Why Should We Study the Old Testament?

 ***The bulk of this information was paraphrased from Jensen's Survey of the Old Testament.***


A. The Bible is incomplete without the OT

The NT complements the OT as well as completes it. The NT fulfils the OT prophesies of a coming Redeemer, it is "the sequel to the OT's origins, heir of its promises, fruit of its seed, the peak of its mountain."

B. The Ministry of Christ would be an enigma without the OT

The OT gives the background of Christ's purpose in coming to earth. Without a history of mankind which highlights the standards of a proven-holy God, the inability of fallen man to meet those standards, and the need of a Saviour to rescue the human race, Christ's time on earth would just be a western store front. Looks impressive, but doesn't serve a purpose. There has got to be a good reason for the Lord of all the universe and beyond to humble Himself in a frail man's body; the OT presents this reason.

C. The historical setting of Christianity is furnished by the OT

The OT was preparing the way for the initiation of the NT Church. The idea of a people chosen by God, for God, was brought about in the OT. God chose his people Israel out of the world to be His own; the NT correlation is the Church brought out of the world to be Christ's blameless bride. The OT recounts the creation, modification, and continuation of the "religious, social, geographical, and (partially) political setting of the NT." Also, the apostles and other authors of the NT as well as Jesus Himself all utilised OT references in many of their portions of the NT. The OT provides the scene and background, the NT provides the action and progression of God's redemptive work throughout mankind's history.

D. Key revelations of God are to be found in the OT

The OT "reveals especially how God moves in and through the lives of people and the courses of nations." Many themes and topics of the Bible find their roots in the OT. Some examples could be: "God is the sovereign Creator, Man is a sinner in need of salvation, God is holy, and He judges sin" and this is not an exhaustive list, there are many others.

E. The OT is spiritual food for the Christian

The God that exists now is the exact same God that existed in OT times. Sin always was and always will be an offence against and towards God and believers must still interact with the world just as the Israelites had to interact with the surrounding nations. Despite its age, the OT was divinely inspired by a God who never grows old; therefore, it must still be relevant to the modern-day Christian.