I've always felt that the OT spoke of grace, and I won't argue with you that
God's love shines through "between the lines" as it were.
What I do take issue with is the implication that God was somehow waiting for
humans to "develop" to a point where they could understand Jesus' message. It
smacks of a progressivism that implies that somehow humanity is improving on its
own--a viewpoint for which I find no Scriptural or social scientific evidence!
If anything, the Israel's experience in the OT (all the way from Exodus through
Malachi) is a confirmation that we CANNOT fulfill God's design on our own.
I don't see any differences in basic human nature comparing Moses' time to
David's to Jesus' to Augustine's to now. The abuses of power, violence, lust,
greed, and self-interest are EXACTLY now as they were then. (If anything, we're
just a little bit more technologically proficient about acting on those impulses
today.) Christ came not because we were ready to listen, and finally able to
understand, but because our need was too great for anyone but Him to meet it.
> In conclusion, this is seen in Jesus's answer to what is the greatest
> commandment:
> Matthew 22:34-40 (NIV) [...]
Interesting that he replies with direct quotes of the OT, isn't it?
Deut 6:4-5; Lev 19:18
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Scott Oakman Graduate Program in Neuroscience
University of Minnesota MD/PhD Program
oakma001@maroon.tc.umn.edu
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