YOUCAT Question n. 17 – Part I. What significance does the Old Testament have for Christians?
(Youcat answer) In the Old Testament God reveals himself
as the Creator and preserver of the world and as the leader and instructor of
mankind. The Old Testament books are also God’s Word and Sacred Scripture.
Without the Old Testament, we cannot understand Jesus.
A deepening through
CCC
(CCC 122) Indeed, "the economy of the Old Testament was
deliberately SO oriented that it should prepare for and declare in prophecy the
coming of Christ, redeemer of all men” (DV 15). "Even though they contain
matters imperfect and provisional (DV 15), the books of the OldTestament bear
witness to the whole divine pedagogy of God's saving love: these writings
"are a storehouse of sublime teaching on God and of sound wisdom on human
life, as well as a wonderful treasury of prayers; in them, too, the mystery of
our salvation is present in a hidden way” (DV 15).
Reflecting and
meditating
(Youcat comment)
In the Old Testament a great history of learning the faith begins, which takes
a decisive turn in the New Testament and arrives at its destination with the
end of the world and Christ’s second coming. The Old Testament is far more than
a mere prelude for the New. The commandments and prophecies for the people of
the Old Covenant and the promises that are contained in it for all men were
never revoked. In the books of the Old Covenant we find an irreplaceable
treasure of prayers and wisdom; in particular, the Psalms are part of the
Church’s daily prayer.
(CCC Comment)
(CCC 128) The Church, as early as apostolic times (Cf. 1 Cor
10:6, 11; Heb 10:1; l Pt 3:21), and then constantly in her Tradition, has
illuminated the unity of the divine plan in the two Testaments through
typology, which discerns in God's works of the Old Covenant prefigurations of
what he accomplished in the fullness of time in the person of his incarnate
Son.
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