Introductory lesson on definition, origin, and canonicity of the Bible

1. Introduction
to
Apologetics:
Defending the Faith
Stephen Russell

2. The Bible
(Part 1)

3. What is the Bible?
Defining the Bible is pre-requisite to evaluating
its trustworthiness

4. The Bible Defined

5. Old Testament

6. Old Testament
39 Books
Written in Hebrew & Aramaic

7. Pentateuch
First 5 Books of Old Testament
(a.k.a. The Torah)
Genesis
Exodus
Leviticus
Numbers
Deuteronomy

8. Types of Writing in OT
Historical
Poetical
Prophetical

9. Septuagint
a.k.a. LXX
septuaginta means “seventy” in Latin
Greek translation of
Hebrew Old Testament

10. Question:
How was Alexander the Great used by
God to prepare the world for
Christianity?

11. Answer:
th
Conquered known world in 4 century B.C.
Roads
Common culture
Common language

12. New Testament

13. New Testament
27 Books
Written in Koine Greek

14. Types of Writing in NT
Gospels
Acts (Historical)
Pauline Epistles
Non-Pauline Epistles
Revelation

15. Biblical Authorship

16. ~40 men over 1600 years
OT: 1500 B.C. - 400 B.C.
NT: 49 A.D. - 90 A.D.

17. The Apocrypha
Greek: “Those having been hidden away”
Includes:
1 & 2 Esdras
Judith
Wisdom
Ecclesiasticus
Prayer of Manasses
1 & 2 Maccabees
Not considered canonical by Judaism

18. Canonicity of the Bible
Apostolic Origin
Universal Acceptance
Liturgical Use
Consistent Message

19. The “Lost” Gospels

20. Gnosticism
Matter is evil
Spirit is good
Salvation comes from secret knowledge
(Gnosis)

21. Gnostic Gospels
Mary
Thomas
Judas
Philip
Truth
Supposedly suppressed by Church
at Council of Nicea (325 A.D.)

22. Council of Nicea
Convened to debate
nature and divinity of
Jesus
Subject of Gnostic
Gospels never came up

23. Problems with Gnostic Gospels
nd
Authored during 2 century A.D. or later
Not authored by apostles of close associates
Not widely accepted within the Church
Not used in liturgy
Not consistent with canonical scripture

24. Questions?