1. Bible Survey J Gareth Evans 2011

2. What is the Bible? Lit. books. Old Testament – 39 books (Hebrew)
New Testament – 27 books (Greek)
Aramaic portions include Dan. 2:4b-7:28; Ezra 4:8-6:18, 7:12-26; Jer. 10:11; and one phrase in Gen. 31:47 "Jegar-sahadutha," translated "Heap of Witness."

3. The Bible as Religious Writing
All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.
2 Tim 3:16
The formation of the Bible had more to do with acceptance of writings by Hebrew and Christian communities over a period of time than official decisions of Jewish or Christian Councils.

4. The Athanathian Canon (367AD) was the first to have the same 27 books.
Canons (lit. rule)
There were early attempts at developing a list of NT books. The need became greater owing to heretics such as Marcion.
The Muratorian Canon (Rome C200 AD) omits Hebrews, James, 1 and 2 Peter, and 3 John
The Athanathian Canon (367AD) was the first to have the same 27 books.
Finally settled at Councils of Carthage (AD 397 & 419). OT Canon settled at Council of Jamnia (AD 90).

5. Old Testament Books The Law (Pentateuch) Prophets Writings
Gen, Exod, Lev, Num, Deut
Prophets
Former: Joshua, Judges, Samuel, Kings
Latter: Isaiah, Jer, Ezek, The Twelve
Writings
Psalms, Prov, Job, Daniel, Ezra-Neh, Chronicles
Songs, Ruth, Lam, Eccles, Esther (Festival Scrolls)

6. Apocalypse (Revelation)
New Testament Books
Gospels
Matthew, Mark Luke (Synoptics) & John
Acts
Epistles
Pauline: Rom, 1&2 Cor, Gal, Eph, Phil, Col,
1&2 Thess, Pastoral (1&2 Tim, Titus), Philem
Hebrews
General: James, 1&2 Peter, 1-3 John, Jude
Apocalypse (Revelation)

7. Books that didn’t make it
Seven NT were disputed before making it
Hebrews, 2 and 3 John, 2 Peter, Jude, James, Revelation
Books that some accepted
1 Clement, the Shepherd of Hermas, the Epistle of Barnabas, the Didache, the Apocalypse of Peter
Gnostic Gospels - Rejected
Gospel of Thomas, Apocryphon of John, Sophia Jesu Christi

8. The Historical Background
Patriarchs
Exodus & Conquest
Judges & Kings
Exile & Restoration
Inter-Testamental
Life of Jesus
Early Church
Bookends – Beginning & End

9. The Major Themes Creation & Fall Redemption Revelation Nature of God
Covenants
Temple
Messiah
Consummation

10. Literary Genres Historical Narratives Genealogies Law Prophecy
Proverbs and riddles (wisdom)
Prayers and Hymns/Songs
Wisdom Literature
Stories and Parables
Apocalyptic

11. Bible Handbook/Encyclopaedia
Resources for Study
Bible Handbook/Encyclopaedia
Bible Atlas
Bible Dictionary
Commentaries
Concordances
Translations

12. Texts
A number of papyrii containing fragments of the NT date from 2nd century. Other manuscripts include
Sinaiticus IV
Vaticanus IV
Alexandrinus V
Bezae V
Families of manuscripts – Byzantian. Alexandrian, Caesarean, Western.
Textual Criticism seeks to determine original

13. Translations Greek OT – Septuagint (LXX)
Early translations of the NT include:
Latin, Syriac, Coptic
THE KJV is based on a version of the Greek text called the Textus Receptus which is Byzantine.
Modern versions include NASB, NIV, RSV, NRSV and so on. Each employs somewhat different principles of translation.
Modern translations, following Wescott and Hort, are based on the Alexandrian text.

14. The Relationship of the Old and New Testaments
One in three NT verses quote the OT
1644 OT passages are quoted in the NT
Only Philemon does not quote the OT
The Song of Songs isn’t quoted in the NT
Isaiah (412), Psalms (410), Exodus (240) and Genesis (238) are quoted most often
Moses, Abraham, David and Jacob are most referred to characters

15. Why Read the Old Testament?
It was the Book Jesus read and used
It was read and used by the first followers of Jesus
It is the beginning of a history of God’s purpose which culminated in Jesus
It is the account of how God reveals Himself

16. Jesus’ Attitude to the OT
John 10:35 – “The Scriptures cannot be broken”
Matt 22:29 – “you do not know the Scriptures or the power of God”
Matt 22:31 – “have you not read what God said to you?”
Matt 6:17 – “I have not come to abolish [the Law or the Prophets] but to fulfil the”.