According to Christian belief, what does the Old Testament represent?

The Old Testament is viewed as a spiritual history within the context of Christian belief because it provides a narrative of God's covenant relationship with humanity, particularly with the nation of Israel. This collection of texts helps to illustrate God's character, His dealings with people, and His plan for salvation, which culminates in the New Testament through Jesus Christ.

By viewing the Old Testament as a spiritual history, Christians can understand the significance of the events and teachings therein, as they relate to spiritual truths and principles relevant to faith and life. It chronicles the experiences of God's people, their struggles, successes, and ways God revealed Himself to them, which contributes to the overall spiritual heritage and narrative of Christian faith.

While the Old Testament does contain historical accounts, laws, and prophetic texts, its overarching role in Christian theology is to reveal spiritual truths and to lay the foundation for understanding the nature of God and His divine plan, making it much more than just a historical or legal document.