Bible Survey J Gareth Evans 2011

What is the Bible? Lit. books. Old Testament – 39 books (Hebrew) New Testament – 27 books (Greek) Aramaic portions include Dan. 2:4b-7:28; Ezra 4:8-6:18, 7:12-26; Jer. 10:11; and one phrase in Gen. 31:47 "Jegar-sahadutha," translated "Heap of Witness."

The Bible as Religious Writing All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work. 2 Tim 3:16 The formation of the Bible had more to do with acceptance of writings by Hebrew and Christian communities over a period of time than official decisions of Jewish or Christian Councils.

The Athanathian Canon (367AD) was the first to have the same 27 books. Canons (lit. rule) There were early attempts at developing a list of NT books. The need became greater owing to heretics such as Marcion. The Muratorian Canon (Rome C200 AD) omits Hebrews, James, 1 and 2 Peter, and 3 John The Athanathian Canon (367AD) was the first to have the same 27 books. Finally settled at Councils of Carthage (AD 397 & 419). OT Canon settled at Council of Jamnia (AD 90).

Old Testament Books The Law (Pentateuch) Prophets Writings Gen, Exod, Lev, Num, Deut Prophets Former: Joshua, Judges, Samuel, Kings Latter: Isaiah, Jer, Ezek, The Twelve Writings Psalms, Prov, Job, Daniel, Ezra-Neh, Chronicles Songs, Ruth, Lam, Eccles, Esther (Festival Scrolls)

Apocalypse (Revelation) New Testament Books Gospels Matthew, Mark Luke (Synoptics) & John Acts Epistles Pauline: Rom, 1&2 Cor, Gal, Eph, Phil, Col, 1&2 Thess, Pastoral (1&2 Tim, Titus), Philem Hebrews General: James, 1&2 Peter, 1-3 John, Jude Apocalypse (Revelation)

Books that didn’t make it Seven NT were disputed before making it Hebrews, 2 and 3 John, 2 Peter, Jude, James, Revelation Books that some accepted 1 Clement, the Shepherd of Hermas, the Epistle of Barnabas, the Didache, the Apocalypse of Peter Gnostic Gospels - Rejected Gospel of Thomas, Apocryphon of John, Sophia Jesu Christi

The Historical Background Patriarchs Exodus & Conquest Judges & Kings Exile & Restoration Inter-Testamental Life of Jesus Early Church Bookends – Beginning & End

The Major Themes Creation & Fall Redemption Revelation Nature of God Covenants Temple Messiah Consummation

Literary Genres Historical Narratives Genealogies Law Prophecy Proverbs and riddles (wisdom) Prayers and Hymns/Songs Wisdom Literature Stories and Parables Apocalyptic

Bible Handbook/Encyclopaedia Resources for Study Bible Handbook/Encyclopaedia Bible Atlas Bible Dictionary Commentaries Concordances Translations

Texts A number of papyrii containing fragments of the NT date from 2nd century. Other manuscripts include Sinaiticus IV Vaticanus IV Alexandrinus V Bezae V Families of manuscripts – Byzantian. Alexandrian, Caesarean, Western. Textual Criticism seeks to determine original

Translations Greek OT – Septuagint (LXX) Early translations of the NT include: Latin, Syriac, Coptic THE KJV is based on a version of the Greek text called the Textus Receptus which is Byzantine. Modern versions include NASB, NIV, RSV, NRSV and so on. Each employs somewhat different principles of translation. Modern translations, following Wescott and Hort, are based on the Alexandrian text.

The Relationship of the Old and New Testaments One in three NT verses quote the OT 1644 OT passages are quoted in the NT Only Philemon does not quote the OT The Song of Songs isn’t quoted in the NT Isaiah (412), Psalms (410), Exodus (240) and Genesis (238) are quoted most often Moses, Abraham, David and Jacob are most referred to characters

Why Read the Old Testament? It was the Book Jesus read and used It was read and used by the first followers of Jesus It is the beginning of a history of God’s purpose which culminated in Jesus It is the account of how God reveals Himself

Jesus’ Attitude to the OT John 10:35 – “The Scriptures cannot be broken” Matt 22:29 – “you do not know the Scriptures or the power of God” Matt 22:31 – “have you not read what God said to you?” Matt 6:17 – “I have not come to abolish [the Law or the Prophets] but to fulfil the”.