The Bible

Bible – From the Greek word biblia meaning “the books or library”

It contains 66 books divided into two sections: New and Old Testaments

The Old Testament is the scripture of the Jews and deals with the time prior to JesusReveals the nature of God and His relationship with

humanity in 39 separate booksCreation narrative (Genesis) and Moses and the

Ten Commandments (Exodus) are found in Old Testament

Only major religion that contains another religions scripture in its holy book

Christians believe that its writings of a coming deliverer, the Messiah, were about Jesus

The New Testament deals with: The early life of JesusThe early ChurchBeginning of new relationship between God

and humanityThe New Testament caintains 27 booksThe four books about Jesus are called the

gospelsGospels (“Good News”) record Jesus’ early

teachings and his lifeWritten by Matthew, Mark, Luke and John

Referred to as “Synoptic” books or gospels because they are dealing with similar content from different perspectives – lots of overlap

New Testament made up of the four gospels plus: One book about the early Christians – Acts

Concentrates on exploits of Peter and Paul and the apostles as they spread Jesus’ teachings after the ascension

21 letters –called epistlesLetters written by early Christian leaders to gatherings

of of believers to give them advice and encouragement – sent to churches

Give insight into beliefs and concerns of early ChristiansOne Prophetic book – Revelation

Written at end of 1st century CETheme is that good will eventually win over evil and

Christ will return to earth in victoryUnderstood ay symbolic, not literally

The “canon” of the New Testament” was finally settled around 200CE

Books had to meet the following criteria:Widely read by ChristiansConsidered helpfulWritten by one of the apostles or thought o be

faithful in their teachingsChristians look to the New Testament for:

Advice on leading a life characteristic of Christian values – ethically and spiritually

Guidance in the practices of the ChurchHelp in matters of doctrine (written Christian

teachings)

Bible was not written as a complete workIt is an edited and translated compilation of

many authors worksWritings were from different places and timesConsequently, many different renderings and

translations of the bibleOriginal languages were Greek, Hebrew and

Aramaic – the first translated version was Latin

First English translation was in 1539 in England

Recent translations try to put bible into more modern languageExample:

http://www.bibleontheweb.com/Bible.asp Because of the way the bible was compiled

and translated, its authority and interpretation has been debated for centuries (Literal vs. Symbolic)

Bible is basis for private study and often an important part of church services (readings)

Sermons are interpretations of readings