Question from Steve Lawerence

This entry was posted on 4/23/2007 8:08 AM and is filed under uncategorized.

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• 6/11/2007 5:22 PM CHAD wrote:
  "Does this passage teach that every story in the Old Testament is about Jesus or points to Jesus?"
  
  Steve-
  
  Great question...something I am working through myself as I think, and re-think my hermeneutic. I just have a couple comments/questions that may or may not be helpful, or at least clarify your question for me. Perhaps more can weigh in on this. I'm thinking we may need to make a distinction between the phrases "about Jesus", and "points to Jesus". I think there is a difference between the two. To say that every story in the OT is "about" Jesus seems to lend itself to a more "allegorical" approach to the OT. Which I would not agree with. But to say that every story in the OT "points" to Jesus makes more sense. Saying every passage "points" does not necessarily mean that Christ must be read into every passage, or that Christ is hidden behind every passage. Rather, it is to say that given the overarching theme of Scripture (which I believe to be Redemption), the Old Testament anticipates (Beginning with Gen. 3:15)the coming of the Redeemer, Christ. I think there is a case to be made for this in every passage of the OT, even in Wisdom Lit. The effects of the Fall are evident in every book of the OT. You mentioned Ecclesiastes, which is filled with the "meaningless" life brought about by the fall. Of course, Jesus is not specifically mentioned in the book of Ecclesiastes, or can I say that the writer had Christ specifically in mind. I would say, however, that Ecclesiastes is pointing to Christ in a general sense. The writer of Ecc. ends with the words, "The conclusion, when all has been heard, is: fear God and keep His commandments, because this applies to every person. For God will bring every act to judgment, everything which is hidden, whether it is good or evil." No person "fears God" completely, nor can they because of the fall. Thus, only Jesus Christ could perfectly "fear God" in perfect obedience. Which is evident in the NT. So my answer to your question:
  
  Surely every OT story (or even every OT book) does not point to this (i.e. Easter, Ecclesiastes,etc.)?
  
  is yes; though, perhaps not explicitly stated. To say that every passage of the OT points to Christ, assumes a more general (i.e. themes, typology, etc) view of scripture, although you still have to maintain the specifics(words/phrases) in your interpretation. In other words, when reading the OT (or any passage) you must try to understand it taking into consideration the authors original intent. However, you must also take into account the scriptures overarching themes fleshed out within the bounds of progressive revelation. Key to this is the understanding that the "ultimate" author of scripture is God who sees the big picture, where as man (human agents / original OT authors)understood mainly within their immediate contexts.
  
  For what its worth...
  
  Chad
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• 7/16/2007 1:53 PM CHAD wrote:
  STEVE:
  
  I THOUGHT THIS LINK WOULD BE HELPFUL IN THIS PARTICULAR DISCUSSION. IT TENDS TO SUM UP WHAT I WAS TRYING TO COMMUNICATE IN MY LAST POST. LET ME KNOW WHAT YOU THINK.
  
  http://www.desiringgod.org/ResourceLibrary/TasteAndSee/ByDate/2005/1284_How_Christ_Fulfilled_and_Ended_the_Old_Testament_Regime/
  
  CHAD
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