The Sacred Scriptures, The Living Word of God PDF

THE SACRED SCRIPTURES, THE LIVING WORD OF GOD - PART 1 -  ESSENTIAL QUESTIONS What is the Bible? Why do we say that the Sacred Scriptures is “important, alive and living”? How important is the Bible for us?  BIBLE It is a term from Koine Greek “τὰ βιβλία, tà...

THE SACRED SCRIPTURES, THE LIVING WORD OF GOD - PART 1 -  ESSENTIAL QUESTIONS What is the Bible? Why do we say that the Sacred Scriptures is “important, alive and living”? How important is the Bible for us?  BIBLE It is a term from Koine Greek “τὰ βιβλία, tà biblía, "the books”. It is a collection of sacred text written at different times by different men in different locations. That’s why, it is sometimes referred as “the Sacred Scriptures”. Jews and Christians, they consider the books of the Bible to be a product of Divine Inspiration (DV 11); and authoritative record of the relationship between God and humans all throughout our History. Our Christian Life is based on the conviction that God has spoken to us, acted among us and revealed Himself to us through words and deeds… Bible is the Living Word of God.  Why do we say that the Sacred Scriptures is “important, alive and living”?  THE SACRED SCRIPTURES IS NOT A MERE RECORD BUT IS ALIVE “It is where God as Father lovingly comes to His children and talks to them” (Dei Verbum, 21).  It doesn’t inform us about the History but continues to animates us to our Christian Life and Faith as we go through our journey…  POINTS TO REMEMBER: 1. The Bible is about God.  we can know God – His identity, character, and purpose for creating, redeeming and sanctifying us.  to learn how God “calls and walks with us”. 2. The Bible is about the people. It consists of narratives about real men and women. Where we can learn valuable lessons God wants us to know from their successes and failures. To know and live up the MESSAGE that God is telling us. 3. The Bible is about Salvation History. It gives us spiritual and religious significance of the events in the past and thus glorify God. It presents us “How the Saving plan of God started with the Israelites, reached its climax in Jesus, continues to our present time, and will go on until the end of time”. 4. The Bible is about Faith. It is not merely a collection of stories, but a book of faith that grew from a believing community. It is a living witness to God… his Revelation and Gift of Salvation. For us to believe, and in believing, we may be saved. 5. The Bible is about US.  It provides us with a unique and irreplaceable means to understand the true meaning of the events in our life.  THE SACRED SCRIPTURES, THE LIVING WORD OF GOD  THE SACRED SCRIPTURES, THE LIVING WORD OF GOD  ESSENTIAL QUESTIONS What are the Major parts of the SS? What are the books of the SS? What are Deuterocanonical Books?  What are the parts of the Bible?  BIBLE OLD NEW TESTAMENT TESTAMENT Major Divisions  OLD TESTAMENT centers on the covenant God made with the Israelites and the many consequences of this covenant to them as a Nation. For the Jews, it is divided into 3 Groups namely: The Torah, Prophets and the Writings. For Christians, it is divided into 4 Groups namely: The Pentateuch, Historical Books, Wisdom Books and the Prophetic Books.  DIVISIONS 1. Torah or Pentateuch  the 5 Books of Moses.  records the covenant made by God to the Israelites – foundation of their nationhood and laws.  Genesis Exodus Leviticus Numbers Deuteronomy  DIVISIONS 2. Writings (Historical and Wisdom Books)  shows reflection on the meaning of the covenant with God.  Historical Books Wisdom Books Joshua Ezra Job Judges Nehemiah Psalms 1 and 2 Ruth Proverbs Maccabees 1 and 2 Samuel Tobit Ecclesiastes 1 and 2 Kings Judith Song of Songs 1 and 2 Esther Wisdom Chronicles Sirach  DIVISIONS 3. Prophetic Books  contains the speeches and writings of the prophets who reminded the Israelites to be faithful and to return to the Lord.  