God of the NT?

[Emmy]

Dear GraceAnn2. The Old Testament is a History of the Israelites and their Prophets. God was establishing His Kingdom, and the Israelites were surrounded by Heathen-Tribes and their cruel gods. There was much fighting and killing on both sides. In time Jesus came and showed us God as He really is: a loving Heavenly Father who is all Love, and that is a fact. When Jesus told us that He did not come to do away with the Old Testament, but came to fulfill it, Jesus was telling us that He was the prophesied Messiah, which Isaiah talked about, and Jesus affirmed it. I say this with love, GraceAnn. Greetings from Emmy, sister in Christ.

 

[razeontherock]

Is the God of the NT the same angry God of the OT? I have heard things that make me scared to death to read the OT. (no kidding) Yet all of the Bible should be read I would assume.

Welcome to CF! I have read the whole thread, and those engaging you here make me proud to call myself a Christian! I sense much love towards you, and also a sincerity within you.

Let me point out that G-d is not some old bearded guy in the sky waiting to strike you dead at your first mistake. He doesn't even want to make sure you never have any fun!

He actually LOVES you, enjoys your company, and has made room for your personality in His Kingdom. When believers say something you can't quite accept, this is a prompting for you to seek understanding.

I do AGREE with you, that the OT is NOT the place to start reading the Bible. Start in the Gospel of John. Read straight through the end of the Bible like a book. You'll get to all the important stuff first, and the really important stuff repeatedly. I would go so far as to say don't even be distracted by questions. Just READ IT. Soak it up like a sponge, just to see what it says.

This requires humility, because there will be things you know you don't know what it means, other things you think you know what it means, and other things you think you'll KNOW what they mean. And all of that will change quickly

Some things may become really nagging questions, and the best answers anyone could give you would be what Scripture to read that develops the idea, so you can come to your own understanding, coupled with knowing G-d personally. (Rather than being content with just duplicating what someone else says)

When you exert this type of effort, you will develop a base of understanding that will enable you to discern the intent in the OT. I will tell you to collect bookmarkers, and when you get tired of your current reading, start in Genesis and put a bookmarker to record your progress, use one in Psalms, and since Proverbs has 31 chapters read, 1 / day. Today is the 10th Something in that chapter will apply TODAY.

Do you have a hard-copy of the Bible? If so, what version(s)?

 

[Mr Dave]

They are the same God and the God of the OT isn't solely the tyrant He has been made out to be. Some verses of the OT which give a different light;

Isaiah 41:9-10 "You are my servant, I have chosen you and not cast you off; do not fear for I am with you, do not be afraid, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my victorious right hand."

Isa 43:2 "When you pass through the waters I will be with you...
v. 4 "You are precious in my sight and honoured and I love you...

Hosea 11:9 "I am God and not man, the Holy One in your midst: I will not come with terror."

Joel 2:13 "The Lord is gracious and merciful, slow to anger and of great kindness and he relents from doing harm.

The oldest few verses in the entire Bible;

Numbers 6:24-26 "The Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make his face shine upon you and be gracious to you. the Lord lift up his countenance upon you and give you peace."



You talk of jealousy, I don't know if it's useful or not, but in the concordance in the back of one of my Bibles it says

Jealous Envious; suspicious; full of zeal. When used of god, jealousy describes either His anger against His unfaithful people or His zeal to protect His persecuted people.

 

[drich0150]

Is the God of the NT the same angry God of the OT? I have heard things that make me scared to death to read the OT. (no kidding) Yet all of the Bible should be read I would assume.

Their is a buffer between us now and the God of the Old testament.