Learn more about Our God and

our Catholic Church

is a 548-page, lavishly
illustrated, comprehensive introduction to
reading the Bible from the heart of the
Church. The hope is this book will find its
way into the hands of every Catholic,
especially high school students for whom it
was principally written Each chapter guides
readers through the Bible book-by-book,
explaining key events, characters and difficult
passages. He shows how each book "fits" into
the grand story of salvation that is being
unfolded in the pages of Scripture. Author Dr. Scott Hahn presents a Catholic
approach to Scripture, highlighting the theme of
Along the way, he identifies how the biblical covenant.
texts are used and interpreted in the Church's
magisterial teachings and liturgy. Tracing a path through salvation history, the book
explains the various books of the Bible and the
The book also provides a detailed importance of each event in salvation history.
introduction to authentic Catholic teaching Understanding the Scriptures will provide an
on such questions: understanding of Sacred Scripture so critical to the
Catholic Faith.
How was the Bible written?
There are many maps, sidebars, and charts of
How does the Church interpret the Bible? information, each chapter ends with supplementary
What is salvation history? reading, definitions of key vocabulary, study
Why are "covenants" so important to the questions, practical exercises.
biblical story?
The style of the book is very much in the style of a
typical high school or college text book. It is a hard
Each of the book's 30 chapters concludes with cover and quite large, displaying both its
a study section, that suggests additional scholarship and thorough treatment of the subject
readings, and important vocabulary terms, matter. The beauty of the many art selections in the
study and review questions, practical book is also very, very impressive. This is one book
exercises, and references to relevant selections conveys an orthodox presentation of Sacred
from the Catechism of the Catholic Church. Scripture that is for anyone who wishes to learn
more about God and the Catholic Church.
 Honestly, this is the single
most incredible Scripture textbook for
I strongly recommend this book High School aged students that I have
for anyone who wants to teach a bible study, ever seen in my life.
or for personal enrichment.
I was first made aware of this series about
The material is arranged for easy use with a a month ago, when I learned that a local
Bible, and the study guides are excellent. Catholic High School had chosen to use
Having been a catechist for several years I one of the titles. One of my closest friends,
have always been looking for excellent the theology teacher at my son's High
reference materials. School, then ordered the entire series.

The course is complete and has wonderful As a professional theologian -- and as a

references. The additional readings include professional educator -- I can only sit back
many well written books on sacred scriptures and be amazed. This is simply the BEST
and thought provoking questions for one-volume introduction to Scripture that
students of young adult and adult ages. Add I have ever seen. It is faithful to the text,
this one to your personal library and enjoy without denying the contributions of
for years to come. higher criticism. It is faithful to the
Teaching of the Church. It is brilliantly
illustrated and laid out. As someone who
examines texts for a living -- it simply
blew me away. I will be ordering a copy for
my parish library.
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 Contents
x Abbreviations used for the 49 Creation: A Covenant With The Universe
Books of the Bible 50 Understanding Time As Part Of Creation
50 Creation Is Good
xi Forward
51 Sidebar: Is it True?
6 Chapter 1: What is the Bible? 52 The Creation Of Human Beings In The Image
7 What Catholics Believe About The Bible Of God
8 Sidebar: What does it mean to say the Bible 52 The Marriage Covenant
is divinely inspired? 54 God Our Father
9 Chart: Periods Of Bible History 56 The Fall
10 How The Bible Was Written 57 Spiritual Death
11 The Bible Is Sacred Literature 58 “ Where Are You?”
12 The Bible Is Religious 58 The First Gospel
12 Sidebar: Does the Bible contain any errors? 58 The Curse
Is everything in the Bible true? 59 Evil
13 Chart: Archaelogical Periods And 60 Sidebar: Creation And Evolution
Biblical Events 62 Supplementary Reading
14 What “Salvation History” Is 63 Vocabulary
15 Chart: Covenant History 64 Study Questions
16 The Church Will Be Our Guide 65 Practical Exercises
16 Sidebar: What is the Canon of the Bible? 66 From The Catechism
17 How The Canon Came To Be
67 Chapter 4: The Early World
18 The Canon Of Scripture
19 Supplementary Reading 68 The Evil Line Of Cain
20 Vocabulary 70 The Righteous Line Of Seth
21 Study Questions 71 The Sons Of God And The Daughters Of Men
21 Practical Exercises 72 The Flood
22 From The Catechism 73 Sidebar: Did the Flood Really Happen?
74 The Covenant With Noah
23 Chapter 2: The Old Testament 75 Sidebar: Another Story Of The Flood
26 The Books Of The Old Testament 76 The Curse On Canaan
26 The Law 77 Chart: Table Of Nations
27 Sidebar: J, E, D, and P 78 The Arrogance Of The Children Of Ham
28 History 79 Sidebar: The Real Tower Of Babel
30 Wisdom 81 Supplementary Reading
30 Sidebar: What is Wisdom Literature? 82 Vocabulary
31 Prophecy 83 Study Questions
32 Sidebar: What is Prophetic Literature? 83 Practical Exercises
33 Sidebar: Finding The Date 84 From The Catechism
34 Quick Outline Of Old Testament History
85 Chapter 5: Abraham, Our Father
38 What Typology Is And How It Works
39 Supplementary Reading 86 The Life Of A Nomad
40 Vocabulary 88 The Promises To Abram
40 Study Questions 89 Map: Abraham’s Migration In The Near East
41 Practical Exercises 89 Sidebar: From Abram To Abraham
41 From The Catechism 90 Map: The Journeys Of Abraham In Canaan
91 1. God’s Oath: Land And A Nation
43 Chapter 3: The Creation Of The World 93 2. God’s Oath: Kingship And A Name
45 Days 1-3: Creating Form 95 Sodom And Gomorrah
46 Days 4-6: Filling The Void 98 Map: The Story Of Lot
48 Seventh Day: The Sabbath Covenant 99 3. The Binding Of Isaac And God’s Third Oath
With Creation 102 Supplementary Reading

