INTRODUCTION TOINTRODUCTION TO SACRED SCRIPTURE SACRED SCRIPTURE

ST EDWARD CATHOLIC ST EDWARD CATHOLIC CHURCH CHURCH

RCIA PROGRAMRCIA PROGRAM

“Take heart, child. You would not be seeking me unless I had already found you” (attributed to St. Augustine.)

OVERVIEWOVERVIEW CHURCH TEACHING ABOUT CHURCH TEACHING ABOUT

SACRED SCRIPTURESACRED SCRIPTURE WHAT IS THE BIBLEWHAT IS THE BIBLE HISTORY OF DEVELOPMENTHISTORY OF DEVELOPMENT ORGANIZATIONORGANIZATION CANONCANON INTERPRETATION - INTERPRETATION -

DISCERNMENTDISCERNMENT STYLES, TRUTHS, MESSAGESSTYLES, TRUTHS, MESSAGES THE NEED FOR DISCERNMENTTHE NEED FOR DISCERNMENT ROLE OF THE CHURCHROLE OF THE CHURCH

THE CHURCH TEACHESTHE CHURCH TEACHES

“…“…The Church has always venerated The Church has always venerated the Scriptures as she venerates the the Scriptures as she venerates the Lord’s Body. She never ceases to Lord’s Body. She never ceases to present to the faithful the bread of life, present to the faithful the bread of life, taken from the one table of God’s Word taken from the one table of God’s Word and Christ’s body” (ccc 103)and Christ’s body” (ccc 103)

“…“…Holy Mother Church, relying on the Holy Mother Church, relying on the faith of the apostolic age, accepts as faith of the apostolic age, accepts as sacred and canonical the books of the sacred and canonical the books of the Old and the New Testaments, …they Old and the New Testaments, …they have God as their author and have have God as their author and have been handed on as such to the Church been handed on as such to the Church herself.” (ccc 105)herself.” (ccc 105)

““The Church ‘forcefully and specifically The Church ‘forcefully and specifically exhorts all the Christian faithful…to exhorts all the Christian faithful…to learn ‘the surpassing knowledge of learn ‘the surpassing knowledge of Jesus Christ, ‘by frequent reading of the Jesus Christ, ‘by frequent reading of the divine Scriptures. ‘Ignorance of the divine Scriptures. ‘Ignorance of the Scriptures is ignorance of Christ.” (ccc Scriptures is ignorance of Christ.” (ccc 133)133)

WHAT IS THE BIBLEWHAT IS THE BIBLE

THE INSPIRED WORD OF THE INSPIRED WORD OF GODGOD

Authors words but God’s Authors words but God’s inspirationinspiration

Knowledge we need for Knowledge we need for salvationsalvation

Requires discernmentRequires discernment A LIBRARY (BIBLIA = A LIBRARY (BIBLIA =

BOOKS)BOOKS) COLLECTION OF MANY COLLECTION OF MANY

BOOKS FROM MANY BOOKS FROM MANY AUTHORS (1000 BCE – AUTHORS (1000 BCE – 100 AD)100 AD)

TWO MAIN SECTIONSTWO MAIN SECTIONS SACRED (SCRIPTURE) SACRED (SCRIPTURE)

WRITINGSWRITINGS

UNDERSTANDING THE UNDERSTANDING THE MESSAGEMESSAGE

(OR WHAT DID IT REALLY MEAN)(OR WHAT DID IT REALLY MEAN)

““I didn’t say you stole the money”I didn’t say you stole the money”

Emphasize each word individually and rethink your answer/assumption.Emphasize each word individually and rethink your answer/assumption.

