Intro to the Bible & key themes

general structure

Old Testament - New Testament

holy book for all Christians

library of books

GK: biblia - library of books

written by multiple authors over long period of time

uses variety of literary genres - but 1 main overarching & coherent plot line

Purpose - to tell story of God's relationship with humanity

all Christian's believe Bible is inspired by God

level of inspiration assigns influence the more inspired the more authority it has

2 sections

opinions differ on level of inspiration - is it his written dictation or was it written by humans encountering him

a prime influence on western civilisation

New Testament (NT)

Old Testament (OT)

OT is holy scripture of Judaism

General content

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OT

NT

39 books

27 book

66 books in Bible

written in Hebrew

written in Greek

in about C3rd BC the OT was translated into GREEK (from Hebrew) = the SEPTUAGINT (LXX [70 scholars who did the work] )

Bible was translated into LATIN = the VULGATE

by St. Jerome in C4th AD

when the Bible is translated in to A LANGUAGE A PERSON SPEAKS its called the VERNACULAR

as a Jew, Jesus would of known Hebrew & the OT, but everyday spoke Aramaic

NT

OT

Torah

History

Prophets

1st 5 books of OT

the stories of how God's people develop, their priests, prophets & kings

not a fortune teller

Gospels

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Synoptic Gospels

Letters

Apocalyptic

= Good news

(Epistles)

Apocalyptic is Greek word for revelation

traditionally believed to been written by Moses

= a person chosen by God to speak God's word to the people

split into Major & minor - not a refection of importance, just the length of their book

'SYN' (GK: together) + 'OPTIC' (GK: seen/viewed)

  • Matthew, Mark & Luke

view the story of Jesus in a vary similar way

all gospels were based on earlier traditions, including sayings (logia) of Jesus

all competed by C1st AD

Romans - letter to the Christians in Romes

Corinthians - letter to the Christians in Corinth

its the revelation of things not yet known, a vison of the end times

General purpose

OT - NT

What's a testament?

very closely linked

OT INFORMES the NT

NT INTERPRETS the OT

together they tell the story of salvation history

Latin: salvare = to save

God's relationship with his people & the ways in which he tries to save them

= Covenant

= a solemn & binding promise (in Biblical terms between God & the people)

Covenant relationship

between God & his people

  • Israelites
  • Jews
  • Hebrews

Salvation history

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covenant relationship = God makes a promise to the people, in exchange for the person to fulfil certain commitments

Noah

Abraham

Israel

king David

God has just flooded the world to cleanse the world. makes covenant with Noah saying that although humans will continue to be evil he will not destroy the earth again

God will give him large family lots of land, etc, in return Abraham should trust God, and train his family to do what is right & just - God is gong to bring his blessing to all families though this 1 family

Abrahams family grows into the tribe of Israel, God asks them to obey a set of laws, guidelines for living well as community in partnership with God & if they do he will bless them & become a people to represent him

asks David to work with him by leading Israel & obeying the laws & doing what is just, then God will one day 1 of David sons will come & extend gods kingdom of peace & blessing over all nations