1. JESUS CHRIST: GOD’S REVELATION TO THE WORLD
CHAPTER 3
SURVEYING THE BOOKS
OF THE BIBLE

2. Best Seller
The Bible was first printed in 1454 The Bible is always at the top of any best-seller’s list

3. Familiar Sayings from the Bible
“A HOUSE DIVIDED”
“APPLE OF HIS EYE”
“CAN A LEOPARD CHANGE HIS SPOTS”
“OUT OF THE MOUTHS OF BABES”
“HANDWRITING ON THE WALL”
“LABOR OF LOVE”
“BY THE SKIN OF MY TEETH”
“EAT, DRINK, AND BE MERRY”

4. Formation of the Old Testament
Before the actual writing took place, there was a period of oral traditions that came from the experiences the people had with God and with each other. Many historians believe the Chosen People began to preserve their stories during the reign of King Solomon (950 BC). Many editors were involved, resulting in many OT books being compilations.

5. The Old Testament Canon
The Septuagint (a Greek translation of the Hebrew Scriptures) was common during Jesus’ day. Jewish scholars omitted the seven books written in Greek from the Septuagint.
The Council of Trent accepted all the books in the Septuagint as part of the Old Testament canon. Protestant Reformers accepted the official list of Hebrew Scriptures accepted by rabbis in AD 90.

6. Survey of the Old Testament Books
Pentateuch
The Historical Books
Most scholars believe that four different oral traditions went into writing the foundational Pentateuch.
Genesis
Exodus
Leviticus
Numbers
Deuteronomy
How God remained faithful to the covenant; how the Israelites struggled to live by its terms
Joshua
Judges
Ruth
1 and 2 Samuel
1 and 2 Kings
1 and 2 Chronicles
Ezra and Nehemiah
Tobit, Judith, and Esther
1 and 2 Maccabees

7. Survey of the Old Testament Books
The Wisdom Books
Prophetic Books
How God works in our everyday lives
Job
Psalms
Proverbs
Ecclesiastes
Song of Songs
Wisdom
Sirach
The biblical prophets were a messengers from God.
Worship the one, true God
Accept God’s love and mercy
Be just, especially to the poor
Know that God will ultimately triumph

8. Classifying the Prophets
MAJOR PROPHETS:
Isaiah
Jeremiah
Ezekiel
Daniel
MINOR PROPHETS:
Hosea
Joel
Amos
Obadiah
Jonah
Micah
Nahum
Habakkuk
Zephaniah
Haggai
Zechariah
Malachi

9. The Writing of the New Testament
Stage 1: 6 BC—AD 30/33
Stage 2: AD 30—50
Stage 3: AD 50—c. 120

10. Stage 1: The Historical Jesus
Jesus lived a typical life of a Jewish boy Began his public ministry c. 28 AD Taught, healed, and proclaimed the coming of the Kingdom of God Crucified by Pontius Pilate c. 30 AD Rose from the dead three days after his crucifixion

11. Stage 2: Oral Tradition
“Go out to the whole world; proclaim the gospel to all creation” KERYGMA—preaching to unbelievers DIDACHE—teaching, further catechesis LITURGY—worship of the Christians

12. Why Commit the Oral Tradition to writing?
The end of the world was not coming as quickly as the early Christians at first thought it would
Distortions to the Gospel were occurring
More instruction was needed

13. Stage 3: The New Testament Writings
First written books of the New Testament were the letters of St. Paul The four Gospels, Acts, Catholic Epistles, and Revelation were probably written in the latter half of the 1st century

14. Survey of the New Testament
The Sacred Tradition of the Church, administered by the Apostles and their successors, determined which books were to be included in the canon and which were not under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit.

15. Types of Writing in the New Testament
Gospels
Acts of the Apostles
The heart of the Scriptures!
Mark (~60—75)
Matthew (~80—90)
Luke (~85)
John (~80—110)
Second part of the Gospel of Luke Acts tells the early history of the Church

16. Types of Writing in the New Testament
Pauline Letters
The Letter to the Hebrews
Circulated in his name; either written by Paul himself or a disciple of Paul
1 and 2 Thessalonians
Galatians
Philippians
1 and 2 Corinthians
Romans
Philemon
Colossians
Ephesians
Titus
1 and 2 Timothy
Emphasizes Christ’s superiority over all creation Perfect sacrifice of Death on the cross took away sin, fulfilling the promises of the Old Testament

17. Types of Writing in the New Testament
Catholic Epistles
Revelation
Letters intended “for all” (Catholic means “universal)
James
1 and 2 Peter
Jude
1, 2 and 3 John
This highly symbolic work’s purpose was to encourage Christians who were undergoing persecution for their faith in Jesus Christ.