Bremner – J306• Sacred Scripture and Jesus the Christ

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Purpose of this class:• Give you a general knowledge and

appreciation of Sacred Scripture.• Help you to encounter Jesus Christ in the

Living Word of God and in your daily lives.• Introduce a contextualist interpretation of

Scripture.• Help you to see the Bible as a guidebook

to become the person God calls you to be.

Syllabus• See Edline

Today’s Lesson:• “God speaks to us through

Scripture – even today.”

Homework• Bring in item and write a

paragraph

Instructions for Show and Tell

• Without TALKING – show your item to your partner

• Have your partner GUESS the story (be specific in your guess)

• Tell them the real story• Alternate following same procedure

Special Item and Paragraph

• Why did we do this?– Get to know each other better– Help me learn some names– Lesson: Things have value because

we GIVE them value– Lesson: When you know the

story/history of something, you are more likely to respect and value it.

Common Themes• Gift• Reminder of deceased• Importance of family• Celebrate/Symbolize an accomplishment• Reminder of childhood• Tradition – family heirloom, yearly

activity, etc.

Bible: Love letter (time capsule?) from God?“…thought of as a description of the love

relationship between God and his people and an invitation into that relationship.”

“the story of God’s love…”

Key Term - TestamentTestament = What is a covenant?Why enter into a covenant?Old - The pact or alliance that

God made first with the Patriarchs and then with the Jewish people through Moses; a Saviour is promised and a Law is proclaimed, and salvation is through the Law.

New – covenant/alliance that God made with all people whereby, through Jesus, all can be saved

A Word about ‘OLD and NEW’United – incomplete without the otherDoes NOT replace, but fulfillsHebrew Scriptures = Old TestamentChristian Testament = New TestamentChristian Scriptures = Bible used by

Catholics

Key Term - InspirationInspired

NOT dictatedNOT all factually correct or historically

valid (Grandma’s journal)“God ensured the scriptures contain

all the truths needed for our salvation.”

Inspire (spire) – pnuema – breathe into

Key Term - CanonWord means…“THE Canon”46 / 27Jewish (and influences)Christian (finality?)

Makeup of the Canon4 Sections of Old Testament

1. Pentateuch2. Historical Books3. Wisdom Books4. Prophetic Books

Makeup of Canon (cont’)4 Sections of New Testament

1. Gospels (4)2. Acts of the Apostles3. Letters/Epistles4. Revelation

PentateuchGENESISEXODUSLEVITICUSNUMBERSDEUTERONOMY

Why STUDY the Bible?Knowing the HISTORY will help discover

original intent of the authorKnowing LITERARY style will clarify author’s

approach/intentWritten in languages long dead, in the

manner and idiom of the time.Not just to know more about the Bible or

even its theological meaning; rather, deeper intent of study is that we might fall in love with the Bible, and with God, who is its source and inspiration.

Literalist:One who reads the Bible at face

value, interpreting the Bible with the belief that the words are ‘literally’ true.

Contextualist:One who interprets the Bible by

examining such questions as, “Who wrote it, when was it written, what was going on historically when it was written, who is the intended audience…?” Essentially, one who looks at the ‘context’ of the writing in an attempt to properly interpret it.

Divino Afflante SpirituPius XII1943Contextual v. Literal

Other Key TermsTradition – the process of passing on the Church’s

guidance and teachings on essential truths of faithMagisterium – the official teaching voice of the

ChurchSalvation history – the story of God’s actions

and the people’s responses over many centuriesTorah – word meaning “law” or “instruction”;

another word for the first 5 books (Pentateuch)Revelation – the self-communication of God and

his willWord of God – what God reveals through both

Scripture and Tradition

Scrolls

Papyrus Parchment

Development of Canon

Old Testament

New Testamen

t

Written1,000 – 100 B.C. 55 – 100

A.D.

Period Covered

1,850 B.C. – 100 B.C.

0 – 100 A.D.

Prehistory: ?-1850 BC Age of the Patriarchs: 1850-1700 BC Slavery in Egypt: 1700-1250 BC Age of Saviors: 1250-1000 BC United Kingdom of Israel: 1000-931 BC Age of Kings and Prophets: 931-587 BC Babylonian Exile: 587-537 BC Age of Rebuilding: 537-333 BC Age of Hellenism: 333-166 BC Maccabean Period: 166-63 BC Roman Period: 63 BC-Onward

Authors of the PentateuchYawhist 900’s “YHWH”Elohist 800’s “Elohim”Deuteronomist 600’s hmm…Priestly Author 500’s Right

worship/conduct