The Story of the Bible In 100 Pictures: The New Testament

By Graham Wightman

A bird’s eye view of the bible in 100 photographs and text.

50 colour photographs illustrate verses from each of the two testaments, and a short section of text then describes the photo and explains how the verse fits into the story-line of the bible.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Lulu.com
• Release date: Jan 28, 2017
• ISBN: 9781326807610

Book preview

The Story of the Bible In 100 Pictures: The New Testament

The Story of the Bible in 100 Pictures: The New Testament

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Copyright

Copyright 2017 by G. Wightman

All rights reserved.

First Published: 2017

ISBN  978-1-326-80761-0

Bible quotations are based on the New International Version (NIV) with occasional minor changes for clarity. For example: a name is given instead of ‘he’, or the verse is not quoted in full.

It should be noted that in many cases other versions of the bible may be very similar to the wording used here. It is not intended to avoid the copyright of any other translation, nor is there any intention to change the meaning of the text.

All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide. www.zondervan.com The NIV and New International Version are trademarks registered in the United States Patent and Trademark Office by Biblica, Inc.™

Introduction

Most bibles have a blank page between the Old Testament and the New Testament and this can lead to some confusion and suggest they are entirely separate. You also hear people say I can believe in the God of the New Testament, but I can’t really believe in the God of the Old Testament. What they mean is that they like a god of love (because it’s a comfort, like a cuddly toy) but they don’t like a god of judgement. What they forget is that it is the same God and the New Testament has some very harsh judgements (would you address a group of ministers as a brood of snakes?) just as the Old Testament has acts of loving kindness (some of David’s psalms get excited by this aspect of God’s nature).

Having said that, there is a big difference – Emmanuel, God with us!

In the Old Testament God was remote and spoke to individuals who were entrusted to pass the message on. In the New Testament God comes in human form and teaches, and lives as a model for us to copy. It’s no longer an instruction manual but an expert coach to teach us. And when he leaves this earth Jesus promises to send the Holy Spirit to be in us and to help us in trying to live God’s way. We’re not perfect, but we’re getting there.

At this point it’s worth explaining about the two testaments. A ‘testament’ is another word for ‘covenant’ or ‘promise’. We use these words today in their technical meaning. When someone dies we read their last will and testament. The bible is God’s will and testament explaining what he’s bequeathing to us. Houses often have a covenant on them – a legal undertaking that limits what can and can’t be done with the property. Often when people make charitable donations they covenant it and this is a legal undertaking. Finally, bank notes were promissory notes and say, I promise to pay the bearer.... In other words these two sections of the bible are God’s old promise and his new promise.

New improved original flavour was the remarkable claim on a pack of sweets. But in a way the New Testament is a ‘new improved original’. God’s old promise still holds (actually God made several covenants in the Old Testament, but the main one was with the Jewish people to be their God). However, his new promise is for all people. Jeremiah foresaw this new covenant where I will be their God and they will be my people... and I will remember their sins no more. The problem was how to deal with the seriousness of sin, and in some amazing way it was dealt with on the cross when Jesus died.

Theologians have filled libraries discussing it, but even a child can accept it. You’ll find the New Testament keeps focussing on the cross – half of the pages of the gospels (Matthew, Mark, Luke and John - sort of biographies of Jesus’ life) record Jesus’ final few days, and the letters that make up the rest of the New Testament keep referring back to this event.

As with the Old Testament, not every event is covered by a photograph (miracles are