Chapter Two: SACRED SCRIPTURES Stories of Life and Faith

OBJECTIVES: Discern of Gods message in our daily experiences through reflective reading of the Scriptures. Understand and appreciate the significance of the Scriptures as the living Word of God and its relevance in our everyday experience

I. II. III. IV.

Meaning Origin Nature of the Bible Methods in interpreting the Scripture. V. Conclusion

Our personal and communal experiences, as collective memory, are significant part of our live. They link our past with the present and give meaning and values to our human existence.

As community , we gather strength and courage in remembering our shared experiences, most especially the realization of common aspiration and dreams

In our collective memories, we recall events and persons who play significant roles in these shared experiences such as national events, natural calamities, and the like.

The stories in the Bible share to us the experiences of people who have placed their trust and confidence in God and His liberating promise of salvation.
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Sacred Scriptures are stories inspired by the peoples experience of God. It is a record of how the people responded to, remembered, and interpreted such experience.

The Bible then, was written by persons who had an experiences of God guided by the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, it was written for the people of God searching for the authenticity of human life

Bible is a series of faith expression, that is , a confession of faith in God.

The term Bible is derived through Latin from the Greek biblia, or books, the diminutive form of byblos, the word for papyrus or paper, which was exported from the ancient Phoenician port city of Biblos.

In true sense the Bible is not just a book but a library of books in which recorded the gradual unfolding of the Divine revelation and Divine Plan for humanity

Strictly speaking , a book of history, nor is it a science textbook or text It is a religious book that uses religious language. Religious language is by nature is symbolic and if taken literally, the message may Become obscured or even appear absurd.

Oral tradition (source)

The Sacred Scripture did not just come as a written text some parts of it were also intended to be spoken, preached, proclaimed and even sung. Jewish called it miqra from the verb qara which means to, to call out or proclaim

 Written tradition (source)

The oral tradition handed down from

generation to generation until they were put down in writing.

These Oral and written source were actual events and experience of people; incidents occasioned and happening. This happening gives meaning or determined the kind of literature we have in the Bible .

 The decisive events in the life of the people

of Israel in their relationship with God. From these decisive events, we can trace the origin of the different types of literature In the Bible such, as poetry, legal documents, psalms, letters, myths, and proverbs.

DEVELOPMENT 1. Events and Experiences ( Sitz im leben ) 2. Oral Tradition 3. Written Tradition 4. Edited Tradition 5. The Canon

The people of Old and New Testament came to know God through WHAT GOD DID People remembered those encounters with God, reflect on them, committed them to memory, and transmitted them to succeeding generations through stories, rituals and celebration.

 By understanding the whole process, we see

that the BIBLE is not merely an ancient document that was written once and for all. It evolved as Gods living expression
Of His love for His chosen people who as also

evolved from expressing their own national concern to display a concern for universal salvation.

1. Masoretic Text
2. Dead Sea Scrolls 3. Septuagint

 Masoretic Text Hebrew masar, to hand

down (traditional). The traditional Hebrew text of the Bible, dated 930-1009 AD. Consists of 39 books (can be traced to the Jewish rabbis who were the successors of the Pharisees during the time of Jesus.

 Dead Sea Scrolls Found in 1947 at Qumran cave, oldest manuscripts of the Bible, 100 BC 100 AD. The only complete scroll is ISAIAH, the rest are fragments. Can be traced to the Essenes.

 Septuagint Greek version of the Hebrew text, earlier than the Dead Sea Scrolls. Septuagint, 70 rounded number of the legendary 72 translators (dated 300 250 BC, actual composition). Earliest manuscripts dated 100 400 AD. Has 46 books.

The two major parts of the Bible 1. The Old Testament/ Hebrew Scriptures written tradition of the Jewish people, largely written in Hebrew, which began to be collected and written about 1000 BCE.

2. The New Testament/Christian Scriptures A collection of selected traditions of the early Christian Church written within about 100 years of the death of Christ. Believed to be inspired by God, and therefore constituting authentic revelation.
Testament from the Latin word testamentum,

which means a close covenant. A close bond between God and His people

Old Testament records the story of how Israel was chosen from all nations to become the covenanted people of God. It underlines the disobediences and infidelity of Israel to the covenant in the face of unfailing love and fidelity of God.

The New Testament tells of the establishment of a new and final covenant, opened to all mankind, and sealed by the blood of Jesus Christ, the Son of God.

