The Development of the Bible

BIBLE- a collection of sacred books which have been accepted by the Church as inspired. It is the only “divine book” the word of God in the language of man. Sacred Scriptures- are the inspired record of how God dealt with His people, and how they responded to, remembered, an interpreted that experience. By virtue of divine condescension, things are presented to us in the Bible in a manner that is in common use among human beings.

Oral Tradition (patriarchal age) to Written (during the time of Moses) Hebrew Manuscripts were taken cared by the Pharisees during the time of Jesus Development of the Gospels and Pauline Epistles (NT) Witnessing Oral Tradition Written Gospels and Letters Holy Scriptures History of the Bible Part 1:

Christianity opened to the world (translations) Spread of Protestantism (Creation of Bible Translations bias to their teaching) Part 2:

Early Translations of the Bible Targums- These were translations made in the synagogue services from Hebrew into Aramaic so that the people could understand what had just been read. In this way, the entire Old testament was translated into Aramaic. The Septuagint- A translation into Greek of the Hebrew and Aramaic Old Testament (including the Deuterocanonical books) made in Egypt by various authors during the period between 250 B.C. and 100 B.C. This was the version used by the Hebrews in Christ’s time, by the Apostles and New Testament writers, and by the Greek Fathers of the Church; and is still the official text of the Greek Church. The Vulgate- The official Latin translation of the Bible, which was prepared entirely by St. Jerome from 382 to 405 A.D. The council of Trent declared the Vulgate to be “authentic in public readings, disputations, preaching, and exposition” because it conforms to the original texts and contains no error in faith and moral.

Stages of How the Gospels were Formed 1.The Life and Teaching of Jesus- what Jesus really did and taught (while he lived among us) for out eternal salvation, until he was taken up. 2.Oral Tradition- The Apostles handed on to their hearers what Jesus had said and done. 3.The Written Gospels- The sacred authors, in writing the four Gospels, selected certain elements that had been handed an Oral tradition(or already in written form), others they synthesized or explained in view of the situation of their churches, while preserving the form of proclamation. But always in such a way that they have told us the honest truth about Jesus.

Apostolic Tradition- the way the Church understood and lived the teachings of Jesus up to the death of the last Apostle. Apostolic Tradition and Sacred Scripture form one deposit of the Word of God. Thus, Scripture, Apostolic Tradition, and the Magisterium guided by the Holy Spirit combine to bring us God’s revelation at any particular moment of time. The Bible was written by persons from the people of God, for the people of God, about the God- experience of the people of God”. The Scriptures, then, are never to be separated from the people of God whose life and history (Tradition) formed the context of their writing and development.

BIBLICAL INSPIRATION is a charism referring to the special divine activity, communicated to Divine authors, and compilers belonging to the community, for the sake of the community. The Sacred and canonical books of Old and New Testaments, whole and entire, were written under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, so that we can call God their “author” and the Bible “the Word of God” (DV 11) God chose certain human authors, who as true authors made full use of their human powers and faculties, yet were so guided by the Holy Spirit who so enlightened their minds and moved their wills, that they put down in writing what God wanted written.

THE CANON OF THE SCRIPTURES The Canon of the Bible is the list of books that the Church has declared to be inspired by God and that she regards as the Rule(Canon) of Truth, Faith and Life by reason of their Divine origin. Divisions of the Old Testament Books 1.Pentateuch(5)Pentateuch(5) 2.Historical Books(16)Historical Books(16) 3.Didactic (Wisdom or Sapiential) (7)Didactic (Wisdom or Sapiential) (7) 4.Prophetic books(18)Prophetic books(18) Division of the New Testament Books 1.Historical Books ( 4 Gospels and Acts of the Apostles)Historical Books ( 4 Gospels and Acts of the Apostles) 2.Didactic Books ( 13 letters of Paul, Hebrews, Seven Catholic Letters)Didactic Books ( 13 letters of Paul, Hebrews, Seven Catholic Letters) 3.Prophetic Book (Revelation)Prophetic Book (Revelation)

INTERPRETING SCRIPTURES We must recognize that the Bible also is a collection of historical accounts, doctrinal teachings, poems, parables, ethical exhortations, apocalyptic visions, and many other forms. It was written over a period of more than a thousand years, separated from us by almost twenty centuries. Therefore, it is not easy to determine precisely what is the “saving truth” which God wills to impart to us through a particular book or text of Scripture. “All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful for teaching – for reproof, correction, and training in holiness so that the man of God may be fully competent and equipped for every good work” 2 Tim 3:16-17

Four Senses of Scriptures 1.Literal or Grammatical Sense- the meaning conveyed directly and immediately by the words of the text when they are interpreted in accord with the ordinary rules of language. It is also called historical sense. 2.Allegorical- a point by point interpretation of the text’s series of actions as symbolic of a meaning metaphorically implied but not expressly stated. 3.Moral- the meaning for our instruction, “as a lesson to us” 4.Anagogic- the mystical meaning, interpreted in the light of its eternal significance.

Factors in Interpreting Scriptures 1.Human Author 2.Literary Form 3.The Readers/Hearers 4.The Teaching of the Church References: CCC CFC Introduction to the Bible (The New American Bible, 1992)

The Old Testament The Pentateuch is the name given to the first five books of the Bible. – Genesis – Exodus – Leviticus – Numbers – Deuteronomy

The Old Testament Historical Books – Joshua – Judges – Ruth – 1 and 2 Samuel – 1 and 2 Kings – 1 and 2 Chronicles –Ezra –Nehemiah –1 and 2 Macabees –Tobit –Judith –Esther

The Old Testament The Seven Wisdom Books – Job – Psalms – Proverbs – Ecclesiastes – Song of Songs – Wisdom – Sirach

The Old Testament The Prophetic Books (Minor) – Hosea – Joel – Amos – Obadiah – Jonah – Micah –Nahum –Habakkuk –Zephaniah –Haggai –Zechariah –Malachi

The Old Testament The Prophetic Books (Major) – Isaiah – Jeremiah – Lamentations – Baruch – Ezekiel – Daniel

The New Testament The Four Gospels: – Matthew – Mark – Luke – John History: – Acts of the Apostles

The New Testament Paul’s Letters (Didactic Books) – Romans – 1 and 2 Corinthians – Galatians – Ephesians – Philippians – Colossians –1 and 2 Thessalonians –1 and 2 Timothy –Titus –Philemon –Hebrews

The New Testament Other Letters (Didactic Books): – James – 1 and 2 Peter – 1 John – 2 John – 3 John – Jude

The New Testament Prophecy: – Revelation