v
 Contents

103 Vocabulary 157 In The Wilderness

104 Study Questions 159 The Constitution Of Israel
105 Practical Exercises 160 Sidebar: Israel And America
106 From The Catechism 161 A Close Look At Deuteronomy
161 Outline Of Deuteronomy
107 Chapter 6: The Patriarchs 162 Sidebar: The Tabernacle In The Wilderness
107 Finding A Wife For Isaac 163 Supplementary Reading
110 Jacob And Esau 164 Vocabulary
112 Map: The Journeys Of Isaac And Rebekah 165 Study Questions
113 Jacob’s Ladder 165 Practical Exercises
114 Jacob And Laban 166 From The Catechism
115 Map: The Journeys Of Jacob And Rachel
116 Twelve Sons 167 Chapter 9: The Rise Of The Kingdom
116 Sidebar: The Twelve Tribes Of Israel 169 The Conquest Begins
117 Wrestling With God: Jacob Named Israel 171 Map: Canaan At The Time Of The Conquest
119 Joseph’s Brothers Sell Him As A Slave 172 Sidebar: Jericho
121 Map: The Sale Of Joseph 172 Map: The Route Of The Spies
122 God Turns Evil Into An Instrument Of Salvation 173 Joshua’s Covenant with Israel
124 Supplementary Reading 174 Sidebar: The Right Time to Attack
125 Vocabulary 174 Map: The Invasion Of Canaan
125 Study Questions 175 Chart: Early Israel And Her Neighbors
126 Practical Exercises 175 Map: The Capture Of The Ark
126 From The Catechism 176 The Judges
177 Chart: The Judges Of Israel
127 Chapter 7: The Exodus 178 Samuel the King-Maker
128 The Birth And Rescue Of Moses 180 Saul, the Anointed One
129 Moses Rebels 180 Saul’s First Big Mistake
130 Sidebar: The Date Of The Exodus 181 Map: The Kingdom Of Saul
131 The Burning Bush: God Reveals His Name 182 Saul’s Second Big Mistake
To Moses 184 The Man after God’s own Heart
133 The Message To Pharaoh 185 Supplementary Reading
134 The Plagues 186 Vocabulary
136 The Passover 187 Study Questions
137 The Passover Lamb As A Type Of Christ 188 Practical Exercises
138 Map: The Route Of The Exodus
139 Escape From Egypt 189 Chapter 10: The Kingdom Of David
140 Spiritual Food In The Wilderness 191 Jerusalem, David’s New Capital
142 The Covenant At Sinai 192 Map: David’s Kingdom
144 The Temple In Heaven And On Earth 193 Bringing The Ark To Jerusalem
145 Supplementary Reading 194 Sidebar: The Liturgy Of The Ark
146 Vocabulary 195 The Covenant With David
147 Study Questions 198 Beyond Sinai To Zion
147 Practical Exercises 199 The Davidic Covenant: Seven Primary Features
148 From The Catechism 201 Sidebar: The Davidic Covenant In Psalm 89
202 The Davidic Covenant: Three Secondary
149 Chapter 8: The Law Features
151 The Golden Calf Changes Israel’s Relationship 203 Summary: The Main Features Of The Davidic
With God Covenant
152 The Institution Of The Priesthood 204 Supplementary Reading
154 After The Fall 205 Vocabulary
155 Heaven On Earth 205 Study Questions
156 The Law 206 Practical Exercises

vi
 Contents

207 Chapter 11: Wise King Solomon 261 Chapter 14: A Remnant Returns
209 Map: Jerusalem In The Time Of David 262 Belshazzar ’s Feast
And Solomon 264 Cyrus The Messiah
210 Imperial Israel 264 Sidebar: Rulers Of The Persian Empire
211 Map: Solomon’s United Kingdom 265 Beginning The New Jerusalem
212 The Wisdom Of Solomon 265 Map: The Return Of The Exiles
213 Solomon Builds The Temple 266 Trouble With The Samaritans
215 Sidebar: Building Materials For Solomon’s 267 Ezra The Scribe
Temple 268 What God Really Wants
216 Solomon’s Pride And Apostasy 269 The Promise Unfulfilled
217 Sidebar: The Idol Gods Of Solomon’s Wives 270 Supplementary Reading
218 Supplementary Reading 271 Vocabulary
219 Vocabulary 271 Study Questions
219 Study Questions 272 Practical Exercises
220 Practical Exercises 272 From The Catechism

221 Chapter 12: The Divided Kingdom 273 Chapter 15: Revolt Of The Maccabees
222 The Torn Kingdom 275 Only One World To Conquer
224 Map: The Divided Kingdoms Of Israel 276 Map: Conquests Of Alexander The Great
And Judah 277 Jerusalem In The Middle
225 Back To The Golden Calf 277 The Final Desecration
226 Good And Bad Kings 278 Amazing Success Of The Maccabees
226 Jonah 279 Map: The Hasmonean Kingdom
228 Elijah And Jezebel 280 Chart: Maccabees Family Tree
230 Elijah At Sinai 281 What The Jews Believed
231 Map: The Journeys Of Elijah And Elisha 283 Sidebar: The Story Of Hanukkah
232 Elijah And Elisha 284 Supplementary Reading
233 The Assyrian Threat 285 Vocabulary
234 The End Of Israel 286 Study Questions
234 Map: The Downfall Of Israel 286 Practical Exercises
235 Supplementary Reading
236 Vocabulary 287 Chapter 16: The World Of The New
237 Study Questions Testament
238 Practical Exercises 288 The Prophecies Fulfilled?
289 The Pharisees
239 Chapter 13: Conquest And Exile 290 Sidebar: Judaism In New Testament Times
241 The Great Prophet Isaiah 291 The Sadducees
244 Sidebar: Hezekiah Defends Jerusalem 291 After The Maccabees
245 The Wicked King Manasseh 292 Herod The Great
246 The Great Reform 293 Chart: The Herods’ Family Tree
247 Jeremiah Sees The End Of The World 294 When The Time Had Fully Come
249 Map: The Fall Of Judah 294 Religion In The Roman Empire
250 The Impossible Promise 295 Map: Herod’s Sons Inherit His Kingdom
252 The Exodus Reversed 296 The Spread Of The Jewish Religion
253 Map: The Babylonian Empire 297 Map: The Roman Empire
254 The Babylonian Exile 298 Proselytes Of The Gate
256 Daniel: Heroic Stories Of The Exile 298 Judea And Galilee
258 Supplementary Reading 300 The Samaritans
259 Vocabulary 301 Supplementary Reading
260 Study Questions 302 Vocabulary
260 Practical Exercises

vii
 Contents

303 Study Questions 359 Supplementary Reading

303 Practical Exercises 360 Vocabulary
304 From The Catechism 361 Study Questions
361 Practical Exercises
305 Chapter 17: The New Testament 362 From The Catechism
307 How The New Testament Is Organized
307 The New Law: The Four Gospels 363 Chapter 20: What Jesus Taught
308 Matthew 364 Teaching With Authority
309 Mark 365 Parables
310 Luke 366 The Kingdom Of God Is At Hand
311 John 367 Born From Above
312 History: The Acts Of The Apostles 368 The Letter Of The Law Is Not Enough
313 Wisdom: The Epistles 370 The Last Shall Be First
314 Prophecy: The Revelation 371 The First Shall Be Last
315 Supplementary Reading 372 Love Your Enemies
316 Vocabulary 373 God’s Grace Is Undeserved
317 Study Questions 374 Pray Without Ceasing
317 Practical Exercises 374 Jesus Is The Bread Of Life
318 From The Catechism 376 Supplementary Reading
377 Vocabulary
319 Chapter 18: The Incarnation 377 Study Questions
322 The Son Of David 378 Practical Exercises
323 Chart: Family Of David 378 From The Catechism
324 Hail Mary
327 The Birth Of Jesus 379 Chapter 21: The Cup Of Consummation
329 Map: The Journeys Of Jesus 380 The Missing Cup
330 Nunc Dimittis 382 In Gethsemane
331 The Epiphany 384 Jesus Arrested In Gethsemane
332 The Holy Innocents 385 Peter ’s Denial
333 Teaching The Teachers 386 Blasphemy!
335 Supplementary Reading 387 Judas Repents
336 Vocabulary 388 Pilate Examines Jesus
337 Study Questions 388 Crucify Him!
337 Practical Exercises 390 Jesus Crucified
338 From The Catechism 394 Behold Your Mother
394 The Last Cup
339 Chapter 19: What Jesus Did 397 Sidebar: Pontius Pilate
341 John The Baptist Makes Straight The Way 398 Sidebar: The Crucifixion Psalm
343 Jesus Baptized 400 Sidebar: The Jews
345 The Temptation In The Wilderness 401 Supplementary Reading
347 Water Into Wine 402 Vocabulary
348 Cleansing The Temple 403 Study Questions
350 The Land Of Zebulun And Naphtali 403 Practical Exercises
351 Map: Jesus’ Galilean Ministry 404 From The Catechism
352 Healing The Sick
353 Who Sinned? 405 Chapter 22: The Resurrection
354 Casting Out Demons 408 The Women Who Met The Risen Lord
355 Eating With Sinners 409 The Road To Emmaus: Jesus Revealed In
356 Women And Samaritans The Eucharist
356 The Twelve 411 The Power To Forgive And Retain Sins
357 Map: Jesus’ Journey To Jerusalem 411 Doubting Thomas
358 Hosanna To The Son Of David

