Bible SurveyBible Survey

J Gareth EvansJ Gareth Evans

20112011

What is the Bible?What is the Bible?Lit. books.Lit. books.

Old Testament – 39 books (Hebrew)Old Testament – 39 books (Hebrew)New Testament – 27 books (Greek)New Testament – 27 books (Greek)

Aramaic portions include Dan. 2:4b-7:28; Ezra Aramaic portions include Dan. 2:4b-7:28; Ezra 4:8-6:18, 7:12-26; Jer. 10:11; and one phrase in 4:8-6:18, 7:12-26; Jer. 10:11; and one phrase in

Gen. 31:47 "Jegar-sahadutha," translated Gen. 31:47 "Jegar-sahadutha," translated "Heap of Witness." "Heap of Witness."

The Bible as Religious WritingThe Bible as Religious Writing

All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in

righteousness, so that the man of God may be righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work. thoroughly equipped for every good work.

2 Tim 3:162 Tim 3:16

The formation of the Bible had more to do with The formation of the Bible had more to do with acceptance of writings by Hebrew and Christian acceptance of writings by Hebrew and Christian communities over a period of time than official communities over a period of time than official

decisions of Jewish or Christian Councils.decisions of Jewish or Christian Councils.

Canons (lit. Canons (lit. rulerule))

There were early attempts at developing a list There were early attempts at developing a list of NT books. The need became greater owing of NT books. The need became greater owing

to heretics such as Marcion.to heretics such as Marcion.

The Muratorian Canon (Rome C200 AD) omits The Muratorian Canon (Rome C200 AD) omits Hebrews, James, 1 and 2 Peter, and 3 JohnHebrews, James, 1 and 2 Peter, and 3 John

The Athanathian Canon (367AD) was the first The Athanathian Canon (367AD) was the first to have the same 27 books.to have the same 27 books.

Finally settled at Councils of Carthage (AD 397 Finally settled at Councils of Carthage (AD 397 & 419). OT Canon settled at Council of Jamnia & 419). OT Canon settled at Council of Jamnia

(AD 90).(AD 90).

Old Testament BooksOld Testament Books

The Law (Pentateuch)The Law (Pentateuch)Gen, Exod, Lev, Num, DeutGen, Exod, Lev, Num, Deut

ProphetsProphetsFormer:Former: Joshua, Judges, Samuel, Kings Joshua, Judges, Samuel, Kings

Latter:Latter: Isaiah, Jer, Ezek, The Twelve Isaiah, Jer, Ezek, The Twelve

WritingsWritingsPsalms, Prov, Job, Daniel, Ezra-Neh, ChroniclesPsalms, Prov, Job, Daniel, Ezra-Neh, Chronicles

Songs, Ruth, Lam, Eccles, Esther (Festival Scrolls)Songs, Ruth, Lam, Eccles, Esther (Festival Scrolls)

New Testament BooksNew Testament BooksGospelsGospels

Matthew, Mark Luke (Synoptics) & JohnMatthew, Mark Luke (Synoptics) & John

ActsActs

EpistlesEpistlesPauline:Pauline: Rom, 1&2 Cor, Gal, Eph, Phil, Col, Rom, 1&2 Cor, Gal, Eph, Phil, Col, 1&2 Thess, Pastoral (1&2 Tim, Titus), Philem1&2 Thess, Pastoral (1&2 Tim, Titus), Philem

Hebrews Hebrews General:General: James, 1&2 Peter, 1-3 John, Jude James, 1&2 Peter, 1-3 John, Jude

Apocalypse (Revelation)Apocalypse (Revelation)

Books that didn’t make itBooks that didn’t make it

Seven NT were disputed before making itSeven NT were disputed before making itHebrews, 2 and 3 John, 2 Peter, Jude, James, Hebrews, 2 and 3 John, 2 Peter, Jude, James,

Revelation Revelation

Books that some acceptedBooks that some accepted1 Clement, the Shepherd of Hermas, the Epistle of 1 Clement, the Shepherd of Hermas, the Epistle of Barnabas, the Didache, the Apocalypse of PeterBarnabas, the Didache, the Apocalypse of Peter

Gnostic Gospels - RejectedGnostic Gospels - RejectedGospel of Thomas, Apocryphon of John, Sophia Jesu Gospel of Thomas, Apocryphon of John, Sophia Jesu