The Testaments, though distinct, are integral. The New Testament is the definitive fulfillment of Gods loving purpose for humankind from the beginning which was initially realized through Israel in the Old Testament.

THE OLD TESTAMENT the Jews call the Sacred Scripture TaNaK section of their Bible. TaNaK is an acronym that stands for Torah (Law) Nebiim (Prophets), and Kethubin (writings) Pentateuch( or the Law) or Torah, comes from the Greek word pente which means five and teuxos which means case

 The Law another name for the Torah.

Gives a rule of life derived from Gods requirements in the covenant, the divine guidance for living.
Pentateuch the first five books of the

Bible providing the earliest tradition of the Israelite people, and revered by them as representing Gods special teaching and guidance.

1. Genesis from beginning and ends up the death of Joseph in Egypt. a. Chapters 1-11 human beings loving relationship at the beginning of life, of how a broken relationship with Him occurred, and the first promise of deliverance made by God.

b. Chapters 12-50 How God, through Abraham and Sarah and their descendants, took the initial step in the saving plan for His people; ends with stories on life of the Israelites in Egypt, and the death of Joseph.

2. Exodus- the story of liberation that marks the birth of Israelites as a nation 3. Leviticus- the books of laws consist mainly on religious ceremonies on worship and on family relationship and community life.

4. Numbers- gives the account of Israel s 40

years of complains and discontent as they wander through the desert. 5. Deuteronomy- means the second law. It contains Moses speeches on the eve of his death.

 The Historical Books

How the people lived out the demands of the

covenant
The ups and downs of Israels living out the

promises they made in the covenant

Books written after the exile (Ruth, Esther, Judith,

and Tobit) relate stories of Jewish piety which bolstered the spirits of the people trying to rebuild their shattered lives after the return from exile in Babylon.

 The Writings
Israel reflects on human life in the light of each

faith
Offers religious insights into human behavior
Wrestles with a deep human question the

problem of suffering.

The Historical Books 1. Joshua 2. Judges 3. Ruth 4. 1 Samuel 5. 2 Samuel 6. 1 Kings 7. 2 Kings 8. 1 Chronicles 9. 2 Chronicles 10. Ezra

11. Nehemiah

13. Tobit 14. Judith 15. Esther 16. 1 Maccabees 17. 2 Maccabees

The Wisdom Books

18. Job 19. Psalms 20. Proverbs 21. Ecclesiastes 22. Song of Songs 23. Wisdom 24. Sirach

The Prophetical Books

25. Isaiah 26. Jeremiah 27. Lamentations 28. Baruch 29. Ezekiel 30. Daniel 31. Hosea 32. Joel 33. Amos 34. Obadiah

35. Jonah 36. Micah 37. Nahum 38. Habakkuk 39. Zephaniah 40. Haggai 41. Zechariah 42. Malachi

1. Tobit 2. Judith 3. Wisdom 4. Sirach 5. Baruch 6. 1 Maccabess 7. 2 Maccabees

The Great Legacy of Faith Left by the Hebrew Scriptures

1. There is but one God (YHWH He Who Is) 2. YHWH is a saving God who enters in our history 3. YHWH acts in human history, and the history of Israel is a history of God acting in the world 4. YHWH has taken the initiative to establish a close personal relationship with the people. 5. The law of God is essential to the covenant.

Eight Tips about the Canonical Arrangement of the NT (to help you learn the correct order of the 27 NT books):

The 27 books of the New Testament

are NOT listed in chronological order (the order in which they were written historically); several other principles were operative.

 The overall order begins with the life of

Jesus (four Gospels), then deals with the beginnings and expansion of the Church (Acts), then addresses particular issues and problems in early Christianity (Letters, Epistles), and finally focuses on the Eschaton or "End Times" (as described symbolically in the Book of Revelation).

The four Gospels are listed in what was traditionally regarded as their chronological order (i.e., Matthew was thought to be the oldest Gospel); most scholars today, however, believe that Mark was the first written Gospel (or at least the oldest of the four canonical Gospels in their full versions, as we know them today).

 The Acts of the Apostles was

originally the second volume of Luke's two-volume work; but when the four Gospels were grouped together, Acts was placed after John

 The Pauline Letters (written by, or at

least attributed to Paul) are divided into two sub-groups: those written to communities and those addressed to individuals; within each sub-group, the letters are arranged not in chronological order, but rather in decreasing order of length (more or less, although Galatians is slightly shorter than Ephesians).

