Chapter 4:
Sacred Scripture: The Inspired Word of God
FAITH AND REVELATION
1. The Old Law Prepared the Way for the Gospel
BASIC QUESTIONS
Who is the principal author of Sacred Scripture?
How is Christ the basis of the unity of the Sacred Scriptures?
KEY IDEAS
The Bible, consisting of two Testaments—the Old and the New, each
containing many individual books written over a long period of time—is
one book whose principal author is God.
The inner unity of Scripture is found in Christ and his Covenant, which
are hidden in the Old Testament and revealed in the New Testament.
1. The Old Law Prepared the Way for the Gospel
Anticipatory Set—Small group assignment
Below are seven passages from Matthew 5:17–48. Each group’s job is
to explain how its passage presents a new law that perfects the Old
Law.
The Law in General: vv. 17–20.
Anger: vv. 21–26.
Adultery: vv. 27–30.
Divorce: vv. 31–32.
Oaths: vv. 33–37.
Retaliation: vv. 38–42.
Love of Enemies: vv. 43–48.
1. The Old Law Prepared the Way for the Gospel
Why is the Bible a book of the Catholic Church?
Catholics wrote and assembled the Bible as we know it today.
What are the two parts of the Bible?
The Old Testament books were written before the time of Christ, and the
New Testament books were written after Christ.
What is the essential relationship between the two Testaments?
The New Testament fulfills and completes the Old.
What is the first thing St. Matthew reveals about Christ?
He records Christ’s genealogical roots in Old Testament history as a
descendent of David and Abraham.
1. The Old Law Prepared the Way for the Gospel
What is the overall story told by the Old Testament?
It recounts the long journey of salvation history toward redemption.
Does the Church in any way reject the Old Testament?
No; Christians venerate the Old Testament as the Word of God.
According to the Catechism, no. 122, what does the Old Testament
contain?
It is a storehouse of sublime teaching about God, contains sound wisdom
about human life, provides a treasury of prayers, and presents the mystery
of our salvation in a hidden way.
1. The Old Law Prepared the Way for the Gospel
THE OLD LAW PREPARED THE WAY FOR THE GOSPEL
According to the Epistle to the Hebrews, who speaks throughout
the Bible?
God speaks throughout.
What is the difference in quality of God’s messengers between the
Old and the New Testaments?
In the Old Testament, God spoke through prophets; in the New, he spoke
through his Son.
Given that it is a collection of many books, why is the Bible called
the “Bible,” or “Book,” and not the “Bibles,” or “Many Books”?
This name reflects the inner unity of these books due to God being their
principal author.
1. The Old Law Prepared the Way for the Gospel
Guided Exercise
Think/Pair/Share:
Why is it impossible for there to be any true contradictions between the various books
of the Bible or any erroneous teachings in them?
1. The Old Law Prepared the Way for the Gospel
What is the analogy of faith?
Because of the absolute unity among the truths contained in the Bible, each truth
can help understand the other truths and the total plan of Revelation.
How does the analogy of faith help to understand the Bible?
The truths in one part of the Bible can help to understand truths contained in
other parts.
How does the Person of Christ express the Bible’s inner unity?
Both Testaments are centered on Christ; the Old Testament prepares the way for
Christ, who is revealed in the New Testament.
How is Christ present in the Old Testament?
He is present in prophesies he fulfills and in types, that is, events that prefigure him.
How is the Church prefigured in the Old Testament?
The Chosen People in the Old Testament prefigure the People of God in the
New Testament, which is the Church.
1. The Old Law Prepared the Way for the Gospel
Guided Exercise
Work with a partner to answer the following question in writing.
Based on the allegorical spiritual sense of Sacred Scripture presented in the last
chapter, explain how Christ is prefigured in the Old Testament in the figures of
Noah’s Ark and the manna in the desert.
1. The Old Law Prepared the Way for the Gospel
Sidebar:
THE OLD TESTAMENT IS FULFILLED IN CHRIST
How is the entire Old Testament fulfilled in Christ?
As a series of covenants between God and his people, the Old
Testament is fulfilled in the New Covenant between the Person of Jesus
Christ and his people. In this way, the New Testament is hidden in the
Old, and the Old is revealed in the New.
1. The Old Law Prepared the Way for the Gospel
Closure
Write a paragraph explaining how the books of the Bible form one,
unified book.
1. The Old Law Prepared the Way for the Gospel
Homework Assignment
Reading
 THE BOOKS OF THE OLD TESTAMENT.
 THE LAW.
 HISTORY.
 Sidebar: J, E, D, and P.
Study Questions
 Questions 1–4.
Workbook
 Questions 1–6.
1. The Old Law Prepared the Way for the Gospel
Alternative Assessment
In the Old Testament we learned that Jesse is the father of King David,
the founder of the line of the Kings of Israel. In St. Matthew’s Gospel we
learned that Jesus is a descendant of Jesse and David.
Read Isaiah 11:1–3 in which Jesse is depicted as the stump of a tree from
which a Messiah shall grow.
Search online for examples of how Christians have depicted the “Tree of
Jesse” artistically, showing the relationship between the Old and New
Testaments.
2. The Old Testament: Law and History
BASIC QUESTIONS
What are the four genres of books found in the Old Testament?
What is the importance of the first five books of the Old Testament?
What is the scope of the historical books of the Bible?
