Feb 1989 - Editorial

Our leading article this month illustrates the close connection between Old Testament characters and New Testament teaching. Comparisons and contrasts are drawn in Scripture in such a way as to leave no doubt in the reader's mind that the New Testament writers, by inspiration, wrote of Old Testament people and events as being strictly historical.

For Paul, such important matters as the person of Christ and the doctrine of the gospel are explained in the light of the Genesis account of the first man. There is an unbreakable link between Adam and the Lord. Apart from the sin of Adam and Eve the gospel would be superfluous and the Lord's death an irrelevance. The many firm bridges such as these between the Old and New Testaments confirm to us the unity of Scripture. The Bible is not a library of diverse books, but one Book with closely related parts.

Although most Jews would acknowledge Old Testament prophecies of the Messiah, a crucified Christ is not in their thinking. But they reverence the Old Testament and many are careful to act in accordance with its precepts. Focus comments on the dilemma which faces them as a separated people in the modern world. How do they bring up their children in a liberal society so as to preserve their pure lineage from Gentile admixture? The Word gives clear guidance on such matters, as also it does for the Christian, whose objective must always be to "nurture them in the chastening and admonition of the Lord" (Eph. 6:4).

unknown | Feb 1989
Editorial