Bible Study Man Shall Not Live on the New Testament Alone

[Pegasus]

Thought this was quite an interesting article (book review) on how Christians today approach the Old Testament.

Excerpt:
No less than Jesus in the wilderness, we need every word that comes from the mouth of God.

David T. Lamb| July 31, 2017

What do Christians do with the Old Testament, with its weird laws, brutal violence, and unpredictable God? Some are confused by it, some are afraid of it, and some simply ignore it. Our confusion, fear, and avoidance of the Old Testament has led to a severe problem. Like a doctor examining a patient, Brent Strawn examines our Old Testament habits and makes a dire diagnosis that supplies the title of his new book: The Old Testament is Dying.


Strawn’s analysis is divided into three sections. The first two focus on the problem (Part 1: “The Old Testament as a Dying Language” and Part 2: “Signs of Morbidity”), while the final section offers a solution (Part 3: “Path to Recovery”). Strawn’s grave assessment should cause great concern to any who believe, along with Paul the apostle, that all Scripture is divinely inspired and profitable for teaching (2 Tim. 3:16). But his suggested treatment should be a source of great hope.

Strawn bases his diagnosis on empirical data from a 2010 Pew Forum survey (inspired by Stephen Prothero’s 2007 book, Religious Literacy: What Every American Needs to Know—And Doesn’t). In addition, he draws on patterns of Old Testament usage in popular sermons, hymns, and songs, and in the Revised Common Lectionary (a daily Bible-reading plan used by certain Protestant denominations). Despite widespread claims of religiosity among the US population, Strawn’s evidence strongly suggests that most American Christians are relatively ignorant of basic truths about the Bible, particularly the Old Testament—and that trends in sermons and worship are contributing to the problem. For the most part, the Old Testament is ignored, and even when it isn’t, only a narrow selection of familiar texts are read, sung, or taught.


To convey the severity of the problem, Strawn uses two helpful metaphors (medical and linguistic), and terminology from these realms permeate the book. While the book’s title emphasizes the medical analogy (the Old Testament as dying patient), the linguistic analogy plays a larger role in illustrating the book’s point. Strawn conceives of the Old Testament as a language that has been disappearing due to neglect and avoidance by the church. When people fail to learn the language in its full complexity, they end up essentially recreating it in a simplified, pidgin form.

Continued at link: Man Shall Not Live on the New Testament Alone


Note: I have a "Christianity Today" subscription so please let me know if you cannot access the full article.

God Bless

 

[th1b.taylor]

Thought this was quite an interesting article (book review) on how Christians today approach the Old Testament.

Excerpt:
No less than Jesus in the wilderness, we need every word that comes from the mouth of God.

David T. Lamb| July 31, 2017

What do Christians do with the Old Testament, with its weird laws, brutal violence, and unpredictable God? Some are confused by it, some are afraid of it, and some simply ignore it. Our confusion, fear, and avoidance of the Old Testament has led to a severe problem. Like a doctor examining a patient, Brent Strawn examines our Old Testament habits and makes a dire diagnosis that supplies the title of his new book: The Old Testament is Dying.


Strawn’s analysis is divided into three sections. The first two focus on the problem (Part 1: “The Old Testament as a Dying Language” and Part 2: “Signs of Morbidity”), while the final section offers a solution (Part 3: “Path to Recovery”). Strawn’s grave assessment should cause great concern to any who believe, along with Paul the apostle, that all Scripture is divinely inspired and profitable for teaching (2 Tim. 3:16). But his suggested treatment should be a source of great hope.

Strawn bases his diagnosis on empirical data from a 2010 Pew Forum survey (inspired by Stephen Prothero’s 2007 book, Religious Literacy: What Every American Needs to Know—And Doesn’t). In addition, he draws on patterns of Old Testament usage in popular sermons, hymns, and songs, and in the Revised Common Lectionary (a daily Bible-reading plan used by certain Protestant denominations). Despite widespread claims of religiosity among the US population, Strawn’s evidence strongly suggests that most American Christians are relatively ignorant of basic truths about the Bible, particularly the Old Testament—and that trends in sermons and worship are contributing to the problem. For the most part, the Old Testament is ignored, and even when it isn’t, only a narrow selection of familiar texts are read, sung, or taught.