KEY IDEAS
The Old Testament contains books of law, history, wisdom and
prophecy.
The first five books of the Old Testament are books of law that contain
the Mosaic Covenant, which God made with his Chosen People.
The fourteen books of history tell the story of Israel from the conquest
of Canaan—through the establishment of the kingdom in Jerusalem and
Israel’s downfall and exile to Babylon—to the restoration of Jerusalem.
The two Books of the Maccabees bring Jewish history up to the time just
before the Roman Empire, in which Christ was born.
2. The Old Testament: Law and History
Anticipatory Set
Open your Bible to the table of contents for the Old Testament. Notice
the four major divisions:
Law: Genesis through Deuteronomy.
History: Joshua through Esther, plus the two Books of Maccabees.
Wisdom: Job through Sirach (sometimes called Ecclesiasticus).
Prophecy: Isaiah through Malachi.
2. The Old Testament: Law and History
THE BOOKS OF THE OLD TESTAMENT
How many books are in the Old Testament?
There are forty-six books in the Old Testament.
Over what period of time were the books of the Old Testament
written?
They were written over a period of nearly 1500 years, from the time of
the Exodus through about a century before the coming of Christ.
What are the four basic genres of books found in the Old
Testament?
The Old Testament includes law, history, wisdom, and prophecy.
2. The Old Testament: Law and History
THE LAW
What different names are given to the first five books of the Bible?
The Books of the Law, the Torah (Hebrew for “Law”), the five Books of
Moses, and the Pentateuch are used.
2. The Old Testament: Law and History
Graphic Organizer
Complete the table on the major highlights of the first five books of the
Bible.
Book
Genesis
Exodus
Leviticus
Numbers
Deuteronomy
Major Highlights of the Books of the Law
Major Highlights
2. The Old Testament: Law and History
Book
Genesis
Exodus
Leviticus
Numbers
Deuteronomy
Major Highlights of the Books of the Law
Major Highlights
Greek for “beginning”; the creation of the world and many
famous Biblical stories; ends with the Twelve Tribes living in
Egypt.
Greek for “going out”; escape from Egypt and the giving of the
Ten Commandments to Moses.
Named for the Levitical priests; detailed book of religious laws.
Contains a census of the tribes of Israel and recounts their
forty years in the desert.
Greek for “second law”; contains new laws for life in the
Promised Land; prophesizes Israel’s future history.
2. The Old Testament: Law and History
Sidebar: J, E, D, and P
How certain are scholars about the sources of the Pentateuch?
Scholars are not very sure. Attempts to identify the sources of Scripture
are scholarly conjecture and speculation.
What did the Pontifical Biblical Commission observe in the year
1948?
Moses is the substantial influence as author and legislator in the
Pentateuch.
What constitutes the Sacred Scriptures: the books that exist today
or their original sources?
The books that exist today are the inspired Scriptures; therefore, one need
not worry if scholars cannot locate or perfectly trace their sources.
2. The Old Testament: Law and History
Graphic Organizer
Work with a partner to complete the following table on the four-source
theory of the Pentateuch.
Source
J
E
D
P
J, E, D and P Sources of the Pentateuch
Full Name
Approximate
Basis of Theory
Date
2. The Old Testament: Law and History
Source
J
E
D
P
J, E, D and P Sources of the Pentateuch
Full Name
Approximate
Basis of Theory
Date
Yahwist
Tenth or
The word Yahweh is used for God. This
(Jehovist)
ninth
reflects the perspective of Jews in
century BC
Judah.
Elohist
Ninth or
The word Elohim is used for God or
eighth
gods. This reflects the perspective of
century BC
Jews in the Northern Kingdom of
Israel.
Deuteronomistic Seventh
An author wrote Deuteronomy at the
century BC
time of King Josiah’s reforms.
Priestly
Sixth century An editor revised all five books to
BC
reflect the concerns of the Jerusalem
(Babylonian priesthood at the time of the return
Exile)
from the Babylonian exile.
2. The Old Testament: Law and History
HISTORY
Which Old Testament books tell the story of David?
The two Books Samuel and the First Book of Chronicles tell of David.
Which three historical books have a woman as their main character?
Ruth, Judith, and Esther have women as main characters.
What two historical books retell four historical books?
The First Book of Chronicles retells the story of 1 and 2 Samuel from a
more religious point of view, and the Second Book of Chronicles retells
1 and 2 Kings with more emphasis on the Kingdom of Judah.
2. The Old Testament: Law and History
Guided Exercise
The Historical Books of the Old Testament
Joshua
Complete the following
table to record one
memorable fact about
each the historical
books of the Old
Testament.
Judges
Ruth
1 Samuel
2 Samuel
1 Kings
2 Kings
1 Chronicles
2 Chronicles
Ezra
Nehemiah
Tobit
Judith
Esther
2. The Old Testament: Law and
History
Joshua
Judges
The Historical Books of the Old Testament
Joshua leads the conquest of the land of Canaan.
1 Samuel
“Judges” were military leaders who helped in the conquest of
Canaan, despite the unfaithfulness of the Jewish people.
A humble foreign woman becomes the grandmother of King
David and an ancestor of Christ.
Tragic story of Saul, the first King of Israel.
2 Samuel
Story of King David.
1 Kings
1 Chronicles
The reign of David’s son, Solomon, who despite his wisdom
and building of the Temple, commits idolatry.
