Q.
Do Christians need to read the Old Testament?
56
Q
Scriptural References
Matthew 1:22; 2:5, 15, 17, 23; Psalm 19:7–9, 22; Isaiah 55:10–11; Romans 9—11;
2 Timothy 3:14–17; 1 Peter 1:22–25; Revelation 22:18–19Suggested Additional Sources for Reading
- Rob Bell and Don Golden, Jesus Wants to Save Christians: A Manifesto for
the Church in Exile (Zondervan, 2008). - Mary C. Boys and Sara S. Lee, Christians and Jews in Dialogue: Learning in
the Presence of the Other (Skylight Paths Publishing, 2008). - Steve Bridge, Getting the Old Testament: What It Meant to Them, What It
Means for Us (Hendrickson, 2009). - Walter Brueggemann, The Prophetic Imagination, 2d edition (Fortress Press,
2001). - Ellen F. Davis and Richard B. Hays, eds., The Art of Reading Scripture
(Eerdmans, 2003). - Mark Driscoll, On the Old Testament (A Book You’ll Actually Read)
(Crossway, 2008). - John Goldingay, Old Testament Theology: Israel’s Gospel (InterVarsity Press,
2003). - Darrell Jodock, ed., Covenantal Conversations: Christians in Dialogue with
Jews and Judaism (Fortress Press, 2008). - Melody D. Knowles, ed., Contesting Texts: Jews and Christians in
Conversation about the Bible (Fortress Press, 2007). - Stephen J. Lennox, God’s Story Revealed: A Guide for Understanding the Old
Testament (Wesleyan Publishing House, 2009). - Christopher J. H. Wright, Walking in the Ways of the Lord (InterVarsity
Press, 1996).
Suggested Questions for Further Discussion/Thought
- What is your impression of the Old Testament? How was this impression
formed? - What can happen when Christians pick up parts of the Old Testament
without reading or understanding it? Give some examples. - Is the God of the Old Testament different from the God of the New
Testament? Why or why not? - What part of the Old Testament is the biggest turnoff for you?
- How has the Old Testament enriched your spiritual life? Helped you
understand the New Testament? Confi rmed to you that Jesus is who he
says he is?