What is the Bible?- The word “BIBLE” comes from the Greek “BIBLIA” meaning The Books.- It is a collection of ancient writings about God (Yahweh)- The Protestant Bible includes 66 writings of the Palestinian Canon.- The Catholic Bible includes 76 books of the Alexandrian Canon.

BIBLE : - Ist Part : OLD TESTAMENT and IInd Part : NEW TESTAMENT“TESTAMENT” means “AGREEMENT”“SCRIPTURE” means “SACRED WRITINGS”

THE OLD TESTAMENT: tells the history of God’s interventions in the lives of the Jews—“THE CHOSEN PEOPLE”.

THE NEW TESTAMENT: is about the birth, life, teaching, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ, the Son of God, as well as the life and growth of the early church He founded.

39 Old Testament Books were written in HEBREW.27 New Testament Books were written in Greek.7 Old Testament Books were written in GREEK AND ARAMAIC.

WHO WROTE THE BIBLE?- It was written by many different authors, mostly HEBREWS, some unknown.

WHEN WAS THE BIBLE WRITTEN?· At Different Times: Over about 1000 years – from about 900 B.C. to

150 A.D.· At Different Places: Palestine, Babylon, Egypt, Rome and Corinth.· For Different Purposes: to teach religion and patriotism, to describe the Messiah. WHO CHOSE THESE WRITINGS?· The writings were not chosen but acknowledged to be inspired.The council of Hippo (293 A.D.) and subsequent councils drew up a list or canon of inspired books.

IN WHAT LANGUAGE WAS THE BIBLE WRITTEN?· IN HEBREW, ARAMAIC AND GREEK.

HEBREW – is a Semitic language like Arabic and is written from right to left. It was the language of Jews after their return from exile at the end of the 6th Century B.C.

ARAMAIC – was a Semitic language of Armenia and Persia used by the Jews after their return from exile. It is the language that Jesus spoke.

GREEK – is an Aryan or Indo-European language like Sanskrit and Latin. It became the international language of Western Asia after Alexander’s conquest.

WHO ARE?

(a) THE JEWS?JEWS – originally meant ‘man or men of Judah’ (the 4th son of Jacob), a name applied to the Hebrews particularly after the return from Babylon. It was commonly used in the Old Testament by the Non-Jews to refer to the Hebrew descendents of Abraham in general. In the New Testament the plural ‘Jews’ had become a familiar term for all the Israelites. b) THE PHARISEES?PHARISEES – are a group of Jews (of Palestine) who separated themselves from the ordinary Jews in order to excel others in the observances of religion, especially in the exact observances of the Laws. Pharisee means “the separated ones” – separated from the rest of the Jews because they allowed themselves to be influenced by Hellenism (Greco-Roman Culture).

(c) THE SADUCEES?SADUCEES – are a group of upper class, rich and noble Jews who tried to be modern and up-to-date by encouraging the customs of the Greeks. They claim to be descended from the priestly family of Zadok.

(d) THE SCRIBES?SCRIBES – are the scholars and intellectual men of Judaism who are experts in the Law (the Torah).

(e) THE SAMARITANS?SAMARITANS – are the inhabitants of the district of Samaria. They were considered lower than the pagans.

OLD TESTAMENT (46 BOOKS IN CATHOLIC BIBLE, 39 BOOKS IN PROTESTANT BIBLE).

GROUP – A

The first 5 cover “TORAH” “THE LAW” : These are sometimes called the “PENTATEUCH” or “THE 5 BOOKS OF MOSES”.

GENESES:- how the world began- beliefs about origins of the human race- origin of Hebrews and their place as the “Chosen People”

50 CHAPTERS:1-11: Story of the origins of humankind12-50: Story of Patriarchs, the fathers of Jewish race: ABRAHAM, ISSAC, JACOB, JOSEPH.

EXODUS:- how Israelites fled from Egypt- the Laws they swore to observe when they made their covenant with Yahweh at Mount Sinai.

40 CHAPTERS:1-18: Historical19-22: LAWS, including the 10 COMMANDMENTS.

LEVITICUS:- more laws- regulations for sacrifices- how to observe HOLY Days27 CHAPTERS:1-7: Law of Sacrifice8-10: Consecration of the Priesthood11-17: Law of “Clean” and “Unclean”18-27: The Holiness Code NUMBERS:- census of people- story of Israelites wandering in the wilderness.

