INTRODUCTION TO THE BIBLE

Understanding the Scripture

What is the world’s best selling book?

What was the first book publishedIn 1456 after the printing pressWas invented?

What book covers more Than 2000 years of history?

What is one of the oldest manuscriptsIn existence?

THE BIBLE

Why study the Bible? • covenant—sacred agreement• basis of spiritual life• leads to a deeper love of Jesus• Teaches about Trinity

• Understanding of our faith• Belief in one God--Monotheism• God created everything/

Humans in his image• Chosen people=Jews (called

after fall of Jerusalem)• Hebrews (before Exodus);

Israelites after desert• Defining moments of Jews:

Exodus/ Passover/ • Law/ New covenant • New covenant--Jesus

Bible(English)

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=Biblios (Greek)

“Books” (Literal Meaning)

=

The Bible

is a library

of books.

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How many books of the Bible can you name?

Who wrote the Bible?• Author?• GOD

– Human writers– Different times– Different types of

writing

• Subject?/ Audience?– God’s role in shaping

human events

– Israelites

What was special about these authors?

• Ordinary people• not dictated people still used their creative abilities• “to breathe into”-inspired (by the Holy Spirit)• Inspiration-God speaks through human authors• Source of God’s wisdom• Not fact or science

• God remains the same• Human understanding of God develops with time

• Inerrancy-truths of faith are accurate and without error

How?

HistoryArcheology

Literary forms

Culture

Why? Discovery of the intended meaning

Stages• Oral Tradition—the Israelites

kept their history alive by repeating it throughout many generations.

– Historical chronicles– Genealogies– Laws– Cultural lore

• Inconsistent over time

• Written Tradition: individuals or groups recorded the oral traditions of the Israelites

– Letters– Memoirs– Genealogies– Palace and temple records – Documents

• More inconstancy as changed over time

• • Edited: Editors combined

traditions into interpreted story of the dealings of God with humankind

First writing @ 2000 years ago – Mesopotamia• Wrote on anything: stone, metal, wood,

rocks, clay (Still around)• 17C BC used parchment—animal skins

(sheep, goats, calves) soaked in lime water, scraped, stretched, dried and rubbed with chalk or pumice to smooth

– parchment could be handled, was more durable

– could write on both sides– heavier and shinier

• Egyptians wrote as well but on Papyrus (4000 BC -500Ad)

– —paper made from reeds of the Nile.

– Used in scrolls because the paper dried and became brittle

– First Bible was written on papyrus scrolls

• Writing started as pictographs, evolved to syllabic and the alphabetic (@ 2000 Bc in Indo-European)

• Slow process – – @ 3 syllables per minute. = 72 words

per hour (6-7 lines of type)– 140 words fit on a page of papyrus

would take 2 days to fill page– Letter to the Romans --@ 7200 words

= 50 sheets of papyrus and 100 hours to write

When was the Bible written?• Not as happened• Not in order of events in Bible• Cohesiveness to story as arranged (example

Some of Paul’s letters were written before the Gospels/ Genesis 1-11 was written after most of the OT)

• Dates range from 900 BCE to 62 AD

Canon• Official list of inspired books of the Bible• “reed” –Greek• Defined April 8 with the council of Trent• Process of writing took centuries• They looked at the following criteria as they evaluated the

writings:– apostolic origin – universal acceptance– the use of the writings in liturgical celebrations– the consistency of a book’s message with other

Christian and Jewish writings

Number of books in OT— Jewish Protestant Catholic l l l 39 39 46

2 sections – OT/ NT

Extra books are called apocryphal books by Jews and Protestants

TaNaK-- Torah/Nebiium (prophets)/ Ketubim (writings)—Jewish canon

Alexandrian –Greek—CatholicJamnian—Hebrew-Protestant

Languages of the Bible

• Hebrew Hebrew Scriptures had no vowels• Greek: Wisdom, Maccabees, Baruch, Ben Sirach parts of Daniel, and Esther Ezra, and Jeremiah

( New Testament)• Aramaic: Tobit and Judith, ( Matthew and a few words in the Gospel of Mark)

Early Versions of the Old Testament

• Masoretic Text (Hebrew)

• Septuagint (Greek)

• Vulgate (Latin)

A leaf from the Masoretic

Interpretations• ~1452 first printed Bible• Septuagint (2-3c) – A translation into Greek for the Jews in

Alexandria, Egypt• Vulgate (end of 4thc) St. Jerome translated into Latin, common

language of the world at that time. • Catholic translations in modern English: New American

(approved for liturgy), New Revised Standard, New Jerusalem, Good News Catholic ed.