Isaiah Hosea Nahum Jeremiah Joel Habakkuk Ezekiel Amos Zephaniah Daniel Obadiah Haggai Baruch Jonah Zechariah Lamentations Micah Malachi  NEW TESTAMENT It narrates and proclaims Jesus’ Birth, Teaching, Passion, Death and Resurrection. It covers God’s definitive covenant with all people mediated by His incarnate Son, Jesus Christ. It talks about God’s commitment to all His people, which Jesus sealed with His own bloody sacrifice on the Cross.  4 CATEGORIES OF THE NEW TESTAMENT Gospels Acts of the Apostles Letters or Epistles Revelation  GOSPEL It is derived from the Greek word “euangelion”, which means “announcement of the good news”. These are the principal witnesses to the life and teaching of Jesus Christ – how Jesus Himself proclaimed the good news of God’s Kingdom through His person, teachings, and deeds, esp. to His Paschal Mystery.  ACTS OF THE APOSTLES Describes the early spread of the Good News to the world and the formation of the early Church. It was written by Luke as part of a two- volume work.  LETTERS OR EPISTLES These are the first documents of the New Testament and contain doctrinal and moral instructions, disciplinary actions, practical advice and exhortations. All these letters are concerned with how Christians should apply Jesus’ teachings, His good news of salvation, to their daily lives.  2 CATEGORIES OF THE LETTERS Pauline Letters Catholic Letters  Romans 1 Thessalonians James 1 Corinthians 2 Thessalonians 1 Peter 2 Corinthians 1 Timothy 2 Peter Galatians 2 Timothy 1 John Ephesians Titus 2 John Philippians Philemon 3 John Colossians Hebrews Jude  LETTER TO THE HEBREWS - It is a Letter with a complex theological treatise on Christology, the Priesthood and Sacrifice of Christ, the New Covenant, and the way of Christian Life.  REVELATION It is also called Apocalypse. It is the only prophetic book in the New Testament. It is a highly symbolic and visionary account of the decisive struggle of Christ and His followers against Satan and his forces – remind the Christians to stand firm and to await patiently the fulfilment of God’s mighty promise.  THE SACRED SCRIPTURES, THE LIVING WORD OF GOD - Part 2 -  THE SACRED SCRIPTURES, THE LIVING WORD OF GOD - Part 3 -  ESSENTIAL QUESTIONS Why do we say that the Bible is God’s Word in Human Words?  ESSENTIAL QUESTIONS What is Biblical Inspiration? What is Biblical Inerrancy? What is Canonicity?  BECAUSE OF OUR BELIEF ABOUT: BIBLICAL INSPIRATION  A Church teaching that tells us that the formation/ writing of the Bible is a mystery – a divine action! It is written under the guidance and inspiration of the Holy Spirit. (DV, 11) The authors were divinely chosen and called for this specific purpose and mission. God worked in and through human authors – empowering them to use their own talents and knowledge – to communicate to all the Message of our Salvation!  HISTORY OF THE BIBLE It is NOT:  fall from heaven amidst thunder and lightning.  people just discovered it.  nor just came out from a magic wand of a god and goddess.  STAGES OF THE BIBLE FORMATION 1. Experience 2. Oral Tradition 3. Writing Tradition/Written Records 4. Canon/Canonization  2 THEORIES OF INSPIRATION 1. Maximizing Theory 2. Minimizing Theory  MAXIMIZING THEORY Indicate the maximum participation of God, with minimal cooperation on the part of the human author. Hynoptic Theory Condescencion Instrumental Causation Verbal Dictation  MINIMIZING THEORY Human agency plays a big role in the writing of the SS. Subsequent Approbation Negative Assistance  BECAUSE OF OUR BELIEF ABOUT: BIBLICAL INERRANCY A Church teaching that tells us that the Bible is without error regarding the Truths of our Faith. (DV, 11) It doesn’t claim that the Bible covers Scientific and Historical truths.  CANONICITY It is a process where a work is being acknowledge/accepted in the list of the sacred books – i.e., as inspired, as having a regulating value for faith and morals.  CRITERIA (FOR CANONIZATION) Apostolic Origin Importance of the Local community w/c produced the book Conformity with the Rule of Faith Date it was written Liturgical Use