WHAT IS THE BIBLEWHAT IS THE BIBLE

THE INSPIRED WORD OF THE INSPIRED WORD OF GODGOD

Authors words but God’s Authors words but God’s inspirationinspiration

Knowledge we need for Knowledge we need for salvationsalvation

Requires discernmentRequires discernment A LIBRARY (BIBLIA = A LIBRARY (BIBLIA =

BOOKS)BOOKS) COLLECTION OF MANY COLLECTION OF MANY

BOOKS FROM MANY BOOKS FROM MANY AUTHORS (1000 BCE – AUTHORS (1000 BCE – 100 AD)100 AD)

TWO MAIN SECTIONSTWO MAIN SECTIONS SACRED (SCRIPTURE) SACRED (SCRIPTURE)

WRITINGSWRITINGS

““Dei Verbum:”Dei Verbum:”Dogmatic Constitution on Divine RevelationDogmatic Constitution on Divine Revelation

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

WHO WROTE THE BIBLE AND WHO WROTE THE BIBLE AND WHY WHY

MOSTLY HEBREWSMOSTLY HEBREWS MOSES, PROPHETS, MOSES, PROPHETS,

ORDINARY MENORDINARY MEN OFTEN UNKNOWN OFTEN UNKNOWN

AUTHORAUTHOR TO TEACH, RECORD, TO TEACH, RECORD,

PATRIOTISM, PATRIOTISM, PROPHESIZE COMING PROPHESIZE COMING MESSIAHMESSIAH

BIBLE TIMELINEBIBLE TIMELINETHE STORY OF A PEOPLE AND THE STORY OF A PEOPLE AND

THEIR GODTHEIR GOD PATRIARCHS: 1900-PATRIARCHS: 1900-

1700 BCE1700 BCE HEBREWS IN EGYPT: HEBREWS IN EGYPT:

1700-13001700-1300 EXODUS: 1300-1200EXODUS: 1300-1200 UNITED KINGDOM TO UNITED KINGDOM TO

BABYLON: 1200-585BABYLON: 1200-585 PERSIANS: 500-333PERSIANS: 500-333 GREEKS: 333-142GREEKS: 333-142 MACCABEAN: 142-62MACCABEAN: 142-62 ROMAN RULE: 63-105 ROMAN RULE: 63-105

(LAST NT WRITING)(LAST NT WRITING)

ORGANIZATION ORGANIZATION

CATHOLIC BIBLECATHOLIC BIBLE 46 OLD TEST -- 27 NEW 46 OLD TEST -- 27 NEW

TESTTEST PROTESTANT BIBLEPROTESTANT BIBLE

39 OLD TEST -- 27 NEW 39 OLD TEST -- 27 NEW TESTTEST

CANON CHANGED BY CANON CHANGED BY LUTHER LUTHER

ELIMINATED TOBIT, ELIMINATED TOBIT, JUDITH, WISDOM, JUDITH, WISDOM, SIRACH, BARUCH, 1 AND SIRACH, BARUCH, 1 AND 2 MACCABEES, AND 2 MACCABEES, AND PORTIONS OF DANIEL PORTIONS OF DANIEL AND ESTERAND ESTER

CALLED CALLED DEUTEROCANONICAL - DEUTEROCANONICAL - APOCRPHALAPOCRPHAL

COUNCIL OF JAMNIACOUNCIL OF JAMNIA

JEWISH SCHOLARS JEWISH SCHOLARS WHO MET IN 90ADWHO MET IN 90AD RESET JEWISH CANON RESET JEWISH CANON

OF SCRIPTUREOF SCRIPTURE INCLUDED ONLY HEBREW INCLUDED ONLY HEBREW

WRITTEN BOOKSWRITTEN BOOKS TRYING TO GET AWAY TRYING TO GET AWAY

FROM “JEWISH FROM “JEWISH CHRISTIAN” THOUGHTSCHRISTIAN” THOUGHTS

WHEN LUTHER BROKE WHEN LUTHER BROKE AWAY, HE ADOPTED AWAY, HE ADOPTED THIS CANON FOR OT THIS CANON FOR OT (BUT 39 VICE 22)(BUT 39 VICE 22)

OLD TESTAMENTOLD TESTAMENT A covenant between God A covenant between God

and Hebrewsand Hebrews Four major sectionsFour major sections

Pentateuch – The Law – Pentateuch – The Law – Gen, Ex, Lv, Nu, DuGen, Ex, Lv, Nu, Du

