The theological problem of the relationship between the Old Testament and the New Testament : a study of some modern solutions.

The relationship between the two Testaments of the
Christian Bible is a fundamental problem in biblical
studies. As well as many exegetical studies of
particular aspects, there are numerous more general works which present solutions to the problem as a
whole. It is the concern of this thesis to undertake
a much-needed analytical and critical study of
these modern solutions.
Preliminary research led to the isolation of eight distinct, though not all mutually exclusive, major solutions. A basic requirement for understanding these is to consider their biblical and historical
background, and this is outlined in Part One. The
solutions are then subjected to detailed analysis, criticism and comparison. In Part Two the 'Old
Testament' solutions of van Ruler and Miskotte are
considered, appreciated and rejected because the
undue priority they give to the Old Testament, though creating a certain incisiveness, leads to an inadequate appreciation of the New Testament's contribution to
the relationship. In Part Three the 'New Testament'.
solutions of Bultmann and Baumgartel are likewise
reluctantly rejected.
It is argued that a satisfactory solution will take
the evidence as it stands - two Testaments in one
Bible - and refuse to presuppose that either Testament
is more important than the other. Four such
'biblical' solutions are considered in Part Four, which thus constitutes the most important part of
the work: Vischer's frequently misunderstood Christological
solution is rehabilitated; a new approach
to typology is developed and used to illuminate the
relationship between the Testaments; the popular 'salvation history' solution, especially as presented by von Rad and his associates, is surveyed and accepted, with some reservations; and the study is completed by
a discussion of the important though less often mentioned
idea of tension between continuity and discontinuity.