The division of the Kingdom of Israel and Israel’s eventual
destruction.
1 and 2 Samuel from another point of view.
2 Chronicles
1 and 2 Kings from another point of view.
Ezra
The rebuilding of the Temple by a remnant of Israelites
allowed to return from captivity.
Continues Ezra, told by the governor, Nehemiah.
Ruth
2 Kings
Nehemiah
Tobit
Judith
Esther
The story of a good man and his son, helped by the angel
Raphael.
A heroic Jewish woman saves Israel by a clever strategy.
A heroic Israel woman become Queen of Persia and saves the
Jewish exiles.
2. The Old Testament: Law and
History
Closure
Write a one-paragraph essay on either the books of the law or of history
using one of the corresponding completed Graphic Organizers from this
lesson.
2. The Old Testament: Law and History
Homework Assignment
Reading
 WISDOM.
 PROPHECY.
 Sidebar: “What is Wisdom Literature?”
 Sidebar: “What is Prophetic Literature?”
 Sidebar: “Finding the Date.”
Questions
 Questions 5–9.
Workbook
 Questions 7–8.
2. The Old Testament: Law and History
Alternative Assessment
Free write on why the Book of Genesis could be considered as a book of
history rather than of law.
3. The Old Testament: Wisdom and Prophecy
BASIC QUESTIONS
What is the aim of the wisdom literature of the Bible?
What is the content of the prophetic books?
KEY IDEAS
The seven books of wisdom tell stories in poetry or prose and offer
advice to help guide life according to God’s wisdom.
The eighteen prophetic books warned Israel over her infidelity, consoled
her in her sufferings, and foretold the Messiah, Jesus.
3. The Old Testament: Wisdom and Prophecy
Psalm 23
[1] The LORD is my shepherd,
I shall not want;
[2] he makes me lie down in green pastures.
He leads me beside still waters;
[3] he restores my soul.
He leads me in paths of righteousness
for his name's sake.
[4] Even though I walk through the valley
of the shadow of death,
I fear no evil;
for thou art with me;
thy rod and thy staff,
they comfort me.
[5] Thou preparest a table before me
in the presence of my enemies;
thou anointest my head with oil,
my cup overflows.
[6] Surely goodness and mercy shall
follow me
all the days of my life;
and I shall dwell in the house of the LORD
for ever.
3. The Old Testament: Wisdom and Prophecy
WISDOM
What is the subject of Job?
It is about the suffering of the innocent.
Which is the greatest book of religious poetry, and to whom is it
attributed?
The Psalms are attributed to King David.
What is the subject of Ecclesiastes?
The vanity of worldly things is decried.
3. The Old Testament: Wisdom and Prophecy
Sidebar: What is Wisdom Literature?
What is a didactic work?
The primary purpose of a didactic work is to teach.
What are some didactic books of the wisdom literature?
Proverbs and Sirach provide wise sayings and principles to teach people
the right way to live.
How does the Catholic Church use the Psalms in the Liturgy of
the Mass?
They almost always constitute the Responsorial Psalm. They are also a
common source for the Entrance, Offertory, and Communion
Antiphons.
3. The Old Testament: Wisdom and Prophecy
Guided Exercise
Locate one saying from Proverbs that speaks to you especially.
Share your proverb with the class and why it appeals to you.
3. The Old Testament: Wisdom and Prophecy
PROPHECY
To what extent is it true to say that the prophets warned, comforted,
and predicted?
Often the prophets warned of coming disaster if the people of Israel
would not return to God. When disaster struck, the prophets gave the
people messages of comfort. Many prophets also predicted the coming
of the Messiah.
Which prophet has some of the clearest prophecies of Christ?
Isaiah prophesied clearly the Messiah.
What were people’s reactions to Jeremiah’s foretelling the
destruction of Judah?
They hated him for giving unpleasant news.
3. The Old Testament: Wisdom and Prophecy
Sidebar: What Is Prophetic Literature?
How many prophetic books are in the Old Testament?
There are eighteen.
What is a prophet?
A prophet is called by God or speaks on God’s behalf, announcing his
message.
3. The Old Testament: Wisdom and Prophecy
Why are the prophets from Hosea to Malachi known as the
“Minor” Prophets?
Their books are shorter than those of the other, “Major” Prophets.
How was Hosea’s marriage a metaphor for God’s relationship with
Israel?
Hosea’s wife was unfaithful to him, but he took her back. God entered
into a covenant with (“married”) Israel, and she was unfaithful to him by
worshiping other gods; nonetheless, God took her back despite this
infidelity.
Which prophet foretold Christ would be born in Bethlehem?
Micah said a savior to rule Israel would be born in Bethlehem.
3. The Old Testament: Wisdom and Prophecy
What are the three divisions of the prophetic books?
The divisions are the Prophets, the Minor Prophets and the Post-exilic
Prophets.
Which two prophets are associated with the rebuilding of the
Temple?
Haggai and Zechariah rebuilt the temple.
3. The Old Testament: Wisdom and Prophecy
Guided Exercise
Work with a partner to complete the following table about Isaiah 9:6 as it
applies to Christ.
Isaiah 9:6 as a Prophesy of Christ
Phrase from Isaiah 9:6
Application to Jesus Christ
To us a child is born, to us a son is given .
The government will be upon his shoulder .
