–By Dr. Mark Shipp/Austin Graduate School of Theology

Continuing with Dr. Shipp’s Homebuilder’s class questions. I pray these help and bless you in some way.

How relevant is the Old Testament to us today? What is the purpose of studying it
today?

Without the OT there can be no NT. Canonically, Scripture tells one long story. Without the OT, we are missing 2/3 of the story. The OT is foundational to the New. It is not the house; it is the foundation upon which the house stands. Also, the NT tells us about how God is uniquely revealed in Jesus Christ; the OT tells us about God the father, his nature, character, and involvement with his creation. We cannot dispense with the OT without doing irreparable harm to the NT. Virtually every verse of the NT is based upon, alludes to, or echoes OT passages.

Taking advantage of Bathsheba sexually? Or really any sexual sin in the Old Testament… When would you recommend we start talking about these details with our kids?

One of the current fads is to say the sin of David is not adultery with Bathsheba, but sexual aggression, using his power as king to take advantage of a helpless woman. This may be, but when Bathsheba has the opportunity, she sends word secretly to David that she is pregnant. Why does she do this, unless she is complicit in the adultery? Regardless, the text does not glorify David’s bad behavior, but simply reports and states clearly the bad consequences for his actions. I think there are ways to talk to kids about bad adult behavior, without using words and concepts they will not understand. Or else, wait until junior high/middle school.

Praying you are strengthened and love the Lord more today, for He indeed loves us more today than yesterday and aims to give us wisdom.

Amazing!