ChristiChristi

The Historical BackgroundThe Historical Background

PatriarchsPatriarchs

Exodus & ConquestExodus & Conquest

Judges & KingsJudges & Kings

Exile & RestorationExile & Restoration

Inter-TestamentalInter-Testamental

Life of JesusLife of Jesus

Early ChurchEarly Church

Bookends – Beginning & EndBookends – Beginning & End

The Major ThemesThe Major Themes

Creation & FallCreation & Fall

RedemptionRedemption

RevelationRevelation

Nature of GodNature of God

CovenantsCovenants

TempleTemple

MessiahMessiah

ConsummationConsummation

Literary GenresLiterary Genres

Historical NarrativesHistorical Narratives

GenealogiesGenealogies

LawLaw

ProphecyProphecy

Proverbs and riddles (wisdom)Proverbs and riddles (wisdom)

Prayers and Hymns/SongsPrayers and Hymns/Songs

Wisdom LiteratureWisdom Literature

Stories and ParablesStories and Parables

ApocalypticApocalyptic

Resources for StudyResources for Study

Bible Handbook/EncyclopaediaBible Handbook/Encyclopaedia

Bible AtlasBible Atlas

Bible DictionaryBible Dictionary

CommentariesCommentaries

ConcordancesConcordances

TranslationsTranslations

TextsTexts

A number of papyrii containing fragments of the A number of papyrii containing fragments of the NT date from 2NT date from 2ndnd century. Other manuscripts century. Other manuscripts

includeincludeSinaiticus IVSinaiticus IVVaticanus IVVaticanus IV

Alexandrinus VAlexandrinus VBezae VBezae V

Families of manuscripts – Byzantian. Families of manuscripts – Byzantian. Alexandrian, Caesarean, Western.Alexandrian, Caesarean, Western.

Textual Criticism seeks to determine originalTextual Criticism seeks to determine original

TranslationsTranslations

Greek OT – Septuagint (LXX)Greek OT – Septuagint (LXX)

Early translations of the NT include:Early translations of the NT include:

Latin, Syriac, CopticLatin, Syriac, Coptic

THE KJV is based on a version of the Greek text THE KJV is based on a version of the Greek text called the Textus Receptus which is Byzantine.called the Textus Receptus which is Byzantine.

Modern versions include NASB, NIV, RSV, NRSV and Modern versions include NASB, NIV, RSV, NRSV and so on. Each employs somewhat different principles of so on. Each employs somewhat different principles of

translation.translation.

Modern translations, following Wescott and Hort, are Modern translations, following Wescott and Hort, are based on the Alexandrian text.based on the Alexandrian text.

The Relationship of the Old and New The Relationship of the Old and New TestamentsTestaments

One in three NT verses quote the OTOne in three NT verses quote the OT

1644 OT passages are quoted in the NT1644 OT passages are quoted in the NT

Only Philemon does not quote the OTOnly Philemon does not quote the OT

The Song of Songs isn’t quoted in the NTThe Song of Songs isn’t quoted in the NT

Isaiah (412), Psalms (410), Exodus (240) and Isaiah (412), Psalms (410), Exodus (240) and Genesis (238) are quoted most oftenGenesis (238) are quoted most often

Moses, Abraham, David and Jacob are most Moses, Abraham, David and Jacob are most referred to charactersreferred to characters

Why Read the Old Testament?Why Read the Old Testament?

It was the Book Jesus read and usedIt was the Book Jesus read and used

It was read and used by the first It was read and used by the first followers of Jesusfollowers of Jesus

It is the beginning of a history of It is the beginning of a history of God’s purpose which culminated in God’s purpose which culminated in

JesusJesus

It is the account of how God reveals It is the account of how God reveals HimselfHimself

Jesus’ Attitude to the OTJesus’ Attitude to the OTJohn 10:35 – John 10:35 – “The Scriptures cannot “The Scriptures cannot

be broken”be broken”Matt 22:29 – Matt 22:29 – “you do not know the “you do not know the

Scriptures or the power of God”Scriptures or the power of God”Matt 22:31Matt 22:31 – “have you not read what – “have you not read what

God said to you?”God said to you?”Matt 6:17Matt 6:17 – “I have not come to – “I have not come to

abolish [the Law or the Prophets] but abolish [the Law or the Prophets] but to fulfil the”.to fulfil the”.