His name will be called “Wonderful
Counselor.”
His name will be called “Mighty God.”
His name will be called “Everlasting
Father.”
His name will be called “Prince of Peace.”
3. The Old Testament: Wisdom and Prophecy
Isaiah 9:6 as a Prophesy of Christ
Phrase from Isaiah 9:6
Application to Jesus Christ
To us a child is born, to us a son is given. Jesus, the son of Mary, is given to Israel
and the whole world.
The government will be upon his
All authority in Heaven and on earth is
shoulder.
given to him as Son of God.
His name will be called “Wonderful
No one ever gave such great counsel to
Counselor.”
men on how to live.
His name will be called “Mighty God.”
He is the second Person of the Blessed
Trinity and is true God.
His name will be called “Everlasting
He and the Father are one.
Father.”
His name will be called “Prince of Peace.” He established peace between Heaven
and earth and among men.
3. The Old Testament: Wisdom and Prophecy
What is the subject of the two Books of Maccabees?
They recount a Jewish revolt led by the Maccabeus family against the Greek
rulers of Palestine who tried to force the Jews to adopt Greek culture and
religion.
Sidebar: Finding the Date
How does our dating system put Christ at the center of history?
The designations BC and AD number the years before and after Christ’s Birth.
How did the ancient Israelites number their years?
They counted the years from the beginning of the reign of the current king or
from an important event in the recent past.
Why are many dates about events in the Old Testament conjectural?
Historians have to add together the reigns of kings and make certain assumptions
about the lengths of generations.
3. The Old Testament: Wisdom and Prophecy
Closure
Write a paragraph on the overall message of the prophetic books with
one example of each of the following:
 Warning Israel over her infidelity;
 Consoling her in her sufferings; and
 Predicting a Messiah.
3. The Old Testament: Wisdom and Prophecy
Homework Assignment
Reading
 THE NEW TESTAMENT.
 THE GOSPELS.
 SUPPLEMENT: THE NAMES TO DESIGNATE SACRED
SCRIPTURE.
Study Questions
 Questions 10–12.
Workbook
 Questions 9–11.
3. The Old Testament: Wisdom and Prophecy
Alternative Assessment
Read Sirach 4:1-10 and then free write for five minutes on whether you
think this is good advice and why.
4. The New Testament and the Four Gospels
BASIC QUESTIONS
What are the four genres of books in the New Testament?
What are the basic features of the Gospels of Sts. Matthew, Mark, Luke,
and John?
KEY IDEAS
The New Testament mirrors the Old Testament with books of law,
history, wisdom, and prophecy.
St. Matthew shows Christ to be the heir to David’s Kingdom. St. Mark
shows Christ to be the leader of a new Exodus. St. Luke composed his
Gospel for Gentile Christians. St. John completes the other three
Gospels, emphasizing Christ as the incarnate Word of God.
4. The New Testament and the Four Gospels
Anticipatory Set
Perform a Focused Reading of Jeremiah’s prophecy based on the
following question:
What is the essence of the New Covenant that Jeremiah foresees?
4. The New Testament and the Four Gospels
THE NEW TESTAMENT
What is the essential relationship between the Old and New
Testaments?
The New Testament does not replace but fulfills the Old.
What is the Old Testament without the New Testament?
It is a collection of tragic stories and unfulfilled promises.
What is the Old Testament with the New Testament?
It is the story of the gradual unfolding of God’s plan of salvation, which
reaches its climax in the Death and Resurrection of Christ.
4. The New Testament and the Four Gospels
What is the essential content of the New Testament?
It is the story of the life and teachings of Jesus Christ and the earliest
years of the Church.
What were the two phases by which the Gospels came to be
written?
First was oral tradition, by which the Apostles handed on what Christ had
said and done. Second was the written Gospels, by which the Sacred
Authors wrote down some of what had been handed on by word of
mouth.
Which were the first written Christian works?
Most likely the Epistles of St. Paul were first.
4. The New Testament and the Four Gospels
Guided Exercise
Work with a partner to complete the following table on the four genres of
literature in each of the Testaments.
Genre
Law
History
Wisdom
Prophesy
Four Types of Books in E ach Testament
Old Testament
Description
New Testament
Description
4. The New Testament and the Four Gospels
Genre
Law
Four Types of Books in Each Testament
Old Testament
Description
New
Testament
The
The giving of
The four
Pentateuch
the Law and
Gospels
the founding
of Israel
History
The histories
The history of
beginning with Israel after the
Joshua
death of Moses
Wisdom
The Wisdom
books
beginning with
Job
The Major and
Minor
Prophets
Prophesy
Poetry and
stories about
how to live
wisely.
Speak the
truth to Israel,
warn of
coming
disaster, and
make
promises for
the future
Description
The giving of
the New Law
and the
founding of the
Church, which
is the new
Israel
The Acts of the The history of
Apostles
the Church
from the
Ascension of
Christ, the new
Moses
The Epistles
Letters of
advice and
teaching to the
early Church
The Revelation Messages for
of St. John
the Church in
symbols and
images often
recalling the
Prophets;
promises of a
New Jerusalem
4. The New Testament and the Four Gospels
THE GOSPELS
Why are the Gospels the heart of all the Scriptures?
They are our principal source of knowledge regarding the life and teachings
of Jesus Christ.
Who are the authors of the four Gospels?
Sts. Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John wrote them.
