Bible

HOW DID WE GET A BIBLE?

In the very early Church there was no Bible as we know it to-day, but Christians following Our Lord's example certainly knew the Hebraic Scripture. This is what we know to-day as the Old Testament. At the time of Christ there existed two collections of the Old Testament : the Hebrew of the Palestinian Jews and the Greek Septuagint of the Alexandrian Jews. The latter was a translation of the Hebrew Old Testament into Greek sometime in the 3rd or 2nd ccenturies B.C. It was so named "the Septuaginet from the apocryphal account based on a letter of Aristeas that 70 Greek-speaking Jewish scholars produced the translation in as many days.

Owing to the Hellenization of the eastern Mediterranean world after the conquests of Alexander the Great, Greek became the popular language. The large Jewish communities outside of Palestine (diaspora) no longer spoke Hebrew or Aramaic as their first language. It was therefore felt necessary to produce a vernacular version of the Sacred Scriptures for them in Greek. It would seem that some of the writers of the New Testament such as Luke and Paul quoted the Old Testament from the Septuagint.

In the first century A.D.as well as the use of the Old Testament by Christians there were circulated amongst them other writings such as the letters that Paul wrote to various Christian communities such as Corinth and Rome. Until the middle of the 2nd century the Gospels as we know them were used individually according to the various communities. for example Christians in Ephesus used the Johannine one. There were also various kinds of manuscripts: those written either as a recording of oral stories and teachings or as original documents such as Clement's letter to the Corinthians and the Spistle of Barnabas.

In the communities manuscripts were read, circulated, and often revised by local churches; and then collected in books of scrolls. Until the books of the Bible were finalised by the Church at the end of the 4th century local churches thus often had different collection of books. There were also various accounts of our Lord's life, apart from the Synoptic gospels such as the gospels of Thomas and Philip, written somewhere around the 4th century and were not included in the final Canon.

The earliest attempt to produce a canon (a collection of books) for the Old Testament was made by Melito, bishop of Sardis, an ancient city of Asia Minor c. 170 AD. His list maintained the Septuagint order of books but contained only the Old Testament protocanonicals minus the Book of Esther. Two centuries later the Council of Laodicea, c. 360, produced a list of books similar to today's canon. This was one of the Church's earliest decisions on a canon. Shortly afterwards Pope Damasus (366-384), at the Council of Rome in 382, in his Decree listed the books for the Canon, which was the same we have today.

The first attempt of making a canon of the New Testament was by Marcion c.140 AD which included St. Luke's Gospel, minus the Nativity stories and what he regarded as the epistles of Paul: Romans, Galatians, Corinthians 1&2, Ephesians, Colossians, Phullipians and Philemon. C.200 the Church in Rome added the Pastoral Epistles.

Then in 393 the Council of Hippo, a local north Africa council of bishops created the list of the Old and New Testament books which is the same as to-day. This was followed by the Council of Carthage, another meeting of local north African bishops in 397 which approved the same canon of books for the Bible. The canon of Scripture approved by the African councils and adopted by the Church comprised 47 books for Old Testament and 27 for the New. Damasus appointed Jerome to translate the Canon into Latin , which became known as the Vulgate.

The only change made to this came at the Reformation when the Protestants rejected the Septuagint version of the Old Testament. This had seven more book than the Hebraic, those books known as the Apocrypha to-day.

Some criteria used to determine canonicity were its divine inspiration; apostolic origin; and its frequent use by Christian communities.

In formulating the final canon there was a degree of acceptance. Firstly, the protocanonical (from the Greek proto meaning first) books. These are those books that were admitted into the canon of the Bible with little or no debate (e.g., the Pentateuch of the Old Testament and the Gospels). Secondly, the deuterocanonical (from the Greek deutero meaning second) books. These are those books of the Bible that were under discussion for a while until doubts about their canonicity were resolved (e.g., Sirach and Baruch of the Old Testament, and the Johannine epistles of the New Testament). Thirdly, the apocryphal (from the Greek apokryphos meaning hidden) books. These are those 7 books of the Septuagint not included in the Hebraic version.

