We read through the Old Testament and see story after story of how God has interacted with his people. This is the story of the Old Covenant and from this story we can learn very much. When we read the Gospels, again, we are reading about how God has interacted with his people, this time in the person of Jesus Christ, the second person of the Trinity. This too is the story of the Old Covenant and from this story we can learn much.
But we now no longer live under the Old Covenant. The epistles are very clear on this point (see Heb 8:13). Under the OC, the people of God were limited to the temporal and physical due to domination of death. Adam's fall into sin left man in bondage to death and cut off from access to heaven. When someone died, during OC time, that was it. He was left in a state of separation from God, waiting until the victory of Christ over death and a release from death. This is why all of the blessings in the OC were of a temporal and physical nature. Blessings of land, health, long life and many children were the means that God used.
But we are no longer in the Old Covenant.
In the epistles we see a radically different state of affairs. No longer do the blessings from God focus on the things of the earth. Celibacy is praised as better than marriage (ie, no children). Asceticism is encouraged (self deprivation, not fatness and wealth). A change of heart manifested in love for neighbor is the sign of godliness and obedience, not the external following of a law written in stone.
Our reading of the Old Testament is very valuable and helpful for our sanctification but can only be understood and applied to our lives when we rightly understand this extremely important distinction between the covenants.
Sunday, July 26, 2015
A whole new world
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This is very interesting and informative. The distinction between the Old and the New appears to be a persistent stumbling block to understanding, as evidenced by the common complaint that Christians decline to compromise on morality but don't abstain from eating shellfish or touching pigskin (ie, Levitical law). Personally, I think people should be more embarrassed by not comprehending that Christianity isn't Judaism, and rectify that before continuing their accusations. That aside, I know people are no longer in Abrahams Bosom but I had never given thought to the transformation of blessings or the focus on asceticism. The change in heart issue seems clear though. This perspective seems well in keeping with Jesus's announcement that He came to fulfill the Law.
ReplyDeleteI am enjoying your musings very much, and look forward to reading more.
I would also like to correspond with you, if you have the time and inclination.
email addy is: carl_gets_mail@yahoo.com