Here is an excellent article written by Father Steven Allen on the Septuagint and why it is the Old Testament used by Christ.
Note: this is only an excerpt, being only the first four paragraphs.
A few more thoughts on why it is important to read the Orthodox Old Testament, as we enter Great Lent and immerse ourselves in the Old Testament readings of the daily services:
This question, “Which is the real Old Testament?” is central to the understanding and defense of the Faith, because only the Septuagint contains the fullness of the prophetic witness to Jesus Christ. Look at the table in this article by Fr. Joseph Gleason which lays out key passages in the OT that refer to central Christian doctrines, their fulfillment in the NT, and their complete absence or disfigurement by the Masoretic text compiled by anti-Christian rabbinical scholars long after the time of Christ: ...
Yet it is this Masoretic text that was embraced by the Protestant Reformation and forms the basis of almost all modern translations! Is it little wonder that so many Protestant sects have Judaizing tendencies, or that modern scholarship denies the Incarnation and saving Passion of the Lord?We should keep several things in mind:
When the Lord Himself or the Holy Apostles quote the OT, they are quoting the Septuagint almost every time. The Septuagint is the Old Testament witnessed to by Jesus Christ Himself. Since the Septuagint is therefore divinely attested, is it surprising that the Orthodox Church considers it to be divinely inspired?
Father Steven Allen provides this link for more information: https://theorthodoxlife.wordpress.com/2 ... al-hebrew/