Articles
Proper Use Of The Old Testament
We cannot overstate the value of the Old Testament. Though it is not the covenant under which Christians live, and though it contains accounts of ancient cultures, events and worldviews, still it grants valuable insights to modern man:
- “Whatever things were written before were written for our learning, that we through the patience and comfort of the Scriptures might have hope” (Rom. 15:4).
- “Now all these things happened to them as examples, and they were written for our admonition, on whom the ends of the ages have come” (I Cor. 10:11).
- “From childhood you have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus” (II Tim 3:15).
However, how we use the Old Testament is crucial. This is illustrated by the devil’s use of it to tempt Jesus (Matt. 4:6). Satan quoted Scripture, even accurately, but with an ungodly “spin.” Theologians have long used it to concoct fanciful theories (like premillennialism) or to support defunct worship practices (instrumental music). And sometimes the Old Testament is convenient, even for those who understand its true purpose, to find in it a rationale to support a conclusion.
Here are some brief guidelines for proper use of the Old Testament:
1) Remember that Mosaic Law, while containing types or shadows of things to come in Christ, was filled with material things. These things disappear entirely or give way to a spiritual principle in the new covenant. If we don’t respect this difference, we may stress something from Mosaic Law that is entirely irrelevant today.
Some examples of physical-to-spiritual correlation: 1) spiritual building (temple) to the church (I Cor. 3:16); 2) the Sabbath rest to heaven (Heb. 4:8-11); 3) circumcision to baptism (Col. 2:11-12); 4) redemptive sacrifice of animals to the blood of Jesus (I Pet. 1:19); 5) freewill offerings to spiritual sacrifices (Heb. 13:15); and 6) the Levitical priesthood to the priesthood of all Christians (I Pet 2:5).
But there are countless physical aspects of Mosaic Law that have no immediate spiritual correlation to things in the new covenant: Physical examples with no correlation include: the spiritual exclusion of lepers; the feast of tabernacles; trumpets for the assembly and battle; Levirate marriage (children by sister-in-law); and the uncleanness of food, menstruation and dead bodies.
We must be careful about drawing parallels where the Bible does not draw them. There does not have to be an explicit correlation in the New Testament, but we need to make sure we are not making a connection without warrant, especially to prove a point of doctrine or practice that is then imposed on others.
2) Remember that the Mosaic laws and statutes concerned a different kind of society, one characterized by physical relation and geographical proximity. The laws of Israel contained elements of worship, commerce, crime, property rights, etc., that do not apply to the Christian community. Israelite society was an all-in-one arrangement not true of the church.
3) Let the Bible interpret itself. This is a fatal flaw of false doctrines that are heavily dependent on free interpretations of Old Testament prophecies. Anyone can take the Bible and yank things out of context and make them say what they want it to. But when we get a “this is that” or “as it is written” type of statement in the New Testament, that settles the matter. Examples:
- “This is what was spoken by the prophet Joel” -- and Peter proceeds to explain the events of Pentecost by this prophecy (Acts 2:16).
- “And with this the words of the prophets agree” -- and James then quotes Amos to identify Jesus with the throne of David and the inclusion of the Gentiles in the kingdom (Acts 15:15-17).
- Immediately after Jesus reads the passage from Isaiah, “He began to say to them, ‘Today this Scripture is fulfilled in your hearing’” (Luke 4:17-21).
By diligent study we learn to “rightly divide” the word of truth (II Tim. 2:15). Let us avoid the trap of using the Old Testament to support our opinions and advance our arguments when there is no logical connection.
