Have you ever wondered what the Old Testament—especially the Old Testament law—has to do with your Christian life? You are not alone. Some Christian leaders believe we should cast off the Old Testament now that we have the New. Carmen Joy Imes disagrees. In this warm, accessible volume, Imes takes readers back to Sinai, the ancient mountain where Israel met their God, and explains the meaning of events there. She argues that we’ve misunderstood the command about “taking the Lord’s name in vain.” Instead, Imes says that this command is about “bearing God’s name,” a theme that continues throughout the rest of Scripture. Readers will revisit the story of Israel as they trudge through the wilderness from a grueling past to a promising future. The story of Israel turns out to be our story too, and you’ll discover why Sinai still matters as you follow Jesus today. Book Insights from Carmen Joy Imes Many Christians feel stuck when it comes to the Old Testament, especially the law given at Sinai. I’m convinced that our Christian identity and vocation are rooted in God’s covenant with Israel at Sinai. My aim is to help the average Christian rediscover their God-given purpose as a member of the community that bears God’s name. The command not to “take the LORD’s name in vain” (Exodus 20:7) is about so much more than the flippant use of God’s name. It ties into the greater mission of God’s people to represent him in the world. The law is not how Israel God saved, but is rather God’s gift to his people to help them flesh out what covenant faithfulness looks like. I trace the theme of bearing God’s name through the entire Bible, showing how Jesus and the early Christians participate in this mission. My hope is that Christians will come away with a clearer sense of the how the whole Bible fits together.
