1 INTRODUCTION TO THE BIBLE AND THE OLD TESTAMENT

1.1 Overview

• Bible – basic concepts, terminology (various perspectives on the Bible, Jewish and Christian structuring of the Bible, the languages of the Old Testament)
  
• Modern Approaches to the Bible
• Overview of contents of the Pentateuch and the Former Prophets
  

1.2 Comment

Students get acquainted with basic concepts relating to the Bible, specifically to the Old Testament. Various perspectives on the Bible are introduced, such as “Bible as literature”, “Bible as Sacred Writing”, “Bible as a Cultural Phenomenon”. Students are introduced in various concepts of the Bible in different religious traditions, especially to the difference between the Old Testament in Christianity and Tenak in Judaism. Various approaches to reading the Bible are explained with reference to basic hermeneutical concepts. Main characteristics and aspects of Old Testament languages (Hebrew and Aramaic) are also introduced. Brief overview of the contents of relevant biblical books is provided as well.

1.3    Literature for individual study

Goldingay, An Introduction, 12–21.

1.4    Verifying comprehension

1. What does “Bible” mean in different contexts? What is the difference between the “Old Testament” and the “Tanak”?
2. What are differences between the Roman-Catholic and the Protestant Bible?
3. What are some characteristics of Hebrew and Aramaic?
4. What is the “Masoretic text”?
5. What are main points in the Jewish understanding of and approach to the Jewish Bible?
   
6. What are some “Jewish” aspects of Jesus’ understanding of the Scriptures? In which way Paul’s interpretation of the Old Testament was significant for the Church?
7. What were some important points in the history of Christianity as far as the understanding of the Old Testament?
   
8. What are main points of the Documentary Hypothesis?
9. What is the contribution of the holistic approaches to the Bible?