Bibles of Christians who use their Bibles really well!

INTRODUCTION TO THE BIBLE

SFX CHURCH PJ 2014/15 – FOR PRIVATE CIRCULATION ONLY

Resources1.Catechism of the Catholic Church – Part One, Chapter 1 & 22.The Catholic Faith Handbook For Youth , Brian Singer-Towns, © 2004 Saint Mary’s Press3.A Catholic Guide To The Bible, Fr. Oscar Lukefahr C.M., © 2000 St Paul Press4.The Bible Blueprint, Joe Paprocki, Loyola Press5.What Every Catholic Needs to Know About the Bible (DVD) – Matthew Arnold6.Online: An introduction to the Bible – Nicholas Lebish 7.Other RCIA presenters’ slides, views, material, etc…8.Other miscellaneous articles.

APOLOGIES

USE OF TERMS & WORDS WHICH CATHOLICS ARE FAMILIAR WITH BUT WHICH YOU MAY NOT UNDERSTAND.

PLEASE CLARIFY WITH YOUR FACILITATORS.

5

You have made us for Yourself, O Lord,and our heart is restless until it rests in You.

(St Augustine, the Confessions)

GOD’S GOD’S RevelationRevelation

How do we overcome this gap created by the limits of human reason and sin?

SIN

Human limits

God making himself and his divine plan known to the human race through words and deeds in human history. Bible relates how God acted throughout the history of the Chosen people. In the fullness of time, God sent his Son, Jesus Christ, into the world to be our savior.

Jesus Christ is both true God and true man.Jesus Christ is the fullest and complete Revelation of who God is. “[Christ] is the image of the invisible God" (Colossians 1:15).

And so, the question now is “What is our response to Jesus (God’s revelation)?”

Session 1 Life’s Ultimate Questions The Answer = GOD 2 Jesus came to reveal GOD

fully 3 Our response = Faith

God gives us two sources for coming to know Jesus Christ: Sacred Tradition and the Sacred Scripture.

Jesus Christ the Lord commanded the apostles to preach the Gospel (Good News)…..to all men.

Apostles = closest followers of Jesus chosen by Him

The Gospel was handed on in 2 ways: 2. IN WRITING (Sacred Scripture)

1. ORALLY (Sacred Tradition)

So the Catholic Church believes that there is only one divine source of revelation – God alone – the divine well spring from which flow two streams – Sacred Scripture & Sacred Tradition, composing one living “Deposit of FaithDeposit of Faith”.

GOD - Source of Revelation

Sacred Scripture

Deposit of Faith

Sacred Tradition

“Bible” from Greek “biblia” meaning book(s).

It is a collection of 7373 books written over a period between 1000 BC & 100 AD.

Over 40 human authors NOT a history book or

scientific book.

Different literary stylesStoriesPoetryWise sayingsLettersHistorical accountsSongsetc.

God’s Library

New Wing

Old Wing

Old TestamentOld Testament First & longer First & longer

partpart 46 books 46 books

New TestamentNew Testament Second partSecond part 27 books.27 books.

PENTATEUCH(5 Books)

HISTORY(16 Books)

WISDOM & POETRY(7 Books)

PROPHECY(18 Books)

PROPHECY

GOSPELS(4 Books)

HISTORY(1 Book)

LETTERS(21 Books)

APOCALYPSE (1 Book)

New Testament

Gospels Acts Letters Revelation

Old Testament Pentateuch (Torah) History Wisdom & Poetry Prophets

Citation

Title of BookTitle of Book

ChapterChapter

VersesVerses

FootnotesFootnotes

Gen 1 : 24Gen 1 : 24

Citation MeaningGen 1:24 Read Genesis Chapter 1 verse

24 only.Gen 1:24 – 26 Read Genesis Chapter 1 verses

24 to 26.Gen 1:24 – 2:5 Read Genesis Chapter 1 verse

24 all the way until Chapter 2 verse 5.

Citation MeaningGen 1:10 – 15, 18, 20

Read Genesis Chapter 1 verses 10 until 15, omit verses 16 and 17, read verse 18, omit verse 19; and read verse 20

Find & read the following passages in your tables:1. Deut 5:16 – 211. Deut 5:16 – 212. Ps 149: 1 – 52. Ps 149: 1 – 53. Prov 3: 5 – 103. Prov 3: 5 – 104. Lk 2 : 1 – 74. Lk 2 : 1 – 75. Gal 1: 1 – 55. Gal 1: 1 – 5

What literary style would you classify each passage as?a.Narrative b.Letterc.Poetryd.Songe.Wise sayingsf.Prophecyg.Law

Tells story of how God gradually revealed Himself & His plan for humanity, up to and just before the coming of Jesus Christ.

Traces the history of the Jewish people / Hebrews / Israelites, the people to whom God chose to reveal Himself.

