CRS 401 — The Unity of the Old and: Lecture Note

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LA-NET | ONLINE LEARNING VIDEO PLATFORM FOR POST-SECONDARY & HIGHER INSTITUTION STUDENTS

LA-NET | ONLINE LEARNING VIDEO PLATFORM FOR POST-SECONDARY & HIGHER INSTITUTION STUDENTS COURSE TITLE: The Unity of the Old and New Testaments (Heilsgeschichte). COURSE CODE: CRS 403: COURSE UNITS: 3 Series 1: The Unity of the Christian Bible Part 1.1: Concept of the Christian Bible 1.1.1 Definition and scope of the Christian Bible 1.1.2 Structure of the Old and New Testaments Part 1.2: Understanding Unity in the Christian Bible 1.2.1 Meaning of unity in biblical context 1.2.2 Theological foundations of unity Part 1.3: Themes Linking the Old and New Testaments 1.3.1 Common theological themes (e.g., covenant, salvation, promise–fulfillment) 1.3.2 Examples of thematic continuity in selected texts Part 1.4: Implications of Unity for Christian Faith 1.4.1 Unity as a basis for doctrine and teaching 1.4.2 Relevance of unity for contemporary Christian practice INTRODUCTION

LA-NET | ONLINE LEARNING VIDEO PLATFORM FOR POST-SECONDARY & HIGHER INSTITUTION STUDENTS The Christian Bible is central to the faith and practice of millions of believers across the world. Yet, many readers often approach the Old and New Testaments as if they were separate books with distinct purposes. This Series invites you to see the Bible as a unified whole, where the two Testaments complement and illuminate each other. By exploring this unity, you will gain a deeper appreciation of how the Bible presents a consistent message of salvation and how this message continues to shape Christian thought and life today. This Series aim to introduce you to the concept of unity within the Christian Bible and to equip you with the ability to identify, explain, and evaluate how the Old and New Testaments are connected in content, themes, and purpose. We shall commence this Series by examining the concept of the Christian Bible, including its definition and structure. Next, we will move on to explore the meaning of unity in a biblical context and the theological foundations that support it. Following that, we will consider the themes that link the Old and New Testaments, such as covenant, salvation, and promise–fulfillment, with examples drawn from selected texts. Finally, we will wrap up by discussing the implications of this unity for Christian doctrine and practice, highlighting its relevance for contemporary faith. Series Learning Outcomes Upon completing this Series, you should be able to: SLO 1.1: define the Christian Bible and explain its scope, SLO 1.2: Describe the structure of the Old and New Testaments. SLO 1.3 explain the meaning of unity in a biblical context, SLO 1.4 analyze the theological foundations that support the unity of the Christian Bible. SLO 1.5 identify common theological themes linking the Old and New Testaments, SLO 1.6: illustrate examples of thematic continuity using selected biblical texts, SLO 1.7 evaluate the implications of unity for Christian doctrine, and SLO 1.8 appraise the relevance of biblical unity for contemporary Christian practice. 1.1 Concept of The Christian Bible 1.1.1 Definition and scope of the Christian Bible The Christian Bible is defined as the sacred text of Christianity, comprising the Old Testament and the New Testament. It is regarded by Christians as divinely inspired and authoritative for faith and practice. The Old Testament contains writings that predate the life of Jesus Christ, including laws, history, poetry, and prophecy. The New Testament focuses on the life, teachings, death, and resurrection of Jesus, as well as the growth of the early church. Together, these two Testaments form a unified whole that guides Christian belief and conduct.

LA-NET | ONLINE LEARNING VIDEO PLATFORM FOR POST-SECONDARY & HIGHER INSTITUTION STUDENTS Figure 1.1 Structure of the Christian Bible Fill in the blank: The Christian Bible is made up of the ______ Testament and the New Testament. 1.1.2 Structure of the Old and New Testaments The Old Testament is traditionally divided into sections such as the Law (Pentateuch), the Historical Books, the Wisdom Books, and the Prophets. These writings reflect the covenant relationship between God and Israel, and they provide the foundation for understanding the New Testament. The New Testament is composed of the Gospels, Acts of the Apostles, the Epistles, and Revelation. The Gospels narrate the life and ministry of Jesus, Acts records the growth of the early church, the Epistles provide guidance to Christian communities, and Revelation presents visions of hope and ultimate fulfillment. Plate 1.1 Old and New Testament writings Fill in the blank: The Gospels, Acts, Epistles, and Revelation are the main divisions of the ______ Testament.

