INTRODUCTION TO INTRODUCTION TO THE BIBLETHE BIBLE

WHAT IS THE BIBLE ?WHAT IS THE BIBLE ?

““BBible” from Gk “biblia” meaning books.ible” from Gk “biblia” meaning books. It is a collection of 73 books, written by It is a collection of 73 books, written by

numerous authors who were inspired by numerous authors who were inspired by God to write.God to write.

The books were written over a period The books were written over a period between 1000 BC & 100 AD.between 1000 BC & 100 AD.

Bible is called the Word of God because Bible is called the Word of God because through it God communicates, expresses through it God communicates, expresses Himself to us.Himself to us.

Bible also referred to as Sacred Scripture.Bible also referred to as Sacred Scripture. It is used by Christians as the main source It is used by Christians as the main source

of Christian knowledge, but not the only of Christian knowledge, but not the only source.source.

The bible is a religious book; it tells aboutThe bible is a religious book; it tells aboutGod & His plan for humanity: ItGod & His plan for humanity: It tells of what great deeds God did for us tells of what great deeds God did for us

out of love.out of love. traces the history of the Jewish people, traces the history of the Jewish people,

to whom God first revealed Himself.to whom God first revealed Himself. Is a guide to our daily life, living as Is a guide to our daily life, living as

children of God.children of God. Is the Is the living living Word of God, living because Word of God, living because

the word of God is as relevant today as the word of God is as relevant today as it was hundreds of years ago.it was hundreds of years ago.

OLD TESTAMENT & NEW OLD TESTAMENT & NEW TESTAMENTTESTAMENT

The 73 books are divided into 2 parts:The 73 books are divided into 2 parts: Old TestamentOld Testament New TestamentNew TestamentOld TestamentOld Testament is the first & longer part is the first & longer part

with 46 books in Catholic edition, 39 in with 46 books in Catholic edition, 39 in Protestant edition. Protestant edition.

It is called It is called Old TestamentOld Testament by Christians & by Christians & Hebrew ScriptureHebrew Scripture by Jews who profess by Jews who profess Judaism.Judaism.

New Testament forms the second part of bible, consisting of 27 books.

Both Catholic & Protestant bibles contain the same 27 books.

Old TestamentOld Testament

Tells story of how God revealed Himself & His Tells story of how God revealed Himself & His plan for humanity, up to just before the coming of plan for humanity, up to just before the coming of Jesus Christ.Jesus Christ.

Shows how man came to know the One True Shows how man came to know the One True God.God.

Traces the history of the Jewish people / Traces the history of the Jewish people / Hebrews /Israelites, the people God chose to Hebrews /Israelites, the people God chose to reveal Himself.reveal Himself.

Some books of OT foretold the coming of a Some books of OT foretold the coming of a Messiah /Saviour of the Jewish people.Messiah /Saviour of the Jewish people.

New TestamentNew Testament

Gives an outline of Jesus Christ’s life & Gives an outline of Jesus Christ’s life & teachings.teachings.

Centres on his life, suffering, death & Centres on his life, suffering, death & resurrection, and resurrection, and

on the early community of His followers on the early community of His followers called Christians, whose mission was to called Christians, whose mission was to preach & spread Jesus’ good news of preach & spread Jesus’ good news of salvation, first to the Jews & then to all salvation, first to the Jews & then to all humanity, the people of God on earth.humanity, the people of God on earth.

Meaning & Significance of Meaning & Significance of “Testament”“Testament”

TestamentTestament means covenant; agreement. means covenant; agreement.

A covenant is a sacred agreement or A covenant is a sacred agreement or relationship between God & humans.relationship between God & humans.

In ancient times, such covenants were In ancient times, such covenants were finalized & confirmed through sacred finalized & confirmed through sacred rituals & ceremonies.rituals & ceremonies.

Hebrew Scripture revealed that ancient Hebrew Scripture revealed that ancient Hebrews agreed to a spiritual covenant Hebrews agreed to a spiritual covenant friendship with God, which was to last friendship with God, which was to last forever. forever.

It was an agreement offered by Yahweh It was an agreement offered by Yahweh (Hebrew name for God) that would be (Hebrew name for God) that would be rooted deeply in a mutual sense of rooted deeply in a mutual sense of relationship, of love & respect (relationship, of love & respect (I will be your I will be your God & you will be my peopleGod & you will be my people).).

