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Why Read the Old Testament? An exploration of perspective.

Welcome to our online study "Why Read the Old Testament?"  This four week class was offered at Atonement Lutheran Church April and May of 2007.  Our online version of the study includes slides, lecture and conversation from those classes.  We hope you enjoy them.

Session 1 is an exploration of the question.  Why do we read the Old Testament and why is it so difficult?  There are several ways to engage these wonderful old books.  The class decided they wanted to look at the Old Testament "Christolgically."  That is with the question of how to better understand and proclaim Jesus in mind.

Session 2 began this endeavor with a conversation on what it means to believe in Jesus as the "crucified Messiah" instead of the "anticipated messiah" of Jewish political hopes and dreams.  Dual Old Testament theologies of "exclusion" and "inclusion" as suggested in the books of Judges and Ruth were consdiered.  When we read the Old Testament believing in the crucified Messiah some of these stories begin to take on a new light.

Session 3 continues the discussion of dual theologies found in the Old Testament - this time around stories of "kings" and "prophets."  Governments and kings work with the tools of statecraft, war and power.  How does the Old Testament understand and deal with these realties in the light of God and God's teachings?  Certainly the prophets of old often took "the house of David" - the government - to task.  Is there a "right and wrong" here? Was the crucified Messiah more prophet or more king - or both?

Session 4  revisits the question of how to consider Old Testament materials in a Christ-centered fashion.  Pastor Dave offers his personal approach to such an interpretation and encourages you to make decisions for yourself.