The books of the Bible became known as the Word of God as they set out God's promise of salvation for all, firstly through His relationship with His chosen race, the Jews, and secondly through the sending of His Son to bring redemption for all. This was the ultimate truth of God's revelation for mankind, and now continued under the guidance of the Holy Spirit in the Church.

THE VARIOUS EDITIONS OF THE BIBLE

The first books of the Bible for Christians were written in Greek as it was the spoken language of the first 3-4 centuries A.D. Gradually in the Western Empire Latin became spoken more than Greek, and hence the Vulgate. For the Roman Church this remained the official version until the 20th century.

It was not until the invention of the printing press by Gutenberg in Germany and William Caxton in England in the 15th century that new editions of the Bible appeared in the 16thC. In 1456 Gutenberg printed the first bible in Latin, and in 1478 in Venice a Bible was published in Italian. Erasmus in the early 16thC undertook a rewriting and new Latin translation of the Bible based on Greek manuscripts, updating the 1.000 years old St-Jerome text, the Vulgate.

In England the Coverdale Bible, the first in English was published in Germany in 1535, followed shortly by the Matthew's Bible in 1537, based on Tyndale's translation, and then in 1539 the Great Bible was published. In 1560 the Genevan Bible was published and became the most used version in England until the Authorised Version in 1611 under James' I patronage.

Meanwhile in 1582 the Douai Bible was completed and published at the English College by Gregory Martin, a priest and former scholar of St John's College, Oxford, with the help of two collaborators by 1582, the year of his early death: "The Holy Bible translated from the Latin Vulgate, diligently compared with the Hebrew, Greek and other editions in diverse languages." The Catholic exiles in France felt constrained by the decree of the Council of Trent in 1546 (which incidentally ruled that the Vulgate was still the official version).

But it has been the King James Bible that has captured the imagination of most of the English speaking world. Written in that same style of English as the Prayer Book and the plays and poems of Shakespeare it has become timeless.

I our own time many, many versions have appeared. Since Vatican II The Jerusalem Bible replaced the Vulgate, and since then in America the bishops have authorized their own translation.

There has been a revision of the King James Bible, such as the Revised Standard Version and nowadays there have been many translations into modern English such as The New English Bible.

B. HISTORICAL BOOKS

JOSHUA -- Took over as judge of Israel after Moses and led the Israelites into the Promised Land.

JUDGES -- 6 Judges, men and women, who led the children of Israel until they asked God for a king

RUTH -- Reveals the family line to Jesus

I & II SAMUEL -- 1st and 2nd book of the Kings (Samuel anoints the first two Kings of Israel)

I & II KINGS -- 3rd and 4th Book of the Kings, History of the Kingdom of Israel (Elijah and Elisha appear)

I & II CHRONICLES -- Records David, Solomon, and the kings of Judah after the division of Israel up to the time of captivity

EZRA -- Records the return of the Jews from captivity, and the rebuilding of the temple

NEHEMIAH -- Accounts the rebuilding of the walls of Jerusalem, and the re-establishment of the sacred ordinances

ESTER -- Story of Queen Esther's deliverance of the Jews from the plot of Haman.

I & II MACABEES - The account of the Maccabean revolt against the abominations in the Temple by Seleucids in the 2nd C. B.C.. Led by the father of five sons, the revolt was largely successful and ended with the establishment of an independent Jewish state.

JUDITH A Widow, Judith saves her people from the Assyrians by killing its general, Holofernes sent by Nabuchodonosor, King of Nineveh.

C. WISDOM

JOB Is a theological and philosophical reflection on "the problem of the righteous suffering." and how one man overcome affliction despite the attack led by Satan against him

PSALMS "The hymn book of the second Temple a collection of 150 spiritual songs, poems, and prayers used through the centuries by the church in its devotion

PROVERBS -- Collection of aphorisms and poems dealing with the relationship between wisdom, righteousness and moral and religious devotion. In its final form 3rd centuty. B.C.

ECCLESIASTICS [or the Preacher] The most pessimistic book in the Bible. Still it leads us towards God as the only real source of hope and meaning. 5th. B.C.

SONG OF SOLOMON -- A long, religious poem symbolizing the mutual love of Christ and the church

THE WISDOM OF SOLOMON Wisdom is personified as intelligent, holy, a subtle lover of the good who is an expression of the purity, power, glory, light and goodness of God Himself.

