Slide 1

Take heart, child. You would not be seeking me unless I had already found you (attributed to St. Augustine.) Slide 2 What to take away CHURCH TEACHING ABOUT SACRED SCRIPTURE CHURCH TEACHING ABOUT SACRED SCRIPTURE WHAT IS THE BIBLE WHAT IS THE BIBLE HISTORY OF DEVELOPMENT HISTORY OF DEVELOPMENT ORGANIZATION ORGANIZATION CANON CANON INSPIRATION INSPIRATION INTERPRETATION INTERPRETATION STYLES, TRUTHS, MESSAGES STYLES, TRUTHS, MESSAGES THE NEED FOR DISCERNMENT THE NEED FOR DISCERNMENT ROLE OF THE CHURCH ROLE OF THE CHURCH Slide 3 THE CHURCH TEACHES The Church has always venerated the Scriptures as she venerates the Lords Body. She never ceases to present to the faithful the bread of life, taken from the one table of Gods Word and Christs body (ccc 103) The Church has always venerated the Scriptures as she venerates the Lords Body. She never ceases to present to the faithful the bread of life, taken from the one table of Gods Word and Christs body (ccc 103) Holy Mother Church, relying on the faith of the apostolic age, accepts as sacred and canonical the books of the Old and the New Testaments, they have God as their author and have been handed on as such to the Church herself. (ccc 105) Holy Mother Church, relying on the faith of the apostolic age, accepts as sacred and canonical the books of the Old and the New Testaments, they have God as their author and have been handed on as such to the Church herself. (ccc 105) The Church forcefully and specifically exhorts all the Christian faithfulto learn the surpassing knowledge of Jesus Christ, by frequent reading of the divine Scriptures. Ignorance of the Scriptures is ignorance of Christ. (ccc 133) The Church forcefully and specifically exhorts all the Christian faithfulto learn the surpassing knowledge of Jesus Christ, by frequent reading of the divine Scriptures. Ignorance of the Scriptures is ignorance of Christ. (ccc 133) Slide 4 WHAT IS THE BIBLE THE INSPIRED WORD OF GOD THE INSPIRED WORD OF GOD SACRED (SCRIPTURE) WRITINGS SACRED (SCRIPTURE) WRITINGS Authors words but Gods inspiration Authors words but Gods inspiration Knowledge we need for salvation Knowledge we need for salvation Requires discernment Requires discernment A LIBRARY (BIBLIA = BOOKS) A LIBRARY (BIBLIA = BOOKS) COLLECTION OF MANY BOOKS FROM MANY AUTHORS COLLECTION OF MANY BOOKS FROM MANY AUTHORS (1000 BCE 100 AD) TWO MAIN SECTIONS TWO MAIN SECTIONS Slide 5 UNDERSTANDING THE MESSAGE (OR WHAT DID IT REALLY MEAN) I didnt say you stole the money Emphasize each word individually and rethink your answer/assumption. Slide 6 Dei Verbum: Dogmatic Constitution on Divine Revelation In composing the sacred books, God chose men and while employed by Him In composing the sacred books, God chose men and while employed by Him they made use of their powers and abilities, so that with Him acting in them and through them, they made use of their powers and abilities, so that with Him acting in them and through them, they, as true authors, consigned to writing everything and only those things which He wanted. they, as true authors, consigned to writing everything and only those things which He wanted. Slide 7 WHO WROTE THE BIBLE AND WHY OLD TESTAMENT MOSTLY HEBREWS OLD TESTAMENT MOSTLY