viii
 Contents

411 Back To Galilee 455 Study Questions

412 Peter ’s Redemption 455 Practical Exercises
413 Map: The Resurrection And Ascension 456 From The Catechism
Of Jesus
414 Supplementary Reading 457 Chapter 26: Paul, An Apostle
415 Vocabulary 459 Peter And Paul In Acts
415 Study Questions 460 Apostle To The Gentiles
416 Practical Exercises 461 The Law Was Our Custodian
416 From The Catechism 462 Sin Brings Death Through The Law
463 St. Paul’s Doctrine Of Justification
417 Chapter 23: Jesus Fulfills The Old 465 Map: Paul’s First Journey
Testament 466 St. Paul’s Travels
419 Fulfilling The Law And The Prophets 466 Map: Paul’s Second Journey
420 The Church Before Jesus 467 Map: Paul’s Third Journey
421 1. Jesus Fulfills The Covenant With Adam 468 Map: Paul’s Journey To Rome
422 2. Jesus Fulfills The Covenant With Noah 469 Supplementary Reading
423 3. Jesus Fulfills The Covenant With Abraham 470 Vocabulary
424 4. Jesus Fulfills The Covenant With Moses 471 Study Questions
424 The New Exodus 471 Practical Exercises
425 Jesus The Passover Lamb 472 From The Catechism
425 5. Jesus Fulfills The Covenant With David
427 Supplementary Reading 473 Chapter 27: The New Kingdom
428 Vocabulary 475 The Son Of David
428 Study Questions 477 The Riddle: How Can David’s Son Be
429 Practical Exercises David’s Lord?
429 From The Catechism 480 The Church Perfectly Fulfills The Davidic
Covenant
431 Chapter 24: The Birth Of The Church 480 The Davidic Covenant: Seven Primary Features
433 Restoring The Kingdom 482 The Davidic Covenant: Three Secondary
433 Map: Judaism At The Time Of Christ Features
434 The Election Of Matthias 484 Supplementary Reading
435 Sidebar: The Upper Room 485 Vocabulary
436 Pentecost 485 Study Questions
437 Peter ’s Authority 486 Practical Exercises
438 The Martyrdom Of Stephen 486 From The Catechism
439 What The Early Christian Community Was Like
440 Supplementary Reading 487 Chapter 28: The Catholic Church
441 Vocabulary in Scripture
442 Study Questions 488 Organization Of The Church
442 Practical Exercises 489 The Primacy Of Peter
443 From The Catechism 490 Councils Of The Whole Church
491 Sacraments
445 Chapter 25: Reaching Out To All Nations 492 Baptism
446 Philip Baptizes The Ethiopian 492 Confirmation
448 Map: Early Spread Of “ The Good News” 493 Eucharist
449 Saul The Persecutor 494 Penance
450 Saul’s Conversion 495 Annointing Of The Sick
451 Are Christians Jews? 496 Holy Orders
451 The Council Of Jerusalem 497 Matrimony
453 Supplementary Reading
454 Vocabulary

ix
 Contents

498 Supplementary Reading 521 Study Questions

499 Vocabulary 522 Practical Exercises
500 Study Questions 522 From The Catechism
500 Practical Exercises
501 From The Catechism 523 Chapter 30: How To Read The Bible
525 The Bible Is Literature
503 Chapter 29: The End Of History 526 Spiritual Senses
504 What Jesus Taught About The End Of History 527 Look To The Church For Guidance
505 The End Of The Old Covenant 528 What To Read First
507 Map: The Siege Of Jerusalem 529 Pray
508 The Vision Of The Heavenly Liturgy 530 Supplementary Reading
509 The Liturgy Of The Word 531 Vocabulary
512 The Heavenly Eucharist 531 Study Questions
514 The Beasts 531 Practical Exercises
516 The New Jerusalem 532 From The Catechism
516 The Warning And The Promise
519 Map: Christian Churches And Communities 533 Art and Photo Credits
520 Supplementary Reading ? Index
521 Vocabulary

ABBREVIATIONS USED FOR THE BOOKS OF THE BIBLE

Old Testament
Genesis Gn Tobit Tb Hosea Hos
Exodus Ex Judith Jdt Joel Jl
Leviticus Lv Esther Est Amos Am
Numbers Nm Job Jb Obadiah Ob
Deuteronomy Dt Psalms Ps(s) Jonah Jon
Joshua Jos Proverbs Prv Micah Mi
Judges Jgs Ecclesiastes Eccl Nahum Na
Ruth Ru Song of Songs Sg (Song) Habakkuk Hb
1 Samuel 1 Sm Wisdom Wis Zephaniah Zep
2 Samuel 2 Sm Sirach Sir Haggai Hg
1 Kings 1 Kgs Isaiah Is Zechariah Zec
2 Kings 2 Kgs Jeremiah Jer Malachi Mal
1 Chronicles 1 Chr Lamentations Lam 1 Maccabees 1 Mc
2 Chronicles 2 Chr Baruch Bar 2 Maccabees 2 Mc
Ezra Ezr Ezekiel Ez
Nehemiah Neh Daniel Dn

New Testament
Matthew Mt Ephesians Eph Hebrews Heb
Mark Mk Philippians Phil James Jas
Luke Lk Colossians Col 1 Peter 1 Pt
John Jn 1 Thessalonians 1 Thes 2 Peter 2 Pt
Acts of the Apostles Acts 2 Thessalonians 2 Thes 1 John 1 Jn
Romans Rom 1 Timothy 1 Tm 2 John 2 Jn
1 Corinthians 1 Cor 2 Timothy 2 Tm 3 John 3 Jn
2 Corinthians 2 Cor Titus Ti Jude Jude
Galatians Gal Philemon Phlm Revelation Rv

x
In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.
The earth was without form and void,
and darkness was upon the face of the deep...
Genesis 1: 1-2
And God said, “Let there be light”; and there was light.
And God saw that the light was good;
and God separated the light from the darkness.
Genesis 1: 3-4
 God called the dry land Earth,
and the waters that were gathered together he called Seas.
And God saw that it was good.
Genesis 1: 10
Then God said,
“Let us make man in our image, after our likeness...”
Genesis 1: 26
 Understanding The Scriptures

Chapter 1

Read
2 Timothy
3: 10 - 4: 5
1 Peter
1: 12 - 2: 22

T he revelation of God in Jesus Christ is transmitted through Scripture and Tradition as one
common source. The Tradition includes the Scriptures which are a privileged expression of the
Tradition. “Sacred Scripture is the speech of God as it is put down in writing under the breath of the
Holy Spirit. And Tradition transmits in its entirety the Word of God which has been entrusted to the
apostles by Christ the Lord and the Holy Spirit ” ( Dei Verbum 9). The Word of God in written or oral
form is interpreted authentically by the magisterium of the Church. Scripture—the Bible—has to be
read and explained in the Church.
The Bible is the inspired and inerrant Word of God. In seventy-three books, it gives us the history of
God’s plan for our salvation, beginning with the creation of the world and ending with the beginnings
of the Christian Church. Together with the teaching of the Church, the Bible tells us what we need to
know in order to be saved.
Although the Bible is made up of many books, together those books tell one story. God created us
perfect in the beginning, but our first parents, through their free will, sinned and brought death upon
themselves and their descendants. The rest of the Bible tells how God gave human beings the
means to salvation. We learn how God chose the people of Israel to lead all people back to himself,
and how God the Father completed that work in his only-begotten Son, Jesus Christ, and his sacrifice
on the Cross. Finally, we learn the truth about the end of history: good triumphs, evil fails, and the
People of God live forever in paradise. That is the story of our faith.
Sacred Scripture is not the only authority for our faith, as Scripture itself tells us. The Church was
founded by Jesus Christ to keep the living Tradition of the faith alive. As Catholics, we believe that
the Church is not simply a religious institution that preserves tradition. At Pentecost, after the death
and resurrection of Christ, God poured out the Holy Spirit upon the Apostles, and because of that
gift, the Holy Spirit continues to dwell in and guide the Church. The teaching of the Church opens up
all the riches of the Bible to us. Because we have the living truth of the Church, we can read
Scripture with more confidence, more understanding, and more freedom.

