Questions and Answers
What do Christians mean by referring to the Bible as a 'revelation'?
The word revelation refers to the uncovering of God, meaning God revealing his existence to human beings.
How would a member of the Jewish faith today describe his or her Bible?
The first part of the Bible is known as the Old Testament, composed of Hebrew scriptures known as the Tanak.
What is the basic difference in content between a Catholic Bible and a Protestant Bible?
A Catholic Bible contains 46 books in the Old Testament, while a Protestant Bible contains 39 books.
What are the major differences in content between the Old Testament and the New Testament in a Christian Bible?
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What does the term CANON mean and how did Jewish and Christian communities decide which sacred scriptures to include in the Bible?
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How would you describe the Bible and its contents to someone who has never opened a Bible?
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What are the major steps in the formation of a book of the Bible?
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How does the content of the Hebrew canon differ from that of the Greek canon?
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What kinds of writings are considered apocryphal, and how are they distinguished from canonical books?
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Study Notes
Revelation in Christianity
- Revelation refers to God uncovering or revealing Himself to humanity.
- The Bible serves as the primary means through which God communicates His existence and will.
Jewish Scriptures
- The Jewish Bible consists of the Old Testament, referred to as the Tanak.
- Tanak is an acronym for three sections: Torah (law), Nevi'im (prophets), Ketuvium (writings).
Differences Between Catholic and Protestant Bibles
- Catholic Bibles contain 46 books in the Old Testament, aligned with the Septuagint (LXX).
- Protestant Bibles have 39 books in the Old Testament, identical to the Tanak.
Old Testament vs. New Testament
- The Old Testament lays the groundwork for God's revelation through Jesus.
- The New Testament includes writings that affirm Jesus as the Messiah and His ultimate revelation.
Canon of Scriptures
- Canon means "law," representing an authoritative collection of sacred texts.
- The Jewish canon consists of the Tanak, while Christians include both the Old and New Testaments.
Overview of the Bible
- The Bible includes various versions corresponding to different Christian denominations.
- The Old Testament represents the Jewish Tanak or its Greek translation with additional stories, while the New Testament focuses on Jesus’s life and teachings.
Formation of Bible Books
- Biblical books originated as orally transmitted stories before being documented.
- The process involved significant historical moments prompting the shift from oral to written traditions.
Differences in Hebrew and Greek Canons
- The Greek canon includes seven additional books not present in the Hebrew canon.
- Variations in content lead to different versions of the Bible among Jewish, Catholic, and Protestant communities.
Apocryphal Writings
- Apocryphal writings, meaning "hidden," are texts not included in public worship.
- They offer rich historical, cultural, and theological insights despite their exclusion from the canon.
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Description
Explore the concept of revelation in Christianity and how God communicates through the Bible. Learn about the Jewish Scriptures, the differences between Catholic and Protestant Bibles, and the significance of the Old and New Testaments in God's plan. This quiz offers insights into the canon of sacred texts that shape Christian faith.