HEBREWS MOSES, PROPHETS, EDUCATED MEN MOSES, PROPHETS, EDUCATED MEN NEW TESTAMENT BOTH GENTILE AND HEBREW NEW TESTAMENT BOTH GENTILE AND HEBREW OFTEN UNKNOWN AUTHOR OFTEN UNKNOWN AUTHOR TO TEACH, RECORD, PATRIOTISM, PROPHESIZE COMING MESSIAH TO TEACH, RECORD, PATRIOTISM, PROPHESIZE COMING MESSIAH Slide 8 BIBLE TIMELINE THE STORY OF A PEOPLE AND THEIR GOD PATRIARCHS: PATRIARCHS: 1900-1700 BCE 1900-1700 BCE HEBREWS IN EGYPT: HEBREWS IN EGYPT: 1700-1300 1700-1300 EXODUS: EXODUS: 1300-1200 1300-1200 UNITED KINGDOM TO BABYLON: UNITED KINGDOM TO BABYLON: 1200-585 1200-585 PERSIANS: PERSIANS: 500-333 500-333 GREEKS: GREEKS: 333-142 333-142 MACCABEAN: MACCABEAN: 142-62 142-62 ROMAN RULE: ROMAN RULE: 63BCE-105CE 63BCE-105CE (LAST NT WRITING) (LAST NT WRITING) Slide 9 ORGANIZATION CATHOLIC BIBLE CATHOLIC BIBLE Council of Carthage 251CE Council of Carthage 251CE RATIFIED BY TRENT 1545 RATIFIED BY TRENT 1545 46 OLD TEST Septuagint vs Palestinian Canon used by Paul 46 OLD TEST Septuagint vs Palestinian Canon used by Paul 27 NEW TEST Since Irenaeus 27 NEW TEST Since Irenaeus PROTESTANT BIBLE PROTESTANT BIBLE 39 OLD TEST 39 OLD TEST CANON CHANGED BY LUTHER (1520) & REFORMISTS CANON CHANGED BY LUTHER (1520) & REFORMISTS ELIMINATED TOBIT, JUDITH, WISDOM, SIRACH, BARUCH, 1 AND 2 MACCABEES, AND PORTIONS OF DANIEL AND ESTER ELIMINATED TOBIT, JUDITH, WISDOM, SIRACH, BARUCH, 1 AND 2 MACCABEES, AND PORTIONS OF DANIEL AND ESTER CALLED DEUTEROCANONICAL - APOCRYPHAL CALLED DEUTEROCANONICAL - APOCRYPHAL Slide 10 COUNCIL OF JAMNIA JEWISH SCHOLARS WHO MET IN 90CE JEWISH SCHOLARS WHO MET IN 90CE BECAUSE OF DESTRUCTION OF TEMPLE IN 70CE RESET JEWISH CANON OF SCRIPTURE BECAUSE OF DESTRUCTION OF TEMPLE IN 70CE RESET JEWISH CANON OF SCRIPTURE INCLUDED ONLY HEBREW WRITTEN BOOKS INCLUDED ONLY HEBREW WRITTEN BOOKS TRYING TO GET AWAY FROM JEWISH CHRISTIAN THOUGHTS TRYING TO GET AWAY FROM JEWISH CHRISTIAN THOUGHTS WHEN LUTHER BROKE AWAY, HE ADOPTED THIS SHORTER CANON FOR OT WHEN LUTHER BROKE AWAY, HE ADOPTED THIS SHORTER CANON FOR OT Slide 11 OLD TESTAMENT A covenant between God and Hebrews A covenant between God and Hebrews Four major sections Four major sections Pentateuch The Law Gen, Ex, Lv, Nu, Du Pentateuch The Law Gen, Ex, Lv, Nu, Du Deuteronimistic Historical Joshua, Jud, Ruth, Sam, Kg, Chro Deuteronimistic Historical Joshua, Jud, Ruth, Sam, Kg, Chro Prophets Is, Je, Lam, Ez, Dan, Hosea, Joel Prophets Is, Je, Lam, Ez, Dan, Hosea, Joel Wisdom Job, Ps, Pv, Ec, Song of Song, Ws Wisdom Job, Ps, Pv, Ec, Song of Song, Ws TNK = TaNaKh TNK = TaNaKh Torah = The Law Torah = The Law Neviim = Judges, Prophet & Kings Neviim = Judges, Prophet & Kings Ketuvim = The music and sayings Ketuvim = The music and sayings All foretell the coming Messiah All foretell the coming Messiah Slide 12 NEW TESTAMENT CHRISTIAN SCRIPTURE CHRISTIAN SCRIPTURE Birth, growth and teaching of Christian Church Birth, growth and teaching of Christian Church Twenty Seven Books Twenty Seven Books Four Gospels (the good news) 3 synoptic Four Gospels (the good news) 3 synoptic Acts the birth of the Church Acts the birth of the Church 13 Letters of Paul (oldest book 1 Thess 51 AD) 13 Letters of Paul (oldest book 1 Thess 51 AD) 8 Other letters 8 Other letters