The Word of God

The word God and the word of God are often viewed as being radically different in the Old and New Testaments. According to one theologian, "Understanding the difference between the Old and New Testaments is one of the most important foundations that must be laid to properly understand God's Word" (Introduction 2004, 1). There are many differences between the Word of God in the Old Testament and the New Testament. For example, mankind had no direct link to God in the Old Testament, save through the Law provided by Moses. In the New Testament, redemption from sin and everlasting grace as accessible to mankind through Jesus Christ. Others argue that there is no difference, with respect to consistency, between the Word of God in the Old and New Testaments. As Packer (2004) maintains, "God is the same God for all time. He does not change from the Old Testament to the New" (1). This analysis will demonstrate that though there are some discrepancies between the Word of God in the Old Testament and the New Testament, for the most part the Word of God is consistent in both texts.

The Old Testament most differs from the New Testament with respect to the Word God and the Word of God in its depiction of the relationship of God and mankind. In the Old Testament, there is no direct relationship between God and mankind. According to one Biblical scholar, we are provided with a definition of God in the Old Testament in the Book of Exodus, which le

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ed to him, and the wickedness of the wicked will be charged against him. But if a wicked man turns away from all the sins he has committed and keeps all my decrees and does what is just and right, he will surely live; he will not die" (Dettwiler 2004, 3). There are a number of other concepts related to the Word of God in the Old Testament that are consistent with the Word of God in the New Testament. One of these concepts has to do with the sinful nature of human beings. Sin is inherent in human beings and it is only through obedience to the Word of God that mankind can be saved. Though salvation is not achievable until the New Testament theology, we see in the Old Testament the same concepts. In Genesis 8:21 the "Lord" maintains, "Never again will I curse the ground because of man, even though every inclination of his heart is evil from childhood" (Dettwiler 2004, 1). Because of Christ our intimacy with God is possible, including our grace if we live in accordance with the Word of God. Yet in the Old Testament in Jeremiah 17:5-9, we see that concepts similar to salvation are addressed, an eternal promise of abundance if we adhere to the Word of God: "Cursed is the one who trusts in man, who depends on flesh for his stren

Category: Philosophy - T