 The anonymous "Letter to the Hebrews"

comes immediately after the Pauline letters because people used to think it too was written by Paul; it may have been written by one of his followers, but was almost certainly not written by Paul himself.

 The Catholic or General Epistles are also

listed in decreasing order of length, although letters attributed to the same apostle are grouped together.

 The Book of Revelation (singular!

not "Revelations"!) closes out the NT canon, since it concludes with a description of the end of time (New Heavens, New Earth, New Jerusalem, etc.).

Ten Stages of NT Formation and Transmission

The Historical Jesus - words are spoken and deeds are performed by Jesus himself during his lifetime on earth 2. Oral Tradition - traditions and beliefs about Jesus are developed and passed on by early Christian communities. 3. Written Sources - some of the miracles and/or sayings of Jesus are compiled and recorded in early written documents.
1.

4. Written Texts - individual letters, full Gospels, etc., are written with particular messages for particular situations. 5. Distribution - some writings are copied and shared with other Christian communities throughout the Mediterranean. 6. Collection - certain Christians begin collecting the letters of Paul and gathering together several different Gospels.

7. Canonization -

four Gospels, several collections of letters, and a few other texts are accepted as authoritative scriptures.

8. Translation - biblical texts are translated into ever more ancient and modern languages: Latin, Syriac, Coptic, Armenian, etc.

9. Interpretation - the meaning of the scriptures is investigated on various levels: literal, spiritual, historical, social, etc. 10. Application - communities and individuals use the NT for practical purposes: liturgical, moral, sacramental, theological, etc.

Four Criteria for Canonicity (why certain books were eventually accepted into the NT Canon, while others were rejected):
1.

Apostolic Origin - attributed to and/or based on the preaching/teaching of the first-generation apostles (or their closest companions). Universal Acceptance - acknowledged by all major Christian communities in the Mediterranean world (by the end of the fourth century).

1.

4. Liturgical Use - read publicly along with the OT when early Christians gathered for the Lord's Supper (their weekly worship services). 5. Consistent Message - containing theological ideas compatible with other accepted Christian writings (incl. the divinity and humanity Jesus).

The New Testament: Gospels

The Gospels are not biographies; they do

not pretend to be accurate history.

They were written in the light of the

resurrection experience.

 The early Christian community, the

Church, is an important factor in the production of the Gospels

Each Gospel bears the distinctive mark

of of its human writer a distinctive theology, a distinctive style, a distinctive agenda.

Gospels are summaries of the Jesus memories 1. Mark (written about 70 A.D) 2. Matthew (written about 80-90 A.D) 3. Luke (written about 85-95 A.D) 4. John (written about 95-100 A.D)

The first three Gospels (Matthew, Mark, and Luke) are called the Synoptic Gospels (Greek synoptikos,viewing at a glance) because they provide the same general view of the life and teaching of Jesus. They narrate almost the same incidents, often agreeing in the order of events, and use similar phrasing. In many instances they use identical phrasing.

Acts of the Apostles

Was written by Luke. It tells how early Disciples led by the spirit and commissioned by Christ preached the Good News both the Jewish and Gentiles communities.

Epistles of Paul
Saint Paul (circa AD 362), the greatest missionary of Christianity and its first theologian, called Apostle to the Gentiles. Writing of Paul meant as replies to question coming from particular communities or clarification of problems pertaining to doctrines or moral behavior

Romans 1Corinthians 2 Corinthians Galatians Philippians Philemon 1 Thessalonians Ephesians 2 Thessalonians 1 Timothy 2 Timothy Titus Colossians

Out these 13 epistles, only seven according to scholars were genuinely Pauline writing. The other six is attributed to Paul by other authors who were believed to be companions and disciples.

Catholic Epistles are addressed to the whole

Church and not just to particular Christian communities. James Jude 1 Peter 2Peter 1John 2John 3John

The Letter to the Hebrews Was probably written by Apollos (cf. Acts 18:24-18)which accounts the thought of Paul during the last month of his life in prison in Rome. Book of Revelation Was written by John at a time when Christians were being Persecuted because of their faith in Jesus Christ as a Lord.