Revelation not a Left Behind original Revelation not a Left Behind original Slide 13 OT CANON OF THE BIBLE AND TRANSLATIONS ORIGINALLY WRITTEN IN HEBREW ORIGINALLY WRITTEN IN HEBREW DANIEL PARTLY ARAMAIC DANIEL PARTLY ARAMAIC DEUTEROCANONICAL IN GREEK DEUTEROCANONICAL IN GREEK NOT PARTICULARLY IN A SPECIAL ORDER NOT PARTICULARLY IN A SPECIAL ORDER SEPTUAGINT (LXX) = GREEK TRANS. SEPTUAGINT (LXX) = GREEK TRANS. SEVENTY JEWISH SCHOLARS MID 3 RD CENT BC. FOR PTOLEMY II. SEVENTY JEWISH SCHOLARS MID 3 RD CENT BC. FOR PTOLEMY II. BASIS FOR CATHOLIC BIBLE BASIS FOR CATHOLIC BIBLE Slide 14 NT BIBLICAL CANNON WRITTEN ENTIRELY IN GREEK WRITTEN ENTIRELY IN GREEK 50-125 NT Scriptures written 50-125 NT Scriptures written 140 Marcion issues heretical canon/beliefs 140 Marcion issues heretical canon/beliefs consisted of only eleven books, an abridged and mutilated Gospel of Luke, and ten of Pauls epistles. He put Galatians first in order, and called Ephesians the Epistle to the Laodicaeans. consisted of only eleven books, an abridged and mutilated Gospel of Luke, and ten of Pauls epistles. He put Galatians first in order, and called Ephesians the Epistle to the Laodicaeans. Church adopts 4 gospels and letter of Paul Church adopts 4 gospels and letter of Paul 170 Muratorian Canon (orthodox) 170 Muratorian Canon (orthodox) 367earliest list NT, in exact number/order we have written by Athanasius 367earliest list NT, in exact number/order we have written by Athanasius Synod of Hippo 393, Council of Carthage 397 Synod of Hippo 393, Council of Carthage 397 Entire canon finalized Council of Trent 1546 Entire canon finalized Council of Trent 1546 Slide 15 CANONICAL CRITERIA Apostolic Origin - attributed to and/or based on the preaching/teaching of the first-generation apostles (or their closest companions). 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). 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). 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). (catholicresources.org) Consistent Message - containing theological ideas compatible with other accepted Christian writings (incl. the divinity and humanity Jesus). (catholicresources.org) Slide 16 WHAT ARE GNOSTIC GOSPELS gnostic collection of writings about the teachings of Jesus, written around the 2 nd century (wikpedia.com) gnostic collection of writings about the teachings of Jesus, written around the 2 nd century (wikpedia.com) Gospel of Thomas, Peter, Phillip, Mary, Judas etc. Gospel of Thomas, Peter, Phillip, Mary, Judas etc. written in Coptic and are generally dated to the 3rd and 4th centuries AD, though the Gospel of Thomas has ignited some debate, and scholars argue that it dates from 50 AD (Koester, HDS) to the late 2nd century AD (Miers). (wikpedia.com) written in Coptic and are generally dated to the 3rd and 4th centuries AD, though the Gospel of Thomas has ignited some debate, and scholars argue that it dates from 50 AD (Koester, HDS) to the late 2nd century AD (Miers). (wikpedia.com)Coptic Not the same a valued ancient writings Not the same a valued ancient writings Slide 17 FURTHER TRANSLATIONS AND DEVELOPMENT OT - (HEBREW/ARAMAIC) OT - (HEBREW/ARAMAIC) SEPTUAGINT ALL GREEK (200- 100 BC) SEPTUAGINT ALL GREEK (200- 100 BC) NT