The misinterpretation of the Old Testament in Westernized Christianity
Regarding the misinterpretation of the Old Testament in Westernized Christianity and its impact on theology, denominational diversity, and the message of Grace in Christ:
Rediscovering the Old Testament: Rebuilding Western Theology
For over 1900 years, Westernized Christianity has grappled with a profound misinterpretation of the Old Testament, leading to the unfortunate dismissal of its relevance to the Gospel message of Grace in Christ. This misinterpretation has given rise to a devastating void in Western theology, fostering a universe of subjectively developed theologies, and spawning over 3000 interpretations that have culminated in the diverse spectrum of Christian denominations we see today. This grievous error is rooted in the misreading of the Apostle Paul’s statement, “For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to every one that believeth” (Romans 10:4).
Misinterpretation of Romans 10:4:
At the heart of this misunderstanding lies the failure to grasp the nuanced meaning of Romans 10:4. Rather than proclaiming the cessation of the Law, the verse actually conveys that “Christ is the end of the Law FOR RIGHTEOUSNESS.” The subsequent verse (Romans 10:5) further elucidates this point, stating, “For Moses describeth the righteousness which is of the law, That the man which doeth those things shall live by them.”
Rediscovering Deuteronomy 30:
It is essential to recognize that Apostle Paul was quoting an excerpt from the Torah, specifically Deuteronomy 30. This connection to the Torah is akin to a “hint” in Jewish Theology, comprehensible to Paul’s contemporaneous audience due to their deep familiarity with the Ancient Thought Heritage of the Scriptures communicated by the Apostles.
The Continual Relevance of the Old Testament:
Contrary to the misconception that the Old Testament is obsolete, Apostle Paul, in the subsequent verses, masterfully demonstrates how the Old Testament, specifically the Law, remains relevant in the New Covenant post-Resurrection. He underscores that “Christ is the end of the Law FOR RIGHTEOUSNESS” by revealing the interchangeability of “Faith in Christ Jesus in you, the Hope of Glory” with “keeping the commandments” within the texts of the Law of Moses.
Deuteronomy 30:11–14:
Paul’s citation of Deuteronomy 30:11–14 serves as a pivotal illustration of this interchange:
“For this commandment which I command thee this day, it is not hidden from thee, neither is it far off. It is not in heaven, that thou shouldest say, Who shall go up for us to heaven, and bring it unto us, that we may hear it, and do it? Neither is it beyond the sea, that thou shouldest say, Who shall go over the sea for us, and bring it unto us, that we may hear it, and do it? But the word is very nigh unto thee, in thy mouth, and in thy heart, that thou mayest do it.”
Paul’s Practical Demonstration in Romans 10:
In Romans 10, Apostle Paul provides a practical application of this interchange:
“But the righteousness which is of faith speaketh on this wise, Say not in thine heart, Who shall ascend into heaven? (that is, to bring Christ down from above:) Or, Who shall descend into the deep? (that is, to bring up Christ again from the dead.) But what saith it? The word is nigh thee, even in thy mouth, and in thy heart: that is, the word of faith, which we preach; That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.”
In other words, what he was very basically communicating was that since Christ Jesus fulfilled Israel’s side of the Law of Moses, “Faith in Christ in you the Hope of Glory (the Name)” can be interchanged into every excerpt that speaks about obedience to the commandments. This is why he refers to “the obedience of Faith” in the Book of Romans, as well as in his letter to Timothy, he is quoted as communicating, “All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works.
The correct interpretation of Romans 10:4 as “Christ is the end of the Law FOR RIGHTEOUSNESS” illuminates the enduring relevance of the Old Testament in Christian theology. This is what Jesus Christ Himself meant when he said this: Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfil.
In other words, through Faith in the Identity of Christ as the Believers’ spiritual identity, the Believer benefits from the upgraded aspect of the Law of Moses, as the Kingdom of Priests referencing the Promises of God (God’s side of the Covenant) as their new life directives, Rights and Authority, and Garden Mindset. Not the Laws of validation (Israel’s side of the Covenant) that Christ already fulfilled. Faith in Christ is now the fulfillment of the Law bringing all back in the Garden.
(Moses wrote the Law detailing the nature and naturally occurring thoughts of the Divine Man IN THE GARDEN (God’s side of the Covenant). Israel’s side of the Covenant detailed the perspectives that were unnatural to the man in the Garden, restoring man to being equitable to Life.)
This rediscovery bridges the gap in Westernized Christianity, fostering a more comprehensive and unified understanding of the Gospel message of Grace in Christ. The Old Testament, far from being discarded, is a valuable resource that enriches our understanding of faith and righteousness, serving as a manual for cultivating the right mindset in the Christian journey. It is time to correct the course and embrace the profound wisdom and guidance offered by the Old Testament in conjunction with the message of Grace in Christ.
