THE SFX-PJ-RCIATHE SFX-PJ-RCIA

Introduction to the Bible

What is the Bible TO YOU…?

What the Bible is NOT

… just another classic story book…? … a historical book..?? … for scientific study..???

...controversial; most loved / hated book..??

A HOLY moment…

Enthronement of the Bible… Gospel Acclamation Why we stand for the Gospel reading.. The Bible remains open paged

throughout the entire session…

What the Bible is…

…because, the Bible is, the written Word of God.

(God,) Your word is a lamp for my feet,a light for my path.. Psalm 119:105

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.. ..the light of all mankind.. John 1:1,3

The Word of God

The Word of God Divine Revelation

(God reveals Himself...)

And the Word became flesh, and lived among us…..as the Father’s only Son. No one has seen God;God’s only Son..has revealed Him. John 1:14,18

The Word of God

1. Sacred Tradition2. Sacred Scripture

..hold to the traditions which you have received, whether by spoken word, or by written word.. 2 Thessalonians 2:15

Two pillars of Divine Revelation

God is the author of sacred scripture

The Lord said onto my Lord,Sit at my right hand,While I make thy enemies Thy footstool. Psalm 110

God is the author of sacred scripture

“…(King) David, inspired by the Spirit… say(s): the Lord said to my Lord, sit at my right hand, while I make your enemies your footstool..” (Jesus speaking) Mathew 22:43

God is the author of sacred scripture

Sacred Scripture

Bible : biblia (biblion; the Greek singular)

Contents Page…

2 Main Sections: 1. Old Testament

2. New Testament

Testament / Covenant

What is a Testament / Covenant ..?

Convenire : to come together, in a sacred bond, between God and mankind

Covenant with Adam and wife

Let Us make mankind in Our image, after Our likeness.....God created mankind in His own image..Male and female he created them... Gen 1: 26,27

Family Covenant with Noah

..with you, I shall establish my covenant;you and your sons, your wife, and yoursons wives shall enter the ark.. Gen 6:18

Tribal Covenant with Abraham

…your name shall be Abraham....I will establish my covenant with you…This is my covenant.. ; every male among you shall be circumcised… Gen 17:7,

A coming New Covenant

The days are coming, says the Lord, when I will make a new covenant... ..I will be their God, and they shall be my people. Jeremiah 31:31, 33

Contents Page again…

PENTATEUCH(5 Books)

HISTORY(16 Books)

WISDOM & POETRY(7 Books)

PROPHECY(18 Books)

PROPHECY

GOSPELS(4 Books)

HISTORY(1Book)

LETTERS(21 Books)

APOCALYPSE (1 Book)

A library of 73 books.. written by more than 40 different human

authors.. at different historical times… using many different Literature Forms!

The structural content of the Bible (CONTENTS PAGE)

Historical context and Literary Forms (Dei Verbum, 12)

Biblical LiteratureFoundational Myth / Legend

When men began to multiply on earth and daughters were born to them, the sons of heaven saw how beautiful they were, and they took them as their wives, as many as they chose…

Genesis 6:1-2

Biblical LiteratureLegal Codes / Statutes

On the tenth of this month, you are to take a lamb.. a year old, without blemish.. You are to take its blood, put it on the two doorposts.. you are to eat the meat, roasted over fire, with unleavened breadand bitter herbs.. Exodus 12:3-8

Biblical LiteraturePsalms / Odes / Songs

Give thanks to the Lord, who is good,Whose love endures forever.Let the house of Israel say,God’s love endures forever.Let those who fear the Lord say,God’s love endures forever. Psalm 118

Biblical LiteratureProphetic

Ask a sign from God.. as deep as the nether world, as high as the sky....the Lord himself shall give you a sign: the virgin shall be with child, and bear a son, his name shall be Immanuel... Isaiah 7:11,14

Biblical LiteratureGenealogies Abraham fathered Isaac.. fathered Jacob..

fathered Judah and his brothers…..Jesse fathered David.. fathered Solomon....Jacob fathered Joseph, husband of Mary, of her, Jesus was born, who is the Christ. Mathew 1:2,6,16

Biblical LiteratureApocalypse

Then I saw, in the middle of the throne, the four living creatures, and the elders, there stood a Lamb, and it appeared to have been slain… Revelations 5:6

Biblical LiteratureEpistles / Letters

See what large letters I have written with my own hand! It’s those who want to appear outwardly important, who have… (..deceived you..) Galatians 6:11

Interpreting the Bible

1. Unity of content2. Living Tradition3. Analogy of faith CCC 112-114 Dei Verbum 12

How was the Bible put together..?

Oral Tradition

Keep this Book of the Law upon your mouth… Joshua 1:8

..hold to the traditions which you have received, whether by spoken word, or by written word.. 2 Thessalonians 2:15

Writing of the Bible

Old Testament

1. Pentateuch or Torah c 1000 BC2. Historical books c 650 – 350 BC3. Wisdom & Poetry books c 450 – 100 BC4. Prophecy books c 750 – 450 BC

Writing of the Bible

Writing of the BibleNew Testament

1. Letters (13 by Paul, 8 by others) 50AD–60AD2. Mark, Mathew, Luke, John 60AD– 80/95AD3. Acts of the Apostles 70AD4. Apocalypse/Revelation 100AD

Language and Translations

1. OT Writings in Hebrew: The Hebrew Scriptures2. Greek OT translation: The Septuagint (3BC)3. New Testament (in Greek)4. Complete Latin translation: The Latin Vulgate (4th century)5. English Translation: Douay-Rheims (1600AD)

The Canon of Scripturecanon (kanon) : measuring stick/reed ‘meet the standard’

Canon of Scripture: the divinely inspired authoritative books of the Bible

It was by the Apostolic Tradition that the Church discerned which writings are to be included in the list of sacred books. CCC120

-The complete Bible Canon382AD Council of Rome

The Canon of Scripture

OT Protestant Bible canon only has the: Proto-canonical books

OT Catholic Bibles also have:Deutro-canonical books (Apocrypha) - Tobit, Judith, Baruch, Sirach, Wisdom,

Maccabees 1 and 2 - Esther 11-16, Daniel 13-14

The Canon of Scripture

History : Chapters & Verses

1226 Stephen Langton divided into chapters.1551 Robert Stephens inserted verses.

Reading the Bible

Reading the Bible

Title of BookTitle of Book

ChapterChapter

VerseVerse

FootnotesFootnotes

Reading the Bible

Bible Citation

Gen 1 : 26Gen 1 : 26

Reading the Bible

Bible Citation

GenGen 1 : 26 1 : 26

Reading the Bible

Bible Citation

Gen Gen 1 : 261 : 26

Reading the Bible

Title of BookTitle of Book

ChapterChapter

VersesVerses

FootnotesFootnotes

Gen 1 : 26Gen 1 : 26

Reading the Bible

a.a. Gen 1 : 27 – 30 Gen 1 : 27 – 30

b.b. Gen 1 : 31 – 2 : 3 Gen 1 : 31 – 2 : 3

c.c. Gen 2 : 7 – 8, 18, 23 Gen 2 : 7 – 8, 18, 23

Reading the Bible

a.a. Gen 1 : 27 – 30 Gen 1 : 27 – 30

b.b. Gen 1 : 31 – 2 : 3 Gen 1 : 31 – 2 : 3

c.c. Gen 2 : 7 – 8, 18, 23 Gen 2 : 7 – 8, 18, 23

(The first covenant…)

Reading the Bible

The Bible handout…

Reading the Gospels…

Mark Mathew Luke John

Journaling…

QUESTION: What do I hope to gain from my Bible..?

The End