Theo 1301 / 3301

Topics for the Assessment (Exam)

LM 4

1. Main Characteristics of the Book of Genesis: Toledot: definition,

purpose, and number of occurrences in the Hebrew Text of the book.
Toledot: generations, genealogies, sentences
Indicates the end of one narrative section and the same time
introduces a new narrative section, according to the intention of the
original author of the text. It’s a connector.
10 pericopes bearing the theme toledot
2. Structure or Schema of the book of Genesis: indicate sections and
chapters.
Part I: Origins of the World and Humanity
Creation of the World (Hexameron)
Adam and his toledot
Noah and his toledot
Part II: Origins of the Chosen People (Patriarchal stories)
Abraham and his toledot
Isaac and his toledot
Jacob and his toledot

3. Mega Theological Themes of the Book of Genesis.

History of Salvation
Stories of faith
Genesis is: Theological and Religious book

Describe the mission of God in human history

 Ktisiology: theology of creation
Human dignity
Human condition
Divine plan
Special events/epoch: Covenants
Creation
Noah
Abraham
Election – Blessing
Good – Evil

Religious background for the Israelites = Identity

4. Genesis as a religious and theological book.
Not a scientific or historical book in the modern sense of the term
High religious values and vocabulary
Symbolism
Babylonian myths adapted to Yahwism
5. The problem of creationism, the hexameron, and the modern position
of the catholic Church.
Most often refers to the belief that the universe and lifeforms were
created as they exist today by God and the only true explanations are
those which are compatible with a fundamentalist literal
interpretation of the creation in 6 days: Hexamerom
Church has taken a Progressive and balanced position : Theist
evolution
6. Structure or Schema of the book of Exodus: indicate the general
sections.
 After the death of Joseph:
Israel had grown into a people (a big nation)
National and religious development.
Introduction
Summary
Problem
New characters
Egypt: Slavery-Oppression
Slavery: Plagues and signs
Passover
Crossing of the Red Sea and Freedom
Hymn of Thanksgiving
Desert: Freedom and Journey
Thirst of Israel
Hunger of Israel
Thirst and doubts of Israel
War against Amalek
Encounter with Jethro
At the Sinai
Covenant and Norms
Decalogue
Legal ordinances (Norms)
Apostasy and Renewal of the Covenant
Norms for the Cult
7. Mega Theological Themes of the Book of Exodus:
a) Code of Covenant and the Sinaitic Covenant
Decalogue/Ten Commandments.
This collection existed before the book was written
 Alliance btwn Yhwh and his people
Sealed with a sacrifice
b) Dwelling of Yhwh
Construction of the Tent of meeting: Sanctuary
c) Tetragrammaton Yhwh
Revelation of YHWH: His name and attribute
d) Assistance and protection
Despite of the rebelius attitude, the Lord never abandoned His
people. The Lord assist his people during the journey.
e) Slavery – Justice – Liberation
He’s against slavery and oppression. It’s against his nature and
will.
f) Theology of Power
The true power belongs to the God no one can see. He
manipulates the destiny and history
He exalts and humiliates
Salvation and punishment
g) Passover – Pesach
Most important liturgical celebration. The pharoh was killed
and gave the order to leave this land. Commemorates the story
of the Israelites' departure from ancient Egypt, which appears
in the Hebrew Bible's books of Exodus, Numbers and
Deuteronomy, among other texts.
8. The book of Leviticus: names.
Hebrew: wayyiqra
Septuagint: Leutikon
Vulgata: Leviticuss
 Torah kohanim” Law of priests
9. The Essential theological Notion or Theological Character of the book of
Leviticus.
Yhwh wants to live with his people.
Theological Character: reason of the laws
Permanent dwelling guest requires a transformation of the
people, way of living, customs, social and personal relationships’
Nee organizarion and structude of the sociery
Individua Behavior
Rules of he House
Rules of the Nation

10. The time in the narrative of the book of Leviticus.

Levitius: a single month
1st day of the 1st month of the 2nds year of the Exodus
1ST DAY OF THE 2ND MONTH OF THE SAME YEAR

