Aquilate Test Ch. 3

Old Testament Canon 3

Dropped books written in Greek are 1 and 2 Maccabees, Judith, Tobit, Sirach, and Wisdom of Solomon. In contrast, Catholic Bible includes these books from Greek translation. Magisterium declared them canonical.

Survey of Old Testament Books

Every Old Testament book is organized in four main categories and is written in several styles. These are all prepared for the coming of the Savior, Jesus Christ

Remnant

Exiles and former exiles who remained faithful to YHWH during the time of captivity and who were expected to restore Jerusalem.

Major Prophets

Four of the latter prophets- ISAIAH, JEREMIAH, EZEKIEL, DANIEL. Lengthy books of O.T.

Septuagint

Important ancient Greek translation of the Old Testament. The word comes from Latin word for "seventy" referring to legendary seventy (70) or seventy two (72) scholars who translated the work in 72 days.

Prophetic Books

Isiah, Jeremiah, Lamentations, (Baruch), Ezekiel, Daniel, Hosea, Joel, Amos, Obadiah, Jonah, Micah, Nahum, Habakkuk, Zephaniah, Haggai, Zechariah, and Malachi. (Baruch)-Deuterocanonical book. Prophets were powerful figures who spoke for YHWH, often warning people to remain faithful to covenant or face dire consequences.

NOTE

O.T. means Old Testament and N.T. means New Testament. SPTG means Septuagint.

Canon

Official list of inspired books of the Bible. Catholics list forty-six (46) Old Testament books and twenty-seven (27) New Testament books in their canon. Comes from Hebrew work "Kaneh" which was a tall reed used to measure something, like our current yard-stick. Took the meaning of a standard, measure, or rule.

Patriarchs

"Fathers of the Faith" male rulers, elders, or leaders. Patriarchs of faith of Israel are Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.

Survey of New Testament

27 Books of the New Testament composed in different styles and written in Koine Greek were written from second half of first century to early second century AD.

Formation of Old Testament

46 inspired books of the Old Testament were draw from oral tradition of the Chosen People and written over a period of approximately 900 years.

Major Themes in Writing of O.T. 2

Accept God's love and mercy- Chosen People despaired of God's love after the northern and southern kingdoms were destroyed. Prophets preached that sin was reprehensible, but assured the people of God's never-ending love and mercy.

Old Testament Notes 5

After writing about Canaan came writings about the early kings, Saul and David. Next came writings of the prophets and sages.

Major Themes in Writing of O.T. 3

Be just, especially to the poor- Prophets continually railed against greed and injustice. They warned that nation would be punished if rulers and people did not turn from their sins. Call to repentance and justice are major prophetic themes. This message often brought the prophets into conflict with the rulers who treated them harshly.

Old Testament Notes 3

Before writing took place, period of oral traditions. These came from experiences people had with God and each other. Genesis stories tell about how God contacted the patriarchs, Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, and Joseph. These were real people who encountered a God who cared for them.

NOTE

Bible first printed in 1454

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Historical Books

Deal with events of Salvation History, how God remained faithful to covenant and how the Israelites struggled to live its terms. Cover almost 900 years of history from 1020 BC to 142 BC.

Old Testament Canon 1

Canon of sacred scripture is the list of books recognized as genuine and inspired Holy Scripture. Catholic and Protestants agree on 27 books in New Testament but disagree on the canon of the Old Testament. Protestants accept only 39 while Catholics accept 46.

Pentateuch

Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, and Deuteronomy. Dr. Scholls, you GELND? Pentateuch refers to "Five books". Also known as Torah, contain Jewish law and important instructions on belief and practice.

Idolatry

Giving worship to something or someone other than the true God.

Deuterocanonical

Greek for "second canon". Refers to books of O.T. not found in Hebrew Scriptures. Books are Sirach, Wisdom, Baruch, 1 and 2 Maccabees, Tobit, Judith, and certain additions, Esther and Daniel.

Apocalypse

Greek word for "revelation". Type of highly-symbolic literature that contains apparitions about the future and the Final Judgment. This form of literature was used to give people hope to a persecuted people that God's goodness will triumph over evil.

Apocryphal Books

Greek word meaning "hidden". Catholics, refers to pious literature related to but not included in canon of Bible. 2 examples from Old Testament are 1 Esdras and books of Jubilees. Jews and Protestants use this word to refer to several O.T. books that Catholics consider inspired- Sirach, Wisdom, Baruch, 1 and 2 Maccabees, Tobit, and Judith. Catholics refer to these books as Deuterocanonical. These books not part of Jewish canon at end of 1st century although found in early Catholic Greek translations of O.T.

