“Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly.” Comunicación y Gerencia Divine Revelation “Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly.” (Colossians 3:16) Click to add Text

Catechism of the Catholic Church #52 God, who "dwells in unapproachable light", wants to communicate his own divine life to the men he freely created … By revealing himself God wishes to make them capable of responding to him, and of knowing him and of loving him far beyond their own natural capacity.

2 Sources of Divine Revelation: Scripture Tradition We will focus on Sacred Scripture today.

Divine Revelation Scripture = Latin word Scriptura = “writing” Bible = Greek words ta biblia = “the books” Sacred Scripture, or the Bible, is the written Word of God. One of God’s best gifts to us! 2 Parts Old testament New Testament

Who is the Author of Sacred Scripture? God God chose certain human writers to write what He asked them to write! What is the Bible Video

Is the Bible really God’s Word to us? YES! God inspired human writers to write his Word – and only his Word. They did not add anything. They did not take away anything. The human authors were free to use their own style (letters, poetry, stories, etc.) and write in their own language (Hebrew and Greek). Because the Bible is inspired by God, it is inerrant (without error).

Quick Quiz There are ___ books of the Old Testament. There are ___ books of the New Testament. There are ___ books in the whole Bible. The ___________ occupy a central place because Christ Jesus is their center. 46 27 73 GOSPELS

The TWO Testaments The Old Testament The New Testament Points to the coming of Christ The New Testament Tells about the coming of Christ. We understand one by reading the other.

The Old Testament: 3 Categories The Historical Books: Religious and historical tradition of the Jewish people. The first five books of the Bible are called the Pentateuch or Torah or Laws of Moses. Wisdom Books: Collection of prayers, sayings, advice in poetic form Prophetic Books: Words and messages of the Prophets

New Testament includes … The life and teachings of Jesus Christ The Gospels Four accounts of Christ’s life and message of Salvation, written by apostles Matthew and John and the disciples Mark and Luke. Acts of the Apostles Brief history of the early church, including the work of Saint Peter and Saint Paul Letters of Saint Paul Letter to all Christians Book of Revelation The Apocalypse, written by the apostle John as a source of encouragement for persecuted Christians

Why read the Bible? God shares Himself with us. "In the sacred books, the Father who is in heaven comes lovingly to meet his children, and talks with them.“ (Dei Verbum, 21) God shares Himself with us. He tells us of His goodness and love for us. Incredible stories and amazing adventure! Abraham and Isaac Joseph Israelites’ escape from Egypt God being born in a cold stable Jesus bringing people back from the dead

St. Jerome, pray for us! One of the greatest Church Fathers. Lived alone as a hermit for years. Translated the Bible from Greek and Hebrew into Latin, the common language (Vulgate). “Ignorance of Scripture is ignorance of Christ.”

Closing Prayer: Apostles’ Creed I believe in God, the Father Almighty, Creator of heaven and earth, and in Jesus Christ, His only Son our Lord, Who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the Virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and was buried. He descended into hell; the third day He arose again from the dead. He ascended into Heaven and sits at the right hand of God, the Father almighty; from thence He shall come to judge the living and the dead. I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy Catholic Church, the Communion of Saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and life everlasting. Amen.