6
 Chapter 1: What is the Bible?

What Catholics Believe

About The Bible
• The inspired Word of God comes to us through Sacred Scripture.
• The living Word of God also comes to us equally through the living
Tradition of the Church.
• The infallible Word of God as transmitted by Scripture and Tradition has
been entrusted solely to the living Magisterium of the Church which
exercises its authority in the name of Jesus Christ.

S acred Scripture is inspired and inerrant. “Inspired”— from a word meaning “breathed in”— means
that God himself guided the authors who wrote the books of the Bible. The writers’ intellects
were enlightened directly by the action of the Holy Spirit to write what God wanted and nothing
more. This process took place over several thousand years. The Spirit moved them to write without
in any way impairing their freedom to write what was in their intellects. Though God is the principal
author of scripture, the human authors are also true authors because they acted as free, subordinate,
intelligent instruments of the Holy Spirit.
“Inerrant ” means that it does not err: properly understood, Scripture always teaches truth, never
error. “Since, therefore, all that the inspired authors, or sacred writers, affirm should be regarded as
affirmed by the Holy Spirit, we must acknowledge that the books of Scripture firmly, faithfully, and
without error, teach that truth which God, for the sake of our salvation, wished to see confided to the
Sacred Scriptures” (Vatican II, Dei Verbum 11).
Reading Sacred Scripture is, in a way, like receiving the Eucharist. In both cases, the Word of God
comes directly to us. The Catechism of the Catholic Church (103) tells us that “the Church has
always venerated the Scriptures as she venerates the Lord’s Body. She never ceases to present to
the faithful the bread of life, taken from the one table of God’s Word and Christ ’s Body.”
For the Catholic believer the Word of God alone is supreme. But the Scriptures are not the only
source for God’s Word, as the Scriptures themselves will tell you.
In 2 Thessalonians 2: 15, St. Paul reminds the Thessalonian believers that they must hold fast
to the traditions that the apostles have passed down either in writing or by word of mouth. “So
then, brethren, stand firm and hold to the traditions which you were taught by us, either by word
of mouth or by letter.” Sacred Scripture and Sacred Tradition form one source from which the
Word of God comes to us, as the New
Testament itself tells us.
The true interpretation of both Sacred
Scripture and Sacred Tradition is ex-
pressed in the infallible teaching of the
Church, the Magisterium. “Infallible”
means that, because of the divine help
of Christ himself, the Church cannot
teach error in matters of faith.

The Great Qumran Isaiah Scroll, ca. 100 B.C., is the

oldest complete manuscript of any book of the Bible.
Remarkably similar to the standard Hebrew text, it
provides overwhelming proof of the accuracy of the
Book of Isaiah we read today.

7
 Understanding The Scriptures

In order to preserve the Church in the purity of the faith handed on by the apostles, Christ
who is the Truth willed to confer on her a share in his own infallibility. By a “supernatural
sense of faith” the People of God, under the guidance of the Church’s living Magisterium,
“unfailingly adheres to this faith.” (CCC 889)
The mission of the Magisterium is linked to the definitive nature of the covenant established
by God with his people in Christ. It is this Magisterium’s task to preserve God’s people from
deviations and defections and to guarantee them the objective possibility of professing the
true faith without error. Thus, the pastoral duty of the Magisterium is aimed at seeing to it
that the People of God abides in the truth that liberates. To fulfill this service, Christ
endowed the Church’s shepherds with the charism of infallibility in matters of faith and
morals. The exercise of this charism takes several forms: (CCC 890)
“ The Roman Pontiff, head of the college of bishops, enjoys this infallibility in virtue of his
office, when, as supreme pastor and teacher of all the faithful — who confirms his brethren
in the faith — he proclaims by a definitive act a doctrine pertaining to faith or morals. . . .The
infallibility promised to the Church is also present in the body of bishops when, together
with Peter ’s successor, they exercise the supreme Magisterium,” above all in an Ecumenical
Council. When the Church through its supreme Magisterium proposes a doctrine “for belief
as being divinely revealed,” and as the teaching of Christ, the definitions “must be adhered
to with the obedience of faith.” This infallibility extends as far as the deposit of divine
Revelation itself. (CCC 891)
Divine assistance is also given to the successors of the apostles, teaching in communion with
the successor of Peter, and, in a particular way, to the bishop of Rome, pastor of the whole
Church, when, without arriving at an infallible definition and without pronouncing in a
“definitive manner,” they propose in the exercise of the ordinary Magisterium a teaching
that leads to better understanding of Revelation in matters of faith and morals. To this
ordinary teaching the faithful “are to adhere to it with religious assent ” which, though
distinct from the assent of faith, is nonetheless an extension of it. (CCC 892)

What does it mean to say the Bible is divinely inspired?

he Holy Spirit enlightened the intellects of many different specific
T authors over thousands of years so they could conceive all that which
God wanted them to write and nothing more. Divine inspiration infallibly
moved the will of each sacred author — without impairing his freedom in
any way— to write what was in his intellect. Divine inspiration assisted the
human author to use the correct language and expressions to describe
what was being infallibly written.
This means God is the principal author of Scripture; the human authors
are also true authors. These sacred authors were free, intelligent,
subordinate instruments of the Holy Spirit. Because of this, each book of
the Bible is inspired and can at the same time be called the work of God
and of the human author. There is nothing in Scripture not inspired by
God. “All scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for
reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness” (2 Tm 3: 16).
The Holy Spirit, principal author of the Bible, can guide human authors
in the choice of expressions in such a way that the latter will express a
truth the fullest depths of which the authors themselves do not perceive.
This deeper truth will be more fully revealed in the course of time and
discerned in the Church under the guidance of the Holy Spirit.

8
 Chapter 1: What is the Bible?

Periods Of Bible History

The Old Testament Period - 4000 B.C. to 400 B.C.
The Inter-Testamental Period - 400 B.C. to 4 B.C.
The New Testament Period - The A.D. Period
4000 B.C. to 2120 B.C. . . . . . . The Primeval Period
2120 B.C. to 1900 B.C. . . . . . . The Patriarchal Period
1900 B.C. to 1400 B.C. . . . . . . The Egyptian Period
1400 B.C. to 1050 B.C. . . . . . . The Tribal Period
1050 B.C. to 900 B.C. . . . . . . . The Davidic Period
900 B.C. to 600 B.C. . . . . . . . . The Assyrian Period
600 B.C. to 540 B.C. . . . . . . . . The Babylonian Period
540 B.C. to 330 B.C. . . . . . . . . . The Persian Period
330 B.C. to 170 B.C. . . . . . . . . . . The Greek Period
170 B.C. to 70 B.C. . . . . . . . . . . . The Maccabean Period
70 B.C. to 100 A.D. . . . . . . . . . . The Roman Period
The Gezer Calendar, a limestone tablet listing the agricultural year, is one of the
oldest Hebrew inscriptions dating to the time of Solomon, late 11th to early 10th
century B.C. The city of Gezer was given to Solomon by the Pharoah of Egypt as
part of the dowry for Solomon’s marriage to an Egyptian princess. David had left
Gezer unconquered out of respect for Egypt’s claim to the city.

