The Bible

How Would We Describe the Bible?

• A collection of different writings

• Bible comes from Greek word for “books”

• Ancient historical works• The backbone of Western

society Physical Appearance: Scrolls not Books

Inspired By God (Sacred)

• Revelation• 73 books • Promise made between God

and God’s people• History • Life, death, justice, good, evil

When was it written

• Written over 1000 years• Earliest writings 900 BCE• Latest writings 100 CE

Where was it written

• Written in different places:– Palestine– Babylon (modern Iraq)– Egypt– Rome (modern Italy)– Corinth (modern Greece)– Ephesus (modern Turkey)

How Was the Bible Written

• Writers wrote down ideas onto papyrus

• Used a writing tool made from reed

• Read aloud their work, others would copy

• Usually errors made when coping original work

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The Old Testament

• 46 books• Before the time of Jesus• History • Visions about the End of

the world• God’s promise

Different Canons…

Jewish Bible Protestant O.T. Catholic & Orthodox O.T.

-Torah/Instruction-Nevi’im/Prophets-Former Prophets-Latter Prophets-Ketuvim/Writings

-Pentateuch-Historical Books-Poetic & Wisdom Books-Prophetic Books

-Pentateuch-Historical Books-Poetic & Wisdom Books-Prophetic Books*contains additional books known as Deuterocanonical

Different Sets of Writings

• Old Testament = Jewish scripture• Written in Hebrew, Greek, and

Aramaic • 275 B.C., translated into Greek• Septuigent

Hebrew Alphabet

Greek Alphabet

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The New Testament

• 27 books about the fulfillment of God’s promise in Jesus Christ

• Gospels (meaning Good News)

Why Study the Bible

• Exegesis• History• Philosophical Questions• Strengthen faith• To understand God more fully• To understand ourselves more

fully