What is an Evangelist?
He is an author of one of the Gospels. Extension: The word comes from
Greek euangelion, which means “good news.”
What were the personal relationships between the Evangelists and
Christ?
Sts. Matthew and John were disciples of Christ and eyewitnesses of the
events they narrate. Sts. Mark and Luke were disciples of the Apostles.
4. The New Testament and the Four Gospels
What is the veracity of the Gospels?
They tell the historical truth of the Person of Jesus Christ: what he did
and said and who he is.
Why are the first three Gospels called synoptic?
Synoptic comes from the Greek for “seeing together.” These three Gospels
present Christ in a similar way.
Why are the synoptic Gospels so similar?
Scholars have speculated on the relationship among these three Gospels.
Sts. Matthew and Luke may have used St. Marks’s Gospel as a source.
When were the synoptic Gospels written?
They were written before Jerusalem’s destruction (AD 70), probably
between AD 50 and 62.
4. The New Testament and the Four Gospels
The Gospel of St. Matthew
Who was St. Matthew?
He was an Apostle of Christ, also called Levi, and originally a tax
collector.
What was the original audience and primary aim of St. Matthew’s
Gospel?
St. Matthew wrote for Jewish Christians living in Palestine to show Jesus
is the Messiah, the Christ.
What are some distinctive characteristics of St. Matthew’s Gospel?
Two are the genealogy of Christ, which echoes the Book of Genesis, and
his extensive use of direct quotes from Christ.
4. The New Testament and the Four Gospels
The Gospel of St. Mark
What was the relationship between Sts. Peter and Mark?
They had something of a father-and-son relationship. St. Peter was the
source of much of St. Mark’s Gospel.
Who was St. Mark’s original audience?
He probably wrote to Gentile Christians in Rome.
What seems to have been St. Mark’s main interest?
He emphasized what Christ did more than what he said.
Why is it relatively easy to read St. Mark’s Gospel in one sitting?
It is the shortest Gospel and reads quickly.
4. The New Testament and the Four Gospels
The Gospel of St. Luke
When was the Gospel of St. Luke written?
It was likely written after those of Sts. Matthew and Mark.
Why is there reason to believe there were a number of accounts of
Christ’s life circulating among Christians by the time St. Luke had
set out to write his Gospel?
He wrote that he wanted to give an “orderly account” of Christ’s life.
This implies there may have been other, partial accounts that did not
provide as complete a history of Christ’s life.
With which Apostle is St. Luke most associated?
St. Luke accompanied St. Paul on some of his missionary journeys.
4. The New Testament and the Four Gospels
Who was St. Luke’s probable original audience?
He wrote to Gentile converts.
Did St. Luke get all his information about Christ second hand?
No. St. Luke was likely an eyewitness to many of the events described in
his Gospel.
From whom did St. Luke learn of the Annunciation, the Birth of
Christ, the visit of the shepherds, and the finding of the Christ
child in the Temple?
He probably learned these from the Blessed Virgin Mary herself.
How does St. Luke’s occupation as a physician show itself in his
Gospel?
St. Luke’s Gospel takes a detailed interest in Christ’s healings.
4. The New Testament and the Four Gospels
The Gospel of St. John
Who wrote the Gospel of St. John?
“The disciple whom Christ loved,” the Apostle St. John, wrote it.
When was St. John’s Gospel written?
His was the last Gospel written, probably about AD 100.
What is the relationship between St. John’s Gospel and the Synoptic
Gospels?
St. John’s Gospel presupposes the other Gospels’ existence and was
written to complete them. St. John’s Gospel uses a different, more
theological language, and it includes events not contained in the other
Gospels.
4. The New Testament and the Four
Gospels
How does the prologue of St. John’s Gospel’s parallel the Book of
Genesis?
Beginning even with the same words, “In the beginning,” St. John’s
Gospel emphasizes the divinity of Christ and the new creation he
accomplished.
What element of St. John’s Gospel grounds it in history?
Its author shows great familiarity with the places and dates of the events
narrated.
4. The New Testament and the Four Gospels
Guided Exercise
Work with a partner to complete the following table about the audience
and aim of each Gospel.
Author
St. Matthew
St. Mark
St. Luke
St. John
Audience and Aims of the Gospels
Chief Audience
Chief Aim
4. The New Testament and the Four Gospels
Author
St. Matthew
St. Mark
St. Luke
St. John
Audience and Aims of the Gospels
Chief Audience
Chief Aim
Jewish
To show how Christ fulfilled the Messianic
Christians
prophesies
Christians in
To show Christ’s actions.
Rome
Gentile
To show Christ’s ministry to all nations.
Christians
The entire
To show Christ is God incarnate.
Church
4. The New Testament and the Four Gospels
Supplement: THE NAMES TO DESIGNATE SACRED SCRIPTURE
Guided Exercise
Work with a partner to complete the following table on “The Names to
Designate Sacred Scripture” (p. 109).
Name
Sacred Scriptures
Bible
Old and New
Testaments
Inspired Books
The Names to Designate Sacred Scripture
Meaning of Name
4. The New Testament and the Four Gospels
Name
Sacred Scriptures
Bible
Old and New
Testaments
Inspired Books
The Names to Designate Sacred Scripture
Meaning of Name
The New Testament refers to the Old Testament as the
Scriptures or Holy Scripture. The Fathers of the Church used this
biblical term to refer to the New Testament as well because it is
equally the Word of God.
