Old Testament Theology

The Study of Old Testament Theology

The study of progress, history, and Christian interpretation of the heavenly revelation in the writings of the Old Testament is known as Old Testament theology. It investigates theological themes from the past and present as they pertain to (Boda 125).

Beliefs about God in the Old Testament

People used to believe that there was only one God, as stated in Deuteronomy 6:14; Exodus 20:3 that God is a separate God. There is no power, no source, no idol, nothing comparable, and nothing comparable to the Lord God. Other gods are regarded useless because they are not God and were created by man’s efforts ( Jeremiah 2:5, 10:8-14; 2:11; Isaiah 40:18-20; 44:9-20, Jeremiah 2:26-28).

God as the Creator in the Old Testament

Old Testament theology, in history and throughout the prophecy explains God as a sole creator. Bible begins with God Elohim, in the Beginning with God Creator, (Isaiah 40:12-26). In the book of Genesis 1, we see God creates the whole universe as He speaks the word and it orders and all things; light and darkness, lands and waters, vegetation, heavenly bodies, sea creatures and birds of the air and animals and human beings came into existence. In the creation story, we can understand God’s trinity, Genesis 1:1-3, God’s Spirit was hovering over the face of the water. The activity of the Spirit is the activity of God, God breathed life, and His Spirit gives divine life. God’s presence is associated with his Spirit (Psalms 51:11; 143:12; Haggai 2:4-5; Zechariah 4:6; Ezekiel 37).

The Relationship between God and Man

God’s Spirit is the spirit of all flesh, Numbers 16:22. This connection is in Adam creation; divine breath was breathed in human, Gen 2:7; Gen 6:3. Through this we see a link and contrast between breath and dust, spirit and flesh, in Garden of Eden. This garden was the place where God breathed into Adam is a contrast to the dust of which Adam was made; giving spiritual life and divine connection to the dust. It is the very combination of these two uniquely human contrasts to all creation.

The Purpose of Man’s Creation

Genesis chapter 1 and 2 explains man created in the likeness of God. This image and likeness of God in man indicates three ideal reasons as to why the man was created. The man was created one for identity before God, two is for purpose before God and lastly for the responsibility before God and to the world.

Identity before God

The identity speaks of likeness to God’s image, Genesis 2:26a. The likeness of God is Power, Strength, Authority, His holiness, Righteousness and this is supposed to be manifested in us so that to rule and reign in this universe and He reigns and establishes His Kingdom on this earth. Human beings have been set in the midst of God to represent His interest in this earth. God has made man as a steward thus a man should stand and serve God as his authoritative on this earth.

Purpose before God

In creation God speaks of man to rule over the fish, the birds, the livestock, including all the wild animals. The crawling animals that are on the earth are also under man’s rule and this clause gives the man the purpose he was created for by God. Thus every man was created to rule on behalf of God. Man represents God in this world, and this is his function. It is man’s responsibility to do this, and to do it well; that is, according to God’s character and creative design.

Responsibility before God and the World

Lastly, our responsibility before God and the world is that man was chosen for holy priesthood and royal priesthood. First and foremost man was created for holy priesthood-this is the relationship between man and God in the Garden of Eden, the place where God used to visit Adam in the cool of the day to have fellowship with him just to live in close relationship with him. Man is expected to live in close relation with God by fully abiding in God’s ways and commands and continued communication. Royal priesthood is the relationship between man and the world. God blessed man to fill the earth and to multiply and to mandate him to subdue it. For a man to control the earth must have a good and quality relationship with others and all the other creatures (Davis 487).

The Role of Jesus in God’s Plan

God knew and understood very well man could not represent Him well or use his power correctly-See Adam and Eve, Genesis 3 after being put in the Garden of Eden and instructed not to eat from at the middle of garden disobeys God (sin originated from disobedient of Adam and Eve43). God sends them out the garden, and the disobedient do not end there as Cain kills His brother Abel. Even after this, Genesis 6-9:1-13, at time of Noah the wickedness continues to increase. God knew that we would need someone to show us how to do, someone to help us carry out God’s plan and purpose. He knew that we would mess so huge, that only God in His Person and Power could solve for us (Vos 17).

Conclusion

In conclusion, theology is one of the major Old Testament themes. It portrays God as the sole creator and the creation history as well as making us understand the ideal reason why man was created in the likeness and image of God.

Works cited

Boda, Mark J. The Heartbeat of Old Testament Theology (Acadia Studies in Bible and Theology): Three Creedal Expressions. Baker Academic, 2017.

Davis, Andrew R. “Book Review: The Role of Old Testament Theology in Old Testament Interpretation and Other Essays. By Walter Brueggemann.” (2017): 486-487.

Vos, Geerhardus. “The idea of biblical theology as science and as a theological discipline.” (2017).