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Overview of Hebrew Scriptures: Psalm 103 "From Everlasting to Everlasting

This class provides an overview of the Hebrew Scriptures, exploring the significance of Psalm 103 and delving into the history, authors, and transmission of the Bible. Students will examine different lenses through which to view the text, historical and metaphorical, and discuss the changing perspectives on the Bible in American culture. Group presentations will explore selected Hebrew characters, events, and stories, while individual presentations will focus on judges from the Hebrew Scriptures. Supplementary readings and reflection exercises are included.

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Overview of Hebrew Scriptures: Psalm 103 "From Everlasting to Everlasting

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  1. class 1Overview of the Hebrew Scriptures Psalm 103 “From Everlasting to Everlasting”

  2. Hebrew Scriptures • Welcome/prayer • Syllabus/Overview of Classes • Credit Requirements SEE Form + $ • Love Offerings • Introductions • What is your relationship with the Bible • Share something from the Hebrew Scriptures that has touched or inspired you.

  3. Class Guidelines • Be on time and prepared for class • All points of view are valid and contribute to a greater understanding • Each of us can change our mind at any time • Use “I” statements • Confidentiality of personal sharing • Have Fun!

  4. Hebrew Scriptures • Word “Bible” derived from Greek biblia or biblion for “books” or “rolls” • Bible is a combination of books -- anthology of law, wisdom, poetry, philosophy, history • Foundational to 3 major world religions • Judaism Christianity Islam

  5. Hebrew Scriptures • Tanakh – TNK (acronym) (24) • Torah - The Law (5) • Nebi’ium - The Prophets (6) • Kethubim - The Writings (13) • Old testament – (39) Protestant

  6. Who wrote the H.S.? • Torah – Pentateuch (Greek) • J, E, D, P, & R • The other 34 Booksscholarship shaky or complete mystery Transcribed from oral tradition • 90 ce, canon complete

  7. Authors of Israel’s Stories of Human Beginnings Yahwist (J) Southern Author (Judah) Wrote of personal relationship with YHWH/God Elohist (E) Northern Author (Israel) Used transcendent name “Elohim” for the Divine Deuteronomist (D) Southern Author (Judah) Called people of Judah to obedience to God’s law Priestly (P) (Southern Author with Priestly Tradition) Concerned with renewal of Mosaic covenant/laws. God as Cosmic God in orderly universe redactor (r) -- editor/organizer of written manuscripts to provide chronology and context

  8. The Text • The original languages Hebrew Aramaic Greek • Canonized (authoritative edition) • 400 BCE, finalized 90 CE

  9. TRANSMISSION OF TEXT • Septuagint (250 BCE) • “The Bible” Vulgate (405 CE) • Masoretic Texts • (500-1000 CE) • Printing Press 1455 CE • Martin Luther, Tyndale, KJV

  10. CHRONOLOGY • 2000 BCE – Jews as a people • 1235 BCE – 1st historical evidence of Jews • 1000 BCE – David king of Israel • 931-722 BCE -- Divided Kingdoms • 722 BCE -- Assyrian occupation • (ethnic cleansing) • 586 BCE -- Babylonian exile (destruction of temple) • 516 BCE -- dedication of 2nd Temple • 445 BCE -- return of Jews under Nehemiah

  11. Two Reading Lens of the Bible Literal-factual Historical-Metaphorical

  12. Why is our lens of the Bible changing in American culture?

  13. Hebrew Scriptures • Reading the Bible Again for the First Time • by marcusborg • “hebrew scriptures” (rather than Old Testament) out of respect for Jewish Bible. replace dualistic view with Oneness • see through lens of history and metaphor

  14. Approach to Historical-Metaphorical Lens of the Bible Historical: What did this text mean in the ancient historical setting in which it was written? Metaphorical: What does this story mean as a story independent of its historical factuality.

  15. DIFFERING LENS • CONFLICT IN CHRISTIANITY • Creation vs. Evolution • Church membership of Gay, Lesbian Bi-Sexual & Trans-sexual community • Contemporary historical scholarship of Jesus

  16. HEBREW SCRIPTURES • Through which lens do you see the Bible? • Can you still “believe” in the Bible If you see the Bible and God through the lens of History and Metaphor?

  17. GROUP PRESENTATIONS (select group/topic from the torah, the writings or the prophets-- present last class) • Historically: • select a Hebrew character, event or story. • Identify historical period in which individual or story is found in Hebrew Scriptures? • Tell the story or account and its significance. • Allegorically: • What does this story mean to you? • What insight into this story helps you deepen your relationship to God?

  18. NEXT WEEKHERE COMES THE JUDGE! Choose a judge from Hebrew Scriptures. Make an individual presentation next week on the significance of this judgeand apply attributes and/or behaviors of this judge TO YOUR LIFE.

  19. FOR NEXT WEEK • Read and reviewHandout – john shelbySpong • Handout – rev. e. j. Niles • Handout -- brief history • Handout -- Bible Outline • Handout – a summary of myth • read Chapters 1-3 (Borg) • Meditate • Journal • PRAY OUT

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