Ch. 1 - What is the Bible?

Time: 
1 hr. 15 min.

We kick off this exciting Bible course by describing the sacred, inspired nature of the Bible, which is a quality unique to the 73 books of Sacred Scripture. What do we mean when we say that Scripture is inspired, and where do we go in the Bible itself to find this claim? The answer is to be found in Chapter 3 of St. Paul’s Second Epistle to St. Timothy (2 Tim 3:10-17).

In the second half of this lesson, we examine the golden thread that ties the Biblical narrative together (from the Old Testament right on through the New Testament). This unifying principle is called “the covenant,” and it is extremely important to understand the nature of a covenant in order to understand the story that the Bible tells. Understanding the Scriptures begins not only with knowledge of the inspired nature of these writings but also an understanding of a covenantal worldview.

Comments

David's picture

This study is awesome! I got a lot out of it. Can’t wait to hear the rest!

Thomas S Kenah's picture

This podcast is rewarding and full of knowledge.

Debbie Goodloe's picture

I don;t agree that the Koine Greek word "elder, bishop or overseer" (PRESBUTEROS) means "priest.' The Holy Spirit used very specific language in Greek and the word for "priest" is (HEIRUS)

I liked your description of the difference between a "covenant" and a "contract," both conditional and unconditional. You mentioned the Adamic, Noahic, Abrahamic and Mosaic covenants. Are you dispensationalist? Do you believe that each covenant was specific and peculiar to a particular time and place?

I am used to studying Books of the Bible, Word by Word and Verse by Verse in original language and grammar, but all in all, this was an OK study. I agreed to participate in the series with a Catholic friend.
MARANATHA

Carson Weber's picture

Debbie, it's not that PRESBUTEROS means "priest." Rather, it's that the English word "priest" comes from PRESBUTEROS => PRiESBUTEROS. This is the etymology behind the English term "priest," much like the etymology behind the English term "weaver" is the German word "weber," which means: "a textile worker who makes cloth out of raw material." It isn't coincidental that weaver happens to look a lot like weber, just as it isn't coincidental that priest looks a lot like presbyteros.

No, I'm not a dispensationalist. Dispensationalism is a 19th century invention. *smile* Since covenants endure, unlike contracts, I believe that these covenants are still in force. That is why he who is under the Adamic covenant (all mankind!) needs to be delivered from it by the death and resurrection of Christ.. and why the Jew who is under the Mosaic covenant needs to be delivered from it by the death and resurrection of Christ!

Thanks so much for participating in the study. I pray God continues to richly bless you with his inspired Word.

Holly 's picture

Hi Carson! I am very thankful that you have these podcasts available. I started listening to them at work and before I went to bed and they reignited my fire for Christ. I also started looking up the words in Hebrew for correct spelling as I have since sought out to be a religious education teacher. Nachash as you said means serpent, but also to shine like bronze or to sparkle. After thinking about it, gold was so highly valued and bronze was kind of like cheaper knockoff. It could symbolize perhaps that Satan is a cheap imitator of God. Representing his old role and his new. He used to shine as an angel, until falling and becoming the ' Great Deceiver." I don't know. It was simply something I observed. In any case, thank you again for opening my heart to Christ and for making more sense of the scriptures and easing some of my anxiety. May God bless you and keep you and your family safe.

Cenda's picture

Hi Father, I've just been pondering for awhile now...how come Adam and Eve..having God's favor and not I assume being concupiscent..not been given the grace to resist the temptation to eat the fruit of the tree of knowledge?

Isel Garcia's picture

I can't resist the opportunity to answer Cenda's question to The Father:
As I understand this mystery: Because, Grace came later, through Jesús Christ. Adam and Eve had God's Favor not His GRACE. God's Favor gives us His cooperation for us to obtain what we desire.
God's Grace is a "Grandt" from His Mercy. Do not depend on us at all.

charles furlan's picture

I look forward to learning more about the Bible...

Leo's picture

Can't play this files a few minutes after download. Don't really know what's wrong. It plays and then later on refuses to play.

Sue Waters's picture

Enjoyed this very much! Looking forward to the next lesson!

ámparo Navarro's picture

The lessons are beautiful. My problema is that I am Spanish speaking. I understand written English, but I miss a lot when the instructor speaks fast English. Are you planning to translate these podcasts into Spanish? I wish you do.
Thank you very much. Blessings.

Sister Amparo

Toni's picture

May 16, 2017

I just stumbled on this study of the Bible, may I have the prayer you gave them to recite before getting into the study?
Do you have another website outside of this

Thank you

Candida's picture

Thank you ! Thank you ! Thank you ! What a great resources. I just started this morning and will continue.
It is so wonderful that you have made this freely available to all. If it is OK with you, I will place a link on my www.family-prayer.org website, so my visitors can understand the Bible too.

Thank you again and May God Bless you.
Candida

Aude Sapere's picture

Carson is not a priest guys..Also, this study is based on the work of Scott Hahn so check out The great adventure bible study by Jeff Cavins on YouTube at Aude Sapere,s channel..Not motorised as I simply want to gather the greats of the church under 1 roof so I've made gr8 playlists, biblestudys,church history,books wrote by the apostolic fathers and church fathers,now in audio format so I lv 2 listen to Justin martyr describe the mass 1400 yrs ago,an it sounds like today's mass..

Sr. Marguerite-Lise Farmer v.s.m.'s picture

Salutations from LaPocatiière, Quebec!
Thank you for your wonderful course--I'm rreally enjoying this! Trouble is, I can't share it with any of my sisters because they're all francophones. Could I entreat you to offer us a French version of this podcast? It would be most useful in our Noviciate as well.
God bless you, Carson.
Sr. Marguerite-Lise v.s.m.

ROBERT SIGAL's picture

Shalom!
The Tanach old testimenmtg torah 5 books of moshe is the foundation and more then reading we must be obedient to the laws as much as possible.

Petth'o!'s picture

This is really awesome. I finally go the clear meaningful explanation between the contract and the covenant, even though i knew the covenant is high great than a contract. I am looking forward to listen the next studies and eager to get value from them.

Be blessed

Becky Vigil's picture

Thank you so much for this study! I've been looking for something exactly like this to help me grow in my faith. God bless you and your ministry! (And thank you so much for making this free!)

sikander innocent 's picture

I like this lessons

JAMES ANENA's picture

Wonderfully tailored.Thanks and continue re-evangelizing the world.God bless you.