This same platitude asserts that the New Testament is a contrasting text of a gracious, loving, and forgiving God.
Such a characterization of the Hebrew text against the Greek text is not only wrong, it is dangerous.
The Old Testament is a document of grace: of freely-given, unearned love. God showers unmerited gifts upon undeserving sinners.
We read, e.g., that Abraham was worshipping idols or false gods when God chose him and called him to be the head of the messianic lineage (Joshua 24:2).
When the Heilsgeschichte continues with the Exodus, the narrative shows us that the Hebrew slaves in Egypt, whom God rescues, were busy worshipping Egyptian deities (Ezekiel 20:8).
God was blessing sinners who were not living lives devoted to Him. The old Testament shows a grace so lavish that it’s scandalous.
If the message of the Old Testament is “You are saved by grace, not by works” (and it is), then what is the message of the New Testament?
The Gospel, if we understand the word ‘Gospel’ to be the saving message about God’s love, is already present in the Old Testament. Jesus is fully anticipated as Redeemer and Messiah.
The New Testament, then, is a text which is designed to teach us about how to live here and now, in the Messianic Era.
Jesus is saying, in effect, “Look, don’t worry about how to get into Heaven after you die. You can’t solve that problem, and I’ve already solved it for you. I would rather have you spend your time and attention on this world and on this life. Concentrate on living as one of My followers.”
The Old Testament announces God’s grace. The New Testament teaches us how to live in that grace.