Historical – Joshua, Jud, Historical – Joshua, Jud, Ruth, Sam, Kg, ChroRuth, Sam, Kg, Chro

Wisdom – Job, Ps, Pv, Wisdom – Job, Ps, Pv, Ec, Song of Song, WsEc, Song of Song, Ws

Prophets – Is, Je, Lam, Prophets – Is, Je, Lam, Ez, Dan, Hosea, Joel Ez, Dan, Hosea, Joel

The Law = TorahThe Law = Torah Foretells the coming Foretells the coming

MessiahMessiah

NEW TESTAMENTNEW TESTAMENT

CHRISTIAN SCRIPTURECHRISTIAN SCRIPTURE Birth, growth and Birth, growth and

teaching of Christian teaching of Christian ChurchChurch

Twenty Seven BooksTwenty Seven Books Four Gospels (the good Four Gospels (the good

news) – 3 synopticnews) – 3 synoptic Acts – the birth of the Acts – the birth of the

ChurchChurch 13 Letters of Paul (oldest 13 Letters of Paul (oldest

book 1 Thess 51 AD)book 1 Thess 51 AD) 8 Other letters8 Other letters Revelation – not a “Left Revelation – not a “Left

Behind” originalBehind” original

OT CANON OF THE BIBLE AND OT CANON OF THE BIBLE AND TRANSLATIONSTRANSLATIONS

ORIGINALLY WRITTEN IN ORIGINALLY WRITTEN IN HEBREWHEBREW DANIEL PARTLY ARAMAICDANIEL PARTLY ARAMAIC DEUTEROCANONICAL IN DEUTEROCANONICAL IN

GREEKGREEK NOT PARTICULARLY IN A NOT PARTICULARLY IN A

SPECIAL ORDERSPECIAL ORDER SEPTUAGINT (LXX) = SEPTUAGINT (LXX) =

GREEK TRANS.GREEK TRANS. SEVENTY JEWISH SEVENTY JEWISH

SCHOLARS MID 3SCHOLARS MID 3RDRD CENT CENT BC. FOR PTOLEMY II. BC. FOR PTOLEMY II.

BASIS FOR CATHOLIC BIBLEBASIS FOR CATHOLIC BIBLE

NT BIBLICAL CANNONNT BIBLICAL CANNON WRITTEN ENTIRELY IN GREEKWRITTEN ENTIRELY IN GREEK 50-125 NT Scriptures written50-125 NT Scriptures written 140 Marcion issues heretical 140 Marcion issues heretical

canon/beliefscanon/beliefs consisted of only eleven consisted of only eleven

books, an abridged and books, an abridged and mutilated Gospel of Luke, and mutilated Gospel of Luke, and ten of Paul’s epistles. He put ten of Paul’s epistles. He put Galatians first in order, and Galatians first in order, and called Ephesians the Epistle called Ephesians the Epistle to the Laodicaeans. to the Laodicaeans.

Church adopts 4 gospels and Church adopts 4 gospels and letter of Paulletter of Paul

170 Muratorian Canon 170 Muratorian Canon (orthodox)(orthodox)

367earliest list NT, in exact 367earliest list NT, in exact number/order we have written number/order we have written by Athanasiusby Athanasius Synod of Hippo 393, Council Synod of Hippo 393, Council

of Carthage 397of Carthage 397 Entire canon finalized Council of Entire canon finalized Council of

Trent 1546Trent 1546

CANONICAL CRITERIACANONICAL CRITERIA

Apostolic OriginApostolic Origin - attributed to and/or based on - attributed to and/or based on the preaching/teaching of the first-generation the preaching/teaching of the first-generation apostles (or their closest companions). apostles (or their closest companions).

Universal AcceptanceUniversal Acceptance - acknowledged by all - acknowledged by all major Christian communities in the major Christian communities in the Mediterranean world (by the end of the fourth Mediterranean world (by the end of the fourth century). century).

Liturgical UseLiturgical Use - read publicly along with the OT - read publicly along with the OT when early Christians gathered for the Lord's when early Christians gathered for the Lord's Supper (their weekly worship services). Supper (their weekly worship services).

