Letter to the editor on reconciling the OT and NT

[Atreyu]

My local newspaper has received several anti-Christian letters to the editor, describing discrepancies between the Old and New Testaments and comparing homosexuality with the ceremonial aspects of the Mosaic Law. In my next post, I will copy a draft of a letter I have written in response. Any comments people have would be greatly appreciated! And I would like to submit this letter within the next 4 hours if possible, or within the next 9 at the latest; by tomorrow morning (20 hours) at the absolute latest. So please be quick with your comments!

 

[Atreyu]

It can seem a difficult task to reconcile the harsh stories and laws of the Old Testament with the forgiving and merciful Jesus Christ presented in the New Testament. But it is a worthwhile task; and far from impossible.

Before Augustine of Hippo – that great doctor of the Western Church - converted to Christianity from Manicheism in the late fourth century, one of his biggest stumbling blocks was the perceived inaccuracy of the historicity of some of the Old Testament stories. As described in his Confessions, this difficulty was overcome when it was explained to him that these stories involved use of allegory. Now I know that some Christians insist on the absolute and literal historicity of the Bible, but I do not. I think that the stories may or may not be historical, but I think it is definitely possible that minor points may have been changed or adapted by the inspired writers of the Scriptures. However, I think the main point of these stories is the theological truths that they contain. This makes sense if we understand that one of the primary aims of the Jewish scripture is to teach and warn that sin results in (spiritual) death.

Which brings me to the story of the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah. Personally, I am not interested in whether or not these towns were literally destroyed. The much more important aspect of this story is in the theological truth that it teaches. The Earthly death of the inhabitants of the towns signifies that spiritual death is the result of sin. As Romans 6:23 says: “For the wages of sin is death”. In the case of these towns, the sins committed were sexual sins.

Augustine taught that written on every human heart is the Natural Law, which enables us to know what is right and what is wrong. But the stain of the Original Sin of Adam prevents us from definitively knowing what this Natural Law contains. Therefore the Old Testament prophets were sent to Earth to teach God’s chosen ones – the Jews – about this Natural Law. This was ultimately fulfilled in the fullness of revelation: Jesus Christ. As Jesus himself said, he came to fulfil the Law, not to abolish it.

But not every law written in the Old Testament is a part of this Natural Law. According to the Catholic Encyclopedia article on The Moral Aspect of the Divine Law, “The civil legislation of Moses had for its object to form and preserve a peculiar people for the worship of the one true God, and to prepare the way for the coming of the Messiah. The ceremonial laws of Moses were types and figures of the purer, more spiritual, and more efficacious sacrifice and sacraments of the New Law, and when these were instituted the former lost their meaning and value.” Therefore there is no need for Christians to follow these ceremonial or civil aspects of the Law, including the dietary restrictions.

On the other hand, we must still follow the moral aspects of the Mosaic Law, as summarised in the Ten Commandments. Sexual sin fits into the Sixth Commandment. As Jesus said in Matthew 5: “You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall not commit adultery.’ But I say to you that every one who looks at a woman lustfully has already committed adultery with her in his heart.” This sinful lust objectively includes homosexual lust, and other sins such as fornication.

The good news is that if we can overcome these sins, then we can attain eternal life with God. The even better news is that when we overcome these sins, we will literally be in Heaven on Earth. As God is omnipotent and as He created us, he knows us infinitely better than we can possibly know ourselves. Therefore to follow His Commandments is actually for our benefit. I know this to be true, as – like Augustine before me - I used to live such a sinful life. But I am happier now than I have ever been.

By the way, I do not claim to speak for God. This letter was written by a very fallible, sinful human who is more concerned with his own sin than with the sin of others. All that I have tried to do is to show that the Christian teachings on homosexuality and lust in general are reasonable. You are free to disagree with these teachings, but I am adamant that they are self-consistent.

 

[gardenswithkids]

Forgive me if I sound abrupt, but editors usually desire short letters that are direct and to the point. Cut the length dramatically or they probably won’t publish it. (Even if they did publish it, many wouldn’t read it or follow your train of thought because of the length.) Here’s an example of some changes to the first paragraph that make your point with fewer words.

It seems a difficult task to reconcile the harsh stories and laws of the Old Testament with the forgiving and merciful Jesus Christ, but it is a worthwhile and possible. .

