📖 What’s the point of the Old Testament?

Why bother with it at all?

April 14, 2025 • Estimated Reading Time: 4 minutes

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What’s the point of the Old Testament?

The Bible is, hands down, the most influential book of all time.

Not only is it the bestselling book ever, but it has also laid the groundwork for Western civilization as we know it.

Even today, the Bible continues to influence how we think, feel, and perceive reality.

  • Human rights

  • Hospitals

  • Justice

  • Art 

  • Music

  • …the Bible influenced all of it.

The most quoted and well-known parts of the Bible are the teachings of Jesus in the Gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John.

Yet, these books comprise about eleven percent of the Bible’s content.

Eleven percent.

That’s not even close to half.

In fact, most of the Bible was written before Jesus was born…

…put together in something we call the Old Testament.

What is the Old Testament?

So, the word “Bible” just means “library.” That’s because the Bible isn’t one self-contained book but instead a collection of other, shorter books.

These books contain a plethora of genres, from poetry to narrative to ancient law codes and more.

This library is divided into two halves: the New Testament (the story of Jesus, the writings of Paul, Revelation, etc.) and the Old Testament.

Being 39 books in total, the Old Testament accounts for a whopping two-thirds of the Bible’s length.

These books tell the story of humanity’s creation, the history of Israel, and the failures and triumphs of men and women seeking God.

The Old Testament contains some of the most recognizable stories in history such as: Adam & Eve, Noah’s ark, Daniel in the lion’s den, and more.

It contains some of the oldest and most influential stories known to humankind. 

What’s the Point of the Old Testament?

Anyone who’s attempted to read the Old Testament has probably asked themselves this question:

Why?

Good question!

The Old Testament is filled with long genealogies, ancient government censuses, and disturbing tales of divinely sanctioned killings (to name a few). 

Why is it all there? Why not just keep the Bible short and sweet, focusing on Jesus and all the good stuff in the New Testament?

The simple answer? Without the Old Testament, there would be no New Testament.

A brief summary of the Old Testament.

We’re going to spend the week ahead exploring the inseparable importance these 39 books have not only to our faith but to the world at large.

They’re dense. They’re tough. And they’re necessary for any follower of Jesus.

So strap in, we’re going old school.

For now, be blessed.

Jon,

Theophilus Newsletter

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