topics The Hebrew Bible (Selections from the OT) Short Answer/Multiple Choice: · Two parts of the Bible – Old Testament (39 books) and New Testament (27 books) for a total of 66 books; this makes up ‘God’s revelation to man.’ · OT – sacred writings of the ancient Hebrews associated with the religions of Judaism, Christianity, and Islam · All three religions stress ONE God (e.g. first of the Ten Commandments). · OT contains a variety of literary genres – stories, poetry, songs, history, prophecy (know any 3) · Major focus of the OT – the characteristics and ways of God (especially in relation to the Israelites) Noah and the Flood: · Reason God regretted making mankind · Noah, wife, three sons and their wives · Character of Noah · Flood, ark, what to take in the ark, 40 days · God’s command to Noah after the flood · God’s promise to Noah and significance of the rainbow Abraham & Isaac: · God’s test for Abraham & Abraham’s reaction · God’s intervention & promise to Abraham Essay: · One aspect of the story of Noah and the Flood focuses on God’s punishment. Do you think destroying the world with a flood was justified or do you think it was too extreme? What do you think was God’s rationale in doing so? Why do you think God chose water as the instrument of punishment? Suppose you were in God’s place, what form of punishment would you have chosen? Why? Do you think the animals also deserved to be punished? Why or why not? Finally, think about various punishments given in our society today. Do you think punishments serve any useful purpose? Or are they just a form of control and power by those in authority? Give specific examples to support your answer. · Another aspect of the story of Noah and the Flood focuses on Noah and his family’s salvation in the midst of God’s punishment. What does this reveal about the character of God? Is God’s sparing of Noah and his family consistent with his desire to destroy the world? Analyze the words/expressions used to describe Noah’s character. What do you think they mean in relation to the kind of person he was? What explanation could there be for the difference in his character from the other people? Finally, we are not told anything regarding the character of Noah’s family. Did they deserve to be saved? If so, why? If not, why not? · Both Noah and Abraham exhibited a measure of faith in God. Compare and contrast their faith as found in the assigned pieces. Why do you think they had such faith in God? Who do you think exhibited greater faith? Why? Analyze faith in your own life/experience. Do you have faith in someone or something? If so, who/what? If not, why not? Would you be willing to go to the extent that Noah and Abraham did? Why or why not? Finally, do you think people today misuse faith or confuse faith with something else? Give specific reasons to support your answer. Aesop Short Answer/Multiple Choice: · Meaning of ‘fable’ – a short story, usually involving animals or.