This comes from the Greek biblia, which means books. The Bible
is a unified Book of Books.
Testament means covenant. The books about the Mosaic
covenant are referred to as the Old Covenant, whereas Christ’s
New Testament with the People of God is the New Covenant.
This comes from the Word of God having been written under
the inspiration of the Holy Spirit.
4. The New Testament and the Four Gospels
Closure
Write a paragraph summarizing the major features of the four Gospels.
4. The New Testament and the Four Gospels
Homework Assignment
Reading
 THE ACTS OF THE APOSTLES.
 THE EPISTLES.
 THE BOOK OF REVELATION.
Study Questions
 Questions 13–21.
 Practical Exercise 1.
Workbook
 Questions 12–29.
4. The New Testament and the Four Gospels
Alternative Assessment
Work with a partner to complete Practical Exercise 1 on an imaginary
fifth Gospel written for today.
5. The New Testament: Books of
History, Wisdom, and Prophecy
BASIC QUESTIONS
What is Acts of the Apostles?
What is the purpose of the Epistles?
What is the message of the Book of Revelation?
KEY IDEAS
St. Luke followed his Gospel with the Acts of the Apostles, a history of
the apostolic Church.
The Epistles, which is the wisdom literature of the New Testament,
addressed problems of the early Church to live holy lives.
The Book of Revelation promises the fulfillment of the New Covenant.
5. The New Testament: Books of
History, Wisdom, and Prophecy
Anticipatory Set
Read and discuss the prologue to Acts of the Apostles (Acts 1:1–5).
How is this prologue similar to the prologue of St. Luke’s Gospel?
5. The New Testament: Books of
History, Wisdom, and Prophecy
THE ACTS OF THE APOSTLES
With what element of suspense does each Gospel end?
Each Gospel ends with Christ risen from the dead and instructing his disciples to
spread the Gospel, but they had not yet received the Holy Spirit.
Why did St. Luke write the Acts of the Apostles?
Inspired by the Holy Spirit, St. Luke knew future generations could benefit from
a record of important events from the apostolic Church.
What is the relationship between St. Luke’s Gospel and the Acts of the
Apostles?
The Acts of the Apostles is a sequel to St. Luke’s Gospel.
What have archeologists and historians confirmed about the Acts of the
Apostles?
Every detail of St. Luke’s narrative that can be verified has turned out to be
5. The New Testament: Books of
History, Wisdom, and Prophecy
THE EPISTLES
Which New Testament books were written earliest?
The Epistles likely were written first.
What is an epistle?
It is a letter intended for a specific audience; the Epistles in the New
Testament were written often in response to particular problems in the
early Church.
How do the Epistles illustrate Christian life in the apostolic
Church?
They clarified and extended the teachings of the Apostles and corrected
early errors.
Who wrote most of the Epistles?
St. Paul wrote most of them.
5. The New Testament: Books of
History, Wisdom, and Prophecy
How are the Epistles of St. Paul arranged?
They are arranged generally from longest to shortest rather than the order
in which they were written.
Who made up St. Paul’s original audiences?
Nine of St. Paul’s letters were written to churches in various cities of the
Roman Empire, and four were written to individuals.
What is the importance of the Epistle to the Hebrews?
It shows how the Old Testament is fulfilled in the life of Christ.
What are the Catholic Epistles?
They are letters written to the entire Church rather than to a particular
church or individual.
5. The New Testament: Books of
History, Wisdom, and Prophecy
Guided Exercise
Complete a Think/Pair/Share on the following question:
What is the overall purpose of the Epistles?
5. The New Testament: Books of
History, Wisdom, and Prophecy
THE BOOK OF REVELATION
What is the literary form of the Book of Revelation?
It is a prophetic book.
How does the Book of Revelation convey its message?
It uses symbols, allegories, and metaphors.
Who is the author of the Book of Revelation?
It is attributed to St. John, the Apostle and Evangelist, “the disciple whom
Christ loved.”
5. The New Testament: Books of
History, Wisdom, and Prophecy
What is the basic message of the Book of Revelation?
There will be great tribulation, but God will preserve his people and bring
them into the New, heavenly Jerusalem.
How is Revelation an apt conclusion to Sacred Scripture?
The Book of Genesis begins with Creation, and the Book of Revelation
ends with the New Creation. Genesis recounts the Fall of all people, and
Revelation recounts the final salvation of all the faithful.
5. The New Testament: Books of
History, Wisdom, and Prophecy
Guided Exercise
Complete a Think/Pair/Write/Share on the following question:
What are the two purposes of the Book of Revelation?
5. The New Testament: Books of
History, Wisdom, and Prophecy
Guided Exercise
Perform a Focused Reading of Revelation 21:1–8 using the following
question:
In this vision of the climax of history, what are the promise and the warning?
5. The New Testament: Books of
History, Wisdom, and Prophecy
Closure
Write a paragraph in which you summarize how the Acts of the Apostles,
the Epistles, and the Book of Revelation are, respectively, books of
history, wisdom, and prophecy.
5. The New Testament: Books of
History, Wisdom, and Prophecy
Homework Assignment
Reading
 THE CANON OF SACRED SCRIPTURE.
 Sidebar: THE BOOKS THAT CONSTITUTE THE BIBLE.