To convey the severity of the problem, Strawn uses two helpful metaphors (medical and linguistic), and terminology from these realms permeate the book. While the book’s title emphasizes the medical analogy (the Old Testament as dying patient), the linguistic analogy plays a larger role in illustrating the book’s point. Strawn conceives of the Old Testament as a language that has been disappearing due to neglect and avoidance by the church. When people fail to learn the language in its full complexity, they end up essentially recreating it in a simplified, pidgin form.

Continued at link: Man Shall Not Live on the New Testament Alone


Note: I have a "Christianity Today" subscription so please let me know if you cannot access the full article.

God Bless

I received the results from this survey just yesterday. If folks ever egin to pay attention they will see we are entering into the Great TribulATION.

 

[for_his_glory]

Anyone who ignores the OT are missing out on the rich history and culture of the times that help explain the events of the NT and most importantly the promises and prophecies God has given all of us that are fulfilled in Christ in the NT.

 

[jasonc]

Tanach,chadosh

 

[Angel Water]

Thought this was quite an interesting article (book review) on how Christians today approach the Old Testament.

Excerpt:
No less than Jesus in the wilderness, we need every word that comes from the mouth of God.

David T. Lamb| July 31, 2017

What do Christians do with the Old Testament, with its weird laws, brutal violence, and unpredictable God? Some are confused by it, some are afraid of it, and some simply ignore it. Our confusion, fear, and avoidance of the Old Testament has led to a severe problem. Like a doctor examining a patient, Brent Strawn examines our Old Testament habits and makes a dire diagnosis that supplies the title of his new book: The Old Testament is Dying.


Strawn’s analysis is divided into three sections. The first two focus on the problem (Part 1: “The Old Testament as a Dying Language” and Part 2: “Signs of Morbidity”), while the final section offers a solution (Part 3: “Path to Recovery”). Strawn’s grave assessment should cause great concern to any who believe, along with Paul the apostle, that all Scripture is divinely inspired and profitable for teaching (2 Tim. 3:16). But his suggested treatment should be a source of great hope.

Strawn bases his diagnosis on empirical data from a 2010 Pew Forum survey (inspired by Stephen Prothero’s 2007 book, Religious Literacy: What Every American Needs to Know—And Doesn’t). In addition, he draws on patterns of Old Testament usage in popular sermons, hymns, and songs, and in the Revised Common Lectionary (a daily Bible-reading plan used by certain Protestant denominations). Despite widespread claims of religiosity among the US population, Strawn’s evidence strongly suggests that most American Christians are relatively ignorant of basic truths about the Bible, particularly the Old Testament—and that trends in sermons and worship are contributing to the problem. For the most part, the Old Testament is ignored, and even when it isn’t, only a narrow selection of familiar texts are read, sung, or taught.


To convey the severity of the problem, Strawn uses two helpful metaphors (medical and linguistic), and terminology from these realms permeate the book. While the book’s title emphasizes the medical analogy (the Old Testament as dying patient), the linguistic analogy plays a larger role in illustrating the book’s point. Strawn conceives of the Old Testament as a language that has been disappearing due to neglect and avoidance by the church. When people fail to learn the language in its full complexity, they end up essentially recreating it in a simplified, pidgin form.

Continued at link: Man Shall Not Live on the New Testament Alone


Note: I have a "Christianity Today" subscription so please let me know if you cannot access the full article.

God Bless

I think the spirit of The Word can sometimes become lost by those who read the words on the page. God eternally speaks to his creation.
As an aside and to relate to the theme of this discussion, I think this may be a blessing to some. It is a long article and yet that is understandable being it is a teaching in Apologetics. I hope someone finds it useful. It takes time so don't think you need to read it all in one sitting.
Truthnet.Org
7. Is the Bible God's Word?

