New Testament Worldview
The life and ministry of Christ become the centrality in New Testament era. However, many people especially Jews have difficulties to accept the New Testament as equivalence to Torah(1). Believing Jesus as God was the root crack to born New Testament worldview which flows away from Judaism. Although Christians says that New Testament was founded upon the Old Testament but for Jews it is impossible. For Jews the Old Testament especially Torah was the only complete word of God. Nothing could be added to it.
Apart from the deity of Jesus, Jewish idea of monotheism was completely different from Christian. Even without The deity of Jesus was the key issue in New Testament era. If Jesus is not the Christ and God there will be many problems within Christianity. For example, the gospel of John was written in a way that defends the deity of Christ (John 20:30). Therefore, when Jews denial the deity of Jesus Christ it is impossible for Christian to have the same world view as them. However, New Testament believer could not denial the Old Testament worldview. In another word, the New Testament also agrees with Hebrew world-and-life view in its basic assumptions about God and His creation.
New Testament not only brings new covenant but also new spectacle of worldview for those who believe in Jesus. The key messages which drive the New Testament worldview are the incarnation of God, the dead and resurrection of Christ, the Kingdom of God, Trinity, forgiveness and redemption from sin, mission and discipleship, and the Holy Spirit. In the light of New Testament new covenant everyone including Jews need to believe Jesus Christ as God and savior for the sake of remission of their sins and salvation. Therefore, the main emphasis in New Testament is to be saved and to save others (mission and discipleship).
The New Testament worldview sees human being including Jews as helpless sinners who are in need of savior. Unlike Jews’ hope for future redemption which is salvation for Jews, New Testament redemption make available for everyone. On the other hand, New Testament worldview was not fix and limited geographically to a particular people group but it is transcultural.
In general, New Testament worldview seems to be similar to Hebrew worldview but reading New Testament from Hebrew world view will cause great division. For example, the New Testament worldview of the deity of Christ and the priesthood of believers are serious offense in Hebrew worldview. However, New Testament builds on the worldview of Old Testament. Nevertheless, Jesus and His message about kingdom of God for the redemption of mankind is totally a new way of looking at the world, the people, and the Scripture.
Apart from the deity of Jesus, Jewish idea of monotheism was completely different from Christian. Even without The deity of Jesus was the key issue in New Testament era. If Jesus is not the Christ and God there will be many problems within Christianity. For example, the gospel of John was written in a way that defends the deity of Christ (John 20:30). Therefore, when Jews denial the deity of Jesus Christ it is impossible for Christian to have the same world view as them. However, New Testament believer could not denial the Old Testament worldview. In another word, the New Testament also agrees with Hebrew world-and-life view in its basic assumptions about God and His creation.
New Testament not only brings new covenant but also new spectacle of worldview for those who believe in Jesus. The key messages which drive the New Testament worldview are the incarnation of God, the dead and resurrection of Christ, the Kingdom of God, Trinity, forgiveness and redemption from sin, mission and discipleship, and the Holy Spirit. In the light of New Testament new covenant everyone including Jews need to believe Jesus Christ as God and savior for the sake of remission of their sins and salvation. Therefore, the main emphasis in New Testament is to be saved and to save others (mission and discipleship).
The New Testament worldview sees human being including Jews as helpless sinners who are in need of savior. Unlike Jews’ hope for future redemption which is salvation for Jews, New Testament redemption make available for everyone. On the other hand, New Testament worldview was not fix and limited geographically to a particular people group but it is transcultural.
In general, New Testament worldview seems to be similar to Hebrew worldview but reading New Testament from Hebrew world view will cause great division. For example, the New Testament worldview of the deity of Christ and the priesthood of believers are serious offense in Hebrew worldview. However, New Testament builds on the worldview of Old Testament. Nevertheless, Jesus and His message about kingdom of God for the redemption of mankind is totally a new way of looking at the world, the people, and the Scripture.
Ref:
Revolutions in Worldview: Understanding the Flow of Western Thought. Editor Andrew Hoffecker
Revolutions in Worldview: Understanding the Flow of Western Thought. Editor Andrew Hoffecker
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