Does the Church believe that Christ was the fulfilment of Old Testament Prophecies?

[Kerwin]

I recently went to a lecture about the bible given by the head priest at our church. He said several things which I strongly disagree with. I’m trying to find out if these are specifically his beliefs, or are now the teachings of the Church.

His main point was that there are no predictive prophesies contained in the Old Testament. It was just peoples interpretation of events, as they saw things looking back through history. ie. When they wrote about Isaiah and the description of the suffering servent, it was written about someone who lived at the time of Isaiah, and not about Christ. The prophecies about the cities of Tyre and Sidon were written after the cities were torn down. It is only with hind sight that we see Christ throught the Old Testament, it was not God revealing the coming Messiah through the prophets.

His interpretation is that the Old Testament (and I believe he feels similarly about most of the New Testament) are just normal peoples feeling on how they see God. They were not inspired by the Holy Spirit, and it is not in-errant.

Are these specifically his beliefs? Any pointers to Church teachings would be greatly appreciated.

 

[ALLFORHIM]

Hi,

Wow, I hope that was only his beliefs and not the CC beliefs. Every book of the OT paints us a picture of Christ in some way. Yes the OT is full of prophecy and the NT was the fullfillment of OT prophesy. If you did a study of propphecy fullfilled(unless you have) it is amazing. I am studying the book of Daniel right now and we are about to get into his prophecy of end times. Im so excited

Sorry I didnt give you the CC teachings as I am not catholic.I just saw your thread and had an overwhelming urge to want to respond

 

[thistle]

I recently went to a lecture about the bible given by the head priest at our church. He said several things which I strongly disagree with. I’m trying to find out if these are specifically his beliefs, or are now the teachings of the Church.

His main point was that there are no predictive prophesies contained in the Old Testament. It was just peoples interpretation of events, as they saw things looking back through history. ie. When they wrote about Isaiah and the description of the suffering servent, it was written about someone who lived at the time of Isaiah, and not about Christ. The prophecies about the cities of Tyre and Sidon were written after the cities were torn down. It is only with hind sight that we see Christ throught the Old Testament, it was not God revealing the coming Messiah through the prophets.

His interpretation is that the Old Testament (and I believe he feels similarly about most of the New Testament) are just normal peoples feeling on how they see God. They were not inspired by the Holy Spirit, and it is not in-errant.

Are these specifically his beliefs? Any pointers to Church teachings would be greatly appreciated.

Yes the Church believes Christ fulfilled the OT laws and prophecies.
This is shown at the Transfiguration when Moses and Elijah appear with Jesus and seen by Peter, James and John. The appearance of Moses and Elijah is to show that Christ has fulfilled the OT laws (Moses) and prophecies (Elijah) and Peter, James and John were witnesses to that.

 

[Sam88]

Clearly the beliefs you heard presented do not reflect the teaching of the church, which is and has always been clear that the OT contains prophesy which includes predictions that were later fulfilled. There are numerous references. For example, the catechism says " Indeed, “the economy of the Old Testament was deliberately SO oriented that it should prepare for and declare in prophecy the coming of Christ, redeemer of all men.” (122).

One clear proof for such predictive prophesy can be found in Luke 24, where Jesus himself explaines the OT at some length to two disciples, interpreting for them many pasages that referred to himself. So Jesus himself is recorded in scripture as stating that certain OT prophesies written long before were referring to him.

It is also unquestionable church teaching that all of the scripture is inspired by the Holy Spirit, and that it is inerrant although it may obviously be misunderstood or misapplied. For some references on inerrancy, try the article at:
catholic.com/thisrock/1992/9211frs.asp

It is sad that a priest would communicate such misunderstanding, but occasionally it happens. Unfortuantely, priests are not inerrant. Pray for you priest.

 

[buffalo]

Big time. There are over 700 prophesies in the OT fulfilled Jesus. The odds of that happening by chance have been calculated to something like this:

Go into the Sahara desrt blindfolded and on your first try pick up the only grain of sand painted red. It is amazing.

