It's time for an Old Testament comeback. If there was ever a moment for our generation to rightly handle issues of justice, wisdom, and responsibility, it is now. Search #CRT or #socialjustice on Twitter and watch the strong opinions scroll across your screen. Claims argued, warnings pleaded, and promises made - all within 120 characters. The church has a unique opportunity to respond with grace and truth, yet many of us find ourselves feeling uneducated or our responses inadequate. 

I'm calling for an OT comeback (specifically in American white evangelical churches) because the left side of the Bible has entire sections devoted to teaching justice and wisdom. Books like Deuteronomy, Leviticus, and the last half of Exodus. These books have primarily been left closed because they are contextually tricky (at least initially). In regular Sunday services, it’s unlikely we’ve heard a six-week series about Leviticus. Or an in-depth analysis on Deuteronomy.  As a result, many of us are trying to react to hashtagged opinions without knowing how God determines justice.

But this may be good news! NOW we are hungry, and NOW we want to understand it for ourselves. And since we are relatively clueless about these odd books, there isn’t much to deconstruct. We are ripe and ready for a healthy dose of Biblical orientation towards justice and wisdom.

Consider the following a small taste of what this comeback would look like:

I like to think of some of the Old Testament laws as puzzles to work through. These laws are like a case study; they give you an example then you apply the principle (Westbrook & Wells, 2009 p.3).

Take this law from Deuteronomy 22:8, for example:

“When you build a new house, you must build a railing around the edge of its flat roof. That way you will not be considered guilty of murder if someone falls from the roof.”

Step One: What is the example, and what is the underlying principle?

The example - the railing described in Deuteronomy is commonplace in the middle east. If you're a visual learner, google the word parapet to see an image. The law says that building a small fence on your roof (a place where the community would gather) is the right thing to do. 

The principle - As far as you are able, proactively protect your neighbors. Notice, there isn’t a caveat that the weak and the old should stay off the roof. And we aren’t given a pass if the rails infringe on our rights. This law puts the safety of our neighbors squarely on our shoulders.

Step Two: How can I apply the principle from this law today?

In CoViD times, I do what I can to protect my neighbors from the virus. The mask and vaccines are like a railing. It’s for the protection of others and a demonstration to the world that I love God and I love my neighbor.

Here’s what’s great about the principles in these laws: the specifics of the application are up to you. If you can’t wear a mask because you have asthma, the railing principle asks what you CAN do. How can you show your concern? How can you build a guardrail? For me, I’m capable of putting a small cloth over my mouth for a while. So yeah, I wear the silly thing even though it gets uncomfortable and gives me rashes. How does this principle work with the vaccine? Get it if you can. Can’t get it? Then what CAN you do? How can you protect others? Old Testament principles put us in the driver’s seat, pushing us to be creative and intentional.

Back to the current day hot topic: CRT. How do Biblical laws from the ancient Near East apply to a contemporary theory? The short answer is, I’m not entirely sure yet because I haven’t done enough study of CRT. Yet, I know that the more I study the Old Testament laws and wisdom, the better I will be at discerning how/if CRT falls in line with the principles espoused in the Old Testament. By first getting a foundational understanding of God’s regard and value for justice, I can better discern contemporary issues.

There are really great globally available resources to help understand the Old Testament. Watch Youtube videos by Carmen Imes (5 min each). Or listen to Pillar podcasts (25 min on average). Or listen to a Black pastor exegete some OT (Charlie Dates at Progressive Baptist is an excellent place to start). These teachers can give you the basics to begin working through thousands-of-years-old passages. Start working the puzzles and then watch your discernment about true justice grow.

We desperately need to come back to the Old Testament. As the philosopher LL Cool J once said, maybe we can’t call it a comeback - it’s been around for years.

Bibliography:

Westbrook, R., & Wells, B. (2009). Everyday law in biblical Israel: an introduction. Westminster John Knox Press. 

The Law Will Blow Your Mind: The Basics of Reading Law, Pillar Podcast, 5/17/2021 https://pillarpodcast.libsyn.com/the-law-will-blow-your-mind-the-basics-of-reading-law