Skyscrapers and Scriptures

“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.” (2 Corinthians 5:17 NKJV)

When our family recently took a train vacation to Chicago, our first-time visit to the “Windy City” gave us lots of happy, colorful memories.

We saw dozens of Monet paintings…walked through a World War II German U-boat…took selfies with the Bean…snarfed deep-dish pizza…toured a Gilded-Age mansion…and got up-close-and-personal with dinosaur bones, including those of a vicious-looking T.rex named SUE.

Toward the end of the week, we made the quick (and rewarding) decision to hop on a boat cruise of downtown Chicago, to view the architecture of riverside skyscrapers. While we watched from top-deck seating, our guide described the history of the buildings, the rise of towers, and their changing purposes. 

The structures there date from more than century ago to some under construction today, showcasing a wide variety of designs. The French Gothic Chicago Tribune building stands shoulder-to-shoulder with several minimalist black-and-white skyscrapers. Nearby, gleaming glass buildings hug the river and the white terra-cotta Wrigley Building—who knew such a big place could be built from chewing-gum profits?

Many older buildings have been transformed into living and shopping communities. For example, a massive old post office that once served merchandise-shipping giants like Montgomery Ward (a precursor to Amazon) now boasts tenant space, eateries, and a rooftop with gardens and fitness sport courts. 

The proximity of old and new in such a relatively small area makes for very eclectic scenery, but the planning is purposeful. Some of the sparkling new towers are designed to avoid smothering the views of the stately old dowager buildings.

Chicago’s downtown landscape reveals that it’s a city of paradoxes—the preservation of history and making room for innovation. The buildings reminded me that our life with Jesus Christ is filled with similar distinctions between old and new…some that have prompted heated disputes among believers. 

Is our faith based on completely new concepts? Do we focus only on the New Testament and its precepts? Jesus told John in Revelation 21:5, “Behold, I make all things new.” The promise in 2 Corinthians 5:17 assures us that we become “new creations” in Christ—that “old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.”

Yet the Bible is also filled with admonitions to heed God’s words from old: “Thus says the Lord: “Stand in the ways and see, and ask for the old paths, where the good way is, and walk in it; then you will find rest for your souls” (Jeremiah 6:16). Some Christians are unyielding in their firm adherence to Old Testament laws. 

So where do we land in our faith walk with Jesus? Old or new? Which is it?

The answer is—yes.

Like the Chicago skyline, the prophets of old stand alongside the apostles of the New Testament in their record of God’s word to His people. The entire Bible is Spirit-breathed, with both testaments giving testimony to God’s faithfulness, His salvation for His people, His precepts for godly living, and His promises for the future. 

As one integral package of God’s truth, the Bible is not a book to be split apart by its apparent contradictions or age differences. Instead, we need to study it as one long revelation of God’s commitment to His loved ones…the old mixed with the new. When Christ claimed that He came to us to fulfill the Scriptures of the Old Testament, He quoted from Isaiah to show that the old promises were still valid in the wondrous newness of His salvation.

Friend, when you read your Bible today, take to heart that every word in it is filled with the power of God to guide you in your walk with Christ. Ask His Holy Spirit to open your eyes to His truth, and let it guide you every day in your spiritual growth.

While the Chicago skyscrapers are temporal, you and I can find eternal strength and beauty as God builds His kingdom, through the faithful saints of old standing alongside His living soldiers. Let’s reach for the skies as we serve Christ, for His glory!

Father of all ages, all times, give us continued confidence and reverence for Your word as You have revealed it in Your Scriptures. Show us Your truth, which You have provided us for us throughout the centuries. Increase our faith, and show us Your glory on every page. Let Your power guide us to build Your kingdom among Your beloved people. In Jesus’ name, Amen. 

Nancy C. Williams is a Christian wife/mom with a writing career spanning more than 40 years in business and journalism. Williams is the author of the novel To Love a Falcon and the devotional book A Crocus in the Desert: Devotions, Stories, and Prayers for Women Experiencing Infertility. Her blogs are featured on Crossmap.com and AriseDaily. To follow Nancy’s posts and news, go to her home page at NancyCWilliams.com and subscribe at the bottom. 

© Copyright 2025 Nancy C. Williams (text and photography). Unless otherwise noted, Scripture verses are taken from the New King James Version®, Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved. #chicago #skyline #skyscrapers #riverboattour #museums #trexsue #chicagobean #deepdishpizza #windycity #uboat