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The canon of the Old Testament that Catholics use is based on the text used by Alexandrian Jews, a version known as the "Septuagint" and which came into being around 280 B.C. as a translation of then existing texts from Hebrew into Greek by 72 Jewish scribes (the Torah was translated first, around 300 B.C., and the rest of Tanach was translated afterward).

The Septuagint is the Old Testament referred to in the Didache or "Doctrine of the Apostles" (first century Christian writings) and by Origen, Irenaeus of Lyons, Hippolytus, Tertullian, Cyprian of Carthage, Justin Martyr, St. Augustine and the vast majority of early Christians who referenced Scripture in their writings. The Epistle of Pope Clement, written in the first century, refers to the Books Ecclesiasticus and Wisdom, analyzed the book of Judith, and quotes sections of the book of Esther that were removed from Protestant Bibles.


In the 16th c., Luther, reacting to serious abuses and clerical corruption in the Latin Church, to his own heretical theological vision (see articles on sola scriptura and sola fide), and, frankly, to his own inner demons, removed those books from the canon that lent support to orthodox doctrine, relegating them to an appendix. Removed in this way were books that supported such things as prayers for the dead (Tobit 12:12; 2 Maccabees 12:39-45), Purgatory (Wisdom 3:1-7), intercession of dead saints (2 Maccabees 15:14), and intercession of angels as intermediaries (Tobit 12:12-15). Ultimately, the "Reformers" decided to ignore the canon determined by the Christian Councils of Hippo and Carthage.

The Latin Church in no way ignored the post-Temple rabbincal texts. Some Old Testament translations of the canon used by the Latin Church were also based in part on rabbinical translations, for example St. Jerome's 5th c. Latin translation of the Bible called the Vulgate.

The "Masoretic texts" refers to translations of the Old Testament made by rabbis between the 6th and 10th centuries; the phrase doesn't refer to ancient texts in the Hebrew language. Some people think that the Masoretic texts are the "original texts" and that, simply because they are in Hebrew, they are superior.

Some Protestants claim that the "Apocrypha" are not quoted in the New Testament so, therefore, they are not canonical.
Going by that standard of proof, we'd have to throw out Joshua, Judges, Ruth, 2 Kings, 1 Chronicles, 2 Chronicles, Ezra, Nehemiah, Esther, Ecclesiastes, Song of Solomon, Lamentations, Obadiah, Nahum, and Zephaniah because none of these Old Testament Books are quoted in the New Testament.


But there is a bigger lesson in all this confusion over not only the canon but proper translation of the canon , especially considering that even within the Catholic Church there have been differing opinions by individual theologians about the proper place of the deuterocanonicals (not that an individual theologian's opinions count for Magisterial teaching!).
The lesson, though, is this: relying on the "Bible alone" is a bad idea; we are not to rely solely on Sacred Scripture to understand Christ's message. While Scripture is "given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness" (2 Timothy 3:16-17), it is not sufficient for reproof, correction and instruction in righteousness.
It is the Church that is the "pillar and ground of Truth" (1 Timothy 3:15)!
Jesus did not come to write a book; He came to redeem us, and He founded a Sacramental Church through His apostles to show us the way.
It is to them, to the Church Fathers, to the Sacred Deposit of Faith, to the living Church that is guided by the Holy Spirit, and to Scripture that we must prayerfully look.

2007-09-20 06:26:07 · answer #1 · answered by cashelmara 7 · 0 0

I'm a Christian and an educator so my advice will be rather different from others. If you've never led a Bible Study before, I recommend you lead by teaching a study authored from a reliable source. Find these items through your church or a Christian Bookstore. Many studies do not require materials but other will so you'll need to look into that and make the decision that is best for the group you're leading. I know it is tempting to read the BIBLE and use a Concordance or Chain Reference to interpret scriptures but putting together good teaching materials is actually an involved process. Using published materials while you learn how to make your own will assure you avoid teaching in error. Be Blessed in your efforts at teaching biblical truth!

2007-09-19 10:55:41 · answer #2 · answered by delyn 2 · 0 0

I’d suggest reading and rereading a passage or a book to get the gist of the message and the context. Familiarity with the text is vital. Another a good procedure is to read through the Bible once a year to continue to familiarize yourself with its total message. Another help is to have a study Bible.

