Paradigm: Religion and Philosophy

The Bible

Here are some facts of the Bible that you might wanna know...

Definition:
 

• The sacred book of Christianity, a collection of ancient writings including the books of both the Old Testament and the New Testament. Composed of 66 books.
• The Hebrew Scriptures, the sacred book of Judaism.
• Book of scripture including the Old Testament and the New Testament, which contains a history of God's people, the birth, life and teachings of Jesus Christ, and many prophesies. Written by prophets to teach God's commandments and laws to all people on earth.

Word Origin:

• byblos- Egyptian Papyrus; egyptain word for parchment
• biblios- Greek word whiceh means "books" or "scrolls"
• biblia- Latin word meaing "book"; then translated to ta biblia ("the books") since the Bible is compose of many books.

Books (Christian Bible)

The Old Testament

• used Septuagint, from the original Greek translation of the Hebrew scriptures
• has 39 books
• written prior to the life of Jesus

New Testament

• written entirely in Greek
• composed of 27 books
• the book started with Jesus' genealogy

Language Written:

The Bible is originally written in three languages, namely:

• Old testament- written mostly in Hebrew and party Aramaic
• New testament- written in Koine (Common) Greek

Authors:

The Bible was written by more than or approximately forty authors. But who is the real author of the Bible..? Do you by any chance know him...? God is definitely the author of the Bible, yet He  inspired these people to deliver His Divine Word to the mankind.

Old Testament

• Moses- the Torah: Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, Deuteronomy
• Joshua- unknown author; The author must have been an eyewitness of the events he records including Joshua's death. Some opinions stated that Joshua must have written the book except for the last verses. Others stated that the book of Joshua must be regarded as a compilation
• Judges-  The author of this book was most probably Samuel
• Ruth- The Book of Ruth does not specifically name its author. The tradition is that the Book of Ruth was written by the Prophet Samuel.
• 1 & 2 Samuel- the author is not identified but it could be Samuel, Nathan, and Gad
• 1 & 2 Kings- not specified; but the tradition is that it was written by the Prophet Jeremiah.
• 1 & 2 Chronicles- not specifically name its author. The tradition is that 1 and 2 Chronicles were written by Ezra.
• Ezra- not specified; yet it is believed that Ezra is the author of the book. In chapter 7, Ezra appears on the scene, in which the author uses first person subject.
• Nehemiah- The Book of Nehemiah does not specifically name its author. It is highly likely that either Nehemiah or Ezra was the author
• Esther- not specified; The most popular traditions are Mordecai (a major character in the Book of Esther) and Nehemiah (who would have been familiar with Persian customs).
• Job- not specified; The most likely candidates are Job, Elihu, Moses and Solomon.
• Psalms- several different authors; mostly written by David
• Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, Song of Solomon- written by Solomon, but some of the context in Ecclesiastes suggest that there is another author after Solomon died.
• Isaiah- Isaiah
• Jeremiah- Jeremiah
• Lamentations- not specified; The tradition is that the Prophet Jeremiah wrote Lamentations. This view is highly likely considering the author was a witness of the Babylonians destroying Jerusalem. Jeremiah fits this qualification
• Ezekiel- Ezekiel
• Daniel- Daniel
• Hosea- Hosea
• Joel- Joel
• Amos- Amos
• Obadiah- Obadiah
• Nahum- Nahum
• Habakkuk- Habakkuk
• Zephaniah- Zephaniah
• Haggai- Haggai
• Zechariah- Zechariah
• Malachi- Malachi

New Testament

• Matthew- Matthew
• Mark- Mark
• Luke- Luke
• John- John
• Acts- Luke
• Romans, 1 Corinthians, 2 Corinthians, Galatians, Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians, 1 Thessalonians, 2 Thessalonians, 1 Timothy, 2 Timothy, Titus, Philemon- Paul
• Hebrews- unknown, best guesses are Paul, Luke, Barnabas, or Apollos
• James- James
• 1 & 2 Peter- Peter
• 1,2 & 3 John- John
• Jude- Jude
• Revelation- John

(*wheeww.. quite long*)

Tanakh- acronym for the three parts of the Hebrew Bible

• Torah- "Instructions"; the five books of Moses
• Nevi'im- "Prophets"; tell the story of the rise of the Hebrew monarchy, its division into two kingdoms, and the prophets who, in God's name, warned the kings and the Children of Israel about the punishment of God.
• Ketuvim-"Writings" or "Scriptures"; contain lyrical poetry, philosophical reflections on life, and the stories of the prophets and other Jewish leaders during the Babylonian exile.