• NAB—used in Liturgy in US/ NRSV in Canada

• KJV (1611) Protestant edition OT from Hebrew/ NT from Greek• Revised standard version (1953) Modern Protestant Version• Living Bible (1971) –paraphrased version• Good News – paraphrased version

Senses of Scripture• Literal –meaning conveyed (not exactly what

it says– Catholics DO NOT believe in a literal

translation interpretation

• Allegorical-how people, events and things point to Pascal Mystery

• Moral—how to live just and ethical• Anagogical- in terms of eternal significance

Old Testament Literary Terms

Mary, Mother of God slaughters Christ the King

St. Mary’s clobbers Child Jesus

What do these mean?

If misinterpreted what problems could arise?How can misinterpretations be prevented?How can scripture be misinterpreted? Why?

Sources of the Sources of the PentateuchPentateuch

NOT A SCIENTIFIC NOT A SCIENTIFIC EXPLANATION OF THE EXPLANATION OF THE

UNIVERSEUNIVERSE

USED POPULAR USED POPULAR IMAGES TO CONVEY IMAGES TO CONVEY RELIGIOUS TRUTHRELIGIOUS TRUTH

YAHWIST—vivid, earthy YAHWIST—vivid, earthy style of writing with an style of writing with an

anthropomorphic view of anthropomorphic view of GodGod

ELOHIST—emphasis on ELOHIST—emphasis on prophesies; Abraham is prophesies; Abraham is

central figurecentral figure

DEUTERONOMIST—DEUTERONOMIST—emphasis on morality emphasis on morality

and the Law; highlights and the Law; highlights Moses’ speechesMoses’ speeches

PRIESTLY—census lists, PRIESTLY—census lists, genealogies, numbers, genealogies, numbers, dates, proper ways to dates, proper ways to

worshipworship

Interpretation of Scripture

Who interprets scripture?

Magisterium has the teaching responsibility for the Church—scripture and Tradition

Three defining moments: 1943 Pius XII allowed and recognized modern

methods of Biblical criticism (Divino-Afflante Spiritu) 1965 Vatican II explored literary devises and the

need to study cultures written 1993 Laid out several methods to study scripture,

explained the senses of the scripture and developed a list of characteristics of Catholic interpretation

Who interprets scripture? (Con’t)

Other contemporary teachings: Modern archeological discoveries Dei Verbum—highlighted the role of scripture in

liturgy and individual lives

Reminders: deposit of faith Guarding the deposit of faith is the responsibility of

the church

A Look at Biblical Exegesis

If you found a letter written by one person to another person, what would you need to consider in order to truly understand it?

Biblical exegesis: The critical interpretation and explanation of a biblical text.

© Danylchenko Iaroslav /Shutterstock.com

A Look at Biblical Exegesis (cont.)

Critical -thoughtful and thorough review of a particular biblical text, taking all aspects and senses into consideration.

What does biblical exegesis do? looks at language, symbols, culture, and

history that influenced the human author. Tries to understand the intention the human

author in writing the book What is God revealing through the

human author’s words.© Danylchenko Iaroslav /Shutterstock.com

Why Exegesis?

Ensures an authentic interpretation

Guidance of the Magisterium. Examined in light of the whole

of Revelation, doctrines and teachings of the Church.

God’s truth never contradicts itself.

This is known as the analogy of faith.

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Types of Biblical Criticism

Biblical criticism: Another term for biblical exegesis.

Textual criticism: Deals with the text itself; it is concerned with finding the most original texts written by the human authors and with creating authentic translations of these ancient texts.

Historical criticism: Considers the historical setting of the text.

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Types of Biblical Criticism

Literary criticism: Considers the literary forms utilized in the text and how those are used to convey the deeper meaning of the text.

