An Introduction to Scriptures

The Bible is Our Heritage Some people find nothing wonderful. For some, there is no cause for gratitude, compassion, generosity.

For some there is little else but selfishness,exclusivity,materialism. The Bible is Our Heritage

Their hope is expressed in what they can do for themselves. The Bible is Our Heritage

What they value is training,skills,productivity,usefulness. The Bible is Our Heritage

What is important to them is their own effort, rugged individualism, looking out for #1. The Bible is Our Heritage

How do we see the hand of God in our life and in the lives of others? The Bible is Our Heritage

How do we see the call of God in every day ordinary events? The Bible is Our Heritage

Some people are sensitive to the gift-like quality of all things in life. The Bible is Our Heritage

Some people are aware of goodness, and appreciative of good health. The Bible is Our Heritage

Some people have a peaceful, a peaceful, child-like quality. The Bible is Our Heritage

Some people believe that all their good fortune is undeserved. The Bible is Our Heritage

Some people are filled with gratitude leading to unselfish generosity. The Bible is Our Heritage

How would we tell others of God’s hand in our life? The Bible is Our Heritage

The People of Israel They saw their observances, their worship their lifestyle reflected in the hand of God.

They commemorated the actions of God in rituals and feasts. The People of Israel

They told and retold their stories of redemption and salvation. The People of Israel

They wrote and expressed gratitude in many ways and forms. The People of Israel

Hebrew Scriptures They were written in HebrewGreekAramaic in 46 books.

They recorded Israel’s beliefs and historical accounts their origins folklore, traditions, oracles myths, sayings, legends hymns, psalms, poems. hymns, psalms, poems. Hebrew Scriptures

They recorded these things over a period of 1000 years! Hebrew Scriptures

The New Testament These recorded the saving events of Jesus in gospels and letters!

The New Testament This was written in Greek in 27 books and told of the early followers the Spirit and the Church.

Biblical Authorship The Bible was written to express an understanding of God and the truths of faith.

Biblical Authorship The Bible was inspired in many ways.

Biblical Authorship The Bible is a record of solid teachings endeavours to be faithful and without error.

Biblical Authorship The Bible endeavours to most perfectly express who God is and what God does.

Catholics and the Bible Before the Second Vatican Council (1960’s) there was little encouragement to read the Bible. There was a great fear of misinterpretation.

Catholics and the Bible Misinterpretation and fundamentalism are still problems today.

Catholics and the Bible There is a certain abuse of Scripture as a manual for living as a Ouija board.

Catholics and the Bible There are technical difficulties with language and culture.

Catholics and the Bible Many people lack confidence lack skills have a fear or naïveté.

Six Perspectives I A Current Resource of Faith The stories presented happen today. It unites many despite different cultures and time. It presents links to our own lives.

Six Perspectives II Questions not answers Scriptures are meant to assure us. Scriptures are not meant to shield us. Scriptures are not doctrines. Scriptures are not concerned with right morality.

Six Perspectives II Questions not answers Scriptures are concerned with our relationship with God and others. Scriptures offer a trusted memory. Scriptures offer dynamic images.

Six Perspectives II Questions not answers Scriptures offer a faithful voice on a restless journey.

Six Perspectives II Questions not answers Scriptures challenge us to explore our faith in God and ourselves.

Six Perspectives III Not Proof, but Presumptions Proof is the realm of science. There is very little the Bible actually proves.

Six Perspectives III Not Proof, but Presumptions The Bible does not prove the creation of the earth in six days, the redemption of Israel, the resurrection of Jesus.

Six Perspectives III Not Proof, but Presumptions However, The Bible asserts that God is the creator that God redeems throughout history our claim for Jesus’ resurrection.

Six Perspectives III Not Proof, but Presumptions The Bible is based on the sureness of witnesses. The Bible proclaims! The Bible is a product of faithing !

Six Perspectives IV A Dialogue Partner The Bible is not the object for study. It does not hold secrets. It nurtures faith and dialogue!

Six Perspectives IV A Dialogue Partner In interpreting what God says, we are also interpreted! Our faith and theology is revealed!

Six Perspectives IV A Dialogue Partner We become a Moment of Promise! a Seeing Stick!

Six Perspectives V Rich Diversity, One Direction There are many books, disagreements, contradictions, messages, authors, literary forms and styles.

Six Perspectives V Rich Diversity, One Direction It was written for different times and different communities. There are various themes and images.

Six Perspectives V Rich Diversity, One Direction There is a wholesomeness to it. There is one central truth. There is one faith, one God for us all!

Six Perspectives VI Bible as a Lens Life is seen in our current circumstances. There are many influences on our life.

Six Perspectives VI Bible as a Lens We find understanding based on the idea that God is on the intersection of each of life’s corners.

Six Perspectives VI Bible as a Lens No matter where we turn, God is there!

Summary God wants us to meet. We discover God in our own experience and the experience of others. The experience of others is our heritage.

Summary Are we predisposed to meet God ready to trust in the Spirit ready for new understandings ready for conversion?

Summary You would not be searching for me if you had not already found me.

An Introduction to the Scriptures Produced by Alfred Guidolin Nipissing University Religious Education in the Roman Catholic Schools of Ontario EDUC 1526 © San Marco Productions 2010