Why Study the Old Testament

1
Why Study the Old Testament?

• Because you dont want to be a heretic!
• Marcion (c. 160)
• F.D.E Scheiermacher, Adolf Von Harnack
• Evangelicals confess that the whole Bible is
  God's self revelation the very word of God.
• Prophets -'thus says the Lord (e.g. Isaiah
  2816)
• Jn. 10.35 - The Scripture cannot be broken.

2
Why the OT?

• Because I want to know God!
• It is very difficult, if not impossible, to
  develop an accurate understanding of the person
  and character of God apart from the OT.
• Sovereignty, justice, holiness of God

3
Why the OT?

• Because I want to understand the Christian
  gospel!
• If you do not know the OT you will not understand
  covenant theology, and if you don't understand
  covenant theology, you won't fully understand
  the gospel.

4
Why the OT?

• Because I want to be a Christian disciple!
• Cf. Matt. 517ff, Eph. 61ff
• Because the Christian witness depends upon
  knowing the OT
• A fully rounded biblical worldview depends on a
  knowledge of the OT.