Introduction to Biblical Studies: Origins, Interpretation, and Canon

Purpose of the Book

Designed for students new to academic study of the Bible; aims to help readers become informed readers.

Key Idea

The Christian Scriptures are both 'foreign' (historically, culturally, literarily) and 'familiar' (due to their influence in Christian traditions).

Motivations to Read the Bible

Faith and practice, historical interest, literary value, and theological meaning.

Faith and Practice

For many readers, the Bible is central to belief, worship, moral formation, spiritual life.

Historical Interest

Understanding the contexts in which the various books of the Bible were written.

Literary Value

The Scriptures have a variety of genres (poetry, narrative, epistle, prophecy, etc.) and require attention to genre, structure, rhetorical devices.

Theological Meaning

Questions of God, covenant, salvation, community, ethics, etc.

Caution in Reading the Bible

Reading the Bible calls for careful balance, respecting its theological claims while confronting challenges.

How Did We Get the Bible?

Deals with the origins of the Christian Scriptures: how they were composed, collected, transmitted, and canonized.

Composition of the Bible

The books were written in various times by different authors or anonymous/composite authors.

Canon Formation

The process by which certain books came to be accepted as canonical in Jewish and Christian communities.

Translation Issues

The Bible exists in many translations and involves issues of language and translation philosophy.

Context of Background

Historical, cultural, linguistic context is essential for understanding the text.

Context of Text

Genre, literary setting, canonical setting are essential for reading the Bible.

Risks of Reading Without Context

Reading without context risks misunderstanding.

Genre awareness

Knowing what kind of literature you are reading changes how you interpret it (e.g. narrative vs. poetry vs. prophecy vs. epistle).

Reading with humility and openness

Acknowledgement that modern readers bring their own presuppositions (beliefs, biases) and that these need to be recognized; also openness to being challenged by the text.

Interpretation / Hermeneutics

The process of understanding and explaining what the biblical texts mean, in their original contexts and for today.

Canon / Canonization

What books are included in the Bible, how that came about.

Textual transmission & variants

The way the text has come down through manuscripts, translations, etc., with differences among them.

Genre

The category of literature which shapes how we read (e.g. prophecy, poetry, history, narrative).

Formation of the Biblical Texts

1200-100 BCE - Approximate period during which the Hebrew Bible / Old Testament books were written.

Oldest parts of the Hebrew Bible

Oldest parts (like early Israelite poetry) may date to 1200s BCE; later writings (like Daniel) around 2nd century BCE.

New Testament writing period

50-125 CE - Period during which the New Testament books were written.

Paul's letters

Paul's letters likely date from 50-60s CE; may be early 2nd century CE.

Gospels writing period

Gospels written 65-100 CE.

Christian biblical canon consensus

4th Century CE - General consensus on the Christian biblical canon emerges in both Eastern and Western churches.

Council of Carthage

397 CE - Council of Carthage: similar affirmation of canon.

Septuagint

3rd-2nd Century BCE - Translation of Hebrew Scriptures into Greek: the Septuagint (LXX).

Latin Vulgate completion

405 CE - Completion of the Latin Vulgate, by Jerome, becomes standard Bible of the Western church for centuries.

Gutenberg Bible

15th Century CE (c. 1450) - Gutenberg Bible printed; beginning of widespread printed copies of the Bible.

Protestant Reformation and translation

16th Century CE - Protestant Reformation challenges canon and translation: Martin Luther translates Bible into German (1522-1534).