Importance of Studying the Old Testament in Christianity
The Old Testament remains a vital part of Christian scripture, providing foundational teachings and foreshadowing the coming of Jesus Christ. The New Testament writers frequently referenced the Old Testament, demonstrating its ongoing relevance [1]. In 2 Timothy 3:14-15, Paul commends Timothy's knowledge of the "Holy Scriptures" from childhood, understood to be the Old Testament writings, which equipped him for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus [3].
The Old Testament contains teachings that are essential for understanding the Christian faith. According to Romans 15:4, "all that God caused to be recorded in the Old Testament has supreme relevance to believers, who experience the fulfillment of God's plan" [4]. The Old Testament scriptures testify of Christ and provide a basis for understanding his person, office, sufferings, and death [6].
Historically, the early Christian church continued the Jewish practice of reading from the Old Testament in their assemblies. Adam Clarke notes that Timothy would have been familiar with the reading of the law and prophets in the synagogue, a practice that likely continued in early Christian gatherings [5]. The Old Testament was seen as a source of wisdom and guidance for the early Christian community.
Different Christian traditions have emphasized the importance of the Old Testament in various ways. The Puritan tradition, represented by Matthew Henry, highlights the contrast between the "letter" of the Old Testament law and the "spirit" of the New Testament gospel, while affirming the ongoing relevance of the Old Testament [7]. The Reformed tradition, as seen in John Gill's commentary, emphasizes the Old Testament as a testimony to Christ and his salvation [6].
The study of the Old Testament is crucial for a deep understanding of Christian doctrine and practice. As the Tyndale House commentary on 2 Timothy 3:14-15 notes, the Old Testament scriptures provide the wisdom necessary to receive salvation through Christ Jesus [3]. The ongoing importance of the Old Testament is evident in its continued use in Christian worship and its role in shaping Christian theology.
The New Testament's use of the Old Testament demonstrates that the early Christian community saw the older scriptures as authoritative and relevant. The Psalms, for example, contain themes and motifs that are taken up in the New Testament, such as the concept of judgment [2]. The Old Testament's emphasis on God's justice and righteousness provides a foundation for understanding the New Testament's teachings on salvation and redemption.
Sources
- Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: Scripture — Invariably in the New Testament denotes that definite collection of sacred books, regarded as given by inspiration of God, which we usually call the Old Testament (2 Tim. 3:15, 16; John 20:9; Gal. 3:22; 2 Pet. 1:20). It was God's purpose thus to perpetuate his revealed will. From time to time he raised up men to commit to writing in an infallible record the revelation he gave. The "Scripture," or collection of sacred writings, was thus enlarged from time to time as God saw necessary. We have now a completed "Scripture," consisting of the Old and New Testa”
- Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Judgment, The — Predicted in the Old Testament -- 1Ch 16:33; Ps 9:7; 96:13; Ec 3:17. A first principle of the gospel -- Heb 6:2. A day appointed for -- Ac 17:31; Ro 2:16. Time of, unknown to us -- Mr 13:32. Called the Day of wrath. -- Ro 2:5; Re 6:17. Revelation of the righteous judgment of God. -- Ro 2:5. Day of judgment and perdition of ungodly men. -- 2Pe 3:7. Day of destruction. -- Job 21:30. Judgment of the great day. -- Jude 1:6. Shall be administered by Christ -- Joh 5:22,27; Ac 10:42; Ro 14:10; 2Co 5:10. Saints shall sit with Christ in -- 1Co 6:2; Re 20:4. Sh”
- 2 Timothy (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on 2 Timothy 3:14: 3:14-15 from childhood: Timothy’s Jewish grandmother and mother, Lois and Eunice (see Acts 16:1-3), provided his education in the Old Testament Scriptures (see 2 Tim 1:5), and their lives reinforced their teaching. • The Old Testament Scriptures give the wisdom to receive . . . Christ Jesus. In turn, Jesus Christ is needed to understand the Old Testament Scriptures fully.”
- Romans (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Romans 15:4: 15:4 Such things were written in the Scriptures long ago to teach us: All that God caused to be recorded in the Old Testament has supreme relevance to believers, who experience the fulfillment of God’s plan.”
- 1 Timothy (Methodist/Wesleyan) “Adam Clarke on 1 Timothy 4:13: Give attendance to reading - Timothy could easily comprehend the apostle's meaning; but at present this is not so easy. What books does the apostle mean? The books of the Old Testament were probably what he intended; these testified of Jesus, and by these he could either convince or confound the Jews. But, whether was the reading of these to be public or private? Probably both. It was customary to read the law and the prophets in the synagogue, and doubtless in the assemblies of the Christians; after which there was generally an exhortation founded upon the subje”
- Psalms (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Psalms 78:5: For he established a testimony in Jacob,.... So the law is called, being a testification of the divine will, Exo 25:16 and the Scriptures, the writings of the Old Testament, which testify of Christ, his person, office, sufferings, and death, Isa 8:20 and particularly the Gospel, which is the testimony of God, of our Lord Jesus Christ, and of his apostles, Ti2 1:8 which bears witness to the love and grace of God in the salvation of men by Christ; to the dignity of Christ's person, to the fulness of his grace, to each of the offices and relations he bears and stands in ”
- 2 Corinthians (Nonconformist/Puritan) “Matthew Henry on 2 Corinthians 3:6: Here the apostle makes a comparison between the Old Testament and the New, the law of Moses and the gospel of Jesus Christ, and values himself and his fellow-labourers by this, that they were able ministers of the New Testament, that God had made them so, Co2 3:6. This he does in answer to the accusations of false teachers, who magnify greatly the law of Moses. I. He distinguishes between the letter and the spirit even of the New Testament, Co2 3:6. As able ministers of the New Testament, they were ministers not merely of the letter, to read the written word”