Because we have both Scripture and Tradition, interpreted for us by the Magisterium, the Catechism
tells us (108), “ The Christian faith is not a ‘religion of the book.’ ” Instead, Christianity is a religion of
the Word of God, and the Word of God — Jesus Christ — is still living today and will live forever.
But Scripture is the way we come to know who Jesus is. As St. Jerome declared, “Ignorance of
Scripture is ignorance of Christ.” If you want to feel at home in the Kingdom of God, then the Bible
is your map. If you want to understand whom you receive in Holy Communion, then you need to
understand how God was preparing his people for centuries before he finally gave us the Bread of
Life in the Eucharistic Liturgy.
All sacred Scripture is but one book, and this one book is Christ, “because all divine
Scripture speaks of Christ, and all divine Scripture is fulfilled in Christ ” (Hugh of St. Victor,
De arca Noe 2, 8: Patrologia Latina 176, 642: cf. ibid. 2, 9: Patrologia Latina 176, 642-643).
(CCC 134)
“For the Word of God is living and active,” says Hebrews 4: 12, “sharper than any two-edged sword,
piercing to the division of soul and spirit, of joints and marrow, discerning the thoughts and intentions
of the heart.” To live in a way that truly pleases Jesus Christ, we need to study— and meditate on —
the Bible. That is the only way to get to know what Jesus Christ is like.

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 Understanding The Scriptures

How The Bible Was Written

• The Bible was written by inspired human writers in their own styles.
• The human writers of the Bible wrote only what God wanted them to write.
• The whole Bible, properly interpreted by the Church, is true and completely
without error.

T he Bible is a collection of many works written by different authors at different times and in
different languages. Those different authors had different ways of thinking and writing. Some of
them wrote beautiful poetry, as in the Psalms. Others, like St. Luke, wrote detailed history based on
accurate research. Some, like Ezekiel, had symbolic visions that they wrote down. Some simply
recorded facts, like the catalog of the tribes of Israel recorded in Numbers. Some books are written
in a very simple style; others, like Ecclesiastes, are philosophical and intellectual. Just as with writers
of other books, the personalities of the authors come through in what they wrote.
The works which make up the Bible are different from other writings. Even though they were
written by human authors, the ultimate author of the whole Bible is God. The human authors wrote
in their own styles, but they wrote what God wanted them to write. So, unlike any human book, the
Bible is completely free from error. Of course, we need to remember that the Bible is teaching us
the way to salvation. The sacred authors presented their message in ways the people of their own
time could understand, so sometimes their ideas of physics or astronomy seem outdated to us. But
the real truth that God wanted us to learn is presented without error. Everything in it is true.
The inspired books teach the truth. “Since therefore all that the inspired authors or sacred
writers affirm should be regarded as affirmed by the Holy Spirit, we must acknowledge that
the books of Scripture firmly, faithfully, and without error teach that truth which God, for
the sake of our salvation, wished to see confided to the Sacred Scriptures.” (CCC 107)
That doesn’t mean everything in Scripture is
easy to understand. But the Church, guided by
the Holy Spirit, helps us understand how to find
the truth in the books of the Bible in light of the
living Tradition.
How did that inspiration work? Inspiration is one
of the great mysteries of our faith — a mystery
very much like the mystery of the Incarnation of
God in Jesus Christ. Like Christ himself, the
inspired books of the Bible are fully human and
fully divine. The two natures are inseparably
united but still distinct. Jesus Christ, the Word of
God incarnate, took on the weakness of human
flesh, becoming a true man. In the same way, the
Bible, the Word of God inspired, takes on the
weakness of human language, becoming a book
that humans can understand.

King David, the youngest of the eight sons

of Jesse, is credited with the authorship of
the Psalms. His story is told in 1 Samuel 16
through 1 Kings 2:12. King David reigned
ca. 1000-960 B.C.

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 Chapter 1: What is the Bible?

The Bible Is Sacred Literature

• The sacred authors used literary techniques to express their meaning.
• We cannot understand the whole meaning of Scripture without
understanding those literary techniques.

T he Bible is sacred literature because God is its author. Because Sacred Scripture is written in
human language, it is possible for humans to understand it. Understanding it correctly, however,
sometimes requires some preparation.
The first thing to remember about Scripture is that it is literature. That means it uses literary forms
and techniques to convey its meaning. Unless we understand how those forms and techniques work,
we cannot understand the meaning the inspired authors wanted to convey to us.
For a good example of how the sacred authors convey meaning with literary techniques, turn to the
very beginning of Genesis. When creation begins, the earth is “without form and void”; then the first
thing God creates is light.
Now turn to Jeremiah 4: 23, and see how Jeremiah
describes the destruction brought on by God’s judgment
against Judah:
I looked on the earth, and lo, it was
waste and void;
And to the heavens, and they had no light.
Reading only the verse in Jeremiah gives us some of the
meaning. Reading it with the beginning of Genesis in
mind, however, brings out much more of the meaning.
Jeremiah uses the same words as in Genesis. The
destruction is so terrible, Jeremiah is saying, that it
completely undoes the work of creation!
There are many different kinds of literature (stories,
poems, dialogue, figurative language, and others) in the
Bible, and the sacred writers used many different literary
techniques. Because they lived at different times and had
different personalities, they used those techniques
differently. Those differences make reading Scripture
endlessly fascinating. Prophet Jeremiah lamenting the destruction of Jerusalem.
We also need to remember that the Bible is ancient
literature. Even the most recent books of the New Testament were written almost two thousand
years ago. The authors of Scripture did not write the same way modern authors write. To understand
what they meant to say, we have to understand the way they saw the world.
In Sacred Scripture, God speaks to man in a human way. To interpret Scripture correctly,
the reader must be attentive to what the human authors truly wanted to affirm and to what
God wanted to reveal to us by their words. (CCC 109)
In order to discover the sacred authors’ intention, the reader must take into account the
conditions of their time and culture, the literary genres in use at that time, and the modes
of feeling, speaking, and narrating then current. “For the fact is that truth is differently
presented and expressed in the various types of historical writing, and in other forms of
literary expression.” (CCC 110)

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 Understanding The Scriptures

The Bible Is Religious

• The sacred authors see everything in the light of religion.
• Because God sees the whole truth, Bible history is the only truly
objective history.
• All Bible history is really salvation history.

