The Christian Bible - The Old and New Testament - Research Paper Example

Theology The Christian Bible is divided into two parts: The Old and New Testament. The Old Testament was written in Mesopotamia, based in Hebrew and compiled during the twelfth and second century BC (Encyclopedia Britannica). The New Testament is the second part of the Bible and was composed in between 117-138 AD in Eastern Europe. Three Christian denominations: Protestant, Roman Catholic and Greek Orthodox have thirty nine books of the Old Testament in common (Canon of the Bible). In the same way, these same Christian denominations also agree on twenty nine books of the New Testament. There is a lot of argument about the work presented in both parts of the Bible. The critics are divided into three groups over the words, vocabulary and presentation in the two different parts of the Bible. The first group is known as biblical minimalists who are critical of the Old Testament. Claiming it to have very little reliable and consistent history they are unsupportive of the text presented in the Old Testament (Thompson 1998). The second group is known as biblical maximists who refute the claims made by critics of the Old Testament. Using external evidence, this group shows the compatibility the Old Testament possesses. (Kitchen 2003) Thus, they see the Old Testament as a weighty and logical presentation of history. The third group is divided between the two. Understanding the history of events like the Israeli invasion, they accept some history presented in the Old Testament but reject others like Exodus and the Conquest (Denver 2003). This essay will discuss the projection and view of God in the Old and New Testament. Dawkins states that the God presented in the Old Testament is one who will be viewed with a very negative image by an individual (2007). This picture of God is shown to be remorseless, unjust and trivial. Also this view is shown as a bully who cleanses ethnicities and sexualities with a ruthless spirit. God’s pride is evident in the words "Then God said, "Let Us make man in Our image, after Our likeness; and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the birds of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creeps upon the earth." So God created man in His own image, in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them." (Genesis 1:26-27 RSV). In the same way, the New Testament states Jesus to be God. This presentation of God is shown to be humble, loving and mild. Every aspect of this God cherishes creation and is protective and caring about nature. This role of God is evident in the lines "For us there is but one God, the Father, from whom all things came and for whom we live; and there is but one Lord, Jesus Christ, through whom all things came and through whom we live" (1 Corinthians 8:6). Thus, the God presented in the New Testament is not proud or wrathful instead, caring for those around him. One of the most important aspects of both the Testaments is considered to be the will of God. Any moral or ethical decision that is made by a follower must fulfill the morals and wills decided upon by the Lord. This is evident in the New Testament which states “Doing God's will is not merely a matter of words but of concrete acts of obedience (Matt. 21:28-31)”. Thus a satisfaction of God’s will was a concrete way of accepting and winning his love and comfort. However, a review of the two Testaments seeks to explain that the God presented in them is not so different after all. The first image of this is the historic background behind the two Testaments. While many only notice the consequences resulting in God’s reaction, they miss the causes creating it. The individuals that were practicing Christianity were supremely different during the revelation of both the Testaments. When the Old Testament was revealed to the people, their lives made only one trait stand above the rest: absolute and complete power (Johnson 2009). It was only the powerful and physically apt that could defeat countries and seize power. Thus, anyone who had a raw sense of power was also seen as the most authoritative figure. This made it necessary for the God in the Old Testament to be presented in all his strength and capabilities. To win over the masses it was essential for God to show one of his numerous qualities: supremacy and influence above the rest. It was this kind of quality that would be needed to win over the people. In the New Testament God was presented in a kinder light. This was not because God had changed. The essence remained the same but the people who were presented these scriptures had changed themselves. Living in a less harsh and advanced life, love and kindness were important to win over these followers. Jesus brought a message that would appeal to the raw emotions of every follower: unadulterated goodness. Thus, in the New Testament God showed another side of his omniscient being: righteousness and integrity. The Old Testament was incapable of showing this kindness which would be viewed by the followers as a weakness which reduced the true essence of the Lord. Thus, while the Old Testament showed a powerful and capable God, the New Testament showed one who would bear harshness and still love to show that no trait could overcome any true power. This idea of time is important because it shows the diversity and capability of God, not a specific Lord. There is also the idea that God was indeed loving and kind in both the Testaments. While there is proof of God’s love in the New Testament through lines which show God’s mercy as He sent Jesus down onto the world “He was God's agent in creating the world (Colossians 1:16) and “He is God's agent in reconciling people to God (2 Corinthians 5:18,19).” The Old Testament in itself is not lacking in the love and kindness of God. This is evident in the lines “In all their distress he too was distressed, and the angel of his presence saved them. In his love and mercy he redeemed them; he lifted them up and carried them all the days of old (Isaiah 63:9).” These lines are clear evidence of the love held by God for his followers. Not only does this provide a clear vision of God’s love but also His protective spirit as He saves his people. A study of the Old and New Testament is enlightening and helpful to any individual. If the religious aspect of the course is removed, there are various other genres that are presented in both parts of the Bible. These include an education on history, psychology and the core essence of humanity itself. While many are divided between the works of the Testaments, only an unbiased and open eye will reveal the true works that reside within the text. This course was helpful because it gave the individual an opportunity to recognize and present their own views on the religious theology. No enforcements or compulsions were necessary as the objective was to learn, not preach. The Bible in itself is a book which is a worthy read, not from a religious objective as was suspected earlier. Instead, a deep reading of the book presented the views and opinions that can apply and help humanity in their quest for fulfillment and satisfaction, even today. Works Cited List of books in the Christian Bible, Roman Catholic Bible and Greek Orthodox Bible, Canon of the Bible, 18 August 2009 < http://www.bible.ca/b-canon-orthodox-catholic-christian-bible-books.htm> Dawkins R, The God of the Old Testament, Dwindling in Unbelief, August 18, 2009 < http://dwindlinginunbelief.blogspot.com/2007/02/god-of-old-testament-richard-dawkins.html> Dever W, Who Were the Early Israelites and Where Did They Come from?, Eerdmans, 2003 Encyclopedia Britannica, Old Testament, 18 August 2009 http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/427211/Old-Testament Johnson C, God in the Old and New Testament, 18 August 2009 < http://mb-soft.com/public/godotnt.html> Kitchen K,. On the Reliability of the Old Testament. Grand Rapids and Cambridge: William B. Eerdmans Publishing Company, 2003 Thomson T, Qumran Between the Old and New Testament , Sheffield Academic Press: Sheffield, 1998 Read More