Some books of OT foretold the coming of a Messiah /Saviour of the Jewish people.

The OT points to Christ and the salvation offered by Him.

Gives an outline of Jesus Christ’s life & teachings.

Centres on his life, suffering, death & resurrection (4 Gospels)

on the early community of His followers called Christians. (Book of Acts)

Mission was to preach & spread Jesus’ good news of salvation, first to the Jews & then to all humanity, the people of God on earth.

Letters written by Apostles & Church Elders to early Christian communities to resolve questions about beliefs and behavior.

Testament means covenant.A covenant is a sacred agreement or

relationship between 2 parties.In a covenant 2 parties are made family by

swearing an oath.In ancient times, such covenants were

finalized & confirmed through sacred rituals & ceremonies.

Old Testament books showed there were a series of loving & sacred covenants established between God and humankind.

Some great figures associated with these agreements are Adam, Noah, Abraham, Moses, David.

God: “ I will be your God and you shall be My people”.

More on it in the next few sessions.

Jesus came & established a new covenant between God & all humanity. Jesus fulfilled & extended the original covenantal relationship between God & the human race, through His work of salvation. This new covenantal relationship promises life forever with God in heaven, if humans accept Jesus’ teachings, follow Him & live according to the values that He taught & lived by. (Response of Faith) Sign of the New Covenant = Baptism

Significance of the Old and New Testament for Christians

(From the Youcat)•17 … In the Old Testament a great history of learning the faith begins…...•The Old Testament is far more than a mere prelude for the New.•The commandments and the prophecies that are contained in it for all men were never revoked.

Significance of the Old and New Testament for Christians

(From the Youcat)•18 … Jesus is everything that God would like to tell us. •The entire Old Testament prepares for the Incarnation of God’s Son. •All of God’s promises find their fulfilment in Jesus.

The New Testament is hidden in the Old and the Old Testament is revealed in the New.

St Augustine

The Church draws her life and strength from Sacred Scripture.

Besides the presence of Christ in the Holy Eucharist there is nothing that the Church honors more reverently than Christ’s presence in the Sacred Scriptures.

BIBLE ENTHRONEMENT in the Catholic Church

•Bible Enthronement is a celebration of the Word of God. •During the 2nd Vatican Council, the meeting of Bishops from all over the world (Rome,1962 – 65), the Bible was solemnly enthroned every morning at the opening of their sessions.

BIBLE ENTHRONEMENT in the Catholic Church

•Through this liturgical ceremony the bishops reminded themselves that they could only effectively PREACH the Good News if they first LISTENED to God's Word."

LISTEN to the Word of God TREASURE it in our hearts

SHARE its riches with one another.•The Bible remains enthroned and open :

God is present in the Word God wants to speak to people (all of us).

•Highlights the centrality of the Word of God in our lives.

WORD OF GODSACRED SCRIPTURE

BIBLE

Why do we stand for the Gospel?•We stand for the Gospel as a sign of respect for the words of Jesus and to manifest an eagerness and attentiveness to hear his Word. •We stand to greet Christ and to anticipate the proclamation of his Good News.

During Mass, when the Gospel is about to be read, Priest: The Lord be with you. Congregation: And with your spirit. Priest: A Reading from the Holy Gospel according to ____.Congregation: Glory to You Oh Lord. (making a small cross with their thumb over their forehead, lips, and chest.)

In the outward sign of crossing our forehead, lips, and heart, we are asking that the Word of God pierce our mind, lips, and hearts.

At the end of the Gospel reading:Priest: The Gospel of the Lord.Congregation: Praise to You Lord Jesus Christ.

CAN News July 2014 Issue about the Bible

INTRODUCTION TO THE BIBLE

Part 2

2nd PART

1. AUTHORSHIP OF THE BIBLE / INSPIRATION2. INTERPRETATION OF THE BIBLE3. TRANSLATIONS OF THE BIBLE4. CANON OF THE BIBLE5. HOW THE BIBLE CAME TO BE5. FAITH AND THE BIBLE

GodGod is the is the authorauthor of the of the Bible.Bible.

God God inspiredinspired the the humanhuman authors of the authors of the Bible to write using Bible to write using their their ownown talents, talents, abilities and stylesabilities and styles..

GodGod =Primary Author =Primary Author Humans Humans = Secondary = Secondary AuthorsAuthors

Dual Authorship, a Dual Authorship, a mystery like Jesus is mystery like Jesus is both God and human.both God and human.

Genesis Chapter 1 verse 1 “In the beginning ….”

THIS DID NOT

HAPPEN!!!

