Jigsaw-Puzzle Theology

I was recently reading an article and came across this statement:

Only by gathering everything the New Testament says on a subject and logically fitting it all together can one arrive at the truth.

This is a perfect description of what I have in recent years called "jigsaw puzzle theology".

We're well-aware that the New Covenant is "not like" the Old (Jer 31:31), with its lists of rules clearly written in stone for all to see.

The problem is that we think the difference is that now we have *different* rules, which are not clearly listed for all to see, but are a hidden treasure, scattered throughout the last 27 books of the Bible, findable only by those who hunt hard enough, who have the right way of thinking, who have been properly trained in the nuances of distinguishing which examples are binding and which are not, which commands are binding and which were simply culture-related and not binding today, who are as smart and as sincere and as diligent as we are.

In the Old Covenant, God was clear and specific about the rules; in the New, God expects us to be jigsaw puzzle masters or to burn forever in torment.

I don't believe that's what Jesus meant when he said, "Come unto me, for my yoke is easy and my burden is light".

Originally published at:
http://kentwest.blogspot.com/2014/11/jigsaw-puzzle-theology.html