Overview of the Bible What is it? Its purpose and theme Its
structure and contents Pentateuch General information Time span
Importance to both Christian and Jew Oral to written tradition 4
different traditions Book of Genesis Chapters 1-11 etiologies
Truths about creation and sin Promise of redemption Chapters 12-50
Beginning of Gods chosen people Patriarchs Covenant
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In Hebrew known as the Torah Written by many authors in 4
writing traditions, taken from oral and early written stories
Begins with creation and ends with the death of Moses Gives the
religious history of humankind, particularly the chosen people, and
Gods basic moral expectations. It is the core or center of the Old
Testament and contains myth like stories, genealogies, and codes of
law. It is important to both the Jewish and Christian faiths since
it reveals much about God and his relationship with and
expectations of humanity
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Oral tradition: Unwritten, memorized stories and accounts of
historical events passed on, by word of mouth, from generation to
generation. Written records: early attempts of recording stories
and accounts by primitive writing forms. Experience-oral
stories-written accounts-final redactions
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It was originally thought that Moses had written the books of
the Pentateuch It has been established, however, that many
different writers recorded these books The many different writers
brought their own styles to their writing and these styles have
been sorted into 4 writing traditions
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Yahwist: God is called Yahweh Uses anthropomorphism. Humans
have direct contact with God Stories of sin and Gods promises
Elohist: God is called Elohim Humans have indirect contact with God
(visions, dreams, messengers) God demands righteousness and justice
Sometimes the Yahwist and Elohist traditions overlap
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Deuteronomic Encourages obedience to the Law Success or failure
of Israel depend upon Israels observance of the Law Blessed are
those who cursed are those who Priestly Probably the final editors
of the Pentateuch Stressed the importance of worship, ritual and
purity Emphasized the power of God
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Book of Genesis The Beginnings
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Chapters 1-11 The Creation Stories The Fall of Man Continuation
of sin Sin multiplies Social Sin
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Creation Stories God made all things good. God gives and
sustains life God made us responsible for each other and the
environment God gave us human sexuality To bond with a lifelong
marriage partner To procreate Humans are made in the image and
likeness of God. Male and female are equal but different We are to
see God in others and reflect God to others Humans share the same
organic substance as all creation Humans have free will Humans are
made to be relational With God With others
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Human Beings Summit of Creation: God made humans for Himself
and everything else for humans Human Dignity Made in Gods image and
likeness Immortal Soul God breathed into the human His breath
Reason Free Will Choose to do right or wrong Stewardship Care for
all creation Human Sexuality Binding love Procreation
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The original sin The first humans give in to the temptation of
evil in the garden and disobey God Results of this action: Loss of
relationship with God Loss of harmony between man and woman, humans
and nature Suffering and death enter the world Following
generations are born with concupiscence Hope of redemption God
promises to send someone to crush evil (Gen. 3:15)
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Sin continues Cain and Abel Sin multiplies Noah Sin becomes
societal Tower of Babel
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Begins with the protoevangelium, the promise of a savior to
crush evil and restore original holiness. (Gen. 3:15)
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Continues with the beginning of Gods people. The call to Abram
to become the Father of a great nation, Israel
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Chapters 12-50, Origins of the Chosen People of God Begins with
the story of Abram Introduces the covenant made with Abram The
fulfillment of the promises made to Abram God is not limited by
human boundaries Continues with Isaac God is not limited by human
boundaries The account of Esau and Jacob Gods plan overcomes human
sin and weakness Ends with the accounts of Joseph God brings good
from evil Divine Providence
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Begins with the story of Abram, a nomad from Ur Introduces the
covenant made with Abram Great Nation Promised Land Descendents The
fulfillment of the promises made to Abram Ishmael Isaac God is not
limited by human boundaries Sarai conceives and gives birth to a
son, Isaac
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Land (Gen.15:18-21) Great Nation (Gen.12: 1-3) Israelites
Ishmaelites Descendents (Gen.15.4-6 Change of name, (signifies a
change of life) Abram= Abraham Sarai= Sarah Faith Circumcision,
Blood covenant All Jewish men must be circumcised.
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The sacrifice of Isaac: God tests Abrahams faith God keeps His
promises Rebekah: God is not limited by human boundaries Rebekah
gives birth to Esau and Jacob (twins)
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The account of Esau and Jacob Gods plan overcomes human sin and
weakness Trickery leads to more of the same
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Ends with the accounts of Joseph Divine Providence Gods active
presence in our lives especially in times of distress God brings
good from evil Joseph is sold Joseph is wrongly accused and
imprisoned