The Bible The Bible mustmust be interpreted. be interpreted.Psalm 144:1 “Blessed be the LORD, my Psalm 144:1 “Blessed be the LORD, my

rockrock.” (.” (RockRock = ???) = ???)Luke 14:26, Jesus says, “Whoever Luke 14:26, Jesus says, “Whoever

comes to me and does not comes to me and does not hatehate father father and mother, wife and children, and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters, yes, and even life brothers and sisters, yes, and even life itself, cannot be my disciple.”itself, cannot be my disciple.”

((HateHate = ???) = ???)

• Understanding of the Bible Understanding of the Bible developed as new discoveries developed as new discoveries are made in the fields of are made in the fields of

LanguageLanguageArchaeologyArchaeologyHistoryHistory

The task of giving an authentic interpretation of the Word of God, whether in its written form or in the form of Tradition, has been entrusted to the living teaching office of the Church alone. Its authority in this matter is exercised in the name of Jesus Christ.

This means that the task of interpretation has been entrusted to the bishops in communion with the successor of Peter, the Bishop of Rome. (CCC, 85)

In order that the full and living Gospel might always be preserved in the Church, the apostles left bishops as their successors. They gave them their own position of teaching authority.The apostolic preaching was to be preserved in a continuous line of succession until the end of time.

Apostles

Bishops

Bishops – next generation

As the successors of the Apostles, it is the particular and exclusive responsibility of the bishops in union with the Pope — who are also called the Magisterium — to faithfully teach, interpret, and preserve the Scriptures and Tradition for all believers until Christ returns in glory.

Modern Translations of the Bible The OT books were first written in Hebrew but that language became dead. Palestinian Jews spoke Aramaic or Greek. Hebrew Scriptures were translated to Aramaic and Greek. 

Word SynonymsHelp Assist, Aid, Benefit, Comfort,

Relief, SupportPretty Appealing, Attractive, Beautiful,

Good-looking, Nice-lookingHappy Blissful, Cheerful, Gay, Glad,

Joyful, Pleased

Modern Translations of the Bible

R.C.I.A

Used in

Bible Bible commentary commentary offers verse-by-verse offers verse-by-verse explanations of Bible passages. explanations of Bible passages.

Bible Bible atlas atlas gives maps showing the world as it gives maps showing the world as it was during the various stages of Old and New was during the various stages of Old and New Testament history. Testament history.

BibleBible concordance concordance lists each occurrence of lists each occurrence of every word in the Bible and gives the chapter every word in the Bible and gives the chapter and verse where the word may be found.and verse where the word may be found.

Bible Bible dictionary dictionary offers explanations for important offers explanations for important words, names, and places in the Bible. words, names, and places in the Bible.

A book is canonical because it measures up to the “Standard”

“Canon” = Rule or Standard

A book is canonical (accepted into official list) because it is considered to be inspired by God.

An inspired book is a book written by God through the instrument of a human author.

So a canonical book is a book recognized by the Church as inspired & proposed to the faithful believers as the Word of God & a source of revealed doctrine.

In the Catholic Church the authority to decide whether a book is canonical rests with the Church, as the custodian of divine revelation.

With guidance of the Holy Spirit, it is empowered to determine the sacred books – a discernment of the Church.

Jews wrote the OT in Hebrew (39 books)

Jews translated the OT into Greek (39 books) + 7 books written in Greek

Septuagint (46 books)

1000 – 100 BC

In 70-90 AD, Jews selected these 39 into Hebrew canon

In 382 AD, Catholic Church accepted 46 books into Bible canon.

In 16th Cent, Martin Luther followed Hebrew canon

Early Christians used it

WHY PROTESTANT BIBLES HAVE LESS OT BOOKS THAN CATHOLIC BIBLES

Note: This is a very brief summary and not totally accurate.

Summary of How the Bible came to be:5-step process

Bestseller book of all times.Bestseller book of all times. Inspired by God.Inspired by God. Answers life’s great questions.Answers life’s great questions. Not just great literature.Not just great literature. The Bible calls for a responseThe Bible calls for a response..

We read the Bible: - to know more about God - to get closer to God when He speaks

to us through His Word - to grow in our faith - to know God’s will for us, how He

wants us to live as Christians.

Testimony in CAN News

Bible verses to read when

Cast your burden on the Lord, and he will sustain you; he will never permit the righteous to be moved.

Keep your life free from love of money, and be content with what you have, for he has said, “I will never leave you nor forsake you.” So we can confidently say, “The Lord is my helper; I will not fear; what can man do to me?”

Suggested readings:1.Gospel of Mark/Luke2.Requirements of RCIA Presenters. Homework for next week:Read Genesis chapter 1 and 23. Daily Mass Readings

LAUDATE APP

www.universalis.com

WARNING!!!•There are literally thousands of books and websites offering information about the Bible.• Some of them are very helpful and in conformity with Catholic teaching. • Other materials, even some that claim to be non-denominational, contradict Catholic doctrine and attack the Catholic faith.

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It is through an intimate relationship with the God of love that we find everlasting life!