Intro to Scripture

Old Testament

Old Testament

referring to the "Old" or "First" Covenant God made with the Hebrew/Jewish people.

Old Testament is usually referred to as the Hebrew Scriptures.

New Testament

The New Testament is the second half of the bible, describing life with Jesus and the lessons that he taught. Sometimes called Christian Sciptures

Hebrew Scriptures

Sacred texts of Judaism, comprising the Torah, Prophets, and Writings. They are written in Hebrew and represent the foundation of Jewish belief and practice.

Tanakh

Jewish people would call their scriptures TANAKH or TORAH.

TANAKH stands for

T- Torah

N- Nevi’m

K-Ketuvim

Torah

The first five books, often referred to as the Pentateuch about Gods Chose People

Nevi’im

The books of the Prophets

Ketuvim

The writings- a collection of Psalms, Historical Books, Novellas, Wise sayings, and Proverbs.

Salvation History

Is the cycle of God loving us and continuously calling us back into a relationship with him

Biblia

Bible=Biblia=”Books”

Testament

Synonym for Covenant, that means a promise or agreement

Deutero- Canonical Books

Deutero=second, Canon=official collection-

The seven books in the Catholic bible that are not in the bible are used by most other Christians.

he number of Deutero-canonical books is ____.

7

What are the name of the Deutero-canonical books?

Judith, Tobit, Wisdom, Baruch, Sirach, l&ll Maccabees

Why are Deutero-canonical books in the Catholic Bible not in the Bible used by many other Christians?

Because groups of people were adding books in the bible and these seven were added last. Bit when the Catholics split from the Protestants they used a older version of the bible which did not involve these 7 books.

The Three Worlds of the Text

Historical- Behind the Text

Literary- Of the text

Personal- Beyond the text

Historical Questions

The history behind the text, like who wrote it? when it was written? Are there any significant events of the Salvation History that make sense for the background of this text?

Literary Questions

The details of the text; What is the original language of this text? Genre? Any Metaphors, Similes, Repetition, Contrast, Symbols, etc. Who are the characters? Setting? Plot? Which POV are we reading from? How might attention to space/ time of the passage influence our interpretation?

Personal Questions

What is Personal about it; What is the message or truth God is trying to say? How can we use this passage in today’s world? What s this passage challenging or questioning? How might gender, culture, life experience, religion, etc. affect the way a modern-day reader might respond to the text? How can this text help my relationship with God? What can I take from this passage and be inspired by it?

Literalist

Takes everything in the story to be exactly true, word for word.

Contextualist

Believes that the meaning of the story is true, even if every detail is not factually true

Inspire

Means “to breathe”,  Like how god life breathes into the authors and inspired them to write the book.

Dual Authorship

Bible has both Human and divine authors. Humans wrote the bible but God inspired them.

Divine Inspiration

The Holy Spirit inspires a human author to record Scared Truth while God is the ultimate author, the revelation itself Is communicated within the context of its writer.

Magisterium

Official teachings of the Church

Historical Books

Tells the Israelites’ history including setting into the Promise land., the rise and fall of their kings, their exile, and finally return to the Promise land.

Biblical Novellas

Like short novels, these are historical stories that instruct and encourage readers.

Wisdom and Poetry Books

A collection of hymns, poems, proverbs, and stories that use imaginative language.

Books of the Prophets

Stories of people who speak God’s word and give you comfort, promise, and achallengee to act with justice and mercy.

Gospels and Acts

Stories about Jesus and stories that show how Christians formed the church and first spread the Good News.

Letters

Also called epistles, these describe the new faith, give advice and words of hope.

Revelation

How does God reveal himself

Stages of Revelations

1. Gradually- Over time we learn and understand more and more

2. In a Limited way- Reveals self in a way we understand at the time

3. In the context of different people/places- Can only understand and articulate using the languages, experiences, and cultures of our time.

4. Through the person of Jesus- In Jesus God is revealed fully

Events

People experience god.

Relate to the Bible: Through events, God was revealing important truths.

Oral Tradition

People shared the stories verbally. Not all may sound the same since everyone have different perspectives.

Relate to the Bible: Different Perspectives

Written Tradition

People wrote down stories.

Relate to the Bible: When people wrote down stories in the bible it was based on the oral tradition

Edited Tradition

People collected and edited over time

Relate to the Bible: The written version of the bible in present day, was most likely edited and layered over time.

Biblical Canonization

The official version of the bible is determined when religious leaders selected which stories are truly inspired.

Canon

Greek word meaning rule or standard, refers to the official version of the bible

What standards were used to decide what should go into the Bible during Biblical Canonization?

Criteria used to determine the Biblical Canon included apostolic authority, orthodoxy, widespread acceptance, and consistency with existing scripture.

Types of Truth

Scientific, Historical, Human, Religious

Scientific Certainty

Truth is Based on empirical observations whose conclusions go beyond info contained in the premise and predict future events.

Ex. Earth revolves around the sun; the Law of gravity

Historical

Past events that have been verified through significant research in various fields.

Ex. George Washington was the first president of the United States.

Human Experience

Subjective; speaks to the truth of personal experience.

Ex. Poetry, fiction, music: is it true for me?

Religious Truth

Truths revealed by religious scriptures and traditions.

Ex. Genesis stories teach truths that God is a Creator and God is good.

What is the Apostolic Tradition?

Apostolic Tradition refers to the teachings, practices, and beliefs of the early Christian Church as transmitted by the apostles to their successors.

Who are the Chosen people?

Group of people believed to be chosen by God for a special purpose. Throughout history, there have been many groups of people who have believed themselves to be chosen by God for a special purpose. These groups often have a strong religious or spiritual component to their beliefs and practices. They may see themselves as having a unique role to play in the world or as being part of a larger divine plan.

Greatest Commandment

Love your neighbor as yourself.