Questions
 Questions 22–26.
Workbook
 Questions 30–37.
5. The New Testament: Books of
History, Wisdom, and Prophecy
Alternative Assessment
Work with a partner to read and analyze the Second Epistle of John—one
of the shortest Epistles—using the following table:
The Second Letter of St. John
Original audience?
Which verses form
the introduction or
greeting?
Summarize the
advice John gives.
How does John
conclude his letter?
5. The New Testament: Books of
History, Wisdom, and Prophecy
Original audience?
Which verses form
the introduction or
greeting?
Summarize the
advice John gives.
How does John
conclude his letter?
The Second Letter of St. John
A local Church and its Christians, which John refers to as a
Lady and her children.
Verses 1‐3.
Love one another, which means following the commands of
God. Beware of false teachers who deny Christ. Hold fast to
Christ’s teachings and avoid people who deny them.
John says he is coming to see them, which is why he isn’t
writing more.
6. The Canon of Sacred Scripture
BASIC QUESTIONS
How was the canon of Sacred Scripture determined?
KEY IDEA
The canon of Sacred Scripture was determined by the Magisterium of
the Church. The canon of the Old Testament followed the Septuagint,
which was used by the Apostles, while the canon of the New Testament
was based on apostolic origin, orthodoxy of content, and catholicity.
6. The Canon of Sacred Scripture
Anticipatory Set – Mini-lecture
How did the Church decide the canonicity of the Scriptures?
1. In determining the canon of the Old Testament, the Church received the
books of the Septuagint because they were used by the Apostles and the early
Church.
2. The Church used three criteria to decide if a book could legitimately be
considered part of the canon of the New Testament. All three tests had to be
positive.
a) Apostolic origin―the book could be traced back to one of the
Apostles or a companion of the Apostles;
b) Orthodox content―the book’s content conforms with the authentic
preaching about Christ and the Church; and
c) Catholicity―the book was used by by the faithful in all or nearly all
the local churches in their worship.
6. The Canon of Sacred Scripture
THE CANON OF SACRED SCRIPTURE
What is the literal meaning of “canon”?
It means “measuring rod” or “rule.”
What is the meaning of “canon of Scripture”?
It denotes a list of books that comprise Sacred Scripture.
Do the Sacred Scriptures reveal which books belong to it?
No; this was determined by the Magisterium of the Church.
What practical problem did the early Church face that resulted in
the forming of the canon of Scripture?
The practical problem was to choose which of the many writings about
Christ in circulation would be read during Church’s liturgies.
6. The Canon of Sacred Scripture
Canon of the Old Testament
What is the Septuagint?
It is a Greek edition of the Old Testament translated by rabbis in
Alexandria in the third century BC.
Why do modern-day Jews have a different canon than the Old
Testament in Catholic Bibles?
Jewish rabbis met in Jamnia about AD 90 and decided to exclude Tobit,
Judith, Wisdom, Sirach, Baruch, 1 and 2 Maccabees, and fragments of Esther
and Daniel because they were not composed or preserved in Hebrew.
What are the deuterocanonical books?
These books appear in the Septuagint but not in the modern Jewish
canon. Deuterocanonical comes from the Greek for “second canon.”
6. The Canon of Sacred Scripture
Why did Christians include the deuterocanonical books?
The Apostles and their successors in the Catholic Church held them to be
part of Sacred Scripture.
What are some Catholic beliefs and practices witnessed in the
deuterocanonical books?
The Second Book of Maccabees shows the practice of praying for the
souls of the dead. The Book of Tobit includes the existence and action of
guardian angels.
What are the apocrypha?
The apocrypha are books of dubious origin that have been excluded from
the canon of Scripture. Extension: Many Protestants and Jews refer to
the deuterocanonical books with this word.
6. The Canon of Sacred Scripture
Canon of the New Testament
When were the New Testament books written?
They were written between AD 40 and 100.
What were the original languages of the New Testament books?
St. Matthew likely wrote his version of the gospel in Aramaic. The rest
were written in Greek with some Semitic influences.
Why did the Church need to determine the canon of the New
Testament?
Within a few centuries, there were numerous accounts of the life of
Christ circulating among the Christian community. The origin and
teachings of many were suspect.
6. The Canon of Sacred Scripture
What were some problems with some of the writings about Christ
in circulation?
Some had apocryphal stories about his childhood, and some taught
Gnosticism.
When was the canon of the New Testament defined?
It was defined at a synod in Rome (AD 382). This was confirmed by Pope
Innocent (405) and reaffirmed by the Ecumenical Councils of Florence
(1441) and Vatican I (1870). The Fathers of the Council of Trent (1546)
solemnly defined it.
Why did Martin Luther reject the Epistles of St. Jude, St. James, to
the Hebrews, and the Book of Revelation?
They contradicted his doctrine of justification by faith alone.
6. The Canon of Sacred Scripture
Guided Exercise
Work with a partner to summarize the three stages in the formation of
the Gospels as articulated in the Catechism, no. 126 (cf. the end of the
chapter, “From the Catechism”).
6. The Canon of Sacred Scripture
Guided Exercise
Some people claim that the Sacred Scriptures were written so long ago
and were copied so many times that we have no idea if the writings we
have now accurately represent what was originally written.
Search the Internet for manuscript evidence for the books of the Bible
and then discuss what archaeological evidence says about the reliability of
the Scriptures as historical documents.
