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CHAPTER 4The Books of the Bible and their Genres
THE TESTAMENTS
“Testament” means “covenant” The Old Testament (OT) – Everything that
happened before Christ. Creation Christ. The New Testament (NT) – The life of Christ
and what happened in the Church after Christ’s death and resurection
The NT reveals and contains what was foretold in the OT. It completes and perfects the OT
4 GENRES OF THE BIBLE
Law History Wisdom Prophecy
OLD TESTAMENT
46 Books Written over 1500 years The OT is a preparation for the coming of
Jesus Christ The NT reveals and contains what was
foretold in the OT. It completes and perfects the OT
OT - THE LAW
The First Five books of the OT Relate God’s plan of salvation from Creation
until the entrance of the Israelites into the Promised Land
Aka: Pentateuch, Torah, Books of Moses
OT BOOKS OF THE LAW Genesis –
Greek for “Origins” Tells story of the creation of the world and the beginning of the
nation of Israel Exodus –
Greek for “going out” Tells the story of the Israelites escape from Egypt and their
wandering in the desert on their way to Canaan, the Promised Land Includes the 10 Commandments
Leviticus – A book of laws about religious worship
Numbers – Gives a census of all the tribes of Israel and tells of their 40 years
in the desert Deuteronomy –
Greek for “second law” Repeats some of the old laws from Exodus and gives new laws for
how the Israelites should live in the Promised Land
OT HISTORY
Tell the history of the people of Israel from the conquest of the Promised Land through the end of the kingdoms of Israel
OT HISTORICAL BOOKS Joshua – tells how the Israelites, led by Joshua, Moses’
successor, began taking the Promised land (Canaan) Judges – after the people gain the promised land, they
begin falling away from God and as punishment are taken over by their enemies. He sends them “judges” to rescue them
Ruth – tells story of a woman who converted to the Jewish faith and was one of Jesus’ ancestors
1 Samuel – tells story of first king of Israel, Saul lost favor with God
2 Samuel – Tells the story of David’s reign as king 1 Kings – tells story of David’s son, Solomon, who was
known for his wisdom and for building the Temple in Jerusalem
2 Kings – Tells how Israel’s two kingdoms, Israel and Judah, grew more divided
OT HISTORICAL BOOKS
1 Chronicles – also discusses the reign of David 2 Chronicles – continues stories from 1&2 Kings Ezra – Tells story of Jews returning to Jerusalem
after a long exile in Babylon and how hey rebuilt the Temple
Nehemiah – continues story in Ezra, shows how they restored Jerusalem and pure worship
Tobit – story of a pious man and his son who remain faithful to the Lord during the exile
Judith – Tells how a heroic woman saved Israel Esther – story of a heroic Israelite woman
became Queen of Persian and saved the Jewish exiles from their enemies
OLD TESTAMENT - WISDOM
Tells stories about the greatness of God, of his mercy and justice, and of how the things of this world will not satisfy.
Many wisdom books are poetic
OT WISDOM BOOKS Job – a long poem involving a man named Job. Addresses
the question “why do bad things happen to good people.” Psalms – A collection of religious songs or poems written by
King David. Some of the greatest poetry. We pray these at Mass.
Proverbs – collection of wise sayings, many attributed to King Solomon
Ecclesiastes – a meditation on the worthlessness of worldly things
Song of Solomon – the world’s most famous love poem. Depicts a bride and groom speaking of their love for one another. (An allegory of Christ’s love for the Church.)
Wisdom – (“Wisdom of Solomon”) a poem of praise of wisdom
Sirach – a nook about how to live a good life without compromising faith in God
OLD TESTAMENT - PROPHECY
A prophet is one who is called by God or speaks on God’s behalf, announcing his message.