36 CHAPTERS:1-4 and 26: Censusother chapters – Historical

DEUTERONOMY:- story of Moses’ last discourses- repeats laws

34 CHAPTERS:1-11: Moses’ address12-26 and 29: Revised LawsDeuteronomy: Greek for “Second Law”.

GROUP – B

21 BOOKS OF THE PROPHETS—6 “FORMER PROPHETS”

JOSHUA – story of Joshua, Successor of Moses as leader of Israelites. - Conquest of Canaan

24 CHAPTERS:1-12: Conquest of Canaan —about 12th-7th Cent. B.C.

JUDGES:- troubles in promised land- fortunes of Israel depended on obedience of God’s Law

21 CHAPTERS:3-16: the 12 Judges —about 12th-7th Cent. B.C.

1 SAMUEL:- continues story to death of Saul, Israel’s first king.

31 CHAPTERS:1-7: Samuel as judge of Israel8-15: Samuel and Saul31: Death of Saulabout 11th Cent. B.C.

2 SAMUEL:- continues story to last year of king David.

24 CHAPTERS:1-5: David’s rise to power6-7: Transfer of arkabout 10th Cent. B.C.

1 KINGS:death of David- reign of his son-Solomon- history up to Ahaziah, son of Ahab

22 CHAPTERS:1-11: History of Solomon12-22: The divided kingdomabout 9th to 6th Cent. B.C.

2 KINGS:- continued story- division into two kingdoms- events leading to captivity of bath

25 CHAPTERS:1-17: The divided kingdom18-24: History of Judah25: Fall of Jerusalemabout 7th to 6th Cent. B.C.

3 “MAJOR PROPHETS”

ISAIAH:- proto Isaiah (1-39)- speeches of the prophet Isaiah on many subjects and occasions- deutero Isaiah (40-66)- promises and hope and warnings, Messianic oracles

66 CHAPTERS: about 8th Cent. B.C.

JEREMIAH:- prophecies to a nation in crises during 40 turbulent years- oracle of the new covenant

52 CHAPTERS:1-25: oracles against Judah26-45: Martyrdom of Jeremiah 52: Fall of Jerusalemabout 7th to 6th Cent. B.C.

EZEKIEL:- reproaches for Israel’s sins- promise of salvation in a new covenant- conditions of new covenant

48 CHAPTERS:1-24 : oracles of doom on Jerusalem25-48 : the book of restorationabout 6th Cent. B.C.12 “MINOR PROPHETS”

HOSEA:- first of 12 minor prophets preached that Yahweh was a God of love and would forgive those who repented

14 CHAPTERS:1-3 : Hosea’s marriage4-13 : Message against Israel14 : Repentance and Salvationabout 8th Cent. B.C.

JOEL: - call to repentance through fasting and prayer- promise of the outpouring of the Spirit

3 CHAPTERS:1-2 : the plague of locustsabout 5th Cent. B.C.

AMOS:- earliest recorded sermons of a prophetpreached to the Northern Kingdom that Yahweh would destroy Israel for its sins.9 CHAPTERS:1-2 : judgment against the nation3-6 : discourse7-9 : visionabout 8th Cent. B.C.

OBADIAH:- sermons denouncing Edom for joining Judah’s enemies.

1 CHAPTER: about 6th and 5th Cent. B.C.

JONAH:- a parable of mercy- shows God loves all, not just Jews.

4 CHAPTERS:1-2: Jonah’s call, disobedience and repentance4: God’s mercyabout 8th and 4th Cent. B.C.

MICAH:- judgement of Judah for infidelity- predictions of the birth of Christ in Bethlehem

7 CHAPTERS:1-3: judgement on Israel4-5: Glory of new Israel6-7: warningabout 8th Cent. B.C.NAHUM:- sermons against Nineveh (Assyria)- soon after Nineveh had terrorized Judah, late 7th Cent. B.C.

3 CHAPTERS:2-3: The fall of Nineveh—about 620 B.C.

HABAKKUK:- prophet in Judah shortly after Nahum- God’s use of Babylon as a rod of chastisement for Judah.

3 CHAPTERS:1-2: Habakkuk’s complaints and the Lord’s replyabout 620 B.C.

ZEPHANIAH:- sermons against idolatry and foreign ways- he prophesied during the reign of Josiah.