6. The Canon of Sacred Scripture
Closure
Write a paragraph summarizing the process by which the canon of
Scripture was formed.
6. The Canon of Sacred Scripture
Homework Assignment
Reading:
 THE ORIGINAL TEXTS AND LANGUAGES OF THE BIBLE.
 TRANSLATIONS OF THE BIBLE.
 Sidebar: ST. JEROME.
 CONCLUSION.
Questions
 Questions 27–30.
 Practical Exercise 2.
Workbook:
 Questions 38–41.
6. The Canon of Sacred Scripture
Alternative Assessment
Search the Internet for and read the article “How to Defend the
Deuterocanonicals” by Jason Evert, which explains the formation of the
canon of Scripture from an apologetical point of view.
7. Translations of the Sacred Scriptures
BASIC QUESTION
What are considered the best translations of the Bible?
KEY IDEA
Originally written in Hebrew, Aramaic, and Greek, the Bible has been
translated into many languages under the Church’s guidance. The Latin
Vulgate is the definitive translation of the Bible, and there are several
approved English translations available.
7. Translations of the Sacred Scriptures
Anticipatory Set
Bible was not written in English. Every translation requires choices in
rendering words from one language into another.
Search the Internet to read different translations of Psalm 23 [22] (“The
Lord is my shepherd…”) to look at some different ways this psalm has
been translated into English.
7. Translations of the Sacred Scriptures
THE ORIGINAL TEXTS AND LANGUAGES OF THE BIBLE
What are the three original languages of the Bible?
Hebrew, Aramaic, and Greek were used to write the Old Testament, Hebrew being
most prevalent. Hebrew or Aramaic and Greek were used to write the New
Testament, Greek being most prevalent.
On what materials were the books of the Old Testament originally written?
The Torah was written on parchment; the others were written on papyrus.
How old are the oldest extant manuscripts of the Old Testament?
Discovered during the twentieth century, the oldest extant manuscripts date from the
second century BC.
What do these ancient manuscripts tell us?
The biblical texts have been transmitted to the modern day without substantial
change for over 2100 years.
7. Translations of the Sacred Scriptures
TRANSLATIONS OF THE BIBLE
What text of the Bible is inspired by the Holy Spirit?
Only the original text is inspired.
To what extent is a translation of the Bible free from error?
It is inerrant insofar as it is in conformity with the original.
What version of the Bible has the Church declared to be the purest
text?
The Latin Vulgate is purest. Extension: This edition has undergone a
recent revision, published in 1979 and 1986. This second edition of the
New Vulgate (Nova Vulgata, Editio altera) is the official text of the Latin
Rite of the Catholic Church.
7. Translations of the Sacred Scriptures
Guided Exercise
Work with a partner to complete the following table on two influential
translations of the Bible.
/////
Translation
Septuagint
Vulgate
Completed
Important Points
7. Translations of the Sacred Scriptures
Translation
Septuagint
Vulgate
Important Translations of the Scriptures
Completed
Important Points
Third century BC
This Greek translation of the Old Testament
was quoted in the New Testament, used by
the Apostles, and read extensively in the
liturgies of the early Church.
Late fourth century
This translation of the Old and New
AD
Testaments was prepared by St. Jerome
from the oldest and original texts into Latin.
A revision of this translation is the definitive
translation in the Latin Rite of the Catholic
Church.
7. Translations of the Sacred Scriptures
Sidebar: St. Jerome
Guided Exercise
Work with a partner to make a bullet-point summary of three important
points about St. Jerome.
7. Translations of the Sacred Scriptures
What was the first English translation of the Bible?
The first partial translations into Old English date to the eighth century.
In the eleventh century much of the Old Testament was translated into
Middle English. Wycliffe is credited with translating an English version of
the Bible in the fourteenth century, and the first complete Bible printed in
English was the Tyndale version in 1525.
What is the King James Version?
It has been the standard English Protestant edition (published in 1611) of
Sacred Scripture for four centuries.
What was the first Catholic Bible in English?
The Douay-Rheims Bible was completed about the year 1600.
7. Translations of the Sacred Scriptures
What translations of the Bible are used by Catholics today today?
These include the Douay-Rheims, The Confraternity Edition of the
Douay-Rheims, the Knox version, the Jerusalem Bible, the New American
Bible, and the Revised Standard Version.
Why is it important for a Bible to have an Imprimatur?
An Imprimatur (Latin for “let it be printed”) is a determination by a
bishop that a text is free from moral or doctrinal error.
7. Translations of the Sacred Scriptures
Guided Exercise
An erroneous myth commonly perpetuated by Protestants is that the
Catholic Church tried to prevent people from reading the Sacred
Scriptures by keeping the Bible in a language that ordinary people could
not understand and by prohibiting popular editions from being printed.
Work with a partner to identify facts from the text that disprove this
myth.
7. Translations of the Sacred Scriptures
Closure
Write a paragraph summarizing what this lesson says about translations of
the Bible.
7. Translations of the Sacred Scriptures
Homework Assignment
Study Questions
 Questions 31–36.
 Practical Exercises 3–8.
Workbook
 Questions 42–52.
7. Translations of the Sacred Scriptures
Alternative Assessment
Do a web search to learn the four-step method of praying the Scriptures
called lectio divina (Latin for “divine reading”).
The End