Consistent MessageConsistent Message - containing theological - containing theological ideas compatible with other accepted Christian ideas compatible with other accepted Christian writings (incl. the divinity writings (incl. the divinity andand humanity Jesus). humanity Jesus). (catholicresources.org)(catholicresources.org)

WHAT ARE GNOSTIC GOSPELSWHAT ARE GNOSTIC GOSPELS

“…“…gnostic collection of writings about the gnostic collection of writings about the teachings of Jesus, written around the teachings of Jesus, written around the 22ndnd century” century” (wikpedia.com)(wikpedia.com)

Gospel of Thomas, Peter, Phillip, Mary, Judas etc.Gospel of Thomas, Peter, Phillip, Mary, Judas etc.

written in written in CopticCoptic and are generally dated to the and are generally dated to the 3rd and 4th3rd and 4th centuries AD, though the Gospel of centuries AD, though the Gospel of Thomas has ignited some debate, and scholars Thomas has ignited some debate, and scholars argue that it dates from argue that it dates from 50 AD (Koester, HDS) 50 AD (Koester, HDS) to the late 2nd century ADto the late 2nd century AD (Miers). (Miers). (wikpedia.com)(wikpedia.com)

Not the same a valued ancient writingsNot the same a valued ancient writings

FURTHER TRANSLATIONS AND FURTHER TRANSLATIONS AND DEVELOPMENTDEVELOPMENT

OT - (HEBREW/ARAMAIC)OT - (HEBREW/ARAMAIC) SEPTUAGINT – ALL GREEK SEPTUAGINT – ALL GREEK

(200-100 BC)(200-100 BC) NT – GREEK (51-95 AD)NT – GREEK (51-95 AD) SYRIAC (PESHITTA) – AFTER SYRIAC (PESHITTA) – AFTER

CHRIST FOR SYRIANSCHRIST FOR SYRIANS VULGATE – ST JEROME – TO VULGATE – ST JEROME – TO

LATIN LATIN 382 COMMISSIONED BY POPE382 COMMISSIONED BY POPE 20 YEARS TO COMPLETE20 YEARS TO COMPLETE CONFLICT OVER SEPTUAGINTCONFLICT OVER SEPTUAGINT

1228 – CHAPTERS INSERTED BY 1228 – CHAPTERS INSERTED BY STEPHEN LANGTONSTEPHEN LANGTON

1430 GUTENBERG PRESS1430 GUTENBERG PRESS 1528 – VERSES INSERTED BY 1528 – VERSES INSERTED BY

SANTES PAGNINISANTES PAGNINI

IS THE BIBLE TRUE?IS THE BIBLE TRUE?TYPES OF TRUTHTYPES OF TRUTH

SCIENTIFIC TRUTH – FLAT SCIENTIFIC TRUTH – FLAT EARTH? DOME OVER THE EARTH? DOME OVER THE EARTH? EARTH?

HISTORICAL TRUTH – SOME HISTORICAL TRUTH – SOME HISTORICAL ERROR, BUT HISTORICAL ERROR, BUT SUPRISINGLY ACCURATESUPRISINGLY ACCURATE

SYMBOLIC TRUTH – MESSAGES SYMBOLIC TRUTH – MESSAGES TOLD IN SYMBOLS (SERPENTS, TOLD IN SYMBOLS (SERPENTS, FORBIDDEN FRUIT)FORBIDDEN FRUIT)

PROVERBIAL TRUTH – A PROVERBIAL TRUTH – A “FOLKLORE” TYPE TRUTH “FOLKLORE” TYPE TRUTH FOUND IN WISDOM BOOKSFOUND IN WISDOM BOOKS

MORAL TRUTH – WHAT IS RIGHT MORAL TRUTH – WHAT IS RIGHT AND WRONGAND WRONG

RELIGIOUS TRUTH – THE RELIGIOUS TRUTH – THE PRIMARY TRUTH OF THE BIBLE PRIMARY TRUTH OF THE BIBLE AND THE FOCUS OF AND THE FOCUS OF MANS MANS RELATIONSHIP WITH GOD.RELATIONSHIP WITH GOD.