LA-NET | ONLINE LEARNING VIDEO PLATFORM FOR POST-SECONDARY & HIGHER INSTITUTION STUDENTS Pilot questions 1.1 The Christian Bible is made up of which two Testaments? Which section of the Old Testament contains the covenant laws given to Israel? Name one division of the New Testament that records the life and ministry of Jesus. Which Testament includes the Prophets? What is the final book of the New Testament? 1.2 Understanding Unity In The Christian Bible 1.2.1 Meaning of unity in the biblical context The term unity refers to the state of being one or whole. In the biblical context, unity describes the coherence and harmony between the Old and New Testaments. Although written at different times and by different authors, both Testaments share a consistent message centered on God’s plan of salvation. This unity is not about uniformity, but rather about complementarity, where the Old Testament prepares the way and the New Testament fulfils it. Figure 1.2 Unity in biblical context Fill in the blank: In the biblical context, unity describes the coherence and harmony between the ______ and New Testaments. 1.2.2 Theological foundations of unity The theological foundations of unity are the underlying beliefs and doctrines that explain why the Bible is seen as a unified whole. Key foundations include the concept of covenant, defined as a binding agreement between God and His people, which runs through both Testaments. Another foundation is salvation history (Heilsgeschichte), which refers to God’s unfolding plan of redemption across time. Prophecies in the Old Testament find fulfillment in the New Testament, and themes such as faith, obedience, and divine promise are consistently present. These foundations demonstrate that the Bible is not a collection of disconnected writings, but a coherent revelation of God’s purpose.

LA-NET | ONLINE LEARNING VIDEO PLATFORM FOR POST-SECONDARY & HIGHER INSTITUTION STUDENTS Box 1.2 Theological foundations of unity in the Christian Bible Fill in the blank: The concept of ______, a binding agreement between God and His people, runs through both Testaments. Pilot questions 1.2 What does unity mean in the biblical context? Which Testament is described as preparation, and which as fulfillment? What is the theological term for God’s unfolding plan of redemption across time? Name one theological foundation of unity in the Christian Bible. Which concept describes a binding agreement between God and His people? 1.3 Themes Linking the Old and New Testaments 1.3.1 Common theological themes One of the strongest indicators of unity in the Christian Bible is the presence of common theological themes that run through both Testaments. These include the theme of covenant, which refers to God’s binding relationship with His people, first expressed through Abraham and later fulfilled in Christ. Another is salvation, the deliverance of humanity from sin, which is foreshadowed in the Old Testament sacrifices and realized in the New Testament through Jesus’ death and resurrection. The theme of promise and fulfillment also connects the Testaments, as promises made in the Old Testament find their fulfillment in the New.

LA-NET | ONLINE LEARNING VIDEO PLATFORM FOR POST-SECONDARY & HIGHER INSTITUTION STUDENTS Figure 1.3 Common theological themes linking the Testaments Fill in the blank: The Old Testament sacrifices foreshadow ______, which is realized in the New Testament through Jesus. 1.3.2 Examples of thematic continuity in selected texts Thematic continuity can be seen in specific passages. For example, the prophecy of the Messiah in Isaiah 53, describing the suffering servant, is fulfilled in the New Testament accounts of Jesus’ crucifixion. The covenant promise to Abraham in Genesis 12, that all nations would be blessed through him, is echoed in the New Testament teaching that salvation is offered to all through Christ. Similarly, the theme of faith is highlighted in Habakkuk 2:4, “the righteous shall live by faith,” and is reaffirmed in Romans 1:17. These examples show that the Bible presents a consistent message across its two Testaments.

LA-NET | ONLINE LEARNING VIDEO PLATFORM FOR POST-SECONDARY & HIGHER INSTITUTION STUDENTS Box 1.3 Examples of thematic continuity in the Bible Fill in the blank: The covenant promise to ______ in Genesis 12 is echoed in the New Testament teaching that salvation is offered to all through Christ. Pilot questions 1.3 Name one common theological theme that links the Old and New Testaments. Which Old Testament prophecy about the Messiah is fulfilled in the crucifixion accounts? What covenant promise was given to Abraham in Genesis 12? Which verse in Habakkuk highlights the theme of faith? Which New Testament book reaffirms the teaching that “the righteous shall live by faith”? 1.4 Implications of Unity for Christian Faith 1.4.1 Unity as

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