CHAPTER 3 SURVEYING THE BOOKS OF THE BIBLE JESUS CHRIST: GOD’S REVELATION TO THE WORLD

Best Seller The Bible was first printed in 1454 The Bible is always at the top of any best- seller’s list

Familiar Sayings from the Bible “A HOUSE DIVIDED” “APPLE OF HIS EYE” “CAN A LEOPARD CHANGE HIS SPOTS” “OUT OF THE MOUTHS OF BABES” “HANDWRITING ON THE WALL” “LABOR OF LOVE” “BY THE SKIN OF MY TEETH” “EAT, DRINK, AND BE MERRY”

Formation of the Old Testament Before the actual writing took place, there was a period of oral traditions that came from the experiences the people had with God and with each other. Many historians believe the Chosen People began to preserve their stories during the reign of King Solomon (950 BC). Many editors were involved, resulting in many OT books being compilations.

The Old Testament Canon The Septuagint (a Greek translation of the Hebrew Scriptures) was common during Jesus’ day. Jewish scholars omitted the seven books written in Greek from the Septuagint. The Council of Trent accepted all the books in the Septuagint as part of the Old Testament canon. Protestant Reformers accepted the official list of Hebrew Scriptures accepted by rabbis in AD 90.

Survey of the Old Testament Books Pentateuch Most scholars believe that four different oral traditions went into writing the foundational Pentateuch. Genesis Exodus Leviticus Numbers Deuteronomy The Historical Books How God remained faithful to the covenant; how the Israelites struggled to live by its terms Joshua Judges Ruth 1 and 2 Samuel 1 and 2 Kings 1 and 2 Chronicles Ezra and Nehemiah Tobit, Judith, and Esther 1 and 2 Maccabees

Survey of the Old Testament Books The Wisdom Books How God works in our everyday lives Job Psalms Proverbs Ecclesiastes Song of Songs Wisdom Sirach Prophetic Books The biblical prophets were a messengers from God. Worship the one, true God Accept God’s love and mercy Be just, especially to the poor Know that God will ultimately triumph

Classifying the Prophets MAJOR PROPHETS: Isaiah Jeremiah Ezekiel Daniel MINOR PROPHETS: Hosea Joel Amos Obadiah Jonah Micah Nahum Habakkuk Zephaniah Haggai Zechariah Malachi

The Writing of the New Testament Stage 1: 6 BC—AD 30/33 Stage 2: AD 30—50 Stage 3: AD 50—c. 120

Stage 1: The Historical Jesus Jesus lived a typical life of a Jewish boy Began his public ministry c. 28 AD Taught, healed, and proclaimed the coming of the Kingdom of God Crucified by Pontius Pilate c. 30 AD Rose from the dead three days after his crucifixion

Stage 2: Oral Tradition “Go out to the whole world; proclaim the gospel to all creation” KERYGMA—preaching to unbelievers DIDACHE—teaching, further catechesis LITURGY—worship of the Christians

Why Commit the Oral Tradition to writing? The end of the world was not coming as quickly as the early Christians at first thought it would Distortions to the Gospel were occurring More instruction was needed

Stage 3: The New Testament Writings First written books of the New Testament were the letters of St. Paul The four Gospels, Acts, Catholic Epistles, and Revelation were probably written in the latter half of the 1 st century

Survey of the New Testament The Sacred Tradition of the Church, administered by the Apostles and their successors, determined which books were to be included in the canon and which were not under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit.

Types of Writing in the New Testament Gospels The heart of the Scriptures! Mark (~60—75) Matthew (~80—90) Luke (~85) John (~80—110) Acts of the Apostles Second part of the Gospel of Luke Acts tells the early history of the Church

Types of Writing in the New Testament Pauline Letters Circulated in his name; either written by Paul himself or a disciple of Paul 1 and 2 Thessalonians Galatians Philippians 1 and 2 Corinthians Romans Philemon Colossians Ephesians Titus 1 and 2 Timothy The Letter to the Hebrews Emphasizes Christ’s superiority over all creation Perfect sacrifice of Death on the cross took away sin, fulfilling the promises of the Old Testament

Types of Writing in the New Testament Catholic Epistles Letters intended “for all” (Catholic means “universal) James 1 and 2 Peter Jude 1, 2 and 3 John Revelation This highly symbolic work’s purpose was to encourage Christians who were undergoing persecution for their faith in Jesus Christ.