GREEK (51-95 AD) NT GREEK (51-95 AD) SYRIAC (PESHITTA) AFTER CHRIST FOR SYRIANS SYRIAC (PESHITTA) AFTER CHRIST FOR SYRIANS VULGATE ST JEROME TO LATIN VULGATE ST JEROME TO LATIN 382 COMMISSIONED BY POPE 382 COMMISSIONED BY POPE 20 YEARS TO COMPLETE 20 YEARS TO COMPLETE CONFLICT OVER SEPTUAGINT CONFLICT OVER SEPTUAGINT 1228 CHAPTERS INSERTED BY STEPHEN LANGTON 1228 CHAPTERS INSERTED BY STEPHEN LANGTON 1430 GUTENBERG PRESS 1430 GUTENBERG PRESS 1528 VERSES INSERTED BY SANTES PAGNINI 1528 VERSES INSERTED BY SANTES PAGNINI Slide 18 IS THE BIBLE TRUE? TYPES OF TRUTH SCIENTIFIC TRUTH FLAT EARTH? DOME OVER THE EARTH? HISTORICAL TRUTH SOME HISTORICAL ERROR, BUT SUPRISINGLY ACCURATE SYMBOLIC TRUTH MESSAGES TOLD IN SYMBOLS (SERPENTS, FORBIDDEN FRUIT) PROVERBIAL TRUTH A FOLKLORE TYPE TRUTH FOUND IN WISDOM BOOKS MORAL TRUTH WHAT IS RIGHT AND WRONG RELIGIOUS TRUTH THE PRIMARY TRUTH OF THE BIBLE AND THE FOCUS OF MANS RELATIONSHIP WITH GOD. Slide 19 WRITING STYLES AND CONTEXT ALLEGORY ( symbolic representation), BIOGRAPHY, GENEOLOGY, HISTORICAL, POLITICAL, LEGAL, PROPHETIC, POETIC, PROSE, SERMON, FABLE (parable), MYTH, etc. ALLEGORY ( symbolic representation), BIOGRAPHY, GENEOLOGY, HISTORICAL, POLITICAL, LEGAL, PROPHETIC, POETIC, PROSE, SERMON, FABLE (parable), MYTH, etc. TRUE OR FALSE? TRUE OR FALSE? ON THE THIRD DAY GOD MADE LIGHT ON THE THIRD DAY GOD MADE LIGHT APPLES AND SNAKES APPLES AND SNAKES TWO BY TWO INTO THE ARK TWO BY TWO INTO THE ARK Slide 20 ITS 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 1:16 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 stars also. Gen 1:16 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 stars also. Gen 1:26-27 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 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. And God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them. Gen 1:26-27 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 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. And God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them. 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 living soul. 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 living soul. Slide 21 LOOK FOR THE MESSAGE Gen 6:19-20 And of every living thing of all flesh, two of every sort shalt thou bring into the ark, to keep them alive with thee; they shall be male and female. Of the birds after their kind, and of the cattle after their kind, of every creeping thing of the ground after its kind, two of every sort shall come unto thee, to keep them alive. Gen 6:19-20 And of every living thing of all flesh, two of every sort shalt thou bring into the ark, to keep them alive with thee; they shall be male and female. Of the birds after their kind, and of the cattle after their kind, of every creeping thing of the ground after its kind, two of every sort shall come unto thee, to keep them alive. 7: 2-3 Of every clean beast thou shalt take to thee seven and seven, the male and his female; and of the beasts that are not clean two, the male and his female: of the birds also of the heavens, seven and seven, male and female, to keep seed alive upon the face of all the earth. 