this post was submitted on 20 Mar 2026
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Because the Old Testament was written as a code of law for an established elite which could enforce it on society; while the New Testament was written to appeal to the marginalized and outcasts.
Apparently YHWH changed who he favored.
Can you expound on this?
Sure thing! The Old Testament consists largely of laws to be enforced, because the followers of YHWH at the time did have control over their society, and could enforce laws on the weak and powerless. As YHWH desired!
The New Testament, on the other hand, was created in the context where the followers of YHWH did not have control over any polity, and thus preaching rules would mean either conflict with or acquiescence to the actual established power. Since neither were options, what with the Roman Empire not being followers of YHWH and being notoriously ill-disposed towards attempts to usurp the Empire's authority, instead YHWH chose to make an account which would appeal to the marginalized and outcasts instead of the authorities. Since the New Testament is all about being meek and humble and how good things are TOTALLY coming, just after you die as a good little drone for YHWH, it was not particularly threatening to the powers-that-be, while being appealing to marginalized groups without any hope in the real world.
YHWH was scared of the Roman Empire, apparently. :)