Survey of Biblical Literature(REL 1013 - 22)

Introduction A

How We Got the Bible

The Bible is . . .

A collection of 6666 books;

It’s a library of different kinds of literature:

To appeal to all walks of life,

To appeal to all interests,

To appeal to all personalities.

To appeal to all intelligence levels.

The Bible is . . .

Composed by more than 40 writers;

(Many are anonymous)

God unfolded revelation throughout history:

To grow along with man’s understanding,

To provide proof of divine intervention (perfect harmony over the centuries).

The Bible was written

Over a time span of about 1500 years (of being in written form).

It covers history from The Creation until the end of the first century A.D.

The Bible is about . . .

PeoplePeople,

Events,Events,

IdeasIdeas (Doctrines). (Charles Swindoll – radio broadcast)

The Bible is the revelation [self-disclosure] of God:

(Anderson, p. 31-32)

1. He is teaching us about Himself.

His . . . Nature / Attributes,

Characteristics,

Preeminence, etc.

The Bible is the revelation [self-disclosure] of God:

(Anderson, p. 31-32)

2. He is teaching us about us.

Our . . . Purpose, Mission,

Successes & Failures,

Wants vs. Needs, etc.

Communication Techniques:

Dreams

And

Visions,

Communication Techniques:

Personal Encounters,

(Himself &

angels)

Communication Techniques:

Human

Agents

(Prophets)

(spoken & written)

The Main Message:

God Solving Man’s Sin Problem

O.T. Jesus N.T.The Gospels

O.T. = God was preparing for the coming of Jesus.

(Setting the stage for Messiah / Christ)

N.T. = How God solved our sin problem through Jesus’ death & resurrection.

Inspiration refers toGod’s oversight of

Scripture. To ensure perfect . . .

Accuracy,

Harmony,

And Truth.

The Doctrine of Inspiration

It means, “God Breathed into”. . . (Or inflated – like a balloon)

Like our exhaling in order to speak.

The Doctrine of Inspiration

Therefore, God

“breathed into”

the biblical writers

the words of

Scripture.

So Then . . .

Though there are many writers of the Bible,

God is the sole author.

“Saint Matthew and the Angel”

(Guido Reni – 1635 - 1640)

The Canon The Canon

of Scriptureof Scripture

Canon is Latin for “a measuring stick”

Each writing was “measured” to ensure the truthfulness of Scripture.

Those that passed the test were included.

Those that didn’t were “Set Aside” or “hidden” (meaning of “Apocrypha”).

The Original Form

The earliest material was passed on by word of mouth (orally).

Stories

Songs

Dramas

Dance

The Written WordThe Written WordCopied by hand either by individuals

or in groups of scribes.

Written on

animal skins

Latin = parchment

Old French / English = Vellum

The Written WordThe Written WordCopied by hand either by individuals

or in groups of scribes.

or papyrus.

Copied by hand either by individuals or in groups of

scribes.

Scrolls at first

Copied by hand either by individuals or in groups of

scribes.

2nd or 3rd century A.D. in a codex

Chapters and Verses

The Bible was divided into chapters by Stephen Langton about 1228.

The Old Testament was divided into verses by R. Nathan in 1448.

The New Testament was divided into verses by Robert Stephanus in 1551.

The Written WordThe Written Word

Finally . . . the printing press.

The Written WordThe Written Word

The Bible was the first book printed on a printing press by Johannes

Gutenberg (1450).

The Written WordThe Written Word

450 were printed in one year.

Translation Explosion:Available in thousands of versions

languages and dialects.

3 Reminders:

1. The Bible does not contain everything there is to know about life and theology;

However, it does contain everything we need to know in order to solve our sin problem.

3 Reminders:

2. The Bible wasn’t designed to be a textbook on . . .

Science,

Human Behavior,

Social Reform,

Political Worldviews.

3 Reminders:

3. The people mentioned are imperfect, spiritually deficient and morally weak.

Immoral acts that are mentioned are not sanctioned or overlooked; God knows they’re going on.