Sorry, I don’t have much computer play time tonight to do more, but I hope this helps.

 

[Atreyu]

Cheers! And you didn’t sound abrupt in the slightest; far from it. Constructive criticism is what I want!

 

[francisca]

Now I know that some Christians insist on the absolute and literal historicity of the Bible, but I do not.

I agree with you on this one. The books of the bible may contain “some historical truths” but they were not written for historical purposes. In fact, even the chronicles were writen under the shadow of spiritual teaching instead of a mere collection of biography of kings, for example.

not every law written in the Old Testament is a part of this Natural Law.

This is a good point.

However, sin(s) result in death is not only about spiritual death (although this is the main point) but also natural death, such as sickness, restlesness, depression, chaos, and also-- yes I agree that this is the main point-- the ultimate eternal death as in the spiritual meaning.

The good news is that if we can overcome these sins, then we can attain eternal life with God. The even better news is that when we overcome these sins, we will literally be in Heaven on Earth.

The good news is not good enough if we focus on “ourselves” overcoming sins to attain God.

If we can overcome sins, surely we will go to heaven. But that is not “The Good News” yet (other religions teach this too). The Good News is what makes the difference between The Old testament and The New, and at the same time explain why the OT then and NT now.

We overcoming sins is the teaching of the law (the old testament). This way of thinking is perfected (in the new testament) when God proclaim that sin (singular, the source of sins-plural) is overcome by faith in God’s will (and God’s will is to save not to punish).

In the old testament God try to explain to us what “to sin” mean. By using “defiled food”, God taught us that sin is like “dirty/defiled food”, it causes sickness and ultimately death. If anything touch anything “defiled” would be defiled as well. Sins spread through contact is like defiled food and sick people spread desease. For example: gay people spread their desease through contact with others. So bad behavior from bad social contacts. Children learn bad things from hearing and seeing them (bad contacts). Bad things feed our anger (bad food) and we take them so we become more angry. To overcome this, the old testament teach us to stay away from anything defiled, through the law.

In the new testament, God then teach us how to be clean living in this defiled earth : by touching God. To be defiled is not from outward cause but inward (the world cannot defile us, but we can defile ourselves). Inward sin causes outward sins. Inward holiness couses holy actions. Outward holiness does not produce inward holiness but the otherway round does. In this way, the wold cannot defile us because God’s will is stronger than human’s: “not by our might but by the spirit of God.” The spirit of God is in us.

God’s spirit is explained here and there in the old testament (such as in Isiah, the above quote) but never really definitively clear until Jesus came.

Having said this, I think your letter make some pretty good points especially about the bible is not to be taken as historical, but spiritual/ theological, although historical truths present in them. The spiritual part (out of the historical part) of the bible then have to explain God’s spirit as the focus of The Good News in the new way of thinking in the new testament : again, “not by might but by God’s spirit”. Not what I do (outward action of holiness) but by believing in what God does for me (inward holiness). In this way the teaching of the Old testament is perfected (fulfilled) in our life. That we become holy (the doer of the law) but not by mere human effort to observe the law, but by trusting in God (who is love and mercy).

By the way, I do not claim to speak for God. This letter was written by a very fallible, sinful human who is more concerned with his own sin than with the sin of others.

We don’t speak for God, but God speak through us if we believe Him. He put His spirit upon us so that we speak His truth and-- ultimately, live His truth as well.

God bless you.

 

[Atreyu]

Does anyone else have any comments? Is my theology mostly accurate? Did I make any faux pas?

edit: Cheers Francisca, I only noticed your post after I made this post.

 

[francisca]

edit: Cheers Francisca, I only noticed your post after I made this post.

Cheers Atreyu.
Good luck on your letter to the editor. God bless you in your good effort so it will surely be fruitful.

 

[Atreyu]

I’ve decided to wait until tomorrow morning to submit this letter, so any more comments in the next 13 or 14 hours would be much appreciated!

 

[gardenswithkids]

I think the main point of these stories is the theological truths that they contain. This makes sense if we understand that one of the primary aims of the Jewish scripture is to teach and warn that sin results in (spiritual) death. Which brings me to the story of the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah. The important aspect of this story is in the theological truth that it teaches. The Earthly death of the inhabitants of the towns signifies that spiritual death is the result of sin. As Romans 6:23 says: “For the wages of sin is death”. In the case of these towns, the sins committed were sexual sins.

