Divine Revelation Old Testament

Outline for Test Overview of the Bible Pentateuch Book of Genesis What is it? Its purpose and theme Its structure and contents Pentateuch General information Time span Importance to both Christian and Jew Oral to written tradition 4 different traditions Book of Genesis Chapters 1-11 etiologies Truths about creation and sin Promise of redemption Chapters 12-50 Beginning of God’s chosen people Patriarchs Covenant

Pentateuch First Five Books of the Bible In Hebrew known as the “Torah” Written by many authors in 4 writing traditions, taken from oral and early written stories Begins with creation and ends with the death of Moses Gives the religious history of humankind, particularly the chosen people, and God’s basic moral expectations. It is the core or center of the Old Testament and contains myth like stories, genealogies, and codes of law. It is important to both the Jewish and Christian faiths since it reveals much about God and his relationship with and expectations of humanity

Sources of Pentateuch Oral tradition: Unwritten, memorized stories and accounts of historical events passed on, by word of mouth, from generation to generation. Written records: early attempts of recording stories and accounts by primitive writing forms. Experience-oral stories-written accounts-final redactions

Authorship of the Pentateuch It was originally thought that Moses had written the books of the Pentateuch It has been established, however, that many different writers recorded these books The many different writers brought their own styles to their writing and these styles have been sorted into 4 writing traditions

Writing Traditions Yahwist: Elohist: God is called Yahweh Uses anthropomorphism. Humans have direct contact with God Stories of sin and God’s promises Elohist: God is called “Elohim” Humans have indirect contact with God (visions, dreams, messengers) God demands righteousness and justice Sometimes the Yahwist and Elohist traditions overlap

Writing Traditions (cont’d) Deuteronomic Encourages obedience to the Law Success or failure of Israel depend upon Israel’s observance of the Law Blessed are those who… cursed are those who… Priestly Probably the final editors of the Pentateuch Stressed the importance of worship, ritual and purity Emphasized the power of God

Book of Genesis “The Beginnings”

Primeval History Chapters 1-11 The Creation Stories The Fall of Man Continuation of sin Sin multiplies Social Sin

Creation Stories God made all things good and holy God made us responsible for each other and the environment God gave us human sexuality Humans are made in the image and likeness of God. Humans share the same organic substance as all creation Humans are made to be relational

Human Beings Summit of Creation Human Dignity Immortal Soul Reason Made in God’s image and likeness Immortal Soul God breathed into the human His breath Reason Free Will Choose to do right or wrong Stewardship Care for all creation Human Sexuality Binding love Procreation

The Fall The original sin Results of this action: Hope of redemption The first humans give in to the temptation of evil in the garden and disobey God Results of this action: Loss of relationship with God Loss of harmony between man and woman, humans and nature Suffering and death enter the world Following generations are born with concupiscence Hope of redemption God promises to send someone to crush evil (Gen. 3:15)

Concupiscence Sin continues Sin multiplies Sin becomes societal Cain and Abel Sin multiplies Noah Sin becomes societal Tower of Babel

Salvation History Begins with the “protoevangelium”, the promise of a savior to crush evil and restore original holiness. (Gen. 3:15)

Salvation History Continues with the beginning of God’s people. The call to Abram to become the Father of a great nation, Israel

Age of the Patriarchs Chapters 12-50, Origins of the Chosen People of God Begins with the story of Abram Introduces the covenant made with Abram The fulfillment of the promises made to Abram God is not limited by human boundaries Continues with Isaac The account of Esau and Jacob God’s plan overcomes human sin and weakness Ends with the accounts of Joseph God brings good from evil Divine Providence

Abraham Begins with the story of Abram, a nomad from Ur Introduces the covenant made with Abram Great Nation Promised Land Descendents The fulfillment of the promises made to Abram Ishmael Isaac God is not limited by human boundaries Sarai conceives and gives birth to a son, Isaac

Covenant with Abraham Land (Gen.15:18-21) Great Nation (Gen.12: 1-3) Israelites Ishmaelites Descendents (Gen.15.4-6 Change of name, (signifies a change of life) Abram= Abraham Sarai= Sarah Faith Circumcision, Blood covenant All Jewish men must be circumcised.

Isaac The sacrifice of Isaac: God tests Abraham’s faith God keeps His promises Rebekah: God is not limited by human boundaries Rebekah gives birth to Esau and Jacob (twins)

Jacob The account of Esau and Jacob God’s plan overcomes human sin and weakness Trickery leads to more of the same

Joseph Ends with the accounts of Joseph Divine Providence God’s active presence in our lives especially in times of distress God brings good from evil Joseph is sold Joseph is wrongly accused and imprisoned