"Weaponize the Old Testament"

[Seeker47]

Yoram Hazony, president of Israel’s Herzl Institute and a major philosophical proponent of the “national conservatism” movement, says that Christians need to rediscover, and weaponize, the Old Testament.

It was insufficient, Hazony argued, to teach the Gospels, because while they offered a path to individual joy and salvation, they did not deal with the kind of real-world moral and political problems that the Old Testament — “the most politically incorrect book ever published” — faces head-on. Moreover, he said, the very idea of the United States of America was based on the Old Testament’s political model of a society in covenant with God.

Precisely because Christianity is the only force that can defeat radical leftism, Hazony argued, it is necessary for Christians to read the Old Testament, and to restore it, together with the New Testament, in America’s schools.

https://www.youtube.com/live/G9FkhdZV81s?feature=share

Worth watching from 2:06 through 2:36

Is it not frightening that this subject sounds radical?

 

[MichaelZ]

I don’t know about “weaponizing” the Old Testament, but certainly there is a need to teach the many parts of it that are a shadow of Christ and also point to Christ. And teach that Christ was from the very beginning.

 

[Lynx]

Yoram Hazony, president of Israel’s Herzl Institute and a major philosophical proponent of the “national conservatism” movement, says that Christians need to rediscover, and weaponize, the Old Testament.

It was insufficient, Hazony argued, to teach the Gospels, because while they offered a path to individual joy and salvation, they did not deal with the kind of real-world moral and political problems that the Old Testament — “the most politically incorrect book ever published” — faces head-on. Moreover, he said, the very idea of the United States of America was based on the Old Testament’s political model of a society in covenant with God.

Precisely because Christianity is the only force that can defeat radical leftism, Hazony argued, it is necessary for Christians to read the Old Testament, and to restore it, together with the New Testament, in America’s schools.

https://www.youtube.com/live/G9FkhdZV81s?feature=share

Worth watching from 2:06 through 2:36

Is it not frightening that this subject sounds radical?

The only part that sounds radical is the word "weaponize." Reckon why did he pick that word?

 

[JohnDB]

Yoram Hazony, president of Israel’s Herzl Institute and a major philosophical proponent of the “national conservatism” movement, says that Christians need to rediscover, and weaponize, the Old Testament.

It was insufficient, Hazony argued, to teach the Gospels, because while they offered a path to individual joy and salvation, they did not deal with the kind of real-world moral and political problems that the Old Testament — “the most politically incorrect book ever published” — faces head-on. Moreover, he said, the very idea of the United States of America was based on the Old Testament’s political model of a society in covenant with God.

Precisely because Christianity is the only force that can defeat radical leftism, Hazony argued, it is necessary for Christians to read the Old Testament, and to restore it, together with the New Testament, in America’s schools.

https://www.youtube.com/live/G9FkhdZV81s?feature=share

Worth watching from 2:06 through 2:36

Is it not frightening that this subject sounds radical?

Fear is a very short term motivator. It simply doesn't work long term. That's why the "fire and brimstone" preachers are reserved for "revival " meetings. And two weeks later everyone behaves as they once did.

The Old Testament is not any different from the New Testament. And the founding of America was based in part on the Roman Empire model...not any old Testament nation.

 

[Seeker47]

Our Founding Fathers were well versed in both the First Testament and The Second Testament. Their Bible began with Genesis and ended in Revelation and they knew it all very well. They understood the difference between God the Father and Yeshua HaMashiach. Only later did the US begin using Matthew as the beginning of scripture. This nation was not modeled after any ancient Hebrew nation nor after any pagan society, but was firmly grounded in biblical truth, especially in trust of God, the teachings of Torah and God's own words; the Ten Commandments.

Some of the statements here confirm the authors position.

 

[EricH]

This nation was not modeled after any ancient Hebrew nation nor after any pagan society, but was firmly grounded in biblical truth, especially in trust of God, the teachings of Torah and God's own words; the Ten Commandments.

All the laws of God hang and depend on the two greatest commandments, to love God and neighbour. To love, pray for and to forgive our enemies.

 

[paralambano]

I think that Hazony wants Christians to be able to defend what's in the Old Testament v certain secular attacks made over it and religious views in general. These scrolls and the targums are what Jesus read.

Hazony's a Modern Orthodox Jew. This conservative offshoot of Orthodox Judaism promotes an engagement with rather than a shrinking from a public discourse of ideas based on its theology.

para . . . .

 

[p_rehbein]

Christians need not "defend" the Old Testament. Christians live under the New Covenant, Grace.........we are no longer under the Law of the Old Testament, we are under the Law of Grace as stated by the Apostle Paul.

 

[paralambano]

Christians need not "defend" the Old Testament. Christians live under the New Covenant, Grace.........we are no longer under the Law of the Old Testament, we are under the Law of Grace as stated by the Apostle Paul.

The NT came out of the Old. Same God of both. There are those who would undermine both.

Jesus said to them, “While I was still with you, I told you that everything written about me in the Law of Moses, the Books of the Prophets, and in the Psalms had to happen.” Then he helped them understand the Scriptures. He told them, The Scriptures say that the Messiah must suffer, then three days later he will rise from death and repentance for the forgiveness of sins will be preached in his name to all nations, beginning at Jerusalem (Luke 24:44-46)

and He quoted from fourteen of its "books". He mentions the TaNaKh - -Torah, Neviim, and Ketuvim, the whole of the OT.


para . . . .

 

[JaumeJ]

It is an unfortunate fact that most people read the law with a veil over their eyes. It will be removed for all who believe, for the law and the prophets all point to Jesus Yeshua., who taught us all just how to understand the law.

 

[paralambano]

It is an unfortunate fact that most people read the law with a veil over their eyes. It will be removed for all who believe, for the law and the prophets all point to Jesus Yeshua., who taught us all just how to understand the law.

I'm not suggesting that as Christians we're under the Law. Only that these were the scriptures that Jesus had and understood in His day. And so we too ought to understand them to withstand those who would deny or try to undermine them by whatever spirit of the age.

para . . . .

 

[BearerOfTheMorningStar]

I had read this days ago and given it much thought. I concluded with my initial gut reaction; while the Old Testament is absolutely phenomenal as a collection of books and worthy of all canonocity and study, even indeed not just religiously, but also politically; but really the New Testament is what you need to weaponize. Even the wording of weaponization; why in just one single book of the New Testament, the book of the Revelation, contains all the most powerful weapons. Come and take hold of the Morning Star, or perhaps the Stone With a New Name, or perhaps the Pure White Robes, or any of the many and most wonderful weapons of God.

PRAISE JESUS!

 

[paralambano]

John's Revelation has hundreds of allusions to the OT by many of its books.

Paul wrote: Whatever things were written before were written for our learning that we through the patience and comfort of the Scriptures might have hope. (Romans 15:4)

Those scriptures were the OT.

para . . . .

 

[Joyfilled]

I don’t know about “weaponizing” the Old Testament, but certainly there is a need to teach the many parts of it that are a shadow of Christ and also point to Christ. And teach that Christ was from the very beginning.

I completely agree.. I think when the OT is left out we are not given the full picture of God's love and endurance to his people. It is amazing how understanding of God's character can be displayed when we are open to the HS leading and his direction.

 

[Joyfilled]

I'm not suggesting that as Christians we're under the Law. Only that these were the scriptures that Jesus had and understood in His day. And so we too ought to understand them to withstand those who would deny or try to undermine them by whatever spirit of the age.

para . . . .

I agree and note that it is the HS job to open our eyes and ears to understand who God is and his plans for our life. I am also reminded that the HS brings us understanding and grace to thrive and do the will of the Father.