Is the New Testament something totally different from the Old Testament?

No, the New Testament is not something totally different from the Old Testament. It does not suddenly start a new thing, and there is no great wall between them. Matthew 1:1 connects Jesus Christ to David and Abraham, showing continuity with the Old Testament rather than a complete break.

Les explains that contrary to what many church members and Bible readers think, the New Testament does not suddenly start something totally different. Many imagine a great big wall between the Old and New Testaments, and some even feel the Old Testament can be cut out as irrelevant. But Les says nothing could be further from the truth. Matthew 1:1 immediately shows this by tracing Jesus Christ as the Son of David and the Son of Abraham, stopping there rather than going back to Adam. This links the New Testament directly to Old Testament promises. Matthew uniquely presents Christ as the King, which is why the phrase 'Kingdom of Heaven' is unique to Matthew.

Matthew 1:1

The book of the generation of Jesus Christ, the son of David, the son of Abraham.

Why can't the Old Testament be dismissed as irrelevant to Christians?

The Old Testament cannot be dismissed because the New Testament does not begin something totally different; Matthew 1:1 presents Jesus Christ as the Son of David and Son of Abraham, tying Him directly to Old Testament lineage and promises, so cutting off the Old Testament contradicts Scripture.