Introduction to the Bible

Introduction to the Bible

• Explores key stories and themes of the Old Testament, analyzing its impact on faith, culture, and morality.
• Examines timeless truths about human nature revealed in ancient texts.
• Course units include: general introduction, the people of God and values, God fulfilling promises, and God guiding His people.

Bible's Uniqueness

• Over 2.5 billion copies printed (since 1970s).
• Approximately 100 million Bibles or parts distributed yearly.
• Translated into 337 languages by 1993, and at least one book into over 2062 languages.
• Remained largely unchanged despite thousands of years of copying by hand.
• Faced burning, banning, and outlawing across cultures.
• Translation into English resulted in deaths (e.g., William Tyndale), those using it had been outlawed or punished severely.

Authorship and Language

• Written by 40 different authors with diverse occupations (kings, prophets, etc.).
• Authors from 10 countries.
• Spanning over 1,600 years.
• Written in three languages, yet consistent message.

Different Bible Versions

• The Bible (Greek "biblos" = writings).
• 66 books by various authors.
• Protestant Bibles have 66 books.
• Catholic Bibles have 73 books.
• Differences between Protestant and Catholic Bibles.

Bible Divisions (Old Testament)

The Law (Pentateuch)

• Genesis
• Exodus
• Leviticus
• Numbers
• Deuteronomy

History

• Joshua
• Judges
• Ruth
• 1 & 2 Samuel
• 1 & 2 Kings
• 1 & 2 Chronicles
• Ezra
• Nehemiah
• Esther

Poetry

• Job
• Psalms
• Proverbs
• Ecclesiastes
• Song of Solomon

The Prophets (Major & Minor)

• Major Prophets: Isaiah, Jeremiah, Ezekiel, Daniel, Lamentations
• Minor Prophets: Hosea, Joel, Amos, Obadiah, Jonah, Micah, Nahum, Habakkuk, Zephaniah, Haggai, Zechariah, Malachi

New Testament

Gospels

• Matthew
• Mark
• Luke
• John

Letters (Epistles)

• Paul's Epistles
• Letters to Churches
• Letters from Peter, James, Jude, and John

What Else is the Bible?

• God's revelation to humanity.
• Greek "biblia" = the books.
• Revelation of God to man through Jesus.
• Testament (covenant) between God and humanity.
• A solemn declaration, tangible proof, teaching, witness, and testimony.

Old Testament vs. New Testament

• Old Testament: Law given to Jewish people, focuses on God's relationship with them, history of Israel, sacrificial system for sins, prophecies of events to come.
• New Testament: God's grace through Christ, God’s relationship to all people, life of Christ, fulfillment of prophecy.

Bible's Contents and Purpose

• History: Jewish people, Christ's life, beginning of Christianity.
• Moral Instruction: Wisdom for living, ethics.
• Theology: Doctrines of Christianity.
• Themes of the Bible: Redemption of mankind ("enmity between you and the woman, and between your offspring and hers; he will crush your head, and you will strike his heel").
• Jesus as the fulfillment of the Old Testament's prophecies.
• The Old Testament points to Jesus and prepares for his arrival.
• Understanding the New Testament requires understanding the Old.
• Law reveals sin and reliance on God.

Additional Information

• Written over 1,500 years in different lands.
• Inspiration of the prophets from God (2 Peter 1:21).
• Translated into many languages and dialects (over 3,500).
• Millions of copies sold annually.