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Items to Remember: 
 
 

TESTAMENT

COVENANT

BIBLOS

HEBREW SCRIPTURES

NEW TESTAMENT

AD

BCE

CE

QUID PRO QUO

PAPYRUS

PARCHMENT

STYLUS

SCRIBE

"CHRIST"

"MESSIAH"

BEN

TRADITION

PARADOSIS

SINAI COVENANT

GOLGOTHA

SH'MA

CATHOLIC

BIBLE

VICTOR FRANKYL

"JEW"

"CHRISTIAN"

MONOTHEISM

DEUT 6:4

JN 3:16
 
 
 

 

INTRODUCTORY BACKGROUND:  "A Book Read by Billions" 

    One could easily  argue that the Bible is the most influential book in the history of the world.  Some books boast that they have been on the "best  seller " list.  Others, might advertise, "over two million copies sold." If a book is read and reread by millions of people, an educated person would want to be aware of the book and its message.  But what about a book that is read by  billions, yes, billions with a "B?"      Can anyone be considered truly "educated" or "literate" while knowing nothing about such a  book and the heart of its message? 
     The Bible could actually say, "Read by a Billion Each Generation. "  It has been translated into  every major language and, been quoted by influential authors and leaders throughout the ages. Its stories have provided dramatic and entertaining material for theater, TV and major motion pictures and some of its ancient traditions have become part of our  everyday culture.  Its friends look to it for guidance on the most serious matters,  while its enemies,  recognizing its influence ban it ; whole nations today and throughout history  have made it a crime to read, distribute or own it, while many continue to face torture and death,  rather than abandon it. Cultures who've based their government and societies upon its ideas have thrived and have become the leaders of the free, civilized world.  "We hold these truths to be self evident, that all men a created equal and endowed by their creator..."  
     After  3,000 years of its  existence, the written stories of the Bible continue to shape the world around us in ways that we have taken for granted.  Its influence can be seen in things as diverse  as the custom of veiled brides, to  the Declaration of Independence.  Because it is so influential, you might think that  it is easy to understand and read.  However,  this is far from the case. No book interprets itself; meaning happens in  the human mind, and the Bible is a unique book whose ancient meaning must be interpreted.
     Why would God's Word need an interpreter?  The Bible IS God's Word, but it is written  in the words of men.   Its pages span  2,000 years of cultures all with their own unique customs, languages, expressions, symbols and challenges.  Yet,  these are interwoven and tied up in the words of  men who are expressing the Word of God.
      Language, customs and history  are unique from culture to culture; this is just as true for the biblical peoples through whom the scriptures were written as it is for ourselves.  Even the same word  can  change its meaning from generation to generation.  Just think of our own culture.  Ten years ago when you called something a "bomb," it was usually a junky old car that wouldn't run.  Today's youth culture calls something the "bomb" when it is a great success.   Just think  how the meaning of a single word like "bomb"
 

...from the mark of Cain in  Genesis to the number 666 in  Revelation, the Bible invites us to  interpret and reflect


changes across contexts.   When it is spoken by a 40 year old owner of an old car it means something different than when  an SF student uses it to describe the last dance, or a political commentator judging a poor speech, or a screaming stewardess on your transatlantic  747 flight!  The same word means something different in each instance!  Imagine someone reading this word in those different contexts 2,000 years from now when our language has not been spoken for centuries and our culture long since forgotten.  Clearly they will need an interpreter.  What will they do when they read that we wrote it "...rained cats and dogs?"  We are not lying to each other when we say that, we are speaking a truth.  Will anyone two thousand years from now  try to document this great rain by looking for  millions of dog and cat bones?  Only someone who always wanted to interpret american literature literally - someone who desperately needed an interpreter to tell him what the context was of the original statement. 
     This is  true of the Bible, but since the Bible is the source of  spiritual guidance, it becomes even more crucial to understand what it is and is NOT saying.  From the mark of Cain,  in Genesis to the number  666 in Revelation, the bible invites us to interpret.     How can we possibly understand its messages without knowing the language, history, expressions and customs behind them?  To pick up a bible as if it were an American newspaper written is to be led blissfully down the path of ridiculousness. 
     "The Bible is the Word of God in the words of men."   To understand the "Word  of God," then,  we need to understand the words of men - men whose language and culture differed from ours significantly.   This is what this course is about.  In it you'll learn some of the background which will help you  make  sense of some very confusing stories.  You'll see the difference between a literal interpreter and one who takes the historical  and cultural context into account. You'll learn to interpret it with greater clarity and where to go for help when you can't.  Perhaps, like me, you'll come to appreciate the power of a message which has drawn billions of people to its Author.

 m.fredette