3 CHAPTERS:3: Jerusalem’s doom and redemption—about 640 to 630 B.C.HAGGAI:- preached to Jews returning to Jerusalem after exile in Babylonia- message was to rebuild the temple of Yahweh in Jerusalem

2 CHAPTERS:1: commandment to build the temple2: message of comfortabout 520 B.C.

ZECHARIAH:- partner of Haggai in effort to rebuild the temple- the messianic vision of the prince of peace

14 CHAPTERS:1-8: the prophetic mission9-14: future prosperity and peaceabout 520-518 B.C.

MALACHI:- means “my messenger”- preaches against abuses and indifference.

4 CHAPTERS:1: Israel’s sins2-4: God’s judgment and mercyabout 500 and 445 B.C.GROUP – C

(13 Books—The Writings)

PSALMS:- 150 songs of prayer and praise- many are traditionally ascribed to David, but most are unknown

150 CHAPTERS:8, 19, 29, 33 : Praise39, 69 : Lamentations41, 65 : Thanksgiving2, 93, 72: Royal Psalmsabout 9th to 4th Cent. B.C.

PROVERBS:- a collection of maxims and sayings- religious and worldlyby Solomon and others31CHAPTERS:10-29: proverbs of Solomon31 : Semuel’s sayingsabout 5th Cent. B.C.

JOB:- narrative drama- story of troubles that afflict a good man- why evil should happen to the righteous

42 CHAPTERS:3-31: Job and his friends38-42: The Lord answers Jobabout 5th Cent. B.C.DANIEL:- story of a young Jew, taken captive to Babylon, who rose to become Governor.- gives an interpretation of history and hope for a ‘new order’ on earth.

14 CHAPTERS:7-11: Daniel visionsabout 6th to 2nd Cent. B.C.

EZRA:- story of the return of exile from Babylon to Judea in 536 B.C.- starts with the proclamation of Cyrus, King of Persia.

10 CHAPTERS:3-6 : The temple is rebuilt and dedicatedabout 5th and 4th Cent. B.C.

NEHEMIAH:story of how a great leader left Persian court to help returned exiles to rebuild Jerusalem and their lives.

13 CHAPTERS:8-10: Promulgation of Ezra’s Torahabout 5th and 4th Cent. B.C.

1 CHRONICLES:- history from Adam to David

29 CHAPTERS:10: The death of Saul11-29: Reign of Davidabout 4th Cent. B.C.

2 CHRONICLES:- history of Israelites from Solomon through the Babylonian exile

36 CHAPTERS:1-9: The reign of Solomon10: Revolt36: The fall of Jerusalemabout 4th Cent. B.C.SONG OF SONGS:- a love lyric which many feel is a parable showing God’s love for Israel and Christ’s love for the Church.

8 CHAPTERS:about 4th Cent. B.C.

RUTH:- a pastoral story- how a Moabite becomes a daughter of Israel and the ancestress of King David and of Jesus Christ.

4 CHAPTERS:2-3: Ruth meets Boaz4: Boaz marries Ruthabout 7th or 6th Cent. B.C.

LEMENTATIONS:- a book of dirges on the fall of Jerusalem with its consequent chaos and oppression.- it reflects the spirit and style of Jeremiah

5 CHAPTERS:1: The sorrow of Jerusalem3: Punishment on ruinsabout 586 B.C.

ECCLESIATES:- an account of the divine wisdom reflected in nature, sovereign and independent of man

12 CHAPTERS:about 3rd Cent. B.C.

ESTHER:- story of a Jewish girl who became queen of Persia and saved her people from destruction- No mention of God in the Hebrew text of the entire work

16 CHAPTERS:1: Esther becomes Queen3-5: Hamn’s plots9-10: feast of Purim

GROUP – D

(7 Books—The DEUTEROCANONICAL)The following are included in Catholic and Orthodox Bibles and they call them DEUTEROCANONICAL BOOKS. The Protestants omit this section and call it the “APOCRYPHA”.

TOBIT:- a religious story emphasizing the validity of faith in times of apparent abandonment by God.- Israel’s role of Salvation

14 CHAPTERS:1-3: Tobit’s virtues and trials.7-10: Marriage of Tobias and Sarahabout 3rd Cent. B.C.

JUDITH:- Story which teaches Israel’s role of salvation and destiny in human history.

