Introduction to the Bible Religion 9

The Bible is a library of books: Hebrew Scripture contains 46 books Christian Scripture contains 27 books Official Canon – The authoritative list of books in the Sacred Scripture Catholics recognize these books as official canon because they express the truth of God’s message to us. These official books were agreed upon by Biblical scholars and Church leaders in approximately 400.

The Bible Also called “Sacred Scripture” Tells the story of the loving relationship between God and God’s people.

The Bible is God’s Word. God inspired human authors in order to reveal God’s self to human kind. Inspiration + Revelation = Christian Belief about the creation of the Bible Inerrancy = Christian Belief that the Bible is without error when it teaches the things necessary for our salvation Sacred Scripture = Sacred Writings

Divine Revelation- the revealing of some form of knowledge or truth through God; comes to us through Holy Scripture and Tradition.

Divine Inspiration- God inspires us to create; the recording of God's word. “The gift of the Holy Spirit which assisted a human author to write a biblical book so that it has God as its author and teaches faithfully, without error, the saving truth that God has willed to be consigned to us.” [USCCB Glossary] http://www.vatican.va/archive/ccc_css/archive/catechism/p1s1c2a3.htm

Testament = Covenant or sacred promise Hebrew Scripture = (Old Testament) The religious history, laws, and sacred stories of the descendants of Abraham Christian Scripture = (New Testament) Presents Jesus as the full revelation of God

The Bible’s Essential Message God loves us and wants to be in a lifelong friendship with us. It tells the story of God’s love, revealed most perfectly in Jesus’ life, death, and resurrection. Through Christ, God offers us forgiveness, freedom, companionship and new life.