Why study the New Testament? The goal of reading the New Testament is to know God. It is the message of salvation and the history of the early church. It is the unveiling of God in the person of Jesus Christ. The Holy Spirit inspired the writing of the of the Bible cause many to sense God's presence as they study the Word in their quiet time.
Why study the Old Testament? The Bible is incomplete without the Old Testament. it provides the historical setting in which the New Testament emerged. Both the New Testament and Old Testament present spiritual truths and lessons applicable to believers. The New and Old Testament are "God-breathed" and profitable.
The Old and New Testament deal with questions such as: Who am I? What is the meaning of life? What is the destiny the human race? Why is there evil and suffering? Why I do things when I know what I am doing in not good for others and/or me? What is my destiny? Who do I enter eternal life? Sometimes God's presence is strong, and other times we wonder why God feels distant, and we learn the lesson of fidelity faith or the dark soul of the night. It comes down to faith, perseverance and continually seeking God to fill our "hole in the soul" and to live a life of purpose and meaning.
James Curtis Geist is a graduate of Nyack College (of the Christian and Missionary Alliance denomination) and the Alliance Theological Seminary. He was a pastor in New York City for five years, involved in speaking out on the peresecution of Christians in many contries overseas, and genocide in Sudan and modern day slavery, sweatshops and child labor. He lives in the garden state enjoying the wildlife of deer, bear, coyotes, woodpeckers and gold finches. He puts his feet up the campfire enjoying the night sky and drones currently invading New Jersey. He has been a high school history teacher for tweny-plus years.
