Why Study the Bible Chapter 1 Mr. Jenison: Bible as Literature Grab a book on your way in!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Why Study the Bible For millions of people it is seen as a sacred text Jews/Christians: God’s Revelation (inspired communication) divine human Influence extends the synagogue and church Arts, history, music, literature, law, politics, language etc. Course will give an overview of the Bible but not teaching it as a sacred text We will study: language, literary forms, plot lines, characters, contents = better understanding of culture, art and literature

What is in the Bible? Collection of Books (Chapters and verses) Greek: ta biblia “the books” Old Testament (Hebrew) Narratives, Novellas, Songs, Legal Codes, National Epics, Visions and Prophecies 39 in Protestant, 47 in Catholic (Deuterocanonical or Apocrypha) New Testament (Greek) Gospels “good news”, Accounts of Jesus of Nazareth, Letters to churches, warnings 27 in Protestant/Orthodox/Catholic

The Bible in Public Education For decades the Bible was used as a textbook in public school classrooms As the country became more culturally/religiously diverse different translations became readily available First Amendment Establishment Clause: to avoid state-governed religion (Church of England) Free Exercise Clause: protects citizens' right to practice their religion as they please, so long as the practice does not run afoul of a "public morals" or a "compelling" governmental interest. Prince v. Massachusetts, 321 U.S. 158 (1944): Vaccinations Bible was then limited to daily devotional reading without comment In 1963 the Supreme Court ended all state-sponsored religious exercises Over the years educators have discovered that disallowing the bible is public education is to offer an incomplete education in literature, language, and culture. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ykEFd4E7qZg

The Bible in American Life George Washington: Inaugural Address 1789 (pg. 10) “Almighty Being who rules the universe” Abraham Lincoln: Speech on Policy 1858/2nd Inaugural Address (pg.11) New Testament References Martin Luther King Jr.: I’ve Been to the Mountaintop (Last Speech) “But I want you to know tonight, that we, as a people, will get to the Promised Land” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4WZbxYGy3As

Translations of Bible Originally written in Hebrew, Aramaic, Greek. Oldest scrolls made of leather (Dead Sea Scrolls) 4th Century translated by Saint Jerome into Latin The Vulgate “Common” or “of the people” 7th century a monk named Caedmus was putting the Bible into song Originally copied by hand by monks and rabis First translated into English in 1380 by John Wycliffe 1450 the printing press was invented First book was 200 copies of Saint Jerome’s Vulgate William Tyndale worked tirelessly to translate bible into English under harsh scrutiny of Rome Received help from Martin Luther who was translating into German Eventually burned at stake for translating in secret 1536 1539 Henry 8th authorized the “Great Bible” and 75 years later 2 million had been distributed William Tyndale influence on English Language was solidified in 1611 with publication of King James Bible.

Translations Matter http://www.biblestudytools.com/compare-translations/ http://www.thebricktestament.com/genesis/the_garden_of_eden/14_gn02_2 4.html http://www.dltk-bible.com/genesis/chapter2-cv.htm