SIRACH OR ECCLESIASTICUS - A late expression (2nd C.) of the Wisdom tradition enshrined in Proverbs. Wisdom is interpreted as a practical understanding of God's law, which makes possible a good life under the authority of God.

TOBIAS Written c. post-exile. In Tobit God shows that He is faithful to those that are faithful to Him by sending his angel Raphael to help.

D. PROPHETICAL BOOKS.

i. MAJOR PROPHETS (4)

ISAIAH -- (Prophet of Redemption) -- It is a collection of at least three different authors'' writings. It contains many beautiful passages foretelling of the coming of the Messiah. The first 11 chapters are often referred to as "The Emmanuel Book". writings of at l

JEREMIAH -- (Weeping Prophet) -- THEME: Backsliding, bondage, restoration of Jews, Lived from time of Josiah to the Captivity

LAMENTATION OF JEREMIAH - Series of wailing for the affliction of Israel

EZEKIEL -- A book showing the sad condition of God's people and the pathway to restoration

DANIEL -- Personal biography of Daniel, lived during captivity, also a vision of the end times, nut written in the 2nd C. B.C.

ii.. MINOR PROPHETS (13)

HOSEA -- Lived with Isaiah and Micah -- Revcealed the spiritual adultery of Israel.

JOEL -- Prophet to Judah, requiring national repentance and fasting.

AMOS -- The herdsman prophet, a reformer denouncing selfishness and sin.

OBADIAH --Prophecies the doom of Edom and final deliverance of Israel.

JONAH -- The "Reluctant Missionary",who went to Nineveh, and preached repentance to that city. It reveals the universality of God's message of redemption.

MICAH -- Shows a dark picture of the moral condition of Israel and Judah. Has the most beautiful summary of the Christian life in the O.T. "To act justly, to love tenderly, and to walk humbly with thy God."

NAHUM -- Describes the destruction of Nineveh

HABAKKUK -- Itstheme is how can a just God allow a wicked nation to oppress Israel

ZEPHANIAH -- A sombre book filled with threatening, but ends in a vision of the future glory of Israel

HAGGAI -- A colleague of Zechariah. Reproves the people for slackness in building the second temple, promises return of God's glory upon completion

ZECHARIAH -- Contemporary of Zephaniah. Helps arouse the Jews to rebuild the temple

MALACHI -- Gives a graphic picture of the closing period of Old Testament History. Shows necessity of reforms before the coming Messiah

BARUCH - A disciple of Jeremiah who foretold the return from the exile in Babylon. However the Jews had brought this exile on themselves because of their sins.

In addition, there are extra fragments and chapters in the Septuagint versions of Esther and Daniel, namely: the seven last chapters of Esther (10, 4 to 16, 24); the prayer of Azarias and the canticle of the three children in the fiery furnace (Dan. 3, 24-90); the history of Susanna (Dan. 13); and the history of Bel and the Dragon (Dan. 14). Together, these additional books and paragraphs constitute the Deuterocanon.

NEW TESTAMENT has 27 books

A. THE GOSPELS

1. ST. MATTHEW Written primarily for Jewish Christians to show Jesus as the fulfilment of the Messianic prophecy. Not written by Matthew but probably by a member of the Matthean tradition in Antioch c. 75- 80 A.D.

2. ST. MARK - The first gospel written c. 70 A.D. Author unknown, and although it may have been written by a person called Mark, but it is not John Mark. The tradition that Peter dictated it is part of a 2ndC attempt to give the gospel more status. It is the shortest and conveys urgency in the relating of Christ's life, with an emphasis on the supernatural power of Christ over nature, disease, and demons.

3. ST LUKE The most polished and beautiful of the Gospels as it portrays Christ as the Son of Man, with His compassion for the poor, women and the sinful. It is also the Gospel of the Holy Spirit. It was most probably written by Luke c. 85. A.D.

4. ST JOHN Written probably by a disciple of John but of course reflects his teaching c. 100 Unfolds the great mystery of the Incarnation, and the oneness of the Son to the Father to accomplish redemption, and Christ's mandate of love. The Gospel is permeated with contraasts between light and darkness, life and death, truth and falsehood.

