Theological Motifs In The Old Testament

Laurian Simpson

March 4, 2016

HON-151

Demonstrate and characterize 3 ways the New Testament uses the Old Testament. What are the theological motifs at play in NT usage of the OT?

The Bible consist of two main divisions, the Old (OT) and New (NT) Testament, merged together to form one book. Even though they differ in their focus, both sections are complementary to each other. There is extensive use of the OT throughout the NT, however, the NT does not simply quote from it, but uses allusions and central themes from it as well. According to the fourth edition of the United Bible Societies' Greek Testament, there are 343 Old Testament quotations in the New Testament, and about 2, 309 allusions. By its use, the NT demonstrates several theological

Therefore, majority of the great themes of the Old Testament are confirmed, even when they are also developed in various ways: God as the one creator and ruler of the nations, the election of Israel to be the light of salvation for the world, the presence of God with his people, the possibility (and actuality) of revelation through appointed instruments, history as moving toward God's purposed goal for the world. However, the New Testament is not a mere restatement of Old Testament themes, because of its vital focus on Jesus. This is highlighted where the "wisdom" theme of Proverbs and Job, which had already been considerably developed in the intertestamental period, is used by both John and Paul to help explain Jesus, who is both God and separate from God (John 1:1-14; Php 2:5-11). The Old Testament Prophecy is fulfilled as majority of the New Testament authors with James being an exception pick up messianic and other prophecies from the Old Testament and locate their fulfillment in the church and in Jesus. Prophecies relating to the Davidic Messiah, the Son of Man, the prophet like Moses, and the "Servant" of Isaiah are quoted frequently