Five Times More Jesus: Why Christians Should Decanonize the Old Testament

The Old Testament is a stumbling block and a barrier to communication with the outside world.

In Romans 14:13, Paul tells us that we shouldn't put a stumbling block in front of another person. Neither should we just sit and watch people tripping over the same stumbling blook over and over. We should get up and move that stumbling block out of the way.

In Romans 15:1, Paul goes on to say that those who are stronger in their faith must make allowances for those who are weaker. "Don't just think about what makes you happy," Paul says. For a long time, ever since Marcion objected to the Old Testament way back in the year 140 CE, Christians have been defining their religion in terms of the OT because it makes them happy. Now, it's time for Christians to take pity on those folks who have moral objections to what the OT says.

It's time for Christians to stop winning the argument over whether the OT is good or bad, right or wrong. Winning that argument is hurting the church. It's time for Christians to move the OT out of their Bible, so as to make room for more people in the pews.