B. HISTORICAL

ACTS OF THE APOSTLES Is a sequel to the Gospel of Luke as it portrays the origin and growth of the early church, from the ascension of Christ to the first imprisonment of Paul at Rome

C. THE EPISTLES (14)

1. THE PAULINE EPISTLES

ROMANS - Addressed to the Roman Christians. It shows a need for salvation and spiritual, social and civic duties

I CORINTHIANS - Addressed to the Corinthian church to cleanse itself from various evils and doctrinal instruction

II CORINTHIANS Addressed to the Corinthian Church, manifesting Paul's apostleship and the characteristics of an apostolic ministry.

GALATIANS - Addressed to the Galatian Church to warn the young Christians against false teachers and the return to Judaism. Discusses the doctrine of justification of faith.

PHILIPPIANS - Addressed to the Philippian Church -- reveals Paul's intense devotion to Christ, steadfast doctrine, and joy in prison

I THESSALONIANS - Addressed to Thessalonica Church shortly after Paul's visit in c. 51A.D. It is eschatological in tone, with apostolic commendation, reminiscences, and counselling. Future coming of Christ

PHILEMON - A private letter written to Philemon, beseeching him to receive and forgive Onesimus, a runaway slave who is now his brother in Christ.

2. THE DOUBTFUL PAULINE EPISTLES

II THESSALONIANS If Paul wrote this it was soon after this first letter. It is very similar to the first letter. Enlightens church concerning the doctrine of Christ's second coming and warning against unrest and social disorders

COLOSSIANS If Paul wrote this it was at the end of his life as its theological content is so different from the definite Pauline letters. Addressed to the Colosse Church it unfolds the glory of Christ as the head of the Church and all creation. It also appeals to and abandoning of worldly philosophy and sin

EPHESIANS This was probably written as a covering letter for an early collection of Paul's letter. Its contents is similar to Colossians.

3. THE PASTORAL EPISTLES written by Pauline School

I & 11 TIMOTHY Written towards the end of the first century to the early church for instruction.

TITUS - An apostolic letter giving counsels and exhortations to a trusted friend

The letters give details of the structure of the early church and the offices of bishop, prebyter and deacon.

4. HEBREWS - Author unknown. Compares Christ's priestly role with that of the Old Testament, and reverals His glory.

5. THE CATHOLIC EPISTLES

JAMES - Scholars are divided over the authenticity of the "Lord's brother", head of the Jewish Church in Jerusalem as the author. It is addressed to Jewish converts.andf there is no mention of the Gentile mission. Emphasised the important of good works as well as faith in practising one's religion. Probably not written by the leader of the Jewish Christian church until his death in the early 60's.

I PETER Probably not written by Peter. Has much in common with James, Hebrews and IClement, and probably comes from the same tradition. It therefore was probably written towards the end of the 1stC. The author is familiar with the Septuagint and writes in sophisticated Greek. The purpose of the letter is not to convey doctgrinal teaching but to encourage Christians to be faithful even in persecution. Theirs was a wonderful privilege to be engrafted into Christ.

II PETER - This has a differerent agenda to I Peter, and it is probably dependent on the letter of Jude or a similar source. Both attacked false teachers, but difference in style and outlook indicates a different author.Warned against false teachers and scoffers.

I JOHN - This and the other two letters probably not written by John but from a member of the Johannine school. It conveys a deep spiritual message to believers in the church, with a special emphasis on the duty of love.

II JOHN - Warns against false teachers,

III JOHN - Letter of commendation written to Gaius.

JUDE - Author unknown, Writen in the same tradition as James etc. It contains historical examples of apostasy and divine judgement on sinners, and warns against immoral teachers.

D. PROPHETICAL

REVELATIONS The author was a Christian prophet named John who was familiar with the churches in the Roman province of Asia. Written whilst in exile on Patmos, it exposes a series of visions concerning the end of time, the battle between Jesus and Satan, Jesus' victory, and Heaven. It is a book of profound theology, intense prophetic insight and dazzling literary accomplishments. A fitting end to the Bible.