What Truthnet.org believe:
What do we believe?
We believe in:

* the Holy Scriptures, both Old and New Testaments, as originally given by God, divinely inspired, infallible, entirely trustworthy, and the supreme authority in all matters of faith and conduct;

* one God, Creator and Sustainer of all things, eternally existent in three Persons: Father, Son and Holy Spirit;

* the deity and humanity of our Lord Jesus Christ, His virgin birth and sinless life, His miracles, His vicarious and atoning death on the Cross, His bodily resurrection, His ascension to the right hand of the Father, His mediatorial work, and His personal return in power and glory;

* the universal sinfulness and guilt of all humanity since the Fall, making every person subject to God’s wrath and condemnation;

* redemption through the blood of our Lord Jesus Christ and regeneration by the Holy Spirit as absolutely essential for the salvation of lost and sinful

* the justification of the sinner solely by the grace of God through faith in Christ;

* the present ministry of the Holy Spirit by whose indwelling the Christian is empowered for godly living and service;

* the resurrection of both the saved and the lost: they that are saved unto the resurrection of life and they that are lost unto the resurrection of damnation;

* the spiritual unity in our Lord Jesus Christ of believers who comprise the Church, His Body, which is committed by His command to the proclamation of the gospel throughout the world.

 

[Edward]

Anyone who ignores the OT are missing out on the rich history and culture of the times that help explain the events of the NT and most importantly the promises and prophecies God has given all of us that are fulfilled in Christ in the NT.

That's right, Sister. All of the types and shadows hidden within the OT shine a lot of light on the NT.

That said, I can't help but notice the story of Nineveh in Jonah 3 that I was reading today and wonder about the similarities of Nineveh and...the USA? For a long time the USA has been being protected by the Lord because we were friends of Israel. I think that's either gone now or at least headed downhill. I wonder if this story is a shadow and warning to the people of the US?

Maybe not but maybe...

 

[reba]

Psa_51:11 Cast me not away from thy presence; and take not thy holy spirit from me.
Isa_63:10 But they rebelled, and vexed his holy Spirit: therefore he was turned to be their enemy, and he fought against them.
Isa_63:11 Then he remembered the days of old, Moses, and his people, saying, Where is he that brought them up out of the sea with the shepherd of his flock? where is he that put his holy Spirit within him?

 

[Rollo Tamasi]

Thought this was quite an interesting article (book review) on how Christians today approach the Old Testament.

Excerpt:
No less than Jesus in the wilderness, we need every word that comes from the mouth of God.

David T. Lamb| July 31, 2017

What do Christians do with the Old Testament, with its weird laws, brutal violence, and unpredictable God? Some are confused by it, some are afraid of it, and some simply ignore it. Our confusion, fear, and avoidance of the Old Testament has led to a severe problem. Like a doctor examining a patient, Brent Strawn examines our Old Testament habits and makes a dire diagnosis that supplies the title of his new book: The Old Testament is Dying.


Strawn’s analysis is divided into three sections. The first two focus on the problem (Part 1: “The Old Testament as a Dying Language” and Part 2: “Signs of Morbidity”), while the final section offers a solution (Part 3: “Path to Recovery”). Strawn’s grave assessment should cause great concern to any who believe, along with Paul the apostle, that all Scripture is divinely inspired and profitable for teaching (2 Tim. 3:16). But his suggested treatment should be a source of great hope.

Strawn bases his diagnosis on empirical data from a 2010 Pew Forum survey (inspired by Stephen Prothero’s 2007 book, Religious Literacy: What Every American Needs to Know—And Doesn’t). In addition, he draws on patterns of Old Testament usage in popular sermons, hymns, and songs, and in the Revised Common Lectionary (a daily Bible-reading plan used by certain Protestant denominations). Despite widespread claims of religiosity among the US population, Strawn’s evidence strongly suggests that most American Christians are relatively ignorant of basic truths about the Bible, particularly the Old Testament—and that trends in sermons and worship are contributing to the problem. For the most part, the Old Testament is ignored, and even when it isn’t, only a narrow selection of familiar texts are read, sung, or taught.