The Roman Catholic Church recognizes the following books:

• Tobit
• Judith
• 1 & 2 Maccabees
• Wisdom of Solomon
• Ecclesiasticus
• Baruch
• Greek additions to Esther
• Greek additions to Daniel

In addition to those, the Eastern Orthodox Church recognizes the following:

• 3 Maccabees
• 1 Esdras
• Prayer of Manasseh
• Psalm 151

Some other Orthodox Churches include a few others, typically:

• 2 Esdras
• Odes
• Psalms of Solomon

References: Wikipedia, GotQuestions.org

The Last Supper

     In connection to my post with Easter, we should remember the Last Supper. But have you ever think of the true message of the Last Supper...?

The Story

     Jesus and His disciples are preparing for the Passover Feast in Jerusalem which is a yearly ritual for them to remember God's saving grace and the deliverance of the Israelites from the hands of the Egyptians. 

     When done preparing, Jesus on His knees, starts to wash the feet of His disciples, which is a job of a slave. "Now, having washed the disciples' feet, He said, "I have given you an example, that ye should do as I have done to you" (John 13: 14, 15)

     Then the lamb was passed around; then the unleavened bread and bitter herbs. "As they were eating, Jesus took a bread, and blessed it, and brake it, and gave it to the disciples, and said, 'Take, eat; this is my body.' And He took the cup, and gave thanks, and gave it to them, saying, 'Drink ye all of it. For this is my blood of the new testament, which is shed for many for the remission of sins'." (Matthew 26: 26-28).

     And when they had sung hymns, they went out in to the Mount of Olives. (Matthew 26: 30)

Symbols Used

• Lamb- represents Jesus as a sacrificed for our sins
• Unleavened bread- Jesus body which is "broken for us"
• Unfermented wine- Jesus blood "poured on the cross for us"
• Hymns- Christ's victory over death

Ever asked why unleavened...?

     "Purge out the old leavened, that ye may be a new lump, as ye are unleavened... Therefore let us keep the feast, not with old leaven, neither with the leaven of malice and wickedness; but with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth" (1 Cor. 5:7,8)

     The leavening serves as a sin. Just like in a bread, the yeast causes it to puff. So unleavened bread is used to symbolized purity, free from sin and wickedness.

     Usually, that is the concept almost everyone has on thier minds when talking about the Lord's supper; the bread and the wine and its meaning. But we have to take note of this: "For I have given you an example, that ye should do as I have done unto you." (John 13:15)

     The meaning of foot-washing is oftentimes overlooked. But it's meaning is so deep. What can you say if you're Boss of Manager washed your feet..? Wouldn't you be embarassed...? And why, of all the body parts, why the feet...? It could be your arms or hands. But why the feet..? Isn't is gross to wash someone's feet? And to think that someone superior to you have done it...?

     Now we can see why Jesus said "I have given you an example", for us to know that we need to practice "humility and service". No matter what our status in the society, we must humbly serve each one of us. But why humility...? As we can see, the human tendency is to keep acheiving for things that will make him higher than his neighbours; to be superior than anyone else; to have power. Humility is not easy to achieve... It takes time to achieve it. Total acceptance and must have the will to serve. We don't have to laugh and curse the less fortunates- we have to help them.   We don't have to blame someone why he doesn't have anything- we must share. Now we can see, why Jesus showed us the practice; "to remind us". We might forget it, but the Lord's supper and communion will always serve as a remembrance for us.

     In doing so, we also need to clean ur hearts and minds from hatred and lust; free our heart and soul of sin and wickedness; we have to forgive our debtors as Jesus forgive us; and to live a Christ-like life.

Reference: John 13, 1 Cor. 5, Matthew 26, AdventistReview