The Old Testament lays the foundation for the teachings and events found in the New Testament. The Bible is a progressive revelation. If you skip the first half of any good book and try to finish it, you will have a hard time understanding the characters, the plot, and the ending.
In the same way, the New Testament is only completely understood when it is seen as a fulfillment of the events, characters, laws, sacrificial system, covenants, and promises of the Old Testament.
1. Leviticus 25:44 states that I may possess slaves, both male and female, provided they are purchased from neighboring nations. Why can't I own Mexicans and Canadians?
2. I would like to sell my daughter into slavery, as sanctioned in Exodus 21:7. What would be a fair price for her in today's economy?
3. I know that I am allowed no contact with a woman while she is in her period of Menstrual uncleanliness Lev.15: 19-24. The problem is how do I tell? I have tried asking, but most women take offense.
4. I have a neighbor who insists on working on the Sabbath. Exodus 35:2 clearly states he should be put to death. Am I morally obligated to kill him myself, or should I ask the police to do it?
5. Eating shellfish is an abomination, Lev. 11:10, Is it a lesser abomination than homosexuality. Are there 'degrees' of abomination?
6. Lev. 21:20 states that I may not approach the altar of God if I have a defect in my sight. Does that mean I don't have to go to church? But...if I work on the Sabbath, I should be put to death. Hmmmmm.
7. Most of my male friends get their hair trimmed, including the hair around their temples, even though this is expressly forbidden by Lev. 19:27. Should they die?
8. I know from Lev. 11:6-8 that touching the skin of a dead pig makes me unclean, but may I still play football if I wear gloves?
9. My uncle has a farm. He violates Lev.19:19 by planting two different crops in the same field, as does his wife by wearing garments made of two different kinds of thread (cotton/polyester blend).He also tends to curse and blaspheme a lot. Is it really necessary that we go to all the trouble of getting the whole town together to stone them? Lev.24:10-16.
Couldn't we just burn them to death at a private family affair, like we do with people who sleep with their in-laws? (Lev. 20:14)
In the same way, the New Testament is only completely understood when it is seen as a fulfillment of the events, characters, laws, sacrificial system, covenants, and promises of the Old Testament.
1. Leviticus 25:44 states that I may possess slaves, both male and female, provided they are purchased from neighboring nations. Why can't I own Mexicans and Canadians?
2. I would like to sell my daughter into slavery, as sanctioned in Exodus 21:7. What would be a fair price for her in today's economy?
3. I know that I am allowed no contact with a woman while she is in her period of Menstrual uncleanliness Lev.15: 19-24. The problem is how do I tell? I have tried asking, but most women take offense.
4. I have a neighbor who insists on working on the Sabbath. Exodus 35:2 clearly states he should be put to death. Am I morally obligated to kill him myself, or should I ask the police to do it?
5. Eating shellfish is an abomination, Lev. 11:10, Is it a lesser abomination than homosexuality. Are there 'degrees' of abomination?
6. Lev. 21:20 states that I may not approach the altar of God if I have a defect in my sight. Does that mean I don't have to go to church? But...if I work on the Sabbath, I should be put to death. Hmmmmm.
7. Most of my male friends get their hair trimmed, including the hair around their temples, even though this is expressly forbidden by Lev. 19:27. Should they die?
8. I know from Lev. 11:6-8 that touching the skin of a dead pig makes me unclean, but may I still play football if I wear gloves?
9. My uncle has a farm. He violates Lev.19:19 by planting two different crops in the same field, as does his wife by wearing garments made of two different kinds of thread (cotton/polyester blend).He also tends to curse and blaspheme a lot. Is it really necessary that we go to all the trouble of getting the whole town together to stone them? Lev.24:10-16.
Couldn't we just burn them to death at a private family affair, like we do with people who sleep with their in-laws? (Lev. 20:14)
One wonders who to believe when there are so many different religions and interpretations of "holy books."
No comments:
Post a Comment