OT books showed there were a series of OT books showed there were a series of loving & sacred covenants established loving & sacred covenants established between Yahweh & Hebrew people. Some between Yahweh & Hebrew people. Some great figures assoc. with these agreements great figures assoc. with these agreements are are Abraham, Noah & MosesAbraham, Noah & Moses

Read about:Read about:►Abraham – Gen 15, 17, 18 & 21.Abraham – Gen 15, 17, 18 & 21.

►Noah & the Great Flood – Gen 9:8-Noah & the Great Flood – Gen 9:8-17.17.

►Moses, escape from Egypt & Moses, escape from Egypt & crossing of Red Sea – Ex 14 – 20. crossing of Red Sea – Ex 14 – 20.

New covenantNew covenantJesus came & established a new covenant Jesus came & established a new covenant

between God & all humanity.between God & all humanity.Jesus fulfilled & extended the original Jesus fulfilled & extended the original

covenantal relationship between God & the covenantal relationship between God & the human race, through His work of salvation.human race, through His work of salvation.

This new covenantal relationship promises This new covenantal relationship promises life forever with God in heaven,life forever with God in heaven, if if humans humans accept Jesus’ teachings, follow Him & live accept Jesus’ teachings, follow Him & live according to the values that He taught & according to the values that He taught & lived by.lived by.

The books of the New Testament talk about The books of the New Testament talk about Jesus, His life, teachings, sufferings, death Jesus, His life, teachings, sufferings, death & His resurrection, & about the growth & & His resurrection, & about the growth & spread of His Church, which continues to spread of His Church, which continues to this day, to carry on His work & mission to this day, to carry on His work & mission to spread the Good news to the whole world.spread the Good news to the whole world.

Who wrote the Bible?Who wrote the Bible?

OLD TESTAMENT - authorship

Books of the Old Testament were not planned.

They just evolved over the centuries.

Old Testament authorship cont’dOld Testament authorship cont’d

In its first stage, the divine messages / In its first stage, the divine messages / word of God existed in the mind & word of God existed in the mind & heart of men & women chosen heart of men & women chosen /inspired by God. /inspired by God.

They delivered the messages to the They delivered the messages to the people orally, & finally these were put people orally, & finally these were put into writing – into writing – oral traditionoral tradition became became written wordwritten word / / TraditionTradition..

Old Testament authorship cont’dOld Testament authorship cont’d

As time passed, this collection of books As time passed, this collection of books in the Hebrew language emerged as in the Hebrew language emerged as the the Hebrew Scripture (Old Hebrew Scripture (Old Testament).Testament).

The The main author is Godmain author is God, being the , being the unique source of its message. unique source of its message.

The holy writers were the instruments The holy writers were the instruments /channels, used to convey divine /channels, used to convey divine messages in human terms.messages in human terms.

Old TestamentOld Testament – 46 books classified into 4 – 46 books classified into 4 categories:categories:

Approx. date of Approx. date of

compilationcompilation

1. Pentateuch or Torah 5 books c 1000 BC1. Pentateuch or Torah 5 books c 1000 BC

2. Historical books 16 c 650 – 350 2. Historical books 16 c 650 – 350 BCBC

3. Wisdom & Poetry books 7 c 450 – 100 3. Wisdom & Poetry books 7 c 450 – 100 BCBC

4. Prophecy books 18 c 750 – 450 4. Prophecy books 18 c 750 – 450 BCBC

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4646

Old Testament - languageOld Testament - language

Originally written in Hebrew, Originally written in Hebrew, language of the Israelites.language of the Israelites.

Later translated into Aramaic, then Later translated into Aramaic, then Greek.Greek.

Old Testament – language cont'Old Testament – language cont'

► Greek translation done by the Jewish Greek translation done by the Jewish community living in Alexandria, Egypt, community living in Alexandria, Egypt, around 250 BC. There were 72 translators.around 250 BC. There were 72 translators.

► In the process, 7 more books, considered In the process, 7 more books, considered to be inspired too, were added to the to be inspired too, were added to the original 39 books of the Hebrew text.original 39 books of the Hebrew text.

