1. OLD TESTAMENT: The History of God’s Merciful Love

2. Lesson 1: Learning about the Bible
1.1 Divine Revelation
“reveal” = “un-veil”
Church – reflects on and interprets Word of God in every age (Magisterium)
Two sources
Sacred Tradition (includes creeds, liturgy, saints’ writings, papal teachings, etc.)
Sacred Scripture (Bible - developed from Tradition)
Council of Hippo 393 AD
Divine Inspiration – the Holy Spirit is the main author of Sacred Scripture

4. Lesson 1: Learning about the Bible
Dead Sea Scrolls (2nd century BC – 1947 discovery)
Languages of the Bible:
OT = Hebrew
NT = Greek
Vulgate = Latin Translation (St. Jerome)
Literary Forms
OT = History, Law, Prophecy, Prayer, Wisdom
NT = Gospel, Letters, History, Prophecy
OT & NT form one whole that connects (Basilica)

6. Lesson 2: Genesis - Creation
Pentateuch = 1st 5 books of Bible
“penta” = five
“teuchos” = container for scrolls
contains Torah (“law”)
Creation accounts
“genesis” = birth or origin
1st account - shows God’s power & transcendence
2nd account - shows God’s closeness & care

7. Lesson 2: Genesis - Creation
(2.1 Genesis continued)
Origin of the Universe
Science - shows material causes (big bang?)
Bible - shows God as ultimate cause
designed the universe
set things in motion
Evolution possible if God guides it