Heart of the Old Testament
Testament (1000-1200 words). The student is to summarize Youngblood’s basic approach to the OT and, in this process, reflect on the way in which the story develops through each of the topics outlined in his work (identify the relationship between the different topics).
The Heart of the Old Testament written by Ronald Youngblood is an extraordinary book that makes logical sense to the Youngblood’s approach to the OT. Youngblood identifies the nine themes that form the pillar of the Old Testament. These themes show that the Old Testament is not any different from the New Testament and should not be consider entirely irrelevant when compared to the New Testament. The nine themes include monotheism, sovereignty, election, covenant, theocracy, law, sacrifice, faith and redemption. The first theme of Youngblood’s book is Monotheism. A basic understanding that makes the reader aware that God is ‘…God, and there is no other” (Isaiah 45:22). Youngblood sets the foundation that God is the only living God. “The true Christian could never deny the existence of God in theory and ought to never deny the relevance of God in practice.” (Pg. 9) As much as people want to deny God, they all still believe in some existence of a high power. Youngblood’s story further on develops on with Israel’s awareness of God and their temptations. Israel’s was always tempted to sin and copy their neighbors who worshipped God by acknowledging God as being more than one thing creating things such as idols. But Youngblood states that God is eternal and he created everything and all matter making him above everything. Nothing can be compared to what God is. No theories such as materialism, pantheism or polytheism. Youngblood explains clearly that the Old Testament places God as the supreme and sole power above everything. Sovereignty is the next theme Youngblood talks about. That God is the highest authority over every dimension of life. “God reigns and He does whatever pleases him.”
The Heart of the Old Testament written by Ronald Youngblood is an extraordinary book that makes logical sense to the Youngblood’s approach to the OT. Youngblood identifies the nine themes that form the pillar of the Old Testament. These themes show that the Old Testament is not any different from the New Testament and should not be consider entirely irrelevant when compared to the New Testament. The nine themes include monotheism, sovereignty, election, covenant, theocracy, law, sacrifice, faith and redemption. The first theme of Youngblood’s book is Monotheism. A basic understanding that makes the reader aware that God is ‘…God, and there is no other” (Isaiah 45:22). Youngblood sets the foundation that God is the only living God. “The true Christian could never deny the existence of God in theory and ought to never deny the relevance of God in practice.” (Pg. 9) As much as people want to deny God, they all still believe in some existence of a high power. Youngblood’s story further on develops on with Israel’s awareness of God and their temptations. Israel’s was always tempted to sin and copy their neighbors who worshipped God by acknowledging God as being more than one thing creating things such as idols. But Youngblood states that God is eternal and he created everything and all matter making him above everything. Nothing can be compared to what God is. No theories such as materialism, pantheism or polytheism. Youngblood explains clearly that the Old Testament places God as the supreme and sole power above everything. Sovereignty is the next theme Youngblood talks about. That God is the highest authority over every dimension of life. “God reigns and He does whatever pleases him.”