Editor’s note: This post originally appeared on Think Apologetics. Tabernacle of David considers this resource trustworthy and Biblically sound.
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Jesus, Paul, and the apostles were raised on the Old Testament, or what is properly called the “Tanakh.” Thus, there was no “New Testament” during the ministry of Jesus. Paul says in 2 Timothy 3: 16-17, “All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: that the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works.” Here “Scripture” (graphē), must refer to the Old Testament written Scripture, for that is what the word graphē refers to in every one of its fifty-one occurrences in the New Testament.
I read this book by Eric Seibert last year.
Seibert has a great love for the Old Testament. However, he knows not everyone shares the same enthusiasm for the Old Testament. He says “Truth be told, many Christians really struggle with this part of Scripture, especially with its archaic laws, tedious genealogies, strange customs, and prophetic tirades. They know they are supposed to read the Old Testament but feel little desire to do so” (pg. 5).
“Why don’t Christians read the Old Testament?” Seibert lists some reasons:
1. It is boring.
2. It’s irrelevant.
3. It’s hard to understand.
4. It’s foreign and particular.
5. It’s filled with problematic portrayals of God.
6. It’s morally offensive.
7. It’s oppressive (pg. 16-21).
We will discuss some of these issues in this clip here.
