ABSTRACT
A traditional view of the Old Testament was that it had all
been directly revealed by God, and that every word in it was true.
For a number of reasons, some of which will be discussed here,
such a view is impossible for the modern Christian. The Old
Testament is, of course, a basic document for the Christian faith,
and has many passages showing deep insight into the nature
of God and of his dealings with humanity. Essentially, however,
it is a record of how belief in God developed in the people who
eventually became the Jews. It is the picture of a developing
religion. As a religion develops, too, some of the earlier stages
have to be completely abandoned. This certainly applies to the
Old Testament, but many Christians may not appreciate the fact
because they read only selected passages.
