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Why would a lack of knowledge of the Old Testament weaken our understanding of the New Testament?
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The Old Testament is as much a part of our faith’s foundation as the New Testament. It sets today’s believer up to better understand the scenes and conversations in the New Testament when Jesus or others in the NT make allusions and references to the historical figures, events, or scriptures of the past. To not study the OT is to miss out on foundational pieces that build a fuller understanding of Jesus, of God’s plan from the beginning, and of the Spirit’s work throughout, and when we ignore the stories of the past, we miss an opportunity to better understand ourselves as human beings.
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The OT shows us God’s character and how he relates to man. The events of the OT, God’s covenants and rituals are still seems in the NT. Some are changed by the arrival of Jesus and his fulfillment of the Law.
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The two go hand in hand. The history of the OT only helps hammer home the need for Jesus.
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The Old Testament teaches us God’s attributes, His mighty deeds, and how He personally interacted with the Bible characters. Reading the creation of man helps us to feel a bond with God, as our personal Creator. Reading the words which He spoke helps to feel closer to Him and to begin to experience God in a more personal way. The O.T. takes us back to the beginning, when sin first entered the human race. It helps us to see how serious and damaging sin is in our lives, leaving us helpless without the Lord Jesus as our Savior. All of these things help to build a foundation, helping us to understand the New Testament more clearly, and to then build on our faith. So, our knowledge of who God is, and our ability to have faith in Him, would have less depth, without the Old Testament.
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It is the foundation for the new testament.