The Old Testament And New Testament

The progression from Old Testament to New Testament and onto the Quran charts a transformation of the relationship between God and his subjects. This evolution can be observed in the religions and societies founded upon these texts. Among a plethora of similarities, one key distinction is how these texts approach justice. The Old Testament focuses on God’s word as law, offering room for free will but promising consequences for disobedience. The New Testament proposes inference into God’s intentions, emphasizing the internalization of the Word as the path to righteousness. The Quran exists as a hybrid between these two strategies. Derived from the two previous texts, it provides a compound analysis of Judaic and Christian values. It proposes …show more content…
Determinism was not a major theme, despite countless examples of God’s omniscience. We are provided stories that paint a complex picture of God’s role in society, and how His omniscience manifests itself in our reality. Initially we are told the story of Adam and Eve, who willingly ate the forbidden fruit. This tale would imply that God allows our world to play out according to our choices. However, later in Exodus, we are given the opposite impression. God has Moses approach Pharaoh with a proposal, but immediately hardens Pharaoh’s heart. This does not appear as unadulterated as Eve’s decision to eat the fruit. A possible explanation is that, just like in Abraham and Isaac’s case, God directs scenes for the benefit of the actors. Preordinance does not necessarily oppose free will or imply determinism, it simply explains that God foresees our choices, and He takes the opportunity instill meaning or a teach a …show more content…
Each approach has its benefits and drawbacks. The Old Testament’s design of justice created fierce loyalty and adherence, but its lack of personal internalization also bred staunch opposers. The New Testament’s introduction of reflection and guidance as opposed to strict law saw explosive growth, appealing to those who sought solace in faith and appreciated an understanding of God’s reasoning. The Quran’s synthesis of these two approaches resulted in widespread participation and, in some cases, genuine peace. However, the nature of its commentary and tone also bred violence against non-believers. Three unique societies were all driven by these texts. In subsequent years it become evident how holistically they shaped current