► This Gk translation of the Hebrew This Gk translation of the Hebrew Scripture with the added 7 books is called Scripture with the added 7 books is called the the Septuagint Septuagint (Gk septuaginta = 70)(Gk septuaginta = 70)

► Jesus & His disciples spoke Aramaic & Gk. Jesus & His disciples spoke Aramaic & Gk. They would be familiar with both the They would be familiar with both the Hebrew Text (39) & the Septuagint (46)Hebrew Text (39) & the Septuagint (46)

New Testament –authorship & New Testament –authorship & languagelanguage

► All the NT books were written in Greek, the universal All the NT books were written in Greek, the universal language of the time. language of the time.

► The 27 books are classified into 4 groups:The 27 books are classified into 4 groups: Approx. date of Approx. date of compilationcompilation 1 Gospels 4 books 60 – 80/95 1 Gospels 4 books 60 – 80/95

ADAD 2 Acts of the Apostles 1 702 Acts of the Apostles 1 70 3 Letters (13 by Paul, 3 Letters (13 by Paul, 8 by others) 21 50 – 608 by others) 21 50 – 60 4 Apocalypse/Revelation 1 1004 Apocalypse/Revelation 1 100 ---------- 2727

The 4 gospels were written between The 4 gospels were written between

60 – 95 AD.60 – 95 AD. Jesus died around 33 AD.Jesus died around 33 AD. So for about 30 years at the beginning So for about 30 years at the beginning

of Christianity, the gospels & books of of Christianity, the gospels & books of the NT as we know them did not exist!the NT as we know them did not exist!

Why ?Why ?

REASONS:REASONS: The Apostles were the “living books” The Apostles were the “living books”

on which the Christian message was on which the Christian message was given.given.

They had lived with Jesus, & knew Him They had lived with Jesus, & knew Him intimately. They were the special intimately. They were the special eye-witnesses to what Jesus did & to eye-witnesses to what Jesus did & to his message of salvation.his message of salvation.

So long as the early Christians had the So long as the early Christians had the Apostles with them, there was no Apostles with them, there was no need of a book about Jesus.need of a book about Jesus.

Reason cont’dReason cont’d

In those early days there was not In those early days there was not much literature available. Everything much literature available. Everything had to be laboriously handwritten on had to be laboriously handwritten on papyrus paper.papyrus paper.

Most early Christians were poor, Most early Christians were poor, uncultured, common people – they uncultured, common people – they could not read.could not read.

Jewish people preferred to commit Jewish people preferred to commit knowledge to memory as they had knowledge to memory as they had done for centuries – oral tradition.done for centuries – oral tradition.

How New Testament got to be writtenHow New Testament got to be written

When Jesus’ second coming did not happen, When Jesus’ second coming did not happen, & the Apostles were getting old & would die & the Apostles were getting old & would die one day, they realized that the “living books” one day, they realized that the “living books” would be closed forever with their demise.would be closed forever with their demise.

False teachings began to appear – Jesus’ true False teachings began to appear – Jesus’ true teaching had to be preserved.teaching had to be preserved.

The gospel was also spreading to new lands.The gospel was also spreading to new lands. The time had come for a clear, definitive The time had come for a clear, definitive

statement of the life & teachings of Jesus. statement of the life & teachings of Jesus.

The gospel writers put into writing that which The gospel writers put into writing that which was at first passed on by oral preaching & was at first passed on by oral preaching & teaching of the Apostles – oral tradition teaching of the Apostles – oral tradition became written tradition ( like the Old became written tradition ( like the Old Testament).Testament).

CANON OF THE BIBLECANON OF THE BIBLE – official list of books. – official list of books.

A book is canonical ( accepted into official list) A book is canonical ( accepted into official list) because it is considered to be inspired by God. because it is considered to be inspired by God.

An inspired book is a book written by God through the An inspired book is a book written by God through the instrument of a human author.instrument of a human author.

So a canonical book is a book recognized by the So a canonical book is a book recognized by the Church as inspired & proposed to the faithful Church as inspired & proposed to the faithful believers as the word of God & a source of revealed believers as the word of God & a source of revealed doctrine.doctrine.

