The Holy Scriptures
How did we get them and
nd how can we use them??
“Norma Normans Non Normata”
Objectives
Understand how the Scriptures came to be
Understanding the Bible and Differences
Understand how to use the
e Scriptures
S
in Liturgical Life
Understand how to use the Scriptures in Daily Life
The Bible?
Many books (46 books/27 books)
Many other books
TaNaK
2 Canons : Jerusalem and Alexandrian
Jerusalem Canon
Referred to as Masoretic Text (MT)
Official Text of the Hebrew Scriptures (39 Books)
Developed by Rabbis in Jeru
erusalem c.100bce to 100ce
The beginning to the Rebuild
uilding of the Temple (400bce
Alexandrian Canon
Known as the Septuagint (Book of the 70)
Greek Version of the Hebrew Scriptures
Selected by 72 Rabbis in Alexandria (Egypt)
Beginning to the Re-dedicati
ation of the Temple (c.200bce
Created c. 100-200ce
Jerusalem Canon and 7 add
dditional books (Apocrypha)
New Testament
Many books being read by Christian Communities
throughout the Roman Empire
Second Century development: Gnosticism
Many more books added to what is being read: Gnostic
Gospels, etc. (Nag Hamadi Library)
Created problems for the Christian Communities
Tools: fight Heresy
Apostolic Succession (Bisho
hops succeed the Apostles)
Rule of Faith (basically, a creed)
Development of New Testam
tament (Foundational Texts fo
Christianity)
Formation
Where do we find an accurate record of what the
Apostles Taught??
Ask Communities what they are reading
Orthodoxy and Apostolicity
Orthodoxy (Does it resonate with the Rule of Faith?)
Apostolicity (Is it related to an Apostle?)
Orthodoxy
Looking through all the writte
itten texts, which ones confor
to the Rule of Faith and wha
hat the Bishops are teaching?
Gnostic Gospels Excluded on Orthodoxy Grounds
Still too many books to be manageable.
????
Apostolicity
Of the Remaining Books, Which
Wh
are “from” the Apostles
Some removed from the list
ist since they are obviously fro
the second century
Letters of Paul, and Pastoral Letters Accepted
Four Gospels (Mark, Matthew, Luke and John - some
controversy)
A word on Revelation
Altogether??
NT Canon Published in 367ce by Athanasius of
Alexandria
Universally Accepted by allll communities
c
by 6th Cent. C
Old Testament: Alexandrian
an Canon (Greek and used by
the vast majority of Christians)
Catholic VS Protestant?? OT confusion.
Norma Normans Non Normata (The Norm which is not
using The Scriptures
The Divine Liturgy: Amazing
ng amount of use of Scripture
throughout, not just Liturgy of the Word
The Divine Office: Praying with
w the Psalms (Favorite?)
Lectio Divina: Sacred Reading
Prayer of the Imagination: St. Ignatius Loyola.
Using Scripture
Various Methods: Find what works for you
More Active: Concentration of words, text, events
More Receptive: Letting God Speak
More Vocal: Speaking or Singing
Using Scritpures
More Reflective: Reflecting in silence
More Rational: Thinking with the Mind
More Creative: Using the Imagination
Contemplation
Begin: Consider how God loves
lo
you, Be aware of his
presence, find a comfortable position
Preparatory Prayer: Offer to God all Will and Action, As
for a specific Grace needed or desired
Contemplation
Read the text (gospel) slowly
wly and carefully, recall what
the sotry is about: let it come alive for you
Place yourself inside the story, become one of the
characters in the story
Participate in the dynamics
s of
o the scene, the dialogue
and actions
Observe what is going on around
ar
you: use the senses
Contemplation
Notice what is going on inside as you pray
If Distracted or mind wander
ers, gently return to the text
and re-enter the scene
Colloquy: enter into a short
rt personal
p
conversation with
Jesus (the Father, Holy Spirit), Speak heart-to-heart
heart
Closing Prayer: Our Father/H
r/Hail Mary/Another familiar
Prayer
Conclusion
How Scriptures came to be
How the Bible came to be and the differences
How the Bible is used in the Faith
How to use the Bible in Personal Life
Conclusion
Questions and Comments????