Old Testament and New Testament

Overview of the Bible

  • The Bible is defined as a collection of sacred and religious texts originating from both the Christian and Jewish traditions.
  • It is considered a "love letter from God."

Structure of the Hebrew Bible (Tanakh)

  • The Hebrew Bible, called Tanakh, is an abbreviation with three main sections:
    • Torah (Teaching)
    • Nevi'im (Prophets)
    • Ketuvim (Writings)
  • Pronunciation: The last letter 'k' is pronounced as a 'ch' sound rather than a hard 'k'.

1. Torah

  • Definition: Refers to the first five books of the Old Testament, significant for Judaism.
  • Comprises:
    • Genesis
    • Exodus
    • Leviticus
    • Numbers
    • Deuteronomy
  • These books contain the creation narrative and other foundational stories of the Jewish faith.
  • The narrative begins with creation and ends just before the Israelites enter the Promised Land; Moses dies before entry.

2. Nevi'im

  • Definition: Refers to the prophetic literature in the Hebrew Bible.
  • Early Prophets: Include books such as Joshua, Judges, Samuel, and Kings.
  • Later Prophets:
    • Include major prophets like Isaiah, Jeremiah, and Ezekiel.
    • Also includes the Book of the Twelve, which consists of shorter prophetic texts from Amos to Malachi.

3. Ketuvim

  • Definition: The Writings, which encompasses a variety of literary forms.
  • Contains books such as:
    • Psalms
    • Proverbs
    • Lamentations
    • Ruth
    • Chronicles
  • The specific placement and order of these books may differ in various translations.

Scrolls and Writing Traditions

  • The Torah was originally written on long scrolls of papyrus or parchment, rolled up for storage.
  • Scroll Structure:
    • Open the first column to read, then open the second column while closing the first.
  • This practice led to authoritative scripture readings in communities of faith.

Biblical Canon and its Significance

  • Definition of Canon:
    • A set of texts regarded as authoritative scripture within a particular religious tradition.
    • The term "canon" originally stems from a Hebrew word referring to a measuring stick or ruler, representing how the Bible serves as a standard for understanding God.

Differing Biblical Canons

  • Christian Canons:
    • The Protestant tradition recognizes the Old and New Testaments but excludes certain books (apocryphal/deuterocanonical) found in Catholic Bibles.
    • Early Christianity had varying numbers of books; for instance, certain writings were included in the Septuagint.
  • Septuagint: A Greek translation of the Hebrew Bible, included additional texts that formed part of early Christian scripture.
  • The Protestant Reformation (1517) influenced the return to a shorter Hebrew Bible canon opposed to the longer Septuagint canon.

Historical Context of Textual Development

  • Historical Influences:
    • Over roughly a millennia, the Old Testament developed, leading to translation efforts as Jews in Egypt became Hellenized.
    • The Septuagint included both Hebrew texts and newer Greek writings.
  • Printing Press:
    • The advent of the printing press complicated changes in biblical texts due to the effort involved in printing corrections and reconfiguring order, leading to retention of the Septuagint’s order with a shorter Hebrew Bible canon.

The Role of the Old Testament in Christianity

  • Marcian's Supersessionism:
    • An early Christian view advocating for the exclusion of the Old Testament, stating that only the New Testament should be followed by Christians.
    • This view was rejected, leading to the inclusion of the Old Testament as vital for understanding Jesus and the New Testament.

Abrahamic Religions and Their Common Sources

  • Islam and the Quran:
    • Founded in the 7th century; intricately linked to both the Old and New Testaments.
    • Acknowledges Jesus as a prophet and references many shared narratives/figures (e.g., Abraham as Ibrahim in Quran).
  • Commonality among Abrahamic Religions:
    • Judaism, Christianity, and Islam share a common origin, tracing back to the figure of Abraham.
    • These religions are identified as monotheistic, yet each has evolved its theological stances and texts.
    • They all consider themselves scriptural religions where their beliefs are articulated and grounded in sacred texts.

Conclusion

  • The lecture indicates that scholars will discuss further complexities and relationships between these traditions post the break, suggesting a more in-depth exploration of scriptural interpretations, historical developments, and doctrinal implications.