LESSON 1 OVERVIEW OF THE BIBLE 4.

To hand down the religious teachings and

beliefs, together with the religious rites and
INTRODUCTION
practices to succeeding generations.
The Scriptures are part and parcel of the
Catholic life and worldview. A committed
Catholic faithful marks his week through the BIBLICAL INSPIRATION
celebration of the Eucharist and Masses
Inspiration of the Bible refers to the special
always embracing the reading and
impulse and guidance of the Holy Spirit
proclamation of the Scriptures. Growing up
through which the books of the Scripture were
Catholic therefore includes with devotion the
composed and so they can be called the word
vocabulary and intimations of the word of God.
of God.
To properly understand the context of the
message in the Bible, exegesis is vital. It is
a normal activity that we practice in everyday STRUCTURE AND CONTENT
living. Whenever we try to understand
something, we have heard or read.
In order to reveal himself to men, in the
condescension of HIS goodness God speaks
in human words - The word of God or
Scripture.

ETYMOLOGY
The word 'BIBLE’ started in the Alexandria
Library in Macedonia. THE BIBLE IS THE SOURCE OF DIVINE
The word comes from the GREEK word "TA REVELATION
BIBLIA" later translated into the Latin NOUN The Bible is God's word and the source of
BIBLIA. Divine revelation. There is a doctrine called
Prima Scriptura which says that the canonized
scripture is the "First" or "above all source of
DEFINITION OF THE BIBLE Divine Revelation”.
The BIBLE is a collection of ancient writings
about God (Yahweh), HIS involvement in
Human History (History of the people of CONCLUSION
Israel) and man's response to God's love. In Catholic life, the Bible is deeply woven into
the fabric of faith. Catholics mark their week
with Mass, where Scripture is central, and grow
OTHER DESCRIPTIONS (BIBLE) engaged in God's Word. To understand the full
The Bible is also known as: meaning of this Scripture, Catholics engage
in the familiar daily task of interpreting the
1. The word of God is known by the message called "exegesis", as we do with
different names: Scriptures, the everything we hear or read. After all, the Bible
Sacred Scripture, the testament, the is God's gift to humanity to speak in logical
Holy Book, the Bible. terms, providing divine communication through
the written Word.
THE PURPOSE AND IMPORTANCE OF
SACRED SCRIPTURE
1. To record the History of the Israelites
2. To preserve the stories of events related to
the covenant between God and man
3. To recall and commemorate the
intervention of God in Human History
THE BOOKS OF THE OLD TESTAMENT THE BOOKS OF THE NEW TESTAMENT
A. Pentateuch A. Gospels
1. Genesis Gn (Gen) 1. Matthew Mt
2. Exodus Ex 2. Mark Mk
3. Leviticus Lv (Lev) 3. Luke Lk
4. Numbers Nm (Num) 4. John Jn
5. Deuteronomy Dt B. The Acts of Apostles Acts
B. Historical Books C. The Epistles/Letters – 13 Pauline
1. Joshua Jos Epistles
2. Judges Jes 1. Romans Rom
3. Ruth Ru 2. First Corinthians 1 Cor
4. 1 Samuel 1 Sm (Sam) 3. Second Corinthians 2 Cor
5. 2 Samuel 2 Sm (Sam) 4. Galatians Gal
6. 1 Kings 1 Kgs 5. Ephesians Eph
7. 2 Kings 2 Kgs 6. Philippians Phil
8. 1 Chronicles 1 Chr 7. Colossians Col
9. 2 Chronicles 2 Chr 8. First Thessalonians 1
10. Ezra Ezr Thes
11. Nehemiah Neh 9. Second Thessalonians 2
12. Tobit Tb Thes
13. Judith Jdt 10. First Timothy 1 Tim
14. Esther Est 11. Second Timothy 2 Tim
15. 1 Maccabees 1 Mc (Mac) 12. Titus Ti
16. 2 Maccabees 2 Mc (Mac) 13. Philemon Phlm
C. Prophetic Books
8 Catholic Epistles
1. Isaiah Is
2. Jeremiah Jer 1. Hebrews Heb
3. Ezekiel Ez 2. James Jas
4. Lamentations Lam 3. First Peter 1 Pt
5. Baruch Bar 4. Second Peter 2 Pt
6. Daniel Dn 5. First John 1 Jn
7. Hosea Hos 6. Second John 2 Jn
8. Joel Jl 7. Third John 3 Jn
9. Amos Am 8. Jude Jude
10. Obadiah Ob D. The Book of Revelation Rev
11. Jonah Jon
12. Micah Mi
13. Nahum Na
14. Habbakuk Hb
15. Zephaniah Zep
16. Haggal Hg
17. Zechariah Zec
18. Malachi Mal
D. Wisdom Books
1. Job Jb
2. Psalms Ps
3. Proverbs Prv
4. Ecclestastes Eccl
5. Song of Songs Sg
6. Wisdom Wis
7. Sirach Sir
 was employed by ancient writers to denote a
rule or standard.
INTRODUCTION
Therefore, the Canon of the Scriptures is the
In His goodness and love God chose to make
authoritative list of books that are
Himself known and to tell us about the hidden
acknowledged as "divinely inspired" by the
purpose of His will (see Eph. 1:9) by which
Church, and are set as the standard for
through Christ, the Word made flesh, man
Christian teaching, preaching and edification.
might in the Holy Spirit have access to the
Father and come to share in the divine nature
(see Eph. 2:18; 2 Peter 1:4).
How many Books are in the Bible?
 The Roman Catholic Canon based on the
In the Catholic Church, nihil obstat and Septuagint has 73 books divided this way:
imprimatur are Latin phrases that indicate a o Old Testament: 46 books
book is approved for publication. They are o New Testament: 27 books
used to show that a book is in line with the
Church's teachings on faith and morals.  The Protestant Canon based on the
Nihil obstat Palestinian Canon has 66 books divided
this way:
 Nihil obstat means "nothing obstructs" o Old Testament: 39 books
or "nothing stands in the way". A o New Testament: 27 books
Church-appointed censor or reader
grants this phrase. It indicates that the
book can be sent to the bishop for Bible Version/s
review. Bible Version/Editions
Imprimatur 1. Hebrew Bible Masoretic text
 Imprimatur means "it may be 2. Greek Bible Septuagint
printed". The bishop of the diocese Vulgate, (from the
where the book is being published Latin editio vulgata,
grants this phrase. It indicates that the "common version"),
Latin Bible used by
book can be printed with the Church's 3. Latin Bible
the Roman Catholic
blessing. Church, primarily
translated by St.
Jerome.

