The Old Testament (OT) is often misunderstood or disregarded by some Christians, who may see it as less relevant than the New Testament (NT). However, the OT holds enduring authority as the Word of God for Christians. Its authority is rooted in its divine inspiration, its foundational role in revealing God’s character and plan, and its integral connection to the life and teachings of Jesus Christ.
First, the OT is divinely inspired and authoritative because it is the Word of God. As the apostle Paul writes in 2 Timothy 3:16-17:
“All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.”
When Paul speaks of “Scripture,” he primarily refers to the OT because the NT had not yet been fully written or canonized. This passage affirms that the OT is divinely inspired and useful for the Christian life. It reveals the will of God, provides moral instruction, and offers a foundation for understanding righteousness and faith. Christians believe that the entire Bible, including the OT, is God’s self-revelation and thus carries divine authority.
Second, the OT lays the groundwork for understanding the character of God and His redemptive plan for humanity. In the OT, God reveals Himself as Creator, Judge, and Redeemer. It contains the covenant promises that God made with Israel, which are crucial for understanding the fulfillment of those promises in the NT. For instance, the Abrahamic covenant (Genesis 12:1-3), the Mosaic covenant (Exodus 19-20), and the Davidic covenant (2 Samuel 7) all point forward to the coming of Jesus Christ, who fulfills these promises.
Moreover, the OT contains numerous prophecies and typologies that foreshadow the Messiah. The writings of the prophets, such as Isaiah, Micah, and Jeremiah, repeatedly speak of a future Savior who would establish God’s kingdom and bring redemption. Christians believe that these promises are fulfilled in Jesus Christ, the Messiah, which gives the OT enduring significance for the Christian faith. Jesus Himself emphasized the continuity between the OT and His mission. In Matthew 5:17, He says:
“Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them.”
Here, Jesus affirms the authority of the OT by stating that His work does not replace it but brings it to completion. He upheld the teachings of the OT and referred to them throughout His ministry.
Finally, the OT serves as the foundation for much of Christian doctrine and ethical teaching. The moral law of the Ten Commandments, the call to love God and neighbor, and the wisdom literature of Proverbs and Psalms all contribute to shaping Christian character and behavior. While some ceremonial and civil aspects of the OT law are no longer binding on Christians, its moral teachings are timeless, as they reflect the holy nature of God.
In conclusion, the OT retains its authority as the Word of God for Christians because it is divinely inspired, reveals God’s character and plan, and is foundational to the Christian understanding of salvation through Jesus Christ. To disregard the OT would be to ignore a significant portion of God’s revelation and the context in which Jesus’ life and mission make sense. Thus, for Christians, the OT remains an essential part of the Bible’s unified witness to God’s redemptive work.
