Lands of the BibleLands of the Bible

What is religion?What is religion? A view of the worldA view of the world Faith and creedsFaith and creeds Relationship to a Relationship to a

supreme beingsupreme being Holy bookHoly book Sin and salvationSin and salvation ““life after death”life after death” SacramentsSacraments Prayer and worshipPrayer and worship

Early civilizations Early civilizations were were polytheisticpolytheistic——they believed in more they believed in more than one god.than one god.

Christianity and the BibleChristianity and the Bible Christianity deals with the teachings of the Holy Bible, Christianity deals with the teachings of the Holy Bible,

the “word” of God.the “word” of God. The Bible is written in two parts: the Old Testament The Bible is written in two parts: the Old Testament

and then New Testament.and then New Testament. The Old Testament reveals the story of Creation while The Old Testament reveals the story of Creation while

the New Testament tells the story of God’s son, Jesus the New Testament tells the story of God’s son, Jesus Christ. Christ.

Christianity teaches the doctrine (idea) that people Christianity teaches the doctrine (idea) that people must “love one another and accept God as their must “love one another and accept God as their savior”.savior”.

Not only is the Bible a source of religious influence, but Not only is the Bible a source of religious influence, but it is also a great source of history.it is also a great source of history.

Dead Sea ScrollsDead Sea Scrolls Discovered in 1947.Discovered in 1947. Earliest recorded text Earliest recorded text

of the Bible dating to of the Bible dating to AD 68.AD 68.

They survived 2000 They survived 2000 years wrapped in years wrapped in linen and contained linen and contained in pottery jars.in pottery jars.

Jewish cultureJewish culture Jewish history begins with the Bible.Jewish history begins with the Bible. Called the Called the IsraelitesIsraelites.. Slaves to the EgyptiansSlaves to the Egyptians Led from captivity by Moses to the “promised land” of Led from captivity by Moses to the “promised land” of

Canaan Canaan (today Israel).(today Israel). Defeated the tribes of Canaanites by destroying their Defeated the tribes of Canaanites by destroying their

walled city of walled city of JerichoJericho.. Divided into Divided into twelve tribes twelve tribes each ruled by a each ruled by a judgejudge.. Their enemy was the Their enemy was the PhilistinesPhilistines (today (today ArabsArabs).). They united together under one ruler, King Saul and They united together under one ruler, King Saul and

later David.later David. Their capital became Their capital became JerusalemJerusalem..

David and King Saul

King Solomon (965-928 BC)King Solomon (965-928 BC)David’s successorDavid’s successorPeaceful reignPeaceful reignFocused on lavish building projectsFocused on lavish building projectsThe most important was a temple to house The most important was a temple to house

the the Ark of the CovenantArk of the Covenant, the holy laws , the holy laws given to Moses from God.given to Moses from God.

These buildings cost so much that he These buildings cost so much that he became broke, and he began to use his became broke, and he began to use his people for slave labour. people for slave labour.

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/f/f7/King_Solomon.jpg

After SolomonAfter Solomon After Solomon’s death, Israel is divided into two After Solomon’s death, Israel is divided into two

kingdoms: Israel in the north and Judah in the kingdoms: Israel in the north and Judah in the south.south.

Egypt invades Israel in 924 BC, destroying many Egypt invades Israel in 924 BC, destroying many cities.cities.

By the eighth century BC, kingdoms like Assyria By the eighth century BC, kingdoms like Assyria and Babylon invaded and captured Israelites and Babylon invaded and captured Israelites deporting them to their territories.deporting them to their territories.

During these years the Jews, as they became During these years the Jews, as they became known, were comforted and supported by their known, were comforted and supported by their religion.religion.