Prophetic books are a collection of those prophets writings and their judgments which warn of God’s justice and calling Israel to repentance
These books are named after their prophets
OT PROPHETIC BOOKS Isaiah – contains some of the clearest prophesies of the
coming of Christ Jeremiah – called by God to foretell the destruction of
Judah and call on the people to repent Lamentations – book of poems, probably of Jeremiah,
lamenting the destruction of Jerusalem Baruch – written during the Babylonian exile,
prophesies an everlasting covenant Ezekiel – book of visions foretelling destruction but also
hope in God Daniel – tells story of a Jewish prophet who gains a high
place in Babylon during the exile, has strange prophetic visions
Hosea – the marriage of Hosea is a metaphor for God’s relationship with unfaithful Israel
OT PROPHETIC BOOKS Joel – warns of divine judgment that would come to Judah. Amos – stern message of repentance Obadiah – shortest OT book. Foretells the destruction of Edom, Judah’s enemy Jonah – tells story of a prophet who tried to run away from God Micah – Foretells of a savior who would rule Israel, savior would come from Bethlehem Nahum – foretells the end of Nineveh, the center of the Assyrian Empire, enemy of
Israel Habakkuk – judgment on wicked, comfort to the righteous Zephaniah – pronounces God’s judgment on whole Earth, also a message of joy
OT PROPHETIC BOOKS
Haggai – leads the effort to rebuild the Temple in Jerusalem
Zechariah – visions of a new king coming, riding on a donkey. Also works to have the temple rebuilt
Malachi – predicts of the coming of the Lord’s messenger, who will purify the people
1 Maccabees – tells the story of the Maccabean revolt as a historian would tell it
2 Maccabees – tells the same story of the Maccabean revolt but from a religious point of view
THE NEW TESTAMENT
“The New Testament is hidden in the Old Testament, and the Old Testament is revealed in the New Testament” – St. Augustine
The NT does not replace the OT, but fulfills it. 27 books Tells the story of the life and teachings of
Jesus Christ and relates the history of the first years of the Church
NT GENRES
Law – the Four Gospels: story of the founding of the Church
History – The Acts of the Apostles: history of Early Church beginning with the Ascension of Jesus
Wisdom – The Epistles: written by the Apostles, tell us how to live as Christians
Prophecy – The Revelation to St. John: St. John uses symbols and images from the OT to prophesy about the end times
NT – THE LAW – THE GOSPELS
The books include: Matthew Mark Luke John
Matthew and John were disciples of Jesus Mark and Luke were disciples of the Apostles
NT – LAW – GOSPELS WRITERS Matthew
A tax collector Begins with a genealogy
Mark Disciple of Peter Simple and straightforward writing; uses word
“immediately” 40 times Luke
A doctor; well educated disciple of Paul
John “the disciple whom Jesus loved theological/philosophical; the divine nature of
Jesus Written last, completes the first three
NT – THE LAW - GOSPELS
Author Audience Aim
Matthew Jewish Christians To show Christ fulfills Messianic prophecies
Mark Christians in Rome To show Christ’s actions
Luke Gentile Christians To show Christ’s ministry to all nations
John Whole Church To show Christ is God incarnate
NT – HISTORICAL BOOK
The Acts of the Apostles Written by St. Luke A sequel to his Gospel Records the events of the Early Church after the
resurrection of Christ. Records the actions of the Apostles led by Peter and records the decent of the Holy Spirit
Begins with Christ’s promise to send his HS, then the ascension of Christ
NT – WISDOM BOOKS
The Epistles Letters written for specific audience, written in
response to problems in the Christian communities
Help to explain the Christian faith and how to practice it
Most written by St. Paul
NT – WISDOM BOOKS
Epistles of St. Paul – written for specific churches Romans 1 Corinthians 2 Corinthians Galatians Ephesians Colossians 1 Thessalonians 2 Thessalonians
NT – WISDOM BOOKS
Epistles of St. Paul – written for individuals 1 Timothy 2 Timothy Titus Philemon
NT – WISDOM BOOKS
Hebrews – unknown author, shows how OT covenant is fulfilled by Christ
James – gives advice on how Christians should live in harmony
1 Peter – helps Christians live their faith in a hostile world
2 Peter – warns against false teachers, reminds us of Christ’s return
1,2,3 John – warn against false teachers, reminds us to love
Jude – warns against false teachers
NT BOOKS - PROPHECY
Revelation Apocalyptic literature that conveys its message
through symbols, allegories, and metaphors Attributed to St. John the Apostle A vision of the trials at the end of the world Offers hope that God will be faithful to his
promises of salvation and that man will again dwell in the Heavenly Eden
COMPARING THE GENRES OF THE OT AND THE NT
Genre OT Description NT Description
Law Pentateuch (Books of Moses) (Torah)
Giving the law and founding of Israel
4 Gospels Giving the New Law and founding the Church
History Histories beginning with Joshua
The History of Israel after Moses
Acts of the Apostles
History of the Church after Christ (new Moses)
Wisdom The Wisdom books beginning with Job
Poetry and stories about how to live wisely
The Epistles Letters of advice and teaching to the early Church
Prophecy The Prophets Truth, warning of disaster, promises for future
Revelation of St. John
Symbols and images promising New Jerusalem
CANON OF SCRIPTURE
“Canon” means “measuring rod”, refers to which books are inspired by God, which are the approved books
Deutero-Canonical Books: books not included in the Jewish canon or the Protestant canon Tobit Judith Wisdom Sirach (Ecclesiasticus) Baruch 1 Maccabees 2 Maccabees (parts of Daniel and Esther)
ORIGINAL TEXTS OF THE BIBLE
OT Most written in Hebrew Some written in Aramaic/Greek Torah written on parchment, others on papyrus Oldest manuscripts from 2nd century BC
NT Matthew written in Aramaic Rest written in “koine” Greek Written between AD 40-100
TEXTS OF THE BIBLE Only the original manuscripts of Scripture are
inspired by God The Septuagint
First translation of the Bible for Jews Included Deutero-canonical books In Greek 250 BC
The Vulgate Latin translation of the Bible St. Jerome 383 AD The Church has declared this version to be the
purest.