W e also need to remember that the Bible has a different purpose from other human literature.
The Bible is religious. Although the sacred writers told great stories and wrote great poetry,
all that literary technique was in the service of the religious purpose of the Bible.
In discerning the meaning of inspired Scripture it is traditional to distinguish two senses, the literal
and the spiritual (CCC 115-119). The literal sense is that which the authors intended to express;
historical and linguistic analysis, by shedding light upon the processes which gave rise to the biblical
texts help to determine this sense which is also intended by God as principal author of the Scriptures
and to determine the direction of thought expressed by the text. The spiritual sense is the meaning
expressed by the biblical texts when read under the influence of the Holy Spirit in light of the
mystery of Christ. There should be no contradiction between the two senses of Scripture; they
belong together because scholarship together with faith is needed to enable us to grasp the religious
meaning of Scripture.
People today usually think of religion in terms of personal experience. But that isn’t how the authors
of the Bible — or other ancient peoples — saw it. The word “religion” comes from a Latin word
meaning “binding.” To the ancients, religion was what held everything together. Their view of history,
culture, politics, and everything else was a religious view.
Because of that view, the Bible writers don’t write history the way we write history. We see history
as a list of important events —wars, treaties, inventions, and so on. The main characters in our
history are kings, presidents, and generals.
Although we pretend to write “objective” history— history that tells just the facts — all our history is
biased. Even by deciding which facts are important, we make biased decisions. There’s no getting
around that personal bias in ordinary history, because every
history has to be written from some point of view.
Does the Bible But there is one point of view that ’s completely unbiased.
contain any errors? God sees everything exactly the way it is. The Bible writers
Is everything in the tell history from God’s point of view.
Bible true? To the Bible writers, the important thing about history is what
Since He is perfect, God can neither it tells us about God’s relationship with his people. Many of
deceive nor be deceived. Scripture is
affirmed as true by God. Because
the most important characters in Bible history seem to be just
both the human author and the Holy ordinary people — not emperors, not kings, not even
Spirit are true authors of Scripture, governors or mayors. Jesus himself, the Son of God, looked
the inspiration of the Holy Spirit like an ordinary carpenter ’s son to the people around him.
guarantees Scripture is free from error.
But those ordinary people carried God’s message, and that
Scripture is true and contains no
errors because God Himself is the made them more important than all the mighty emperors
true author of all its parts by divine who fill our history books. Because God sees history objec-
inspiration given to the human writers. tively, the Bible often ignores the emperors and concentrates
The word “inspiration” is chosen to
indicate the Holy Spirit “breathed”
on the people who were really important.
into the writers what he wished them In fact, all the history in the Bible is really “salvation history”—
to write.
the history of how God’s plan to save us unfolded through
the ages.

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 Chapter 1: What is the Bible?

Archaelogical Periods And Biblical Events

Paleolithic (Old Stone Age) Before 10,000 B.C. Genesis 1-11

Mesolithic (Middle Stone Age) 10,000-8000 B.C. Genesis 1-11

Neolithic (New Stone Age) 8000-4500 B.C. Genesis 1-11

Pre-Pottery Neolithic 8000- 6000 B.C.
Pottery Neolithic 6000-4500 B.C.

Chalcolithic (Bronze/Stone Age) 4500-3150 B.C. Genesis 1-11

Bronze (or Canaanite) 3150-1200 B.C. Genesis 1-11

Early Bronze 3150-2200 B.C.
I 3150-2850 B.C.
II 2850-2650 B.C.
III 2650-2350 B.C.
IV 2350-2200 B.C.
Middle Bronze 2200-1550 B.C.
I 2200-1950 B.C. Abraham
IIA 1950-1750 B.C. Jacob enters Egypt
IIB 1750-1550 B.C.
Late Bronze 1550-1200 B.C. The Exodus
I 1550-1400 B.C. and Conquest
IIA 1400-1300 B.C.
IIB 1300-1200 B.C.

Iron (or Israelite) 1200-586 B.C.

Early Iron 1200-1000 B.C.
IA 1200-1150 B.C.
IB 1150-1000 B.C. David becomes King
Middle Iron 1000-800 B.C.
IIA 1000-900 B.C.
IIB 900-800 B.C.
IIC 800-586 B.C. Israel and Judah Fall
(722 and 586 B.C.)

Babylonian (Persian)
(or Late Iron) 586-332 B.C. Babylonian Captivity
(586-539 B.C.)

Hellenistic (Greek) 332-37 B.C.

I 332-152 B.C.
II (or Hasmonean/Maccabean) 152-37 B.C.

Roman 37 B.C.-324 A.D.

I (or Herodian) 37 B.C.-70 A.D. Jesus Christ
II (or Middle Roman) 70-180 A.D.
III (or Late Roman) 180-324 A.D.

Byzantine 324- 640 A.D.

(Early Church Age of
Roman Empire)

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 Understanding The Scriptures

What “Salvation History” Is

• God has always had a plan to save us.
• Salvation history is the story of how that plan works in history.
• We can look at all salvation history as a series of seven covenants between
God and his people.

F rom before the beginning of time, God had a

plan to save us all from our sin. The Bible, taken
as a whole, tells us the history of that plan of
salvation. That ’s what we mean when we say
“salvation history”: the story of how God’s plan to
save us was worked out over thousands of years.
But salvation history is different from other kinds of
history; it deals not only with the past but also with
the future. Because God’s Word has been revealed
to us, we know how the plan of salvation will keep
working until the end of time.
One good way of looking at salvation history is to
see it as a series of covenants between God and
us. In the Old Testament, a covenant was an agree-
ment between God and mankind made through
individual persons. A covenant is similar to a con-
The third covenant is with Abraham and his whole tribe. Abraham
tract, but it is much more than merely a contract. A
is the Ancestor of Israel and a model of one who has faith.
covenant establishes bonds of sacred kinship: it
unites the participants in a family relation. A contract is a temporary business agreement, meant to
last as long as current circumstances make it necessary. God’s covenant unites persons in a union
that is meant to last. A corporation is a contract; a marriage is a covenant.
Salvation history is the story of how we, sinful humans that we are, have been brought into God’s
covenant family. We can see seven covenants between God and us in salvation history. (The number
seven is a symbol of covenant completeness in Scripture, so it is especially appropriate here.) Each
covenant is made through a covenant mediator, and although each covenant reflects a promise God
makes to all humanity, each covenant takes the form of a wider social relationship.

1. The first covenant we read about in the Bible is the covenant with Adam. In Hebrew,
the name “Adam” is also used to refer to the whole human race. So this first covenant
is really the one from which all the other covenants spring.
2. The second covenant is with Noah and his household after the flood.
3. The third covenant is with Abraham and his whole tribe.
4. The fourth covenant is with the whole nation of Israel through Moses.
5. The fifth covenant is with all the nations through David and Solomon.
6. The sixth covenant is the New Covenant with all humanity through Jesus Christ.
7. Finally, at the end of time, there will be a seventh covenant for all eternity.

When you learn to see salvation history this way, it will be easy to make sense of the Bible as a
whole. That ’s what this book is about. You’ll learn to see how every part of the Bible fits as part of
God’s plan for our salvation.

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 Chapter 1: What is the Bible?

Covenant History

The first covenant we read about in the Bible is the covenant with Adam. In Hebrew, the name “Adam” is also used to refer
to the whole human race. So this first covenant is really the one from which all the other covenants spring.

✟
With Each Additional Covenant, The Relationship
Between God and Humanity Is Manifested Through
A Wider Form Of Human Relationship.

Covenant
Mediator
Adam Noah Abraham Moses David Jesus

Covenant Tribal Royal

Husband Father Judge King
Role Chief High Priest

Covenant National Catholic

Marriage Household Tribe Nation
Form Kingdom Church

Covenant
Sign Sabbath Rainbow Circumcision Passover Throne Eucharist

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 Understanding The Scriptures

The Church Will Be Our Guide

• The Bible can be hard for us to understand.
• The Church was created by God to teach us what we need to know.

T he Bible is a large and sometimes difficult book. All of it was written over several thousand
years, by writers who lived in times very different from ours. Without help, we might mis-
understand what some of the Bible writers are trying to tell us.
But we are not left without help. The Church, founded by Jesus Christ himself, and guided by the
Holy Spirit interprets the Bible without falling into error. Just as Christ promised, the Catholic Church
is always here to teach us how to understand the Bible in light of the living Tradition.
Without that help, we would be lost. If we had no divinely guided teacher to help us, we would be
left with human interpretations of the Bible. And those human interpretations disagree. If we want to
follow the Word of God and understand Sacred Scripture, then we must learn what our Mother the
Church teaches.