Interpreting the Stories in the Scriptures

The reading of the Sacred Scripture requires

careful and meaningful interpretation. In the encyclical of Pope Pius XII in 1943, Divino Affante Spiritu, he gave the biblical scholars the freedom to use the methods of historico-critical scholarship in reading and interpreting the bible.

Science of Biblical Interpretation

Exegesis -ex, out of; ago, to lead; sis, a process -exegesis: the process of leading the meaning from a text -eisegesis: putting of ones own meaning into a text -exegesis: reading and understanding the Bible in the way that the author intends the text to be read - eisegesis: interpreting the text in the way that the reader understands it.

Mark 3:34 35 If we take the meaning out of the text, then the kind of relationship here that Jesus himself is indicating is a spiritual relationship in terms of doing the will of God.

When I consider that Jesus is referring to his physical brothers and sisters, then I am imposing my own meaning to the words of Jesus which was not meant by the text. In fact, in the previous verse of Mark 3:33, Jesus questions the physical meaning of mother and brothers by saying, Who are my mother and my brothers?

TEXTUAL CRITICISM The study of the different ancient manuscripts of the Bible to determine the original text from the different variations presented by the manuscripts.

Mark 16
There are 4 endings in the gospel of Mark
First Ending (verses 1-8) Second Ending (verses 9-20) Another ending omits verses 9-20, but adds a verse in

which the women reported back to Peter and his companions who are then credited as continuing Jesus proclamation of eternal salvation. Another ending adds a different verse which constitutes the defeat of Satan and Jesus promise of justification in heaven.

Mark 16
Different endings are actually different variations

offered by different manuscripts. The original ending was in verse 8 where the whole gospel concludes with the women fleeing from the tomb, and saying nothing to anyone because of their great fear. Some copyists could not reconcile the suspense of Marks Gospel with their background about the resurrection appearances in the other Gospels. They simply summarized these appearances to give a fitting conclusion to the Gospel.

 LITERARY CRITICISM Determines the type of literature of a text and the

form or way by which it is expressed.

Examples of literary forms
Myths stories w/c express a basic truth about life,

or a structure of reality in narrative form

Epics heroic, grand, majestic and imposing

accounts of events, the life of a nation, or of an individual historical hero

Elegies poems/songs of lament, with a mournful contemplative tone Psalms prayers of adoration, petition, thanksgiving, and contrition written in poetic form. Proverbs in declarative form that set forth a principle or truth concerning persons or material things.

 Poetry written in verse, characterized by beauty,

imagination, and profundity of message

Parables concise and simple stories told to call forth

judgment on the part of the reader

Letters written message sent to a person or a group

concerning matters of ordinary or special concern.

Sermon speeches w/c exhort people to belief, moral

action, and true worship in God

SOURCE CRITICISM

One must have knowledge of the historical background of the text, and an analytical mind to see the different styles and expressions within the same text

The Pentateuch/Torah were not written by just one writer, but rather from four basic sources. These sources are called traditions, i.e., different times and schools of writers that handed down the text. The value of this concept about the Pentateuch which is also called as the documentary theory is that it helps us understand the process of how the final written text came about. Apparent contradictions in the text can be understood more clearly as distinct elements of different schools of storytellers or different traditions.

 REDACTION CRTICISM - Study of the way a the text was edited, and how it

develops according to the editors final point of view.

 Jesus was born in a house (Matthew 2:11)

Jesus was born in a manger (Luke 2:7)

Taken out of context, the passage of Matthew might

seem to contradict another passage of Luke. Considered in context, the point of view of Matthew is
To present Jesus with a royal dignity

Luke presented him in

His compassion for the poor.

PENTATEUCHAL TRADITIONS YAHWIST(J) -A marvelous storyteller, very vivid, concrete, and full of imagery -God as a human person (anthromorphism)

ELOHIST (E) -Less vivid, less concrete -The inaccessible God who reveals himself through dreams -Very interested in moral questions, and has a developing sense of sin

 DEUTERONOMIST (D)
Very emotional; to convince people that they

should obey Contained above all in Deuteronomy, but has influenced other books

PRIESTLY (P) -Dry, often uses figures and lists -Technical vocabulary that has something to do with the cult -Uses genealogies, important for exiled people to retrace their roots

READING THE SACRED SCRIPTURES TODAY 1. The present day life experiences of the people (pretext) 2.Knowledge on the text (scientific exegesis) 3.The faith of the Church (context)