In the Catholic Church the authority to decide In the Catholic Church the authority to decide whether a book is canonical rests with the Church, whether a book is canonical rests with the Church, as the custodian of divine revelation. as the custodian of divine revelation.

With guidance of the Holy Spirit, it is empowered to With guidance of the Holy Spirit, it is empowered to determine the sacred books – a discernment of the determine the sacred books – a discernment of the ChurchChurch

CANON cont’dCANON cont’d

► The Catholic Church accepted the Jewish The Catholic Church accepted the Jewish OT books that was accepted by the OT books that was accepted by the Apostles at the beginning of the Church Apostles at the beginning of the Church i.e. Hebrew Scripture (39) and Greek i.e. Hebrew Scripture (39) and Greek Septuagint (46), which had existed in pre-Septuagint (46), which had existed in pre-Christian era. Christian era.

► In fact, Septuagint was popular among In fact, Septuagint was popular among Jews living outside of Palestine who were Jews living outside of Palestine who were more at home with Gk language. more at home with Gk language.

► It was their Gk bible & for this reason it It was their Gk bible & for this reason it was adopted by the Christians when they was adopted by the Christians when they began to evangelize in Gk speaking world began to evangelize in Gk speaking world around the Mediterranean region.around the Mediterranean region.

Canon cont’dCanon cont’d

► The Septuagint became the bible of the first The Septuagint became the bible of the first generation of Christians ( NT was still non-generation of Christians ( NT was still non-existent).existent).

► The collection of books of NT as sacred/ The collection of books of NT as sacred/ canonical, began with the preservation of the canonical, began with the preservation of the writings of the Apostles who were eye-writings of the Apostles who were eye-witnesses of the life & teaching of Jesus, and witnesses of the life & teaching of Jesus, and upon whom the Holy Spirit had descended on upon whom the Holy Spirit had descended on Pentecost day, the day the Church was born. Pentecost day, the day the Church was born.

► By about year 150 the NT had been quoted By about year 150 the NT had been quoted as Scripture. as Scripture.

► Last book Revelation, was written around Last book Revelation, was written around 100.100.

Catholic & Protestant BibleCatholic & Protestant Bible In year 66 – 70 there was a power struggle In year 66 – 70 there was a power struggle

among Jewish religious leaders – Priests & among Jewish religious leaders – Priests & Pharisees. Pharisees.

Pharisees won & became leaders.Pharisees won & became leaders. They decided to reject the Gk Septuagint, They decided to reject the Gk Septuagint,

recognizing only the Hebrew Scripture, which recognizing only the Hebrew Scripture, which has 39 books.has 39 books.

In 1520, Martin Luther, an Augustinian monk, In 1520, Martin Luther, an Augustinian monk, broke away from the Church, to form the broke away from the Church, to form the Lutheran Church in Germany – the first Lutheran Church in Germany – the first Protestant Church.Protestant Church.

Catholic & Protestant Bible cont’dCatholic & Protestant Bible cont’d

Martin Luther decided that since the Jews rejected the Martin Luther decided that since the Jews rejected the Gk Septuagint in year 70 to go back to Hebrew Gk Septuagint in year 70 to go back to Hebrew Scripture, he too rejected the Septuagint.Scripture, he too rejected the Septuagint.

He translated the Bible into German & placed the 7 He translated the Bible into German & placed the 7 additional books separately at the end of the OT under additional books separately at the end of the OT under “Apocrypha” (hidden writing).“Apocrypha” (hidden writing).

He did not regard them as scripture but as “useful & He did not regard them as scripture but as “useful & good reading”good reading”

Other Protestant Churches that came into being later, all Other Protestant Churches that came into being later, all adopted Luther’s decision.adopted Luther’s decision.

Thus Protestant bibles have only 39 books in the OTThus Protestant bibles have only 39 books in the OT

The Roman Catholic Church, responding to The Roman Catholic Church, responding to Martin Luther , at the Council O Trent 1546, Martin Luther , at the Council O Trent 1546, reaffirmed & confirmed the Septuagint as the reaffirmed & confirmed the Septuagint as the canon of the Church. It was a critical decision.canon of the Church. It was a critical decision.

The Bible in its present form has been since 1546. The Bible in its present form has been since 1546.

