The word Bible is derived from the Greek ta biblia, meaning "book