¿Qué es la Biblia? ¿cómo se formó? y, ¿cuál es su propósito?

What is the Bible?

Overview of the Bible's Influence

• The Bible is one of humanity's most influential books, addressing profound questions about existence and inspiring remarkable actions while also causing confusion for many.

• It is described as a small library of texts that originated from the ancient history of Israel, reflecting their civilization.

Role of Prophets in Biblical History

• Prophets viewed Israel's history as extraordinary, seeing it as central to God's plan for humanity.

• These prophets were skilled literary figures who expertly used Hebrew to craft epic narratives and sophisticated poetry.

Literary Techniques and Themes

• They employed metaphors and narrative techniques to explore complex life questions regarding death, life, and human struggles.

• The texts were produced over more than 1,000 years, chronicling events from Israel’s origins in Egypt through its kingdom and temple periods.

Structure of the Hebrew Scriptures

Components of the TaNaK

• The Jewish Bible (TaNaK) consists of three parts:

• Torá (T): The first five books detailing Israel's birth.

• Nevi'im (N): Historical accounts from the perspective of prophets.

• Ketuvim (K): A diverse collection including poetry and wisdom literature.

Divine Communication Through Texts

• Jewish belief holds that God communicates with people through these literary works.

• Additional Jewish scriptures emerged during the Second Temple period, leading to debates on their inclusion in sacred texts.

The Continuation of Biblical Narrative

Jesus' Role in Fulfillment

• Centuries later, Jesus of Nazareth claimed to continue the TaNaK story. His followers believed he was the awaited leader who would restore creation.

Early Christian Writings

• Early apostles wrote new literary works about Jesus’ life called gospels and documented how his movement spread beyond Israel through letters circulated among communities.

Integration into Christian Tradition

Recognition Across Different Textual Traditions

• Apostles viewed their writings as fulfilling the epic narrative found in TaNaK while continuing Jewish literary traditions.

Varied Perspectives on Additional Literature

• Early Christians had differing views on additional Second Temple literature but valued these texts alongside Jewish scriptures.

Evolution Over Time