Old Testament Notes 1

It is the inspired record of Salvation History prior to the coming of Jesus Christ. Contains 46 Books, centers on covenant God entered into with the Jewish People. Old Covenant distinguished from New Covenant

Wisdom Books

Job, Psalms, Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, Song of Songs, (Sirach and Wisdom)- Deuterocanonical Books. Contain some of most beautiful and practical religious literature in the world. Psalms contain hymns and prayers. Song is allegorical love song that treats God's people love for his people.

Historical Books

Joshua, Judges, 1&2 Samuel, 1&2 Kings, 1&2 Chronicles, Ezra, Nehemiah, Ruth, Esther, (Judith, Tobit, 1&2 Maccabees)- Deuterocanonical books. Narrates how Chosen People lived out covenant in Promised Land. First 6 books described how Holy Land was conquered and settled. Describes Chosen People's desire to be ruled by a king. Saul and David first kings. Next 4 tell story of Babylonain Captivity and return under Ezra and Nehemiah. Maccabes record revolt of Jews against the Greek rulers in Syria.

Major Themes in Writing of O.T. 4

Know that God will ultimately Triumph- Despite setbacks the people experienced, God will ultimately prevail. Prophecies sometimes speak of a restored Jerusalem. At other times, they speak about rewards and punishments after death. Still, other prophecies point to a future time when a Messiah would come to save the people.

Old Testament 6

Last books date 100 BC. Most editing of the bible took place after Babylonians destroyed Jerusalem in 586. Their works resulted of most of the Old Testament books being compilations which is the work of several writers and editors. Old Testament formed over 900 years.

Old Testament Notes 2

Made up of Pentateuch, or Torah, and the Historical, Wisdom, and Prophetic Books. Most of these books are also part of the Hebrew Scripture. Traditionally divided into 3 categories- Torah meaning law, first five books of the Bible; Nebii, meaning Prophets; and Ketubim meaning "Writing". First three letters of these categories make up acronym TaNaK which is popular designation for Hebrew Scriptures.

NOTE

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Old Testament Notes 4

Oral traditions helped illiterate people know about God. Many biblical teachings/traditions were in story form because stories are easier to remember. God's Chosen People began to preserve their stories in writing. During reign of Solomon, had enough money to hire scribes to do actual writing. First writings were about Israel's history up to the conquest of Canaan and the stories about the creation of the world.

Pentateuch

Penta in Greek means "five". First five books of Bible make up Pentateuch or Torah. They lay foundation of Christ's coming. Traditionally, Moses thought to have written Torah.

Prophetic Books

Prophet speaks for God. Prophets of O.T. received direct call from God and their prophecies are God's Word, messages to the Chosen People and to all people. Ideal of a biblical prophet was not one who could tell the future. Rather, they were messengers of God, ones God called in difficult times to challenge or comfort the people. Books contain heart of prophets' preaching, recorded by them directly or by someone associated with them.

Old Testament Canon 2

Time of Jesus, Septuagint most common translation of Hebrew Scripture. Both Jews and Christians used this because Greek was common language of Roman Empire. Council of Trent (1547) accepted the SPTG and all books in contained as standard for Old Testament portion of Bible. Jewish rabbis in Jamnia decided to consolidate their sacred books so they accepted only 39 books, all written in Hebrew. Dropped 7 books that appeared in SPTG. All 7 dropped books written in Greek.

Minor Prophets

Twelve prophets of Old Testament whose recorded sayings are much briefer than those of the major prophets: Hosea, Joel, Amos, Obadiah, Jonah, Micah, Nahum, Habakkuk, Zephaniah, Haggai, Zechariah, and Malachi.

Wisdom Books

Wisdom literature is an application of how God works in our everyday lives. God created an ordered universe. For us to live wisely, it is important to perceive the order God placed in his creation and live accordingly. Offers instructions on right way to live.

Sages

Wise men who taught about the ways of God for a people struggling to live as a community. Some of these sages wrote their own books but many of them, their secretaries and disciples were ones to collect and record their prophecies, sayings, and teachings.

Major Themes in Writing of O.T. 1

Worship the one, True God- Chosen People often tempted to fall into idolatry. Prophets warned them that only YHWH was deserving of their worship since he rescued them from Egypt. He is ruler of universe and is above all.

Writings of New Testament

gospels form heart of Sacred Scripture. Formulated in three stages: Life of Jesus, Oral tradition, and Written Gospels.