The Bible’s enduring authority and relevance in modern times are a testament to its profound impact on human history. Despite skepticism and misconceptions, the Bible remains a vital source of guidance and wisdom. However, its true intent is often obscured by ignorance and preconceptions.
As we delve into the Bible’s secrets, several questions arise:
– Why are there an Old and New Testament?
– Is a ‘Covenant’ the same as a ‘Testament’?
– Why did Jesus the Messiah not come sooner to die on the cross?
– How do people in the Old Testament get ‘saved’?
– Did God divorce the Jews to marry the Church?
– If Jesus fulfilled the ‘law’, how do we know when we’re sinning?
– Did Paul and the Apostles use the same Bible as we do today?
These questions are crucial to understanding the Bible’s narrative and its relevance to our lives. By exploring these mysteries, we can gain a deeper appreciation for the Bible’s timeless message and its significance in our world today.
To grasp the Bible’s significance, we must explore its structure and content. The division into Old and New Testaments, the concept of covenants, and the relationship between the two testaments are essential to understanding its message.
The terms “Covenant” and “Testament” are often used interchangeably, but they have distinct meanings. A covenant refers to a binding agreement between God and His people, while a testament refers to a written document or a witness to that covenant. The Latin Vulgate’s use of “testamentum” led to the division of the Bible into Old and New Testaments, which can be misleading. In reality, the Bible contains seven covenants, each with its unique significance and purpose:
– Adamic, Noahic, Abrahamic, Mosaic, Phineas, Davidic, and reNEWed – reveal God’s progressive plan of salvation and relationship with humanity. The reNEWed covenant, established through Jesus Christ, supersedes the Mosaic covenant, offering a new path to salvation.
Under the Mosaic Covenant, blood sacrifices were necessary for cleansing and atonement when the Law was broken. However, in the reNEWed covenant, Jesus Christ offered His own body as a sacrifice on the cross, providing purification once and for all for those who have faith (Hebrews 10:10, 14). God deemed the Mosaic covenant flawed due to humanity’s inability to fulfill its requirements. Because of His love and promise to Abraham, God superseded the Mosaic covenant’s demands and established the reNEWed covenant/B’rit Chadashah through Christ’s blood (Hebrews 8:8-13).
In this new covenant, God would write His law (Torah) on people’s hearts and minds, minus the Levitical priesthood (Hebrews 7:12-28). This echoes Jeremiah’s prophecy (Jeremiah 31:31, 33; Ezekiel 36:26-28), which foretells the Holy Spirit’s indwelling presence, teaching and guiding believers to follow God’s commandments/Torah (John 14:26; Psalm 23:3-4; Romans 8:9-11).
The Bible’s authority is rooted in its divine inspiration, as stated in 1 Timothy 3:16-17. However, the context of this passage reveals that Paul was referring to the Old Testament, not the New Testament.
The notion of orthodoxy or “right doctrine” suggests a peaceful and consensual agreement on certain truths and doctrines throughout centuries. However, this narrative assumes that only a few have dared to question it, and that “heretics” have attempted to tamper with “right doctrine” but failed. We were taught to accept this absolute narrative without question, warned that challenging it would go against 2,000 years of tradition.
Mainstream Christianity presents a harmonious consensus, labeling questioners as opponents of the Spirit-led majority. Yet, tradition and orthodoxy have often preserved truths through fear and control, suppressing opposing ideas. Ironically, modern Evangelicalism distances itself from Catholic teachings while relying on Catholic-established councils, doctrines, and creeds.
Church history reveals unrest, conflict, and bloodshed over orthodoxy. With easy access to historical records, it’s time to rethink the myth of orthodoxy and re-evaluate our teachings.
To truly comprehend the Bible, we must adopt a new perspective, recognizing its historical and cultural context. We must read it with the understanding of its original audience, rather than imposing modern interpretations.
By reevaluating our approach to the Bible and Church history, we can unlock a deeper understanding of God’s character and supernatural ways. It’s time to rethink the myth of orthodoxy and embrace a more nuanced understanding of the Bible’s timeless message.
