RESTLESS IS MY HEART

// You have made me for yourself, for you alone my God,

And restless is my heart, ‘till it rests in you. //

Let me know myself, let me know you, that knowing you my only God.
I may love you more and more, my God, my only Good.

Possess my soul, possess my heart; my mind, will an d whole being;

That I may live for you alone, my God, my only Love.

Come dwell in me my Triune God: God Father, Son and Holy Spirit.
Come live with me forever, my God, my only King.
What is the Bible?
Etymology and Descriptions
• Sacred Scriptures or the Bible is a collection of ancient writings about God or
Yahweh (‫)יהוה‬, in his involvement in human history (History of Israel) and
man’s response to God’s love.
• Bible:
• holy writings, the sacred letters (St. Justin)
• The sacred books (St. John Chrysostom)
• Writings (Pope Boniface)
• Scripture (Dn. 9:2)
• The Book of Covenant (St. Iraneaus)
• Word of God (Vatican II)
Where it came from?
Where it came from?
Jerusalem
SOURCES OF THE
BIBLE
In the Old Testament, we can classify the manuscripts into three main groups:

1. The texts and versions of the Masoretic text,

2. The Dead Sea Scrolls
3. The texts and versions of the Septuagint
 The texts and versions of the Masoretic text:

It’s origin is the Hebrew word “masar” refers to what is ‘handed down’ or to
what is ‘traditional’. Hence, the Masoretic Text is simply the traditional Hebrew
text of the Bible.

The manuscripts of this text are dated between 930 AD – 1009 AD. It contains
of only 39 books and can therefore be traced to the Jewish rabbis who were the
successors of the Pharisees during the time of Jesus.
 The Dead Sea Scrolls:

Are the oldest manuscripts we have on the Bible that have been found just very
recently since 1947, at a deserted place called Qumran. They can be dated
from 100 BC to 100 AD
The only complete scroll, however, is that of Isaiah while all other scrolls are in
fragments. They can be traced to the community of Essenes during the time of
Jesus.
 The texts and versions of the Septuagint:

The Greek version of a Hebrew text earlier than of the Dead Sea Scrolls.
Septuagint means 70 which is rounded by supposedly 72 translators who have
come out with this texts. It’s actual composition dates back between 300-250
BC, but the earliest manuscripts we have of it date between 100-400 AD.

It consists of 46 books. If we try to trace how these texts have been handed
down to us, we discover that they were the texts used mainly by the first
Christians.
Characteristics of the Sacred
Scriptures
- It is divinely inspired
- It is inerrant, or free from error
- Defined by canon
CANON OF THE
SCRIPTURES
Apostolicity-
connected with a known apostle
Source community-
the community of believers the text comes from

Coherence with gospel message

consistent with the Christian message

Liturgical use
was it used in their liturgy / community prayers
 The Oldest form of manuscript in NW is what we call the papyri
scroll. The later forms are then contained into what is called a
“codex” which is the book form of the manuscripts.

These contain not only most of the New Testament writings but also a
great bulk of Septuagint. We can say that perhaps this is the first
Christian Bible. There are 3 codices which contains almost the
complete Bible:

CODEX VATICANUS
CODEX SINAITICUS
CODEX ALEXANDRINUS
Purpose of the
Bible -to record the history of the
Israelites;

-to preserve the stories of

events related to the
covenant between God and
man;

-to recall and commemorate

the intervention of God in
human history
Purpose of the
Bible -to hand down the religious
teachings and beliefs,
together with the religious
rites and practices to
succeeding generations, and

-to preserve the prophecies

and record the fulfillment of
such prophesies regarding
the Messiah.
Sacred Scriptures
Sacred Scriptures (Bible )

refers to a collection of
ancient writings about God
(Yahweh),his involvement in
human history (history of
the people of Israel) and
man’s response to God’s love.
 The Tools and Technology
of Understanding the Bible
A. Pentateuch C. Prophetic Books D. Wisdom Books
Genesis Gn (Gen)
Exodus Ex Isaiah IS Job Jb
Leviticus Lv (Lev) Jeremiah Jer Psalms Ps
Numbers Nm(Num) Ezekiel Ez Proverbs Prv
Deuteronomy Dt Lamentations Lam Ecclesiastes Eccl
Baruch Bar Song of Songs Sg
B. Historical Books Daniel Dn Wisdom Wis
Joshua Jos Hosea Hos Sirach Sir
Judges Jgs Joel Jl
Ruth Ru Amos Am
1 Samuel 1 Sm(Sam) Obadiah Ob
2 Samuel 2 Sm(Sam) Jonah Jon
1 Kings 1 Kgs Micah Mi
2 Kings 2 Kgs Nahum Na
1 Chronicles 1 Chr Habbakuk Hb
2 Chronicles 2 Chr Zephaniah Zep
Ezra Ezr Haggai Hg
Nehemiah Neh Zechariah Zec
Tobit Tb Malachi Mal
Judith Jdt
Esther Est
1 Maccabees 1 Mc(Mac)
2 Maccabees 2 Mc(Mac)
A. Gospels C. The Epistles/Letters 8 Catholic Epistles
Matthew Mt 13 Pauline Epistles
Mark Mk Philippians Phil Hebrews Heb
Luke Lk Colossians Col James Jas
John Jn First Thessalonians 1 Thes First Peter 1 Pt
Second Thessalonians 2 Thes Second Peter 2 Pt
B. The Acts of Apostles Acts First Timothy 1 Tim First John 1 Jn
Second Timothy 2 Tim Second John 2 Jn
C. The Epistles/Letters
Titus Ti Third John 3 Jn
13 Pauline Epistles
Philemon Phlm Jude Jude
Romans Rom
First Corinthians 1 Cor
D. The Book of Revelation Rev
Second Corinthians 2 Cor
Galatians Gal
Ephesians Eph
Prevalent Biblical
Theme Kingdom of
GOD
Purpose of the
Bible For our
Salvation