesus himself and the Bible as it explains the significance of what Jesus accomplished. The Bible, understood in the Spirit of Christ, is our foundation.
How does the Old Testament function in ordinary Christian living?
- It is not, as some have suggested, passé and to be set aside because of statements like “Christ is the end of the law” (10:4).
- It is not, as others insist, still valid to the degree that we ought to build a temple in Jerusalem and start the sacrifices again.
- It is not, as many of us are inclined to do, a place to search for the parts that are to be disregarded while others are still valid.
Rather, the entire Old Testament forms God’s story of how he partners with the people of his covenant to bring salvation to a fallen creation so that the whole world might join him in preparing for and rejoicing in the new creation. Thus, we read the Old Testament forward and backward:
- We read the Old Testament forward by joining the calling, the courage, the faithfulness, and the failures of God’s people in search of a fulfillment of all God promised.
- We also read the Old Testament backward, understanding and drawing encouragement for our own lives as we understand and follow the path of Jesus who fulfills all of God’s promises.
It is our task to continue the story as we look for the day in God will bring the New Heaven and New Earth.