In 382 A.D. the Pope

commissioned scholar and
churchman Jerome (St.
Jerome) to make a new
translation of the Bible into
Latin from the Greek and
Hebrew. This translation is
known as the Vulgate, from
the Latin vulgata editio,
roughly translated “edition
for common circulation.”

What is the Canon of the Bible?

The books of the Bible are inerrant under the guidance of divine inspiration. Therefore, only God
can reveal which books He has inspired. The list of inspired books is called the canon from the
Greek for “measuring rod.” In order for a book to be included in the canon, it must be divinely
inspired. The Church has answered the question of the inspiration of a book by turning to Sacred
Tradition. The Magisterium interprets Tradition with the assistance of the Holy Spirit.
The Church, from Her beginning, has held the books of the Bible to be inspired. “By means of the
same Tradition the full canon of the sacred books is known to the Church, and the Holy Scriptures
themselves are more thoroughly understood and constantly actualized in the Church” (Vatican II,
Dei Verbum 8).
Important documentary evidence from the early Church comes from the Councils of Carthage in
the fourth century and from the ordinary Magisterium afterwards, including the Council of Florence
in 1441. The Council of Trent in 1546 solemnly defined the canon of Scripture.

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 Chapter 1: What is the Bible?

How The Canon Came To Be

• The “canon” of Scripture is the list of books proper for reading in the Liturgy.
• The whole Church, meeting in a general council (Trent), decided on the canon.
• It was by the apostolic Tradition that the Church discerned which writings
are to be included in the Canon (CCC 120).

T he Bible is divided into two sections: the Old Testament and the New Testament. The Old
Testament is made up of books that were written before the time of Christ; the New Testament
books were written after the time of Christ. Both parts are equally important. As we’ll soon learn, the
New Testament does not cancel the Old Testament. On the contrary, the New Testament writers
themselves constantly refer to the Old Testament as “the Scriptures.”
But how the Bible was written is only half the story. Many other books were written during that time
besides the ones that ended up in the Bible. How did the Church decide which books belonged in
the Bible and which books didn’t? For that matter, what did it mean to say that a book was part of the
Scriptures?
The answer to that last question has to do with the celebration of the liturgy. The liturgy is the
service of the Church, and the center of the liturgy is the celebration of the Eucharist.
When the early Christians met, they celebrated the liturgy in two parts: the Liturgy of the Word and
the Eucharist. Anyone could attend the Liturgy of the Word, but only baptized Christians could stay
for the Eucharist. (We still keep the same division today, although we no longer ban non-Christians
from the church when we celebrate the Eucharist.)
In the Liturgy of the Word, the early Christians heard readings from the Scriptures, just as we do
today. The Old Testament scriptures were the same ones Jewish congregations heard in their
synagogues — in fact, many early Christians continued to go to the synagogues until the synagogue
authorities banned them. But they also heard letters from the Apostles and stories from the life of
Christ. Which of these new books were suitable for reading in the liturgy? That was the question the
early Church had to answer.
The “canon” is the answer to that question. Under the guidance of the Holy Spirit, the Church came
up with a list, or “canon,” of approved books. The inclusion of a book in the canon meant it was
divinely inspired. (“Canon” is a Greek word meaning “measuring rod” or “rule.”) Other books were
rejected because they were not divinely inspired.
In the Old Testament, the Church accepts some books as canonical that Jewish tradition does not
regard as Scripture. These books are called “deuterocanonical,” from a Greek word meaning “second
canon”:

Tobit Sirach (Ecclesiasticus) 2 Maccabees

Judith Baruch Parts of Daniel
Wisdom 1 Maccabees Parts of Esther

Protestant churches usually follow later Jewish tradition, so most Protestant Bibles omit those
books. But according to the Catholic Church, these deuterocanonical books have the same authority
as the rest of the books of the Bible; they are part of Scripture. These books offer, quite explicitly,
certain doctrines which are recognized as Catholic teaching and practice. For example, the book of 2
Maccabees shows conclusively the concept of creation and that Jewish believers prayed for the
souls of the dead many years before the coming of Jesus Christ. The book of Tobit demonstrates the
existence and action of guardian angels.

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 Understanding The Scriptures

There was a division among the Jewish scholars between the Septuagint or Alexandrian canon, a
collection of forty-six books translated into Greek by seventy Jewish scholars, and the Palestinian
canon which did not contain the deuterocanonical books. Protestant churches usually follow the
Palestinian tradition, thus most Protestant Bibles omit those deuterocanonical books. The Catholic
Church has determined the deuterocanonical books have the same authority as the rest of the
books of the Bible.

The Canon Of Scripture

This is the complete list of all the books in the Bible,
as determined by the Catholic Church.

The Old Testament

Genesis 1 Chronicles Wisdom Jonah
Exodus 2 Chronicles Sirach Micah
Leviticus Ezra Isaiah Nahum
Numbers Nehemiah Jeremiah Habakkuk
Deuteronomy Tobit Lamentations Zephaniah
Joshua Judith Baruch Haggai
Judges Esther Ezekiel Zechariah
Ruth Job Daniel Malachi
1 Samuel Psalms Hosea 1 Maccabees
2 Samuel Proverbs Joel 2 Maccabees
1 Kings Ecclesiastes Amos
2 Kings Song of Solomon Obadiah

Many Bibles put the two books of Maccabees after Esther. With that arrangement, all the
historical books of the Old Testament are grouped together. On the other hand, the books
of Maccabees make a good historical introduction to the New Testament, so there are
good reasons for both arrangements.

The New Testament

Matthew Ephesians Hebrews
Mark Philippians James
Luke Colossians 1 Peter
John 1 Thessalonians 2 Peter
Acts of the Apostles 2 Thessalonians 1 John
Romans 1 Timothy 2 John
1 Corinthians 2 Timothy 3 John
2 Corinthians Titus Jude
Galatians Philemon Revelation

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 Chapter 1: What is the Bible?

SUPPLEMENTARY READING

John Paul II, Fides et Ratio The truth about himself and his life which
10. Contemplating Jesus as revealer, the God has entrusted to humanity is immersed
Fathers of the Second Vatican Council therefore in time and history; and it was
stressed the salvific character of God’s declared once and for all in the mystery of
Revelation in history, describing it in these Jesus of Nazareth. The Constitution Dei
terms: “In this Revelation, the invisible God Verbum puts it eloquently: “After speaking in
(cf. Col 1: 15; 1 Tm 1: 17), out of the abundance many places and varied ways through the
of his love speaks to men and women as prophets, God ‘ last of all in these days has
friends (cf. Ex 33: 11; Jn 15: 14-15) and lives spoken to us by his Son’ (Heb 1: 1-2). For he
among them (cf. Bar 3: 38), so that he may sent his Son, the eternal Word who enlightens
invite and take them into communion with all people, so that he might dwell among them
himself. This plan of Revelation is realized by and tell them the innermost realities about
deeds and words having an inner unity: God (cf. Jn 1: 1-18). Jesus Christ, the Word
the deeds wrought by God in the history of made flesh, sent as ‘a human being to human
salvation manifest and confirm the teaching beings’, ‘speaks the words of God’ (Jn 3: 34),
and realities signified by the words, while and completes the work of salvation which
the words proclaim the deeds and clarify the his Father gave him to do (cf. Jn 5: 36; 17: 4).
mystery contained in them. By this Revelation, To see Jesus is to see his Father (Jn 14: 9). For
then, the deepest truth about God and human this reason, Jesus perfected Revelation by
salvation is made clear to us in Christ, who is fulfilling it through his whole work of making
the mediator and at the same time the fullness himself present and manifesting himself:
of all Revelation.” through his words and deeds, his signs and
wonders, but especially though his death
11. God’s Revelation is therefore immersed and glorious Resurrection from the dead and
in time and history. Jesus Christ took flesh finally his sending of the Spirit of truth.”
in the “fullness of time” (Gal 4: 4); and two
thousand years later, I feel bound to restate
forcefully that “ in Christianity time has a
fundamental importance.” It is within time
that the whole work of creation and salvation
comes to light; and it emerges clearly above
all that, with the Incarnation of the Son
of God, our life is even now a foretaste of
the fulfillment of time which is to come
(cf. Heb 1: 2).