16 CHAPTERS:1-7: Peril of the Jews8-15: Deliverance16: Victoryabout 2nd Cent. B.C.

WISDOM OF SOLOMON:- praise of divine wisdom- personifies wisdom a defender of righteous- condemnation of idolatry

19 CHAPTERS:1-5: Wisdom and human destiny10-19: Wisdom of God in the history of Israelabout 100 B.C.

SIRACH:- also called Wisdom of Jesus Son of Sirachasserts principles of divine moral law, moral responsibility for sin, divine retribution

51 CHAPTERS:about 190 B.C.

BARUCH:- a re-telling of the history of the exile to give the Jews, the reason for their distress and the assurance of restoration.6 CHAPTERS:2-3: Prayer of Baruch4-5: Discourseabout 6th Cent. B.C.

1MACCABEES:- historical account 175-134 B.C. of Jews’ struggle to defend worship of Israel and fidelity to the Law.- God is at work in History

16 CHAPTERS:3-9: The campaigns of Judas Maccabaeusabout 174 B.C.

2 MACCABEES:- account of (years 180-161 B.C.) the same revolt, through Jewish victory and subsequent independence.- Purpose is instruction and edification.

15 CHAPTERS:8-13: Success of Judas Maccabaeusabout 110 B.C.

NEW TESTAMENT (27 BOOKS IN BOTH CATHOLIC AND PROTESTANT BIBLES)

GROUP – A

THE 4 GOSPLES:“Gospel” means “Good News” – (The first 3 are called “SYNOPTICS” meaning ‘seen with the same eye.’ They cover the same events)

MATHEW:- includes most of Mark (about half)- written about 85 A.D. after the fall of Jerusalem in 70 A.D.- seems WRITTEN FOR JEWS to prove Jesus fulfilled prophecies of coming of the Messiah.

28 CHAPTERS:4-13: Galilean Ministry14-20: Journeys of Jesus21-27: Passion narrative 28: Resurrection

MARK:- earliest and shortest story of Jesus life.- written about 70 A.D. and published after the fall of Jerusalem- seems to have WRITTEN FOR GENTILES to present Jesus as Messiah and Son of God.- used by Mathew and Luke.

16 CHAPTERS:1-8: Public Ministry in Galilee8: Peter’s confession16:Appearances and Ascension of the risen Lord.

LUKE:- written about 75 A.D.- about one third based on Mark- provides a chronological sequence- seems WRITTEN FOR GREEKS to show Jesus as a Universal Saviour

CHAPTERS:1-2: infancy narratives3-4: Baptism and temptation of Jesus9-19: Journey narrative

JOHN:- written between 90 and 100 A.D.- written for INSTRUCTION of early Christian Church- presents Jesus as the eternal Word of God who descended from heaven

and became man.

21 CHAPTERS:2-11: Ministry of Jesus12-21: Passion and resurrection

GROUP – BTHE ACTS: The Acts of the Apostles.The only early account of the Christian community.- how it spread from Palestine to Rome, the capital of the world.- a sequel to Luke, the 3rd Gospel, and by the same author.- covers first 30 years after Jesus’ death- written about 75 A.D.

28 CHAPTERS:First 12 – Events in Palestine and Asia MinorNext 16 – Paul’s missionary tours to Judea, and throughout the Roman World up to his imprisonment in Rome.

GROUP –C

(13 LETTERS OF PAUL WRITTEN BEFORE THE GOSPELS 20 TO 30 YEARS AFTER JESUS’ DEATH. SO THEY ARE THE EARLIEST CHRISTIAN

WRITINGS.)

ROMANS:- from Corinth to the Roman Church- to prepare Church for his visit- just before final visit to Jerusalem- principal theme: Relationship between Judaism and Christianity.

16 CHAPTERS:1-11: Doctrinal section12-15: The demands of the new life.about 57-58 A.D.

1 CORINTHIANS:- advice to the Corinthian Church on insubordination, chastity and marriage etc.- the resurrection

16 CHAPTERS:1-6: condemnation of disorders in the Corinthian Church7-15: answers to the questions in the community about 57 A.D.

