Was the Old Testament written for doctrine or for learning?
The Old Testament was written for our learning, not for doctrine. Romans 15:4 states whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, so the Old Testament gives background for why doctrine exists and provides patience, comfort, and hope through the Scriptures.
Les explains that Romans 15:4 settles the question. The things written aforetime refer to the Old Testament, and the verse does not say they were written for our doctrine but for our learning. Doctrine is what we need to have straight in what we believe concerning our eternal destiny, and it is what we need for living the Christian life today. Learning, by contrast, helps us understand why we have this doctrine. The Old Testament remains apropos for our learning, giving the background of how all this fell in place and that God can now turn to the whole human race with this tremendous plan of salvation. It was written for our learning that we through patience and comfort of the Scriptures might have hope.
For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope.
More Questions
Who is the Old Testament written for?
Everything written before Paul wrote, that is the Old Testament, is written for the believer's learning, and the same is true of the Gospels.
Why were Old Testament events written for us?
Old Testament events like the separation of Israel from Egypt were written for our learning, so we are to learn from them.