What is Sacred Scripture?
The inspired and inerrant word of God.
Sacred Scripture is considered the ultimate authority in matters of faith for believers.
Define Canon in the context of the Bible.
The collection of the 73 books of the Bible that the Catholic Church recognizes as the inspired Word of God.
It includes 46 books from the Old Testament and 27 from the New Testament.
What does Salvation History refer to?
Saving action of God throughout human history beginning with creation and coming to its fulfillment through our savior Jesus in the New Testament.
It continues through the work of the Church until Jesus comes again.
What is Divine Revelation?
God’s deliberate and gradual disclosure of God’s self to humans through God’s nature, plan, providence, expectations- love, power, glory justice, etc.
Explain Divine Inspiration.
The divine assistance the Holy Spirit gave the authors of the Bible so they could write in human words the message of salvation that God wanted us to communicate.
What is Biblical inerrancy?
The books of the Bible teach us the truths of our faith accurately and without mistake.
Define Covenant.
A solemn agreement between human beings or between God and a human being in which mutual commitments are made.
What are the Deuterocanonical books?
Old Testament books that are not included in the Protestant Bible, including:
* Tobit
* Judith
* 1 Maccabees
* 2 Maccabees
* Wisdom
* Sirach
* Baruch
What is the Magisterium?
The Church’s living teaching office, consisting of all bishops in communion with the Pope, the bishop of Rome.
They affirm the role of natural revelation in helping people to experience the existence of God.
Define Biblical exegesis.
The critical interpretation and explanation of Sacred Scripture.
Who is an Exegete?
A scholar specializing in critical explanation of Biblical texts.
How many books are in the Bible?
73 books: 46 in the Old Testament and 27 in the New Testament.
Who is the author of the Bible?
God is the supreme author of the Bible.
What is the period over which the Hebrew Scriptures or Old Testament was written?
About 800-900 years, from the 10th-2nd/1st century BCE.
What languages were the Hebrew Scriptures or Old Testament written in?
Biblical Hebrew and some Aramaic.
What does the Hebrew Scriptures or Old Testament cover?
The story of Israel and its relationship with God, from creation to the Jewish community under Persian and Greek rule.
What is the period over which the Christian Scriptures or New Testament was written?
About 70 years, from 50-120 CE.
What language was the New Testament originally written in?
Greek.
What content is found in the New Testament?
The life of Jesus, and the history, beliefs, practices, and ethics of the early Christian community.
Why do we need both the Old and New Testament?
They fulfill each other; NT must be read in light of OT and vice versa.
What are the four ways God reveals God’s self to us?
- Jesus (word made flesh) * Sacred Scripture (written word) * Sacred Tradition (Church teachings) * Creation (Natural Revelation)
What are the stages of formation of the Bible?
- Experience of God in relationship * Oral tradition * Written tradition
Are there many translations of the Bible?
Yes, there is a diversity of translations.
What is the Latin Vulgate?
A translation of the Bible by St. Jerome used for over 1,000 years.