I’ll take a stab at more editing of the next two paragraphs. Much more cutting–all I did here was cut. I’d suggest you drop the discussion of Augustine altogether. I think your general theology is acceptable, but no need to invite criticism from those who believe in literal translation. You don’t need to address your opinions on literal vs figurative if you continue to focus on the spiritual truths in these stories Old Testament. (If literally true, as I’m personally inclined to believe, they *still *tell spiritual truths.)

 

[gardenswithkids]

Okay, I’m feeling a bit scissor happy, so I cut more of you last two paragraphs.

The good news is we can overcome sins, and when we overcome sins, we will be ____. As God is omnipotent and as He created us, he knows us infinitely better than we can possibly know ourselves. Therefore to follow His Commandments is actually for our benefit. Christian teachings on homosexuality and lust in general are ___________.

I’d suggest a diferent word such as “happier” or something rather than saying “heaven on earth”–that concept is way beyond what most will understand. Also, find a stronger word or phrase than “reasonable” for concluding. Maybe someting like “consistent with the natural law, the Old Testament and the New Testament”. I removed your personal stories since they weren’t the main focus of your letter. Also took out the last line that people are free to disagree–sounds too weak for ending and people already know they can disagree.

 

[Atreyu]

Thanks GWK!

 

[Atreyu]

Here is what I’ve got at the moment:
It seems a difficult task to reconcile the harsh stories and laws of the Old Testament with the forgiving and merciful Jesus Christ presented in the New Testament, but it is far from impossible.

Personally, I think the main point of the stories of the Old Testament is the theological truths that they contain. This makes sense if we understand that one of the primary aims of the Jewish scripture is to teach and warn that sin results in sickness, chaos and ultimately, death. This brings me to the story of the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah. The important aspect of this story is in the theological truth that it teaches: the Earthly death of the inhabitants of the towns signifies that spiritual death is the result of sin. As Romans 6:23 says: “For the wages of sin is death”. In the case of these towns, the sins committed were sexual sins.

Written on the heart of every human being is the Natural Law, which enables us to know what is right and what is wrong. But the stain of the Original Sin of Adam prevents us from definitively knowing what this Natural Law contains. Therefore the Old Testament prophets were sent to Earth to teach God’s chosen ones – the Jews – about this Natural Law. This was ultimately fulfilled in the fullness of revelation: Jesus Christ. As Jesus himself said, he came to fulfil the Law, not to abolish it.

Now, not every law written in the Old Testament is a part of this Natural Law. According to the Catholic Encyclopedia article on The Moral Aspect of the Divine Law, “The civil legislation of Moses had for its object to form and preserve a peculiar people for the worship of the one true God, and to prepare the way for the coming of the Messiah. The ceremonial laws of Moses were types and figures of the purer, more spiritual, and more efficacious sacrifice and sacraments of the New Law, and when these were instituted the former lost their meaning and value.” Therefore there is no need for Christians to follow these ceremonial or civil aspects of the Law, including the dietary restrictions.

On the other hand, we must still follow the moral aspects of the Mosaic Law, as summarised in the Ten Commandments. Sexual sin fits into the Sixth Commandment. As Jesus said in Matthew 5, “You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall not commit adultery.’ But I say to you that every one who looks at a woman lustfully has already committed adultery with her in his heart.” This sinful lust objectively includes homosexual lust, and other sins such as fornication.

Humans overcoming sins is the teaching of the Old Testament Law. This way of thinking is perfected in the New Testament when God proclaims that sin is overcome by faith in God’s will, and God’s will is to save not to punish.

As God is omnipotent and as He created us, he knows us infinitely better than we can possibly know ourselves. Therefore to follow His Commandments is actually for our benefit. One of these Commandments is to stay away from sexual sin, including homosexual sin. Of this, there can be no doubt.

By the way, I do not claim to speak for God. This letter was written by a very fallible, sinful human who is more concerned with his own sin than with the sin of others.
I should really be submitting it soon…

 

[Atreyu]

Submitted. Thanks for your help guys, I really appreciate it! I know it’s still a bit long, but hopefully not too long.