In with the New, Out with the Old

I'll be starting the New Testament tonight, after having finished last night reading the Old Testament.

I'd like to point out that the terms "Old Testament" and "New Testament" really are misleading. Many Christians mistakenly believe that the "Old Testament" is old, and is no longer relevant. Many of these folks believe the Old Testament has been done away with, nailed to the Cross.

But that's not true.

It's true that the "Old Covenant" has been nailed to the Cross, but the "Old Testament" is not the same as the "Old Covenant" (although the words mean the same).

The "Old Covenant" is the Law of Moses only, a subset of the "Old Testament". The Law of Moses applied/applies only to the nation of Israel; it never applied to non-Jews. Even the Ten Commandments have no jurisdiction over non-Jews, as that was part of the covenant with Moses and Israel.

There are, however, other covenants in the "Old Testament" which were and are binding on all peoples, not just the Jews.

For example, the covenant to be fruitful and multiply and steward the Earth (scientific inquiry is a necessary part of stewarding the earth -- Science is a God-mandated endeavour) is an agreement given to all humans.

Also, the covenant to never again send an earth-destroying flood is a promise to Jew and non-Jew alike, as well as to the animals of the world. This same covenant also instituted the death penalty for murderers, and has never been rescinded.

There were also other covenants, but most of those were with individuals or other nations serving minor roles in the story.

The main point I'm trying to make: although the "Old Mosaic/Israelite Covenant" (which is found in the "Old Testament") was nailed to the Cross, the "Old Testament" itself was not. We, all humans, are still bound under contracts found in the Old Testament.