Source criticism: Concerns itself with other writings the human author drew on in writing his book and how the Bibles stories compare to other ancient writings.

Process is called Historical –critical method enables us to get at the true meaning intended by the author

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Biblical parallels Gilgamesh—2000 BC Mesopotamian Lit/ Flood story Code of Hammurabi –1792-1750 BC Babylonian/Rule book (similar to Ex/Lev/Deut) Ptah-Hotep—2450 BC Egypt/ Wise sayings Enuma Elish

Babylonian/creation story

IF BOTH

ReligionScience

Point to the “TRUTH”

What happens when they disagree or seem to disagree

Science and History

Catholic teaching-faith, science and history can co-exist

Math, science, psychology, sociology, history and literature are gifts

God gifted us with imaginations and inquisitive minds

Fundamental approach—literal Contextual approach—literal sense of scripture is

informed by historical and scientific information

Other things to consider

Archeology Dead Sea Scrolls Nag Hammadi manuscripts

Literary analysis—redaction

Reformation –Bible is translated to venacular Council of Trent and scripture

Overview of Old and New Testament

Document #: TX001066

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What are the main sections of the Bible?

Old and New TestamentsOld and New Testaments

Our covenant relationship to God

Synonym for

is solemn vow

The original covenant is fulfilled

Old TestamentOld Testament

God’s relationship with

the Hebrews/Israelites

Old and New

• Jewish– Hebrew scripture– History of Israel– Covenant with God

– Not out of date—but preparation for Gospel

• Christian– Roots in the OT– Cannot understand

Jesus with out OT, Jesus was Jewish it is the foundation of all he taught

– Therefore, we cannot understand the New without the Old—message of the OT is hidden in OT

– We are called to proclaim the good news of NT

Where in the World…OT

• Mesopotamia

• ---Valley of the Tigris and Euphrates river

• (mostly now Iraq)

• ---Formed the fertile crescent• semicircle of rich farm and

grazing land• ---subject to coastal invasions• ---coastal area = “way to the

sea”

• Egypt– Along the Nile– More Stable

Where in the World…NT• Palestine

– Galilee– Samaria– Judea

• Influenced by Greek• Jewish sects: Pharisees, Sadducees,

Herodians, Zealots, Essenes

The Church Determines the Canon

• Greek-- meaning “rule” or “standard.”

• Catholic canon –• 46 –OT/ 27 NT• 7 books differ from

protestant versions• OT based on

Septuagint• Protestants rejected

Septuagint

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PentateuchGreek-First five books Torah-Hebrew “law”

ProphetsEighteen books recording the warnings and promises of Israel’s prophets

WisdomSeven books of poetry and wise sayings

Historical BooksSixteen books of religious history and a few “historical novellas”

Canon (con’t)

Bible divisions • OT/ NT• OT written between 1900 BC and 100 BC, (most was probably during

Solomon’s reign (900BC) and the Exile (500 BC) They were written on papyrus scrolls. None of the original manuscripts exist today.

• Reveals God working in world and covenant

• Pentateuch History WisdomProphetic(Law) --conquest of --poetry --visions of

--creationancestors CanaanMacabees –Job prophets

--Is. History breakup of Is. --wise sayings --sermons --codes of law --explore life ? --

warnings --advise @

traps of

life

Connect the Old Testament Booksto Their Sections

Micah

2 Chronicles

Song of Songs

Jeremiah

Deuteronomy

Proverbs

Exodus

Judges

PENTATEUCH

HISTORICAL BOOKS

THE PROPHETS

WISDOM & POETRY

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Catholic LettersSeven letters written by Christ’s Apostles or their disciples to provide teaching and to correct abuses in the early churches

Gospels & ActsThe story of Jesus’ life and ministry and the start of the Church, told from four complementaryfaith perspectives

Pauline Letters(Epistles)Fourteen letters by Saint Paul or his disciples written to provide teaching and to correct abuses in the early churches

RevelationA book written as apocalypticliterature, during a time whenChristians were being persecuted

Connect the New Testament Booksto Their Sections

2 John

Mark

Galatians

John

Revelation to John

Romans

James

1 Timothy

GOSPELS & ACTS

PAULINE LETTERS

CATHOLIC LETTERS

REVELATION