1. The Bible
The Word of God

2. Scripture & Tradition
Both the Written word and the Church are guided by the Holy Spirit
Both are preserved and passed on under the leadership of the Magisterium
They both serve a common purpose, to proclaim and promote the Word of God
Scripture provides a record of the beliefs and practices of the early Church
Tradition remains faithful to the Word of God revealed in scripture
tradition: a custom

3. Authorship
The Bible was written by many different human writers. God is its author.
The human writers used their own personalities and abilities to record the accounts in the bible.
God sent the Holy Spirit to guide these human writers so that the accounts relayed the true message that God wanted revealed

4. Biblical Attributes Inspiration Inerrancy
The guidance of the Holy Spirit to the human authors of the Bible.
Inerrancy
The quality of “No error” in the message of the Bible as a result of inspiration.

5. Development of the Bible
1. Experience of God
2. Oral Tradition
3. Written Records
4. Editing

6. Canon Old Testament – 46 books 39 Books of Hebrew Scripture
The Canon of the Catholic Bible is the official collection of inspired books of sacred scripture that contain the witness and instruction for our faith.
Old Testament – 46 books
39 Books of Hebrew Scripture
7 Deuterocanonicals*
New Testament -27 books
4 Gospels
Acts
21 Letters
Book of Revelation
*7 books included in the Old Testament of the Catholic bible.
They may be included in a separate section in the Protestant Bible (Apocrypha)
They were not considered inspired by Hebrew leaders.

7. How did the Church decide on the Canon of the Bible?
Apostolic Origin
Used the witness and the teachings of the Apostles as a guide. Some books were rejected since they were not inspired or contained misinformation.
Universal acceptance
Was the book accepted and received by all major Christian communities?
Liturgical Celebrations
Was the text or book being used in Christian liturgies?
The Message
Was the message in harmony with other Christian and Hebrew writings?

8. When was the Canon Set?
In the 4th century AD, at the Councils of Hippo and Carthage, the first Canon of Scripture was set.
In the 16th century, at the Council of Trent, the final list was set. This is the final version of the Bible and it added and included the seven “deuterocanonical” books

9. Translation
Original text of the TaNaK, Hebrew Scripture, is Hebrew. This is the Christian Old Testament.
Translation by 70 scholars in Greek
Translation of both Hebrew scripture and New Testament; Septuagint
Later translated into Latin by St. Jerome.
This translation is called the Latin Vulgate
Subsequently it was translated into the vernacular (the languages of the people)

10. Context
We must understand what the human authors were attempting to say and what God wanted to reveal by their words.
The reader must take into account the historical and cultural context of the writing.
The culture, history of the time
The literary form or type of the writing
Evidence from artifacts and archeological finds

11. Context- Literature Literary Forms: Prose, Poetry Literary Types
Etiology: Origin stories
Myths and legends
Psalms
Oracles
History
Epics
Narratives
Parables
Letters
Apocalyptic literature
Wisdom literature
Proverbs
Moral stories
Gospels
Literary Techniques
Lists
Persons- genealogies
Laws
Metaphor
Simile
Parallelism
Imagery
Irony

12. How would you read… Satire “Smoking is good for you” Recipe
Novel
Political Pamphlet
Sports Headline
“Smoking is good for you”
“Whip until peaked”
“The alien took over her body”
“Vote for Bloomberg, If you know what’s good for you”
“Seahawks swallow Dolphins”
“Lions chew up the Rams”

13. Old Testament at a Glance
46 Books of the bible written before Jesus’ time that deal with the time from the beginning of Creation to shortly before the coming of Jesus and record stories and events of God’s relationship with His chosen people, the Israelites
Pentateuch
The core of the Old Testament; it includes the beginning of humanity and the people of God and God’s expectations of his creation.
Historical Books
Accounts of the events in Israel’s history
Wisdom and Poetry
Books that tell how the people should live to stay in relationship with God
Prophecy
The words of God spoken through persons chosen to deliver His message.

14. New Testament at a Glance
27 book of the bible written by Christians during the first century.
They center on the life, teachings, and mission of Jesus and the early Church
Gospels
4 books on the life, teachings and mission of Jesus
Church History, The Acts of the Apostles
A book that chronicles the actions of the early Church
It centers on the Apostles, especially St. Peter and the mission
of St. Paul
Letters
A collection of 21 letters written to specific communities or the entire
early Church
Pauline letters
Catholic Letters
Apocalypse, The Book of Revelation
Apocalyptic writings about the future of the Church and end times

15. How to Read the Bible How to find Bible texts
Citation: The format for looking up and finding bible texts.
Bk. Chap: verse(s)
Example Gen. 1: 13-14*
You read the last numbered verse. Do not stop at that verse.