11. The Code of Sanctity: notion of this collection and chapters.

Existed before the book was written.
It’s a legal code that give us how was the liturgical life of Israelites
Use of constant Formluae: “I am Yahweh your God”
“I am Yahwheh”
12. Structure or Schema of the book of Leviticus: indicate the general
sections.
Part I: Lv 1-7
Sacrifices
 Part II: Lv 8-10
Ceremony of Ordination – Priestly Inauguration of the Cult
Part III: Lv 11-16
Laws of purity
Part IV: Lc 17-26
Code of Sanctity
Appendix
Offerings – Dedication Lev 27
13. Mega Theological Themes of the Book of Leviticus:
a) God dwelling in the midst of his people.
Requirement: Transformation (people transform according to
God)
b) Qadosh and Qadash.
To be st apart for a special purpose. Opposite to Common
c) Atonement and Justice.
Harmony is obtained by doing rituals and traditions
d) Purpose of rituals, purity, offerings, and sacrifices.
The way how you relate to God. Important to stablish
performance of rituals, best way to establish a relationship with
God. God is sensitive, and any transgression should be abolish
e) Yom Kippur.
Day upon which one must afflict one’s soul
Mandate establishment of this holy day on the 10th day of th 7th
month as the day of atonement for sins: Cleansing from sin and
evil.
14. Main literary characteristic of the book of Numbers: the census.
Divine command of taking a census of the people of Israel.
15. Structure or Schema of the book of Numbers: indicate the general
sections.
a) Tripartite structure: the rational of this division.
Divide the book in 3 parts due to the geographical movement
of the people in Israel. First chapters in Sinai, then they move to
Moab.
Part I – Israel at Sinai
Part II – Journey from Sinai to the plains of Moab
Part II – Israel at the plains of Moab
b) Bipartite structure: the rational of this division.
Based on the census.
Num 1: Divine imperative to be trained as a military nation
1st Gen: God deeds
Sinaitic Covenant
Eye witnesses of the liberation
Proof of the real power
Tempted God through their actions
2nd Gen: Educate this gen
Didn’t know God’s deeds
They grew up in the desert
They need formation and organization
16. Mega Theological Themes of the Book of Numbers:
a) Divine assistance
Lord is faithful to his people. He acts continuously to his
people. He try to tackle every dimension of his people
Contrast: rebellious attitude of Israel
b) The presence of God
 God communicates with his people constantly through actions
c) Divine Pedagogy
Wander in the desert: journey to the promised land
Education
Census
d) Punishment and Salvation
Bronze Serpent. He sends a type of punishment.
e) Temptation
People complain and rebel against God
Abandon the Lord
Reject his divine assistance
Discipline of God for his children
f) Covenant as the relationship with God:
Essence of the covenant was: You shall be my people, and I will
be your God
The Lord’s faithful presence with Israel is constantly
highlighted throughout the book of Numbers
17. Structure or Schema of the book of Deuteronomy: indicate the general
sections and chapters.
Last book of Torah. Important for spiritually for Judaism.
Moral and theological book – Will of Yhwh
Absolute monotheism – Law
Last words of Moises.
Three main speeches of Moises

1st Speech (Historical Speech)

A review of God’s dealings with Israel
Didactic function
 2nd Speech (Hortatory, legal or nomistic)
Israel’s religious, moral, and civil statue
Group 1: Extended decalogue
Theocracy
Group 2: Deuteronomistic Code
Special statues
3rd Speech
Predictive and minatory
Blessings of obedience
Curses of disobedience
Antithesis of the Two Ways
The way of Yhwh
The way of the idols/other nations
Freedom and choice
Temptation
Faithfulness
Appendices
Moses’ song
Moses’ blessing
Moses’ death and burial

18. Mega Theological Themes of the Book of Deuteronomy:

a) Absolute monotheism: Shema Israel Deut 6:4-9.

Only one YHWH and His people: Israel

b) Relationship between Yhwh and Israel: implication of the Berit.

Exclusive relationship with God
c) Divine assistance
Divine Assistance: Providence
 God is the only source of assistance they need.
God will always provide
d) Law and responsibility – the Will of God.
Mitzvot: Commandment, Law, Ordinance, Responsibility. It
express the will of God. The way of living
Divine Will
Punishment – Divine pedagogy (the Lord teaches his people)
Salvation – concrete and rooted in the present moment
Status confessionis of the Deuteronomistic theology – monotheistic
Absolute and Pure Monotheism