To convey the severity of the problem, Strawn uses two helpful metaphors (medical and linguistic), and terminology from these realms permeate the book. While the book’s title emphasizes the medical analogy (the Old Testament as dying patient), the linguistic analogy plays a larger role in illustrating the book’s point. Strawn conceives of the Old Testament as a language that has been disappearing due to neglect and avoidance by the church. When people fail to learn the language in its full complexity, they end up essentially recreating it in a simplified, pidgin form.

Continued at link: Man Shall Not Live on the New Testament Alone


Note: I have a "Christianity Today" subscription so please let me know if you cannot access the full article.

God Bless

How come no one ever asks me my opinion in all these polls?

 

[Brock]

How come no one ever asks me my opinion in all these polls?

What's your opinion?

 

[Rollo Tamasi]

What's your opinion?

Thank you kind sir.
I've always believed the Old Testament to be of great value.
Jesus read and taught from the Old Testament.
Do we need another reason to read it and study it and learn from it?

I understand that many Christians read only the New Testament but it goes beyond that today.
Christians have become a "type in a verse" on their electronic devices.
Sitting down and reading a whole book is fast becoming obsolete for far too many people.

 

[th1b.taylor]

Thank you kind sir.
I've always believed the Old Testament to be of great value.
Jesus read and taught from the Old Testament.
Do we need another reason to read it and study it and learn from it?

I understand that many Christians read only the New Testament but it goes beyond that today.
Christians have become a "type in a verse" on their electronic devices.
Sitting down and reading a whole book is fast becoming obsolete for far too many people.

Yes and without the Bible, the first 39 books, the remaining 27, the New Testament can and does give a very lopsided view of God. i.e. I hear it all of the time that God is Love and when I mention that God is also the God of Wrath they are shocked, but He is.

 

[Edward]

Thank you kind sir.
I've always believed the Old Testament to be of great value.
Jesus read and taught from the Old Testament.
Do we need another reason to read it and study it and learn from it?

I understand that many Christians read only the New Testament but it goes beyond that today.
Christians have become a "type in a verse" on their electronic devices.
Sitting down and reading a whole book is fast becoming obsolete for far too many people.

That's right Brother. Also, many times people will latch onto a favorite verse that agrees with their world view, and wont go any further. They'll go to church on sunday, one that agrees with their beliefs and take their word for it instead of doing their own homework.

I don't take anyones word for anything. Even if they seem to agree with me and say what I like. I'll go ahead and open up the verse they quote and then instead of reading just that verse, I'll read the whole chapter to get it in context and a better feel for it. I also do daily reading through BibleGateway.com and read a few chapters per day there. I've read the bible straight through a few times now, and am in the middle of reading it again. I'll probably just do that over and over after I finish because every time I reread it, I'll see something new. A new insight or something.

One other thing I notice sometimes is, sometimes when a pastor is wrong about something (we all are wrong at times being the nature of man), that many Christians will then reject anything and everything that the man says. As if he is a false prophet or something which is intentionally leading people astray. I don't think that's right. Anyone can make a mistake.

I've even heard real false prophets speak the truth on occasion. This is because the best lies are couched in the truth. So they take a morsel of truth and wrap lies around it.

I listen to children quite a bit also. Children speak truth many times. I've learned from children! God can speak through children. Rumor has it that there is some children pastoring churches in Brazil I think it was. Now that doesn't mean that we should believe everything children say. So when a respected pastor makes claims and throws some out scriptures out there with it...pause and go check them. Don't take his word for it, follow up by doing homework on it and see for yourself.

 

[for_his_glory]

That's right, Sister. All of the types and shadows hidden within the OT shine a lot of light on the NT.

That said, I can't help but notice the story of Nineveh in Jonah 3 that I was reading today and wonder about the similarities of Nineveh and...the USA? For a long time the USA has been being protected by the Lord because we were friends of Israel. I think that's either gone now or at least headed downhill. I wonder if this story is a shadow and warning to the people of the US?

Maybe not but maybe...

Hi Edward,
It very well could be a warning not only to the USA, but every nation as God does the calling, but many have either shut their ears to His call or have allowed themselves to fall prey to the false teachings that easily causes one to fall away from truth and believe a deceptive word of twisted scripture.

2 Chronicles 7:14 If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.