This page is from a parchment codex, ca. 1505.

A codex (Latin for “book”) is a handwritten book from
late Antiquity or the Middle Ages. The codex was an
improvement over the scroll. Because it was single pages
stitched together with leather, it could be opened flat at
any page, allowing easier reading, and both sides could be
written on. Parchment and vellum were made from fine
calf skin, sheep skin or goat skin. Parchment is named
after the city Pergamon where it was first invented. In the
Middle Ages, calf and sheep skin were the preferred
materials for making parchment in England and France,
goat skin was more common in Italy.

19
 Understanding The Scriptures

VOCABULARY

BIBLE INSPIRED
Scripture. The collection of all the canonical Guided by God. From a word meaning
books. The Bible is divided into two parts: “breathed in.” The human writers of Scripture
the Old Testament, made up of books written wrote in their own language, but through
before the coming of Jesus Christ, and the God’s inspiration they wrote what God
New Testament, made up of books written intended them to write and nothing more.
after the coming of Jesus Christ.
MAGISTERIUM
CANON The teaching authority of the Church which,
The list of inspired books. Greek for guided by the Holy Spirit, interprets Scripture
“measuring rod.” and Tradition.

CATHOLIC PROTESTANT
Universal. Catholic can describe the Church A Christian not in communion with the
or one of her members. Church. A Protestant owes allegiance to one of
the reform movements, most of which began
CHURCH in the 1500s.
The faithful. This can refer to the Roman
Catholic Church or an individual diocese. SALVATION HISTORY
The story of God’s plan to save humanity from
COVENANT the consequences of sin. This plan begins with
An agreement that establishes a sacred Creation, is unfolding now, and will continue
family bond between persons. A covenant is until the end of time.
more than a contract; a contract establishes
a temporary relationship beneficial to both SCRIPTURE.
parties, whereas a covenant is intended to See Bible.
bind both persons in kinship forever.
TRADITION
INERRANT The living transmission of the message of the
Making no mistakes or errors. Scripture is Gospel in the Church.
inerrant; that is, it always teaches truth, never
falsehood.

INFALLIBLE
Incapable of failing. The Bible and the
teaching of the Church are infallible because
of a special protection by God.

Before the printing press was invented in 1455,

the Bible was copied by hand on stone, clay, leather,
papyrus and vellum. Special scribes developed
intricate methods of counting words and letters to
insure that no errors could be made.

20
 Chapter 1: What is the Bible?

STUDY QUESTIONS

1. Name the two original sources for 13. How did the authors of the Bible differ
Catholic teaching. from many people today in their view
of religion?
2. What is the Bible?
14. Why do we say the Bible is “objective
3. What is Tradition?
history”?
4. What does “ inerrant ” mean?
15. What is “salvation history”?
5. What does “ inspired” mean?
16. How does salvation history differ from
6. What is the divinely chosen interpreter all other history?
of Scripture?
17. What is a “covenant ”?
7. What does “ infallibility” mean?
18. How many covenants has God made
8. What is the purpose of the Magisterium? with his people?
9. Who exercises the supreme Magisterium? 19. What does the word “canon” mean?
10. What does the phrase “ in a particular 20. List the three sources used to
way” mean in reference to the teaching determine canonicity.
authority of the pope?
21. List the five rules for determining
11. Who is the author of the Bible? correct scriptural interpretation.
12. Explain the meaning of number 107 22. What are “deuterocanonical” books?
of the Catechism of the Catholic
Church.
23. In what covenant period are we living?

PRACTICAL EXERCISES

1. Numbers 75 to 78 of the Catechism of the 2. There are many passages in the Bible
Catholic Church explain how divine revelation which may be interpreted differently
has been passed on to us from the very by different people. One such passage is
beginnings of the Church in two distinct but Luke 12: 51-53. Try to come up with two
not separate ways; Sacred Scripture and possible interpretations for the meaning of
Tradition are the one common source making Jesus’ words: “Do you think I came to give
present the revelation in the Church. How peace on earth? No, I tell you, but rather
does the Catechism distinguish between division; for henceforth in one house there
these two sources of Revelation? How does will be five divided, three against two and
the “continuous line of succession” from the two against three; they will be divided, father
Apostles to our present day bishops assure against son and son against father, mother
us that we are receiving the same truths which against daughter and daughter against her
were received by the Church two thousand mother. . . .” How can we be sure of what Jesus
years ago? was trying to tell us? What special quality
does the Magisterium of the Church have
which allows it to aid us?

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 Understanding The Scriptures

FROM THE CATECHISM

80 “Sacred Tradition and Sacred Scripture, 132 “ Therefore, the study of the sacred
then, are bound closely together, and page should be the very soul of sacred
communicate one with the other. For both theology. The ministry of the Word, too —
of them, flowing out from the same divine pastoral preaching, catechetics and all forms
well-spring, come together in some fashion of Christian instruction, among which the
to form one thing, and move towards the liturgical homily should hold pride of place —
same goal.” Each of them makes present and is healthily nourished and thrives in holiness
fruitful in the Church the mystery of Christ, through the Word of Scripture.”
who promised to remain with his own “always,
135 “ The Sacred Scriptures contain the Word
to the close of the age.”
of God and, because they are inspired, they
82 As a result the Church, to whom the are truly the Word of God” (Dei Verbum 24).
transmission and interpretation of Revelation
2653 The Church “forcefully and specially
is entrusted, “does not derive her certainty
exhorts all the Christian faithful . . . to learn
about all revealed truths from the holy
‘the surpassing knowledge of Jesus Christ ’
Scriptures alone. Both Scripture and Tradition
(Phil 3: 8) by frequent reading of the divine
must be accepted and honoured with equal
Scriptures. . . . Let them remember, however,
sentiments of devotion and reverence”
that prayer should accompany the reading
(Dei Verbum 9).
of Sacred Scripture, so that a dialogue takes
85 “ The task of giving an authentic place between God and man. For ‘we speak to
interpretation of the Word of God, whether him when we pray; we listen to him when
in its written form or in the form of Tradition, we read the divine oracles.’ ”
has been entrusted to the living teaching office
of the Church alone. Its authority in this matter
is exercised in the name of Jesus Christ ”
(Dei Verbum 10 § 2). This means that the task
of interpretation has been entrusted to the
bishops in communion with the successor of
Peter, the Bishop of Rome.
104 In Sacred Scripture, the Church
constantly finds her nourishment and her
strength, for she welcomes it not as a human
word, “but as what it really is, the word of
God.” “In the sacred books, the Father who is
in heaven comes lovingly to meet his children,
and talks with them.”

A page from the Biblia Pauperum, ca. 1470.

The Biblia Pauperum or Poor Man’s Bible is thought
to have been used by poorer members of the clergy to
prepare sermons. Each page of the Biblia Pauperum
illustrates a subject from the life and Passion of Christ,
two parallels from the Old Testament, and witnesses
from among Biblical personages. In the woodcut
illustrated here, we see the Temptation of Christ in the
center panel, Jacob and Esau on the left, and the
Temptation of Adam and Eve on the right.

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