What is the meaning of the word Gospel?

 The word Gospel comes from the Greek
word "Euangelion” or Good News.
What is the Canon of the Scriptures?
 The canonical Gospels were written in
For Christians the books found in the Old and Koine Greek in the period 65-100 AD
New Testament comprise the Canon of the  The are four Canonical Gospels: Matthew,
Scriptures. Mark, Luke, John > Synoptic Gospels
 The Gospels are not arranged in
The word Canon comes from the Greek
chronological order. Matthew for instance
"kanon" or Hebrew "qaneh" meaning a reed,
was not the first Gospel to be written nor is
rule, list or measuring stick. This word (s)
 the first book from the New Testament to be
written.
 Biblical Scholars believe the Gospel of
Mark was the first to be written around the
years 65-75 A.D. Mark seems to have been
the source of early material for the other LESSON 2 BIBLICAL EXEGESIS
two synoptic Gospels. ETYMOLOGY
 The synoptic Gospels are: Matthew, Mark
and Luke. The word Synoptic literally The Word exegesis comes the Greek word:
means seen with the same eyes. These Ex - out of | egesis - to lead
Three Gospels share a great deal of
similarities in the events they cover. Exegesis means the process of leading out
the meaning from the text. In a broader
When were the Gospels Written? sense the term exegesis can refer to any act
In chronological sequence of interpretation or explanation.
o Mark 65-75 A.D Exegesis is in contrast with eisegesis.
o Matthew 75-90 A.D EISEGESIS 'eis' in Greek means 'into".
o Luke 80-95 A.D. Eisegesis means the process of leading one's
o John 90 A. D own meaning into the text.

Canon Law
EXEGESIS is the process of interpreting and
"Catholic Bible" is a Bible published by the explaining a text, especially a religious text like
prescriptions of Catholic canon law, which the Bible. IT INVOLVES A DEEP DIVE INTO
states: THE TEXT, EXAMINING ITS LANGUAGE,
STRUCTURE, HISTORICAL CONTEXT AND
Books of the sacred scriptures cannot be LITERARY GENRE.
published unless the Apostolic See or the
Conference of bishops has approved them. EISEGESIS is the opposite of exegesis. It is
For the publication of their translations into the the process of interpreting a text, especially a
vernacular, it is also required that they be religious text, by imposing ONES-'S OWN
approved by the same authority and provided IDEAS, BIASES OR AGENDAS ONTO IT,
with necessary and sufficient annotations. With rather than drawing the meaning from the text.
the permission of the Conference of Bishops,
Catholic members of the Christian faithful in
collaboration with separated brothers and Example of doing Biblical Exegesis
sisters can prepare and publish translations of
Mark 3:34-35
the sacred scriptures provided with appropriate
annotations. 34 Looking about at those who were sitting
around Him. He said, "Behold My mother and
My brothers! 35" For whoever does the will of
CONCLUSION God, he is My brother and sister and mother."
As the word of God, the Sacred Scripture For the Eisegete ("Behold My mother and My
exposes a fundamental source to brothers!") The interpretation of physical
understanding the love of God for man. It is an meaning brothers and sisters of Jesus. This is
archive of holy books that contain God's Imposition of personal interpretation on the
intimate expression of His love for Israel, His words of Jesus which was not meant by the
people. It is therefore important to understand text.
it, its books, and its canon to accentuate
For the Exegete (In this passage, we see
authenticity.
clearly the meaning of 'brother'. 'sister', and
'mother' as referring to 'whoever does the will
of God'.) If we take the meaning of out from the
text, then the kind of relationship here that
Jesus himself is Indicating is a spiritual
relationship in terms of 'doing the will of
God'.
TOOLS IN STUDYING THE BIBLE
1. A Bible concordance is a concordance, or
verbal index, to the Bible. A simple form lists
Biblical words alphabetically, with indications
to enable the inquirer to find the passages of
the Bible where the words occur
2. A Bible dictionary is a reference work
containing encyclopedic entries related to
the Bible, typically concerning people, places,
customs, and doctrine.
3. A Bible Handbook is intended to help
readers understand the place of the Bible in the
Catholic tradition, the history of the Bible,
biblical Interpretation, and the use of the
Bible in prayer. This handbook is Invaluable for
preparing Sunday Lectionary readings and
includes a suggested plan for reading the
Bible, a chart of New Testament parables, and
much more.
4. An Atlas is a book on the geography,
civilizations and cartography of the Holy
Land. If describes the movements of biblical
characters, trade routes, and battles.
5. A Bible Commentary offers the insights of
one who has deeply studied the text.

CONCLUSION
As believers, there is a need to review the
grounds of faith about Its source, the Holy
Scripture. In deepening one's faith orientation,
it is necessary to inform it employing scientific
method to understand better the message of
God of fulfilling His mission in each one.
This method serves vital to opening the door to
a new horizon that is God's to avoid the
problem of succumbing to personal
interpretation of the message of God.