WRITING STYLESWRITING STYLESAND CONTEXTAND CONTEXT

ALLEGORY ( symbolic ALLEGORY ( symbolic representation) , representation) , BIOGRAPHY, BIOGRAPHY, GENEOLOGY, GENEOLOGY, HISTORICAL, POLITICAL, HISTORICAL, POLITICAL, LEGAL, PROPHETIC, LEGAL, PROPHETIC, POETIC, PROSE, POETIC, PROSE, SERMON, FABLE SERMON, FABLE (parable), MYTH, etc.(parable), MYTH, etc.

TRUE OR FALSE?TRUE OR FALSE? ON THE THIRD DAY GOD ON THE THIRD DAY GOD

MADE “LIGHT”MADE “LIGHT” ““APPLES” AND “SNAKES”APPLES” AND “SNAKES” ““TWO BY TWO INTO THE TWO BY TWO INTO THE

ARK”ARK”

IT’S THE MESSAGE!!!IT’S THE MESSAGE!!!

Gen 1:3 And God said, "Let there be light"; and there was light. Gen 1:3 And God said, "Let there be light"; and there was light. Gen 1:16Gen 1:16 And God made the two great lights, the greater light to And God made the two great lights, the greater light to

rule the day, and the lesser light to rule the night; he made the rule the day, and the lesser light to rule the night; he made the stars also. stars also.

Gen 1:26 And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our Gen 1:26 And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our

likeness: and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and likeness: and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the birds of the heavens, and over the cattle, and over all the over the birds of the heavens, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth. earth, and over every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth. 27. And God created man in his own image, in the image of God 27. And God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them.created he him; male and female created he them.

Gen 2:7 And Jehovah God formed man of the dust of the ground, Gen 2:7 And Jehovah God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul. living soul.

LOOK FOR THE MESSAGELOOK FOR THE MESSAGE

Gen 6:19 And of every living thing of all flesh, two Gen 6:19 And of every living thing of all flesh, two of every sort shalt thou bring into the ark, to keep of every sort shalt thou bring into the ark, to keep them alive with thee; they shall be male and female. them alive with thee; they shall be male and female. 20. Of the birds after their kind, and of the cattle 20. Of the birds after their kind, and of the cattle after their kind, of every creeping thing of the after their kind, of every creeping thing of the ground after its kind, two of every sort shall come ground after its kind, two of every sort shall come unto thee, to keep them alive. unto thee, to keep them alive.

7: 2. Of every clean beast thou shalt take to thee 7: 2. Of every clean beast thou shalt take to thee seven and seven, the male and his female; and of seven and seven, the male and his female; and of the beasts that are not clean two, the male and his the beasts that are not clean two, the male and his female: 3. of the birds also of the heavens, seven female: 3. of the birds also of the heavens, seven and seven, male and female, to keep seed alive upon and seven, male and female, to keep seed alive upon the face of all the earth. the face of all the earth.

THE WRITTEN WORD VERSUS THE WRITTEN WORD VERSUS THE SPOKEN WORDTHE SPOKEN WORD

(ASSUMPTIONS)(ASSUMPTIONS)

Who is the serpent in the Garden Who is the serpent in the Garden of Eden?of Eden?

What was the “original sin”?What was the “original sin”?

INTERPRETING “MYTH”INTERPRETING “MYTH”

ADAM – EACH ADAM – EACH PERSON/ALL OF USPERSON/ALL OF US

GARDEN – A PLACE OF GARDEN – A PLACE OF NO SUFFERINGNO SUFFERING

SERPENT – TEMPTATIONSERPENT – TEMPTATION EATING THE FRUIT - SINEATING THE FRUIT - SIN NAKED/ASHAMED – SELF NAKED/ASHAMED – SELF

ALIENATIONALIENATION THE PLOT AND THEMETHE PLOT AND THEME

NO SUFFERING – SIN – NO SUFFERING – SIN – SUFFERINGSUFFERING

SUFFERING IS DUE TO SINSUFFERING IS DUE TO SIN

THE BIBLE IN CHURCHTHE BIBLE IN CHURCH

LOOK FOR THE MESSAGE !!!LOOK FOR THE MESSAGE !!! INTERPRETATION - INTERPRETATION -

DISCERNMENT CRITICALDISCERNMENT CRITICAL THE CHURCH HELPS US THE CHURCH HELPS US

UNDERSTANDUNDERSTAND THE PILLAR OF TRUTHTHE PILLAR OF TRUTH EVEN SATAN QUOTED EVEN SATAN QUOTED

SCRIPTURESCRIPTURE ACTS 8:26ACTS 8:26

THREE READING PER WEEKTHREE READING PER WEEK DOES NOT CONTAIN DOES NOT CONTAIN

EVERYTHING (Sunday)EVERYTHING (Sunday) So then, our brothers, stand So then, our brothers, stand

firm and hold fast to the firm and hold fast to the traditions which we taught traditions which we taught you, both in our preaching and you, both in our preaching and our writing". (2 Thessalonians our writing". (2 Thessalonians 2:14-15) 2:14-15)

WHOSE “MESSAGE”WHOSE “MESSAGE”KNOW WHAT YOU ARE READING AND KNOW WHAT YOU ARE READING AND

BUYINGBUYINGLuke 11Luke 11Ask for What You NeedAsk for What You Need  1 One day he was praying in a certain place. 1 One day he was praying in a certain place.

When he finished, one of his disciples said, When he finished, one of his disciples said, "Master, teach us to pray just as John taught "Master, teach us to pray just as John taught his disciples." 2-4So he said, "When you his disciples." 2-4So he said, "When you pray, say, pray, say,    Father,    Father,    Reveal who you are.    Reveal who you are.    Set the world right.    Set the world right.    Keep us alive with three square meals.    Keep us alive with three square meals.    Keep us forgiven with you and forgiving    Keep us forgiven with you and forgiving others. others.    Keep us safe from ourselves and the    Keep us safe from ourselves and the Devil." (The Message Bible)Devil." (The Message Bible)

Problem is that people might Problem is that people might not KNOW the differences, not KNOW the differences, significance, or mistakes that significance, or mistakes that can come from reading non-can come from reading non-standard translations. standard translations.

Before you buy a new Bible, Before you buy a new Bible, ask someone in the Church or ask someone in the Church or do some homework.do some homework.

THE BIBLE IN CHURCHTHE BIBLE IN CHURCH

LOOK FOR THE MESSAGE !!!LOOK FOR THE MESSAGE !!! INTERPRETATION - INTERPRETATION -

DISCERNMENT CRITICALDISCERNMENT CRITICAL THE CHURCH HELPS US THE CHURCH HELPS US

UNDERSTANDUNDERSTAND THE PILLAR OF TRUTHTHE PILLAR OF TRUTH EVEN SATAN QUOTED EVEN SATAN QUOTED

SCRIPTURESCRIPTURE ACTS 8:26ACTS 8:26

THREE READING PER WEEKTHREE READING PER WEEK DOES NOT CONTAIN DOES NOT CONTAIN

EVERYTHING (Sunday)EVERYTHING (Sunday) So then, our brothers, stand So then, our brothers, stand

firm and hold fast to the firm and hold fast to the traditions which we taught traditions which we taught you, both in our preaching and you, both in our preaching and our writing". (2 Thessalonians our writing". (2 Thessalonians 2:14-15) 2:14-15)

SUMMARYSUMMARY

““WORD OF GOD” inspired through menWORD OF GOD” inspired through men One of three pillars of Church authority One of three pillars of Church authority

(Tradition, Scripture, Teaching of (Tradition, Scripture, Teaching of Magisterium)Magisterium)

Written by many authors of many centuries Written by many authors of many centuries in many styles, containing different “truths”.in many styles, containing different “truths”.

Can be and is often misinterpreted, thus Can be and is often misinterpreted, thus requires discernment.requires discernment.

Scripture study should initially focus on “the Scripture study should initially focus on “the message”message”