Modern bibles in many different languages are all Modern bibles in many different languages are all translated from the original Hebrew Scripture & translated from the original Hebrew Scripture & the Gk Septuagintthe Gk Septuagint

The 7 additional books are:The 7 additional books are: Tobit, Judith, 1Maccabees, 2 Maccabees, Tobit, Judith, 1Maccabees, 2 Maccabees,

Wisdom of Soloman, Sirach Wisdom of Soloman, Sirach (Ecclesiasticus) & Baruch.(Ecclesiasticus) & Baruch.

They are called “apocrypha” (hidden They are called “apocrypha” (hidden writing) by Protestants. writing) by Protestants.

Catholics call them “deutero-canonical” Catholics call them “deutero-canonical” (second list)(second list)

Sacred TraditionSacred Tradition

The Bible is not the only source of The Bible is not the only source of Christian knowledge.Christian knowledge.

There are also beliefs which had There are also beliefs which had been preserved & handed down by been preserved & handed down by the Church, but not recorded in the the Church, but not recorded in the gospels.gospels.

Sacred Tradition cont’dSacred Tradition cont’d

The Evangelists who wrote the Gospels The Evangelists who wrote the Gospels were aware that they could not were aware that they could not present the whole of Jesus’ teaching present the whole of Jesus’ teaching in their writings, in their writings,

e g John 21:25 “But there were also e g John 21:25 “But there were also many other things that Jesus did; if many other things that Jesus did; if every one of them were written every one of them were written down, I suppose that the world itself down, I suppose that the world itself could not contain the books that could not contain the books that would be written”.would be written”.

Sacred Tradition cont’dSacred Tradition cont’d

The first Christian communities & Elders The first Christian communities & Elders of the Church who had been in contact of the Church who had been in contact with the Apostles, were eager to with the Apostles, were eager to preserve the totality of Jesus’ preserve the totality of Jesus’ teachingteaching..

These preserved beliefs form the These preserved beliefs form the Oral Christian Tradition,Oral Christian Tradition, which was which was passed on by the preaching of the passed on by the preaching of the Apostles & early missionaries like St Paul Apostles & early missionaries like St Paul & St Barnabas.& St Barnabas.

It became the official Apostolic It became the official Apostolic Tradition of the Church.Tradition of the Church.

Transmission of Divine RevelationTransmission of Divine Revelation

CCC 76. In keeping with the Lord’s CCC 76. In keeping with the Lord’s command, the Gospel was handed on command, the Gospel was handed on in two ways: in two ways:

-- orally orally ‘by the apostles who handed ‘by the apostles who handed on, by the spoken word of their on, by the spoken word of their preaching, by the example they gave, preaching, by the example they gave, by the institutions they established, by the institutions they established, what they themselves had received – what they themselves had received – whether from the lips of Christ, from whether from the lips of Christ, from his way of life and his works, or his way of life and his works, or whether they had learned it at the whether they had learned it at the prompting of the Holy Spirit, ‘prompting of the Holy Spirit, ‘

… … the Gospel was handed on in the Gospel was handed on in two ways:two ways:

- - in writing ‘in writing ‘ by those apostles by those apostles & other men associated with the & other men associated with the apostles who, under the apostles who, under the inspiration of the same Holy inspiration of the same Holy Spirit, committed the message of Spirit, committed the message of salvation to writing’salvation to writing’

So the Catholic Church believes So the Catholic Church believes that there is only that there is only oneone divine divine source of revelation – source of revelation – God aloneGod alone – from which flow two streams of – from which flow two streams of insight – Sacred Scripture & insight – Sacred Scripture & Sacred Tradition, composing one Sacred Tradition, composing one living “deposit of Christian faith”.living “deposit of Christian faith”.

Why read the Bible?Why read the Bible?

► Inspired scriptures speak to us with the Inspired scriptures speak to us with the power & authority of God. power & authority of God.

► Our faith should be nourished & guided by Our faith should be nourished & guided by the sacred texts.the sacred texts.

► Therefore we read the Bible:Therefore we read the Bible:

- to know more about God- to know more about God

- to get closer to God when He speaks to - to get closer to God when He speaks to us through His Wordus through His Word

- to grow in our faith- to grow in our faith

- to know God’s will for us, how He wants - to know God’s will for us, how He wants us to live as Christians.us to live as Christians.