Why don't Christians see the obvious inescapable contradiction in having both the Old Testament and the New Testament?

Why don't Christians see the obvious inescapable contradiction in having both the Old Testament and the New Testament?

Answering a Social Media Question:

It’s a fair question! At first glance, the Bible can look like a collection of conflicting instructions—dietary laws vs. liberty, animal sacrifices vs. a finished work, or "faith plus works" vs. "grace alone." If you try to mash it all into one flat message, you’re left with a theological headache.

However, the "contradiction" isn't a flaw in the Book; it’s usually a result of how we read it. Using the King James Bible (KJB) as our guide, here is how those pieces actually fit together perfectly through a principle called Right Division.

1. The Key: Rightly Dividing

The Bible itself provides the "instruction manual" for how to read it without getting confused.

2 Timothy 2:15: "Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth."

To "divide" doesn't mean to discard. It means to recognize that God has dealt with different groups of people (Israel and the Body of Christ) under different "economies" or programs. When you stop trying to apply instructions meant for Israel's prophetic kingdom to the current age of grace, the contradictions vanish.

2. Prophecy vs. Mystery

The Difference Between Covenant and Testament

The Difference Between Covenant and Testament

The Bible is a story of God's relationship with humanity, presented through two major frameworks: covenants and testaments. These frameworks reveal how God has interacted with His people at different times in history and highlight His unfolding plan of redemption. To properly understand the Bible, it is essential to distinguish between the Old Covenant, the New Covenant, and the New Testament. This article will clarify their differences, timings, and significance, while addressing how we as believers ought to understand and apply scripture in the right context.

The Old Covenant: Israel’s Conditional Agreement Under the Law

The Old Covenant was a formal agreement established between God and Israel, made at Mount Sinai, where God gave His Law and instructions to Moses for the nation. This covenant was conditional, meaning that the blessings God promised—such as material prosperity, land inheritance, and protection—depended on Israel's obedience to His commandments. The Old Covenant emphasized external compliance to a legal code and served as a way to teach humanity about God’s holiness and the sinfulness of mankind.

The blessings of the Old Covenant were tied to obedience, as outlined in Deuteronomy 28:1-14. These blessings included abundant crops, military success, and God's direct presence among the people. However, failure to obey led to curses, as described in Deuteronomy 28:15-68, which highlighted the consequences of turning away from God. The sacrificial system was central to the Old Covenant, as the blood of animals temporarily atoned for sin, providing a means for Israel to maintain fellowship with God.