7: 2-3 Of every clean beast thou shalt take to thee seven and seven, the male and his female; and of the beasts that are not clean two, the male and his female: of the birds also of the heavens, seven and seven, male and female, to keep seed alive upon the face of all the earth. Slide 22 THE WRITTEN WORD VERSUS THE SPOKEN WORD (ASSUMPTIONS) Who is the serpent in the Garden of Eden? Who is the serpent in the Garden of Eden? What was the original sin? What was the original sin? Slide 23 INTERPRETING MYTH ADAM EACH PERSON/ALL OF US ADAM EACH PERSON/ALL OF US GARDEN A PLACE OF NO SUFFERING GARDEN A PLACE OF NO SUFFERING SERPENT TEMPTATION SERPENT TEMPTATION EATING THE FRUIT - SIN EATING THE FRUIT - SIN NAKED/ASHAMED SELF ALIENATION NAKED/ASHAMED SELF ALIENATION THE PLOT AND THEME THE PLOT AND THEME NO SUFFERING SIN SUFFERING NO SUFFERING SIN SUFFERING SUFFERING IS DUE TO SIN SUFFERING IS DUE TO SIN Slide 24 WHOSE MESSAGE KNOW WHAT YOU ARE READING AND BUYING Luke 11:2-4 Ask for What You Need So he said, "When you pray, say, Father, Reveal who you are. Set the world right. Keep us alive with three square meals. Keep us forgiven with you and forgiving others. Keep us safe from ourselves and the Devil. (MSG Bible) Problem is that people might not KNOW the differences, significance, or mistakes that can come from reading non- standard translations. Problem is that people might not KNOW the differences, significance, or mistakes that can come from reading non- standard translations. Before you buy a new Bible, ask someone in the Church or do some homework. Before you buy a new Bible, ask someone in the Church or do some homework. PASCENDI DOMINICI GREGIS ENCYCLICAL OF POPE PIUS X ON THE DOCTRINES OF THE MODERNISTS PASCENDI DOMINICI GREGIS ENCYCLICAL OF POPE PIUS X ON THE DOCTRINES OF THE MODERNISTS Slide 25 THE BIBLE IN CHURCH LOOK FOR THE MESSAGE !!! LOOK FOR THE MESSAGE !!! INTERPRETATION - DISCERNMENT CRITICAL INTERPRETATION - DISCERNMENT CRITICAL THE CHURCH HELPS US UNDERSTAND THE CHURCH HELPS US UNDERSTAND THE PILLAR OF TRUTH THE PILLAR OF TRUTH EVEN SATAN QUOTED SCRIPTURE EVEN SATAN QUOTED SCRIPTURE ACTS 8:26 ACTS 8:26 THREE READING PER WEEK DOES NOT CONTAIN EVERYTHING (Sunday) THREE READING PER WEEK DOES NOT CONTAIN EVERYTHING (Sunday) So then, our brothers, stand firm and hold fast to the traditions which we taught you, both in our preaching and our writing". So then, our brothers, stand firm and hold fast to the traditions which we taught you, both in our preaching and our writing". (2 Thessalonians 2:14-15) (2 Thessalonians 2:14-15) Slide 26 SUMMARY WORD OF GOD inspired through men WORD OF GOD inspired through men One of three pillars of Church authority (Tradition, Scripture, Teaching of Magisterium) One of three pillars of Church authority (Tradition, Scripture, Teaching of Magisterium) Written by many authors of many centuries in many styles, containing different truths. Written by many authors of many centuries in many styles, containing different truths. Can be and is often misinterpreted, thus requires discernment. Can be and is often misinterpreted, thus requires discernment. Scripture study should always focus on the message as interpreted by the Catholic Church Scripture study should always focus on the message as interpreted by the Catholic Church