Felix Just states that the term Scripture is not unique to Christianity. In a Christian context there are a number of phrases and terms we need to understand in order to explore this question: Bible; Canon; Word of God; inspired; revelation. Here we will introduce you to each of these concepts.
Read the definition of Bible provided by Felix Just SJ
http://catholic-resources.org/Bible/Glossary.htm
In other words, Bible is a term specific to Judaism and Christianity, that is used in relation to certain texts written over 2,000 years ago.
[If you have time, you might also like to look at the Chester Beatty Library, Dublin, website. It displays some pictures of early copies of parts of the New Testament in Greek that are now part of the library collection. They are written on papyri.]
http://www.cbl.ie/cbl_image_gallery/image.asp?ID=165&Collection=Western&ImageNumber=T0001016
It is important to note that there are many different translations of the original biblical texts that allow us to read them in our own native language. We often describe these as being different versions of the Bible. The following links give information about two reputable English versions: the New Revised Standard Version (NRSV) and the New American Bible (NAB). Follow each link and then answer the questions listed below.
http://ncccusa.org/newbtu/aboutnrs.html
How many scholars were involved in completing the translation?
What is the religious background of these scholars?
Response sheet
Read the first 5 paragraphs from the following website
http://www.vatican.va/archive/ENG0839/__P1.HTM
How many scholars were involved in completing the translation?
From what ancient languages was this version translated? Response sheet
There is one further important point to note regarding the Christian Bible: it contains two parts that have traditionally been labelled Old Testament and New Testament. Using the following link, count the number of books in each part of the New American Bible
http://www.usccb.org/nab/bible/index.htm
You will have noted from the definition of Bible you read earlier that there are a different numbers of books in the Jewish, Protestant and Catholic Bibles. To explain how this occurred we need to introduce the next key term, canon. Read the definition of canon by Felix Just SJ
http://catholic-resources.org/Bible/Glossary.htm
The Bible, therefore, is an ‘approved/recognised’ collection of texts, not just a random grouping of material written by members of the specific religious tradition. What do you think might be some of the criteria by which books were included into the respective canons? Response sheet
These phrases are often used concurrently when describing the Bible. Read through the following quotations.
“Holy Scripture, inasmuch as it is the ‘Word of God in human language,’ has been composed by human authors in all its various parts and in all the sources that lie behind them.”
Pontifical Biblical Commission, The Interpretation of the Bible in the Church (Boston: St Paul Books, 1993), 35.
“The Bible bears witness to that special revelation which Christians believe occurred in the history of Israel and the early church and especially in the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus of Nazareth.”
Sandra M. Schneiders, Beyond Patching: Faith and Feminism in the Catholic Church (New York: Paulist, 1991), 51.
Note any questions or thoughts that emerge from these two quotations regarding how we should read and interpret Scripture. In particular, what do you think is the significance of saying that the Bible, as the Word of God, was “composed by human authors”? Response sheet
It is apparent that Scripture is not like any other text. It has a special significance and function. This status makes the issue of how it is to be read and interpreted crucial. Hence, it is to that issue we now turn our attention in the last part of this activity.