Old Testament Theology

Theology

This is most likely the easiest of the three features to write about. Simply because without Old Testament theology, it is impossible to understand the Gospels or the rest of the New Testament. It is the foundation by which we are provided access into the Kingdom of God. It the foundation by which we know that there is a Kingdom of God, or even how it works.

Let’s examine a few doctrinal points. The Old Testament allows Christians to understand that God is Creator. That is, Creator of everything both generally as well as specifically. This has great significance in a world that is run upon a foundation of evolutionary thought. Viewing God as Creator allows one to see that there is intention behind everything that is created, and that the universe is not the result of an act of chaos that results in more chaos, which leads to more chaos, that eventually culminates into order. This also provides hope for every individual in knowing that humans are not created from chaos either, instead there is intentional, intelligent, and loving design in the making of every human being on earth. With that intentional, intelligent and loving design comes a plan for everyone which leads to further hope in knowing that life is not meaningless, instead it is full of purpose. Now that purpose is either realized or potential, which is entirely left up to personal decision. Nonetheless that purpose is there and is very, very real.

Secondly, the idea that God desires to live among His people. Many Christians think that this was a new idea that was introduced when Jesus entered the scene. However, this could not be more untrue. God from the very beginning of history, from the time of Adam and Eve, God has shown a strong desire to be with his beloved Creation. With Adam and Eve, God was walking with them in the desert. With Noah, God shut the door to the ark, possibly suggesting that He was present with Noah and his family on the Ark. God is seen in a dream by Abraham walking between two piles of animal carcasses sealing the covenant that He initiated with Abraham. God physically wrestled with Isaac on his way to meet Esau at Penuel. Then lastly, but certainly not least, God had Israel make him a home in the form of a Tabernacle while they were on the sojourn in the wilderness. Now in the Tabernacle, there would always be a table and a chair with offerings on the table as though God were having dinner. There would always be incense burning that would exit the Tabernacle in the form of smoke, which would allow all of Israel to know that God was present within their midst. For the Israelites, this was not merely a spiritual presence, but a very real physical presence as well. God went so far as to have Israel create the Ark of the Covenant so He could be seen as going into battle with Israel. God has always wanted to be with his beloved creation. It was not a new idea that came into existence during the beginning of the New Testament. But it was preparation for the coming of the Messiah, God wanted to be with his Creation and he did so in the form of flesh and blood in the person of Jesus.