SACRED

SCRIPTURE
Anne Shore
Assumption University ashore@assumptionu.ca

Revelation
God has chosen to reveal Godself to humanity in concrete Words and Deeds. This Revelation is interpreted and passed on to us through Scripture and Tradition. Bible is without error in communicating what God wants us to know

Context
Context: We must take into account the culture & beliefs of time, the literary form, & process of revelation The culture of the authors of Genesis did not distinguish between knowledge and belief, science and philosophy, history and religion. Ideas were expressed in a way that would engage the entire person; body, mind and soul.

What is the bible?

THE INSPIRED WORD OF GOD Authors words but Gods inspiration Knowledge we need for salvation Requires discernment A LIBRARY 73 Books collection of many books from many authors (1000 BCE 100 ad)TWO MAIN SECTIONS SACRED WRITINGS TWO SECTIONS
Old Testament New Testament

Writing Styles

allegory ( symbolic representation) , biography, autobiography, genealogy, historical narrative, political, legal, prophetic, poetry, prose, memoirs, sermon, song, fable, personal letters, (parable), myth, etc.

Scripture Authorship

In composing the sacred books, God chose humans and while employed by God (2) they made use of their powers and abilities, so that with God acting in them and through them, (3) they, as true authors, consigned to writing everything and only those things which God wanted. (4) Dei Verbum

Formation of Scriptures

Events: grew out of real experiences in lives

of Jewish people & early Christians

Oral Tradition: oral stories told from group

to group

Written Tradition: Various parts of oral

tradition began to be written down serve contemporary audience

Edited Tradition: editors went over &

arranged in connected narrative

Canon: chosen as truthfully representing

faith experiences & nourishing them; OT Council Jamnia; NT Trent 1545-1563

Canonical Criteria

Apostolic Origin - attributed to and/or based on the preaching/teaching of the first-generation apostles (or their closest companions). Universal Acceptance - acknowledged by all major Christian communities in the Mediterranean world (by the end of the fourth century). Liturgical Use - read publicly along with the OT when early Christians gathered for the Lord's Supper (their weekly worship services). Consistent Message - containing theological ideas compatible with other accepted Christian writings (incl. the divinity and humanity Jesus).

HEBREW SCRIPTURES (THE OLD TESTAMENT)

World of Old Testament

Old Testament

A covenant between God and Hebrews 46 books Four major sections Pentateuch Torah stories of creation, sin, origin of Gods chosen people Historical Tell how Israelites settled in Promised Land. Stories of kings

Old Testament
- Wisdom Books of poetry and collected wisdom of Israelites - Prophets Collected speeches and biographies of Israelite prophets and about constant call to be faithful to covenant relationship during years of settling & living in Holy Land

Covenant

Idea of covenant pervades all scripture Solemn agreement between God & human beings; involves mutual promises; binding on both parties Central theme: God has entered into relationship of covenant love with us. God cannot stop loving us because it is Gods nature to love Exodus: powerful sign of Gods saving love for humanity: God chooses to set us free from slavery; God suffers with oppressed & leads them to freedom Saving event of Jesus Christ death & resurrection Exodus & Easter about freedom being set free for commitment to Gods people

Old Testament

CATHOLIC BIBLE Catholics recognize 7 books which are not included in canon of most other Christian traditions TOBIT, JUDITH, WISDOM, ECCLESIASTICUS, BARUCH, 1 AND 2MACCABEES, PORTIONS OF DANIEL AND ESTER

CHRISTIAN SCRIPTURES (THE) NEW TESTAMENT

New Testament

CHRISTIAN SCRIPTURE Jesus & birth, growth and teaching of Christian Church Twenty Seven Books Four Gospels (the good news) convey meaning of Christs life & teaching as their central message Acts the birth of the Church and how church was spread Epistles (oldest book 1 Thess 51 AD) 21 letters by Paul & others give teaching & guidance to early churches Revelation records visions of early Christian named John

World of New Testament

Who Do You Say That I Am?

We are not given one picture of Jesus. Each of the Gospels tell the story a little differently.
Different literary structure and devices Different chronologies Different images and metaphors Different emphases Authors members of different communities, facing different concerns and difficulties Not historical biographies

Gospels

Although the Gospels differ on the details, they agree that certain events in Jesus life are crucial to understanding the meaning of his life. Proclamation of the Kingdom of God Actions at the Temple Passover Crucifixion Resurrection

Gospels

Each gospel organized chronologically & not as concerned with details of Jesus history as with his message Written approximately between 65 100 CE Doubtful any one person was responsible for total development of any one of gospels Gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke are similar in so many ways called Synoptic Gospels

Proliferation of Apocrypha

Gospels attributed to individual apostles or groups:

Peter, James, Philip, Thomas,Judas, Mary, pseudo-Matthew, Matthias, Bartholomew, the Twelve Apostles, Ebionites, Hebrews, Nazaraeans, Egyptians, Perfection, Truth, the Four Heavenly Regions Cerinthus, Basilides, Marcion, Apelles, Bardesanes, Mani Apocryphon of: John, James; Apocalypse of John, Peter; Correspondence between Paul and Seneca; Shepherd of Hermas

Gospels under general titles:

Gospels attributed to heretics: Other apocryphal literature:

New Testament: Paul

Pauls Letters (50 to 62 AD) The Main Epistles (6)

Galatians 1 Thessalonians 2 Thessalonians** 1 Corinthians 2 Corinthians Romans

(**= Pauls authorship disputed by modern scholars)

New Testament: Paul

The Prison Epistles (4)
Philippians Colossians** Philemon Ephesians**

The Pastoral Epistles (3) (felt today to be written by others after Paul died)
1 Timothy** 2 Timothy** Titus**

(**= Pauls authorship disputed by modern scholars)

New Testament

Hebrews Kind of extended sermon In early Church, Paul felt to most likely be author Most modern scholars feel it is unlikely Paul was the author General or Catholic Letters (7)
referred to as catholic or universal epistles, because they are addressed to believing Christians as general audience rather than specific communities

James 1 Peter, 2 Peter Jude 1 John, 2 John, 3 John

Pauls Three Journeys

New Testament

Book of Revelation
Book with highly symbolic and mysterious language which reflects a kind of writing popular with Jews since 200 years before Jesus. Written for first century Christians who suffered persecution at hands of Romans for their beliefs. Book encourages them to remain faithful to Christ. Deals with their expectations that Jesus will return in glory at end of time to fulfill Gods work on earth