Jesus is born. Jesus begins a ministry of teaching, healing and calling disciples. Jesus sacrifices Himself on a cross and is buried in a borrowed tomb. Jesus is alive again three days later, shows Himself to His closest disciples, and ascends to His home in heaven. The Church is born and begins growing like crazy, eventually becoming what it is today.
The New Testament is rich in redemption. It is full of incredible, oft-quoted lines…
- “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.”
- “Love is patient, love is kind.”
- “Become all things to all men so that by all means, I might save some.”
- “God so loved the world…”
- “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do.”
The list could go on and on, but the point is, modern Christians quote the New Testament all the time. Almost to the point that an unbelieving culture sees Scripture as either nothing more than a crutch for weak people or something to be quoted by winners at the Oscars.
The New Testament is rich in redemption, but it only tells part of the story. It’s impossible to fully grasp redemption if you don’t have a handle of why redemption is needed. It’s impossible to really “get” the climax of a story if you miss the first 2/3 of the plot.
And that’s why I love the Old Testament…
Knowing the names of Adam, Abraham, Joseph, Moses, Joshua, Samuel, David, Isaiah, Jeremiah and Job give me a reason to care about God’s people. Recognizing God’s hand consistently working through history, from creation to slavery to exodus to promise to nation makes me appreciate the heart of God for His people.
In modern churches, we’ve somewhat unintentionally separated Old Testament event from Psalm from Jesus from the Church, and it’s crippled our holistic understanding of God’s heart.
I love the Old Testament because it makes the New Testament richer. Reading the Old Testmaent, I see the beginning of the story that culminates in the New Testament. The Old Testament gives me a perspective that I wouldn’t get from the New Testament alone.
And that’s why I love the Old Testament. I have to know the why before I know the how.
Adam Jones 
I buy it. I believe you mean, “I have to know the why before I know the how.” I believe you think the history matters. Character and story matter, too.
Now think back to what I said about Black History Month and order yourself a couple of complete histories, so you can know “why” you can’t just jump in to race relations and have things work the way you think they will.
You made my point for me; You “have to know the why before you know how”; You have to know the names of the folk who have been the major players in the story; You have to know and the paces and events that that matter before you can change things.
You know, Helen, I don’t think I can argue with that… 🙂
Honestly, though, I do love history and I believe history is vitally important to future success. And since our discussions a month or so ago, I’ve been reading a little and discovering some of that history you have shared with me. I’m still learning, but it’s been an interesting journey. Thanks for starting me down it…
That’s what I love about you, Adam. You are so open to learning. The kids you work with are lucky to have you. You are smart enough to say, “I don’t know, but I want to.”
I love history, too. And everything that ever happened is history.
Sent you an e-mail with a good link about Black POV.
I am so glad you love the OT. Now i know there is no way you love it more than me becuz I LOVED getting up for my 7 am class. 🙂 Best class I ever took!