“The Bible, it seems to me, remains the most accessible avenue into the world of that change, setting out both what preceded it as well as what immediately followed, a basic program for the service of God in daily life.” -James Kugel Does this quote ring true for you? Why or why not?

Creator of all things, true source of light and wisdom, lofty origin of all being, graciously let a ray of Thy brilliance penetrate into the darkness of my understanding and take from me the double darkness in which I have been conceived, an obscurity of both sin and ignorance. Give me a sharp sense of understanding, a retentive memory, and the ability to grasp things correctly and fundamentally. Grant me the talent of being exact in my explanations, and the ability to express myself with thoroughness and with charm. Point out the beginning, direct the progress, and help in the completion; through Christ Our Lord, Amen.

Biblical Criticism Most of the Old Testament was written in Hebrew The New Testament was written in “koine” Greek In 390, St. Jerome completed the Latin translation of both Testaments—the Vulgate There have been almost 500 new translations of individual books of the Bible

Biblical Criticism Scripture readings are integral to every Mass and all the sacraments. Scripture is also at the heart of the Liturgy of the Hours—the public prayer of the Church.

Biblical Criticism The Catholic Church teaches us to read Sacred Scripture prayerfully and interpret it critically. The Magisterium authentically interprets the Word of God with the help of biblical scholars.

Biblical Criticism Handouts 7 & 9

Biblical Criticism Historical Criticism—tries to determine the historical context of the biblical text Source Criticism—helps to discover where the biblical authors got their material Form Criticism—involves studying small units of biblical texts to attempt to determine how each book took shape during oral tradition before being written down Redaction Criticism—how the various editors put together their sources and arranged them the way they did

St. Jerome TRANSLATOR OF THE BIBLE FROM ITS ORIGINAL LANGUAGES IMPORTANT CHURCH FATHER USED HIS PEN TO WRITE FIERCE LETTERS TO HIS OPPONENTS ST. AUGUSTINE SAID OF HIM, “WHAT JEROME IS IGNORANT OF, NO MAN HAS EVER KNOWN”

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