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Christian-Interpreting the Old Testament

Linus

Well-Known Member
Upon a suggestion from SOGFPP, I decided to post a thread about this.

How do you all interpret the Old Testament? Myth? Stories? Truth?

I see the Old Testament as a primarily a History of the Israelites, but there are un-numbered ( and, I believe, intentionally placed by God) themes, messages, and lessons that we can draw from it and apply to ourselves today, especially as it relates to Christ and the Church.

I hope that makes sense. What do you all think?
 

t3gah

Well-Known Member
It's the history of man's beginning. Both the faithful and the unfaithful to God. The consequences that both faced by their actions and loyalties. It also contains many prophecies of the coming Messiah and other events that have yet to occur. And it has God's personal likes and dislikes recorded for all who want to worship the true God to see and take into their lives.

FYI on the prophecies. Many believe that the prophecies in the 'Old Testament' are all completed but here's one that has not occured yet, Isaiah 2:1-4.
 

Linus

Well-Known Member
Amen to that, t3gah. But there is one prophecy that I am sure glad has come true. 2 Samuel 7:12-16
 

Ronald

Well-Known Member
And we pray it be Full filled;

Mt 6:10
Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done, On earth as it is in heaven.

 

Scott1

Well-Known Member
Thanks for the thread Linus!

I believe all Sacred Scripture is but one book, and this one book is Christ, because all divine Scripture speaks of Christ, and all divine Scripture is fullfilled in Christ.

Many of the stories in the OT are anagogical.... we can view realities or myths in these stories in terms of their eternal significance.... leading us to the truth that is Jesus Christ.

The entire Bible is to me but one word: Jesus.

To paraphrase the Catechism:
I read the Old Testament in the light of Christ crucified and risen. Such typological reading discloses the inexhaustible content of the Old Testament; but it must not make us forget that the Old Testament retains its own intrinsic value as Revelation reaffirmed by our Lord himself. Besides, the New Testament has to be read in the light of the Old. Early Christian catechesis made constant use of the Old Testament. As an old saying put it, the New Testament lies hidden in the Old and the Old Testament is unveiled in the New.

Scott
 

Linus

Well-Known Member
Yeah Scott that was kinda what I was trying to say. Although I would be more inclined to view the stories in the O.T. as true stories, rather than myths or fairy tales.

For example, let's take the story of Noah and the ark. Now I believe that the story could have been true (and if you want to debate me on that, don't do it here, go here: http://www.religiousforums.com/forum/showthread.php?t=3480 ). I believe that Noah could have possibly done all of those things, like build the ark, put the animals in it, etc. Now, I find an antitype to Noah in the New Testament: Christ. What is the connection? Noah saved humanity through water, Christ saves humanity through water (baptism). See what I'm saying? Does that mean that Noah's story is any less true? I don't think it does, but hey, that's just one guy's opinion.
 

Khale

Active Member
I interpret the old testament as being a series of books that are a mixture of myth and history. An example of the myth would be Noahs ark and both of the creation stories, while an example of the history would be different kings and battles that took place (though to be fair some of them have beenromanticized). The purpose of the old testament is to show the Israelites how God worked in their life and give them a reference that would help them understand the faith that they practiced. So while it was had quite a few myths and stories overall it was truth.
 
The main difference between the Old and New Testament is the two different covenants. Testament means covenant. The Old Testamnent has many types and shadows of the New. We have the ceremonial law and the moral law. It contains history, wisdom, poetry, etc.. We must be very careful to "rightly divide the Word of truth." Peace,
 

jtartar

Well-Known Member
Upon a suggestion from SOGFPP, I decided to post a thread about this.

How do you all interpret the Old Testament? Myth? Stories? Truth?

I see the Old Testament as a primarily a History of the Israelites, but there are un-numbered ( and, I believe, intentionally placed by God) themes, messages, and lessons that we can draw from it and apply to ourselves today, especially as it relates to Christ and the Church.

I hope that makes sense. What do you all think?

Linus,
You are absolutely correct!! The fact is the Bible tells us that the Mosaic Law was a shadow of good things to come, meaning Christ as can be seen by the following scriptures, Heb 10:1-11, Col 2:16,17.
There is, what theologians call The Golden Thread, that runs throughout the entire Bible, The Kingdom of God. From the first prophecy to the end of the Bible, there is always the promise of a coming Kingdom. The first prophecy, Gen 3:15, is a prophecy about Jesus finally destroying Satan and his helpers, 2Tim 2:24-26.
There is a branch of theology called Tropology, which deals with how things are to be viewed, literally or symbolicly. Here is where many make mistakes in interpretation.
The Bible was inerrant when written, and is still acurrate!! God actually promises that He will protect His word from adulteration, Ps 12:6,7, Prov 30:5,6. Jesus said that God's word is truth. Jesus and the Jews had all of the Hebrew Scriptures.
You can put full trust in the Holy Scriptures, but it takes much study to understand who and what time period the Bible is speaking about. There are NO myths.
As for telekinesis, it may be possible. There are many wicked spirits and some people are always trying to contact them. It is very possible that something could be moved by a spirit, but by men alone it is probably impossible at this time.
 

SageTree

Spiritual Friend
Premium Member
How do you all interpret the Old Testament?


Yes.
If the Hebrew Scriptures are 100% historically accurate, I feel they at least have allegorical meaning.


Yes.
Although we have evolved in many many ways throughout the course of human existence (no evolved debated intended), we pretty much still face many of the same emotions and issues that we did since the beginning of time.

Solomon said,"There is nothing new under the Sun." and I believe it.

When I place myself 'inside' the story/characters, I often times am able to see more deeply into my own life.


Yes.
Truth, to me, isn't just based on worldly reasoning of facts and time line.
I feel there is Truth to be found in the many ways people read and apply the scriptures to their life.
The ocean always tastes like salt.
 

jtartar

Well-Known Member
Upon a suggestion from SOGFPP, I decided to post a thread about this.

How do you all interpret the Old Testament? Myth? Stories? Truth?

I see the Old Testament as a primarily a History of the Israelites, but there are un-numbered ( and, I believe, intentionally placed by God) themes, messages, and lessons that we can draw from it and apply to ourselves today, especially as it relates to Christ and the Church.

I hope that makes sense. What do you all think?

Linus,
Many people view the Hebrew Scriptures as less important than the Christian Greek Scriptures. Nothing could be further from the truth. Much of what is written in the Greek had it's beginning in the Hebrew Scriptures. The fact is; it is impossible to understand most of the Greek Scriptures without knowing the basis of the teaching, which had it's start in the Hebrew.
Consider 2Tim 3:16,17, says ALL SCRIPTURE is inspired by God, and useful for doctrine, for correction, and instruction in righteousness.
Something to think about: We would not even know why we die if not for the Hebrew Scriptures, Gen 2:17. Adam and Eve were created to live forever, Gen 1:28.
The first prophecy recorded in the Bible is Gen 3:15, which is a prophecy telling about the way all mankind, who puts faith in the name of Jesus and his Ransom Sacrifice, will have the chance to regain the Perfect, Everlasting Life that Adam lost for us.
We would know very little of the march of the nations that had dealings with the nation of Israel. There is to be seven, Egypt Assyria, Babylon, Medes and Persions, Greek, Roman, and the Anglo-American world power that is NOW. We would not know tha this is the last power to be under man's rule, Dan 2:44.
There are many things in the Hebrew Scriptures that help us to understand the Greek and also many things written to let us know God's thinking on matters, even on things of today, not even imagined in the days when the Bible was started to be written.
 
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