 

[buffalo]

**One chance in millions | December 23
**
A Jewish scholar who became a Christian and who knew the Old Testament very well and all of the traditions of the Jews, said that at the time of Christ the rabbis had gathered together 456 prophecies concerning the Messiah, the Christ, the conqueror of evil who was to be born and to enter into a new covenant with mankind. Suppose the chances of any one prophecy being fulfilled by accident, say the place where he would be born, was one in a hundred.
Then, if two prophecies were fulfilled, the chances would be one in a thousand. If three prophecies were to coincide in Christ, that would be one in ten thousand. If four, one in a hundred thousand. If five, one in a million. Now if all of these prophecies were fulfilled in Christ, what would be the chance of them all concurring at the appointed moment, not only in place but also in time, as was foretold by the prophet Daniel? Take a pencil and write on a sheet of paper the numeral 1, and draw a line beneath it. Under the line write 84, and after 84, if you have time, write 126 zeros. That is the chance of all of the prophecies of Christ being fulfilled. It runs into millions and millions, trillions and trillions.

 

[kleary]

I recently went to a lecture about the bible given by the head priest at our church. He said several things which I strongly disagree with. I’m trying to find out if these are specifically his beliefs, or are now the teachings of the Church.

His main point was that there are no predictive prophesies contained in the Old Testament. It was just peoples interpretation of events, as they saw things looking back through history. ie. When they wrote about Isaiah and the description of the suffering servent, it was written about someone who lived at the time of Isaiah, and not about Christ. The prophecies about the cities of Tyre and Sidon were written after the cities were torn down. It is only with hind sight that we see Christ throught the Old Testament, it was not God revealing the coming Messiah through the prophets.

His interpretation is that the Old Testament (and I believe he feels similarly about most of the New Testament) are just normal peoples feeling on how they see God. They were not inspired by the Holy Spirit, and it is not in-errant.

Are these specifically his beliefs? Any pointers to Church teachings would be greatly appreciated.

That is absurd. It was prophecied that the Messiah would be crucified, some thousand or so years before crucifixion was invented as a capital punishment.

“I am poured out like water, and all my bones are out of joint: my heart is like wax; it is melted in the midst of my bowels. For dogs have compassed me: the assembly of the wicked have inclosed me: they pierced my hands and my feet. I may tell all my bones: they look [and] stare upon me.” Psalm 22:14,16,17

Now you go and tell father that and see what he says. It is a shame apostasy from truth has come. Be on gaurd and KNOW the CATHOLIC FAITH.

Ken

 

[NotWorthy]

It begins with Gen. 3:15.

Read Psalm 22, and say that Jesus’ Passion doesn’t fulfill this.

Look at Isaiah’s 4th servant song, chapters 52-53 and tell me that it doesn’t point to Jesus.

How about any of the promises that God made to Abraham? Or David?

There are many, many more, but these come to mind.

 

[Reformed_Rob]

When they wrote about Isaiah and the description of the suffering servent, it was written about someone who lived at the time of Isaiah, and not about Christ. The prophecies about the cities of Tyre and Sidon were written after the cities were torn down. It is only with hind sight that we see Christ throught the Old Testament, it was not God revealing the coming Messiah through the prophets.

Are these specifically his beliefs? Any pointers to Church teachings would be greatly appreciated.

I might venture to say though that the priest probably didn’t come up with that on his own. Probably he was taught it at whatever seminary he went to, or less likely but possible, read some books by guys that teach that sort of stuff.

Bottom line, your priest person is not alone in his beliefs. Probably he could develop why he believes that fairly well, and they may have some valid points on some things. But stick to the Catechism and remember…

Catholicism has a very deep roots in the typological interpretation of Scripture which involves fulfilled prophecies. The early Fathers were all about that type of thing. Our faith doesn’t rise and fall on the religious theories of secular scholarship.

 

[lak611]

The Catholic Church believes in the inerrancy of Scripture. Christ is the fulfillment of the Old Testament prophecies. There is nothing in the Bible that contradicts the tradition of the Church. The Bible clarifies everything that the Church teaches. If it was not for the Bible, I probably would not be a Catholic. However, reading the Bible shows me the Truth of the Catholic faith, the Truth that is our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ. :bible1: