THE INSPIRED WORD OF GODSacred Scripture

Biblical Inerrancy

Christians believe the Bible contains no error; called Biblical inerrancy

Divine Inspiration: authors inspired by Holy Spirit to write words of God

The story of Jesus Christ, was transmitted to the faithful in two distinct phases:

– The Oral Tradition- – The Written Gospels

Biblical Canon

The Biblical Canon is the official list of Books of Scripture- 46 O.T. books 27 N.T. books

Canon (gk) measuring rod / rule Canon of Scripture was based upon the

Septuagint (Greek version of O.T.) and accepted N.T. writings

Biblical Canon – How to Decide?

Church followed certain criteria if a writing was worthy to be included in Scripture:

1. Apostolic Origins Eyewitness or person close to eye witness

2. Universal Acceptance Accepted by the various Christian

communities 3. Liturgical Use

used in early Christian liturgy used for teaching the faith

Interpreting Scripture

Scripture is not always clear Interpreting Scripture – one must discover original

meaning intended by the author. Church entrusted handing on the message of God

The interpretation guided by the Church is a necessary part of Biblical interpretation

Thus, all Scripture in light of the living Church = Christ Christ is the interpreter of scripture

Biblical Exegesis scholarly way interpreting scripture Through Church Tradition / wisdom of Saints Purpose of Exegesis – find fullest meaning of Scripture

Exegesis allow a person to engage scripture & apply it to his life

2 Senses of Scripture

Since scripture contains a variety of writing styles, there are a variety of meanings in Scripture

Literal Sense: words are directly from the text Basic surface level of meaning- “what the words say”

Spiritual Sense: Allegorical/ Type

People/events in history suggest future things about Christ

Moral – portrays stories of heroes showing us how to act justly

Anagogical- how events in Scripture point to what will be in Heaven

The Old Testament

46 books, written over 1400 years Books are arranged according to 4 Types Law History Wisdom Prophecy

Canon of the Old Testament

The Old Testament Bible was already written when Jesus was born in two translations

Hebrew Greek translation

(Septuagint) 200 B.C. Jewish Council of Jamnia 100 A.D.

Decided to excluded 7 books & parts of Esther & Daniel

These 7 books are called deuterocanonical Christians continued to use complete canon of

O.T. New Testament books written 40-100 A.D.

Analogy of Faith

All the teachings of our faith are in unity Fit together and support one another Like a 3 dimensional puzzle

It is important to read the Bible as a whole & to take its teaching as a whole, & not to isolate one part from the whole

The Law = Pentateuch

Jewish tradition, first 5 books most important

Genesis: beginning of creation & nation of Israel

Exodus: escape Egypt “10” wandering in desert

Leviticus: book of laws of religious observances

Numbers: story of 40 years in the desert Deuteronomy: new laws how to live in

promised land

History Story how Israel conquered Land of Canaan The formation of the Nation to its division

Northern Kingdom – Israel Southern Kingdom – Judah ( Jerusalem)

Joshua 1Chronicles * Judges 2 Chronicles* Ruth Ezra 1 Samuel Nehemiah 2 Samuel Tobit* 1 Kings Judith* 2 Kings Esther* *religious

instruction

History

Wisdom Several different kinds of books in this

section Most are written in verse Some books, like many of the Psalms, are

poems in praise of God Other books, like Proverbs, tell us how to

face everyday problems

Wisdom Job : long poem asking a hard question:

Why does God let bad things happen to good people

Psalms: poems or songs (King David)

Proverbs: collection wise sayings (King Solomon)

Ecclesiastes: meditation on vanity / worldly things

Song of Solomon: love poem (Christ’s love for us)

Wisdom: poem in praise of wisdom Sirach: how to live for God without

compromise

Prophecy

Prophets were sent by God to bring his words to his people.

Often the prophets warned Israel of disasters to come if people did not return to the True God.

When disasters came, God sent his prophets with messages of comfort, promising that he would save the people.

Many prophets predicted the coming of the Messiah, God’s anointed one.

Prophecy

• Isaiah• Jeremiah• Lamentations• Baruch• Ezekiel• Daniel• Hosea• Joel• Amos• Obadiah

• Jonah• Micah• Nahum• Habakkuk• Zephaniah• Haggai• Zechariah• Malachi• 1 Maccabees• 2 Maccabees

New Testament fulfills the O.T.

• New Testament is hidden in the Old, and the Old Testament is revealed in the New

– Law - The Four Gospels– History - The Act of the Apostles– Wisdom - The Epistles– Prophecy - The Revelation to St. John

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New Testament O.T the Pentateuch (Law) - story of the

founding of Israel. N.T. the Gospels - the New Law and the story

of the founding of the Church, which is the new Israel.

Gospels - heart of all Scriptures source on the life and teaching of Jesus

The Evangelists ( author of Gospels) written 50-62 A.D. Matthew & John were disciples and eyewitnesses. Mark and Luke, were disciples of the Apostles.

Law – Four Gospels

Four Gospels supplement never contradict

3 Gospels tell the story in a similar way “synoptic” – Matthew, Mark , Luke

St. John’s Gospel written in more theological language

History : Acts of the Apostles

St. Luke wrote the Gospel & Acts Physician & historian

Documenting 1st Christians in early Church Wrote detailed history of Jesus’ childhood Gospel of the Holy Spirit

Wisdom – The Epistles

The Epistles (1st books written in N.T.) Most Epistle letters were written by St. Paul

He traveled to many places & started communities

Prophecy – Book of Revelation

St. John writes the book in O.T. symbols & images

Revelation is apocalyptic literature Conveys its message thru symbols, allegories, &

metaphors Vision of the trials at end of World

Many tribulations but God will preserve & bring to heaven

Sacred ScriptureTexts & Languages of the Bible

The original language – Hebrew Babylonian exile ( Aramaic ) common language The Conquest of Alexander the Great ( Greek )

3 languages in books of O. T. Large part was Hebrew

New Testament All of N. T. was written in Greek - except Gospel of Matthew ( Aramaic)

Translations

Old Testament translated into Greek Septuagint

O.T. & N.T. translated into Latin from Jerome Called Vulgate Bible (St. Jerome) Vulgate comes from the Latin vulgus

“common” 1st English print 1525, King James version 1611-

1900 Catholic versions of the Bible

Catholic Revised Standard Version New American Bible Jerusalem Bible