|
| |
What is The Bible?
The Bible is a collection of 66 individual books that together tell the story
of a group of people bound by a common faith in God. It is divided into two main
sections: the Old Testament containing 39 books originally written primarily in
Hebrew, and the New Testament containing 27 books originally written primarily
in Greek. For Presbyterians and others of the Reformed tradition the Bible is
the means by which Christian believers come to understand how God has been
present with humanity since the beginning of time and is present in our world
today. By studying the scriptures we can begin to know of God's faithfulness,
constant love and eternal goodness.
Old Testament. The Old Testament tells the story of God's covenant
with the Hebrew people. It is regarded as sacred scripture by both Jews and
Christians.
New Testament. The New Testament contains four accounts of the life,
death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ, the account of the earliest Christian
churches and other writings from the early Christian era. It is considered
sacred scripture by Christians.
Translations. The Bible has been translated from its original
languages into the languages of people throughout the world. The first
translation into English was by John Wycliffe in the 14th century. Since that
time, there have been a myriad of English translations. One of the most
familiar, the King James Version (KJV), was commissioned by James I of England
and published in 1611. Although the language of the King James Bible reflected
the everyday speech of England in the 17th century, changes in speech patterns
and the meaning of certain words have made it more difficult to understand than
more modern translations.
Since the 1950s, there have been many translations of the Bible into
contemporary English. Translations frequently used by Presbyterians in their
worship services include the Revised Standard Version (RSV) and the New Revised
Standard Version (NRSV). Both are considered excellent translations that are
faithful to the original texts insofar as scholars can determine.
Presbyterian Practice
The church confesses the Scriptures to be the Word of God
written, witnessing to God's self-revelation. Where that Word is read and
proclaimed, Jesus Christ the Living Word is present by the inward witness of
the Holy Spirit. For this reason the reading, hearing, preaching, and
confessing of the Word are central to Christian worship. The session shall
ensure that in public worship the Scripture is read and proclaimed regularly
in the common language(s) of the particular church. (Book of Order W-2.2001)
Leaders in the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) can be expected to affirm that
"... the Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments...[are]...., by the Holy
Spirit, the unique and authoritative witness to Jesus Christ in the Church
universal, and God's Word to [them]." (Book of Order G-14.0405b.2)
(Copyright © 1997, PresbyFax, Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.),
Louisville, KY.)
Return to What Presbyterians Believe
|