As you read the Bible, pay special attention to the context and the argument of the writer. Ask and answer questions like: Who is writing? To whom is he writing? Why is he writing? Is there a problem he is addressing? What is the purpose and theme of the book? You can ask this last question of every paragraph and chapter as well as for the whole book. Another help is to read a commentary and a survey to get the overall view of the book you are studying.

Hope this helps.

2007-09-19 01:18:55 · answer #3 · answered by D.A. S 5 · 0 0

Get a good concordance. Take a subject. Look up every scripture about that subject and read it in context. Then teach the subject. It is very rewarding to do this. It gives you a more complete understand of different subjects in the Bible.

Use several of the good translations (ones translated since the 1960's by translators and not by a single group or person.) Some good ones are New International Version, Today's New International Version, The New American Standard, New King James, New Revised and a number more.

2007-09-19 01:12:42 · answer #4 · answered by mesquiteskeetr 6 · 1 0

I would advise starting from the beginning and reading every passage and asking what it means. so many bible classes only look at the lovey dovey stuff. You need to read the whole thing to appreciate it.

If you just want a few good passages then try these out for starters

Exodus 22:24, Exodus 31:14, Leviticus 20:10-16, Deuteronomy 22:23-24,

And my personal favourite:
Genesis 19:30-38

2007-09-19 01:20:46 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 1 0

begin with the main topic of the bible: God´s kingdom , show him how God will set a kingdom in earth like he said in Daniel 2:44 and what will be the condition of the earth after Armageddon you can read it in Isaiah 35:5-6 Psalm 72:16, Psalms 37:9-10, also Revelation 21:3-4.

2007-09-19 01:26:46 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0 0

This is what I do so hopefully I can help you:

First, you must decide what you are going to do.
A) Study through an entire book of Scripture......or
B) Study through a specific theme or topic

There are plenty of wonderful resourses out there to help you along in leading one of these. The most important thing to remember is this:

Pray about it first......and don't feel pressured when you don't have all the answers......because no one does. Not even Bible scholars.

Any other questions....feel free to e-mail me.

-Primo

2007-09-19 01:07:26 · answer #7 · answered by primoa1970 7 · 4 0

you come back to an open section the place a good number of folk can see you and say something they desire. yet consistent with probability it particularly is all you have, i actually am in a lonely issue. What concerns first, above even the Bible is you. Your courting with your Lord, which in spite of if may be ensue interior the Bible and you will learn quite plenty from it, its all approximately you in seek of a real God accessible. For me it particularly is in many situations in music, any music no longer basically Christian contemporary music. i think God in psychadelic rock, punk rock, many many diverse genres of music, which comprise the Christian contemporary. If theres no existence changing potential thats on your existence, no thoughts in the direction of him then thats no longer a good number of a courting. you do no longer desire policies and policies, you do no longer desire some thing pretend and bullshit. you desire some thing authentic, and you will have it because of the fact i think in case you seek for God he would be there for you. He grew to become into for me, and remains the clarification i'm alive now. I choose you nicely, seek for him with your coronary heart, merely attempt to talk with him. hear to hint, experience the music. And as for analyzing, John isn't undesirable because of the fact it particularly emphasizes love. His letters emphasize love too. Love is extremely important, it particularly is what concerns maximum to me and that i think it concerns maximum to my God. I choose you nicely Comrade

2016-10-05 00:02:58 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0 0

Make certain of doing it first, whether you should.
If you should, narrow the focus to either a book, doctrine, topic, biography, etc.
Know your material well.
Encourage the students to attempt to find the answers for themselves...a major part of teaching is NOT just the transfer of facts, but teaching how to FIND them.

2007-09-19 01:16:43 · answer #9 · answered by Jed 7 · 2 0

Yes, if you are Christian, I would suggest that you focus on the words of Jesus Christ. Please pay attention to what Jesus said about the "Word of God."

Seek out the original meaning of that phrase... not the popular notion we hear these days. The New Testament did not even exist when he used that term.

2007-09-19 01:11:28 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0 0

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