2 CORINTHIANS:- Paul’s suffering and consolation- warns he will get after evildoers on his next visitcollection for poor in Jerusalem

13 CHAPTERS:1-7: Paul’s defense8-9: collection for the Church in Jerusalem

GALATIANS:- concerns Galatians converts to Christianity who were backsliding to strict Jewish laws- true nature of justification by faith6 CHAPTERS:3-4: Faith, not the law5-6: Christian freedomabout 54-55 A.D.

CAPTIVITY LETTERSEPHESIANS:- a letter to a city in Asia Minor

discusses mystery of salvation and the mystery of the Church

6 CHAPTERS:1-3: Christ and the Church4-6: The Christian lifeabout 62 A.D.

PHILIPPIANS:- written when Paul was a prisoner in Rome- warns against false teachings- a plea for unity

4 CHAPTERS:1-2: instructions2:6-11: Christ’s humilityabout 62 A.D.

COLOSSIANS:- written to the Church at Collossae in highly developed Christology

4 CHAPTERS:1-2: nature and work of Christ2-4: the New Life in Christabout 62 A.D.

PHILEMON:- to a Christian, whose slave Onesimus had run away, been converted and was ready to return.asks Philemon to be merciful and express Christian brotherhood

1 CHAPTER: about 62 A.D.

1 THESSALONIANS:- written from Corinth on Paul’s first visit.- praises the peopletells of Christ’s second coming

5 CHAPTERS:4-5: instructions and exhortationsabout 51 A.D.

2 THESSALONIANS:- a follow up to his first letterPaul is concerned about their attitude expecting a second coming of Christ too soon.

3 CHAPTERS:2-3: the coming of the Lord3: exhortation on Christian conductabout 52 A.D.

PASTORAL LETTERS

1 TIMOTHY:- after Paul’s release from his first imprisonment in Rome - advice to Timothy about handling wrong ideas of some Ephesians

6 CHAPTERS:2-3: directions of the communityabout 63 A.D.

2 TIMOTHY:- from Rome at the time of Paul’s Second imprisonment- asks Timothy to protect the Community against false teachings- expresses great love for Timothy

4 CHAPTERS:1-2: Exhortations2-4: Curse and Warningsabout 63 A.D.

TITUS:- written before Timothy letters- advice to young co-workers to help them in Christianizing the social world

3 CHAPTERS:1: Church office2: duties of various groups in the Churchabout 62 A.D.

GROUP – D(8 Catholic Letters)

HEBREWS:- Author unknown- Treats the dignity of the person of Christ- God’s ultimate word of salvation

13 CHAPTERS:1-10: The superiority of Christ’s covenant10-13: Fidelity to the new covenantabout 66 A.D.JAMES:- Probably by a relative of Jesus who became the head of the Church at Jerusalem- Teaches necessity of good works to accompany faith

5 CHAPTERS: 2:14-16 Faith and works3: Control of tongue5: Instructionsabout 62 A.D.

1 PETER:- from Rome to Christian Churches in ASIA MINOR- teaches the value of Christ’s death and resurrection

5 CHAPTERS:1-4: Baptismal exhortation5: Advice for the persecutedabout 64-67 A.D.

2 PETER:- exhorts readers to be faithful and blameless- helps build hope for a second coming- warns against false teachers

3 CHAPTERS:1: Christian calling, false teachersabout 100 A.D.

I, II, III JOHN:all concern various theological matters

5+1+1 CHAPTERS:1:1-2 Walking in the light4-5: Love and FaithII 1:4-6 Primacy of LoveAbout 100 A.D.

JUDE:- possibly by the brother of James- to Christians who had back-tracked to pagan immoralities

1 CHAPTER:1:5-6 Wicked intruders1:17-23 Exhortationsabout 90 A.D.

GROUP – E

The Revelation: “The Revelation of John”:- Struggle of Christ and his followers against Satan and his cohorts.- Defeat of Satan and ultimate triumph of the Kingdom of God.

22 CHAPTERS:Revelation was composed about the year 95 A.D. during the reign of the emperor Domitian. This was the time of severe persecution of the Church throughout the empire. Those who resisted were murdered. The author, whose name is John, probably held a high position of leadership and was regarded highly by many Christian communities. He had endured much but had clung to faith. The book is intended to give hope to those who are near despair.

NUMBER SYMBOLISM:3 divine Fullness6 one less than seven, therefore, a symbol of great imperfection7 fullness, perfection