Wyatt Graham

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Old Testament use in New Testament

Jesus Fulfills Some Old Testament Passages about Conquering Gentiles by Saving Gentiles

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One of the most unrealized yet central scriptural patterns of New Testament proclamation is Christ’s fulfillment of eschatological promises. This fulfillment of the universal and eschatological passages in the Old Testament is the reason why the Gospel goes to all nations. 

Through Christ, the end has begun to be realized. The Gospel, by its very nature, is eschatological. It is the last hour. The kingdom of God is near. Hence, the Gospel saves all who believe since Jesus reigns over all creation.

In this regard, the New Testament applies passages about the subjugation of gentiles to the church. To be more accurate, the New Testament sees Gentile conquest passages as first all a subjugation by faith and inclusion into the people of God. And then second, in the end, these passages point to Christ’s subjugation of the nations by force (e.g., Rev 19). 

Let me explain how this works before spending time in Romans 15 to see an important example of this apostolic proclamation in practice.  [Read more…] about Jesus Fulfills Some Old Testament Passages about Conquering Gentiles by Saving Gentiles

The Entire Old Testament Is for Christians Today

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The Old Testament chronicles God’s dealing with the patriarchs and with his chosen nation Israel. So much so that entire law codes for Israel appear in Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, and Deuteronomy. Here’s an example of instruction in the book of Deuteronomy: “When you build a new house, make a parapet around your roof so that you may not bring the guilt of bloodshed on your house if someone falls from the roof” (Deut 22:8).

Based on this text, here’s a question. Where’s your parapet? Or does the Old Testament’s historical context mean that it does not apply directly to you?

Far from it! On the contrary, the whole Old Testament wholly and completely applies to you and me. [Read more…] about The Entire Old Testament Is for Christians Today

Psalm 118 in Mark

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Public Domain {{PD-1923}}
Public Domain {{PD-1923}}

Psalm 118 is one of the most important psalms for our understanding of the messiah, and it is one of the most cited Old Testament passages in the New Testament. Yet few people, I would imagine, know what Psalm 118 says or understand what it communicates about the messiah. It is a forgotten yet integral passage for Christian theology. Everyone knows the song: “Hosanna, Hosanna on the highest” or knows of Jesus as the cornerstone. But few know the source of these words or the theology behind these phrases, sourced in Psalm 118. As a small step to Psalm 118’s rehabilitation, I offer an overview of Psalm 118’s use in Mark’s Gospel.

Hyukjung Kwon identifies four instances where Mark references Psalm 118: Mark 8:31-33, Mark 11:1-11, Mark 12:1-12, and Mark 14:26 (2007: 119). When Mark quotes Psalm 118, he cites one of the many Greek translations that were available to him. I use the term LXX to refer to these old Greek translations of the Bible.* [Read more…] about Psalm 118 in Mark

Did Paul’s Audience Grasp His Use of the OT?

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New Testament writers often cite or allude to the Old Testament to make theological points. In this way, the Old Testament forms the narrative sub-structure behind the New Testament, always present but not always explicitly so.

Through careful study, students of the Bible can discover citations, allusions, and echoes of the Old Testament throughout the New Testament. For example, Romans consistently quotes the Old Testament to argue theologically. Consider, for example, how Paul cites Abraham’s experience in Genesis 15 to substantiate the doctrine of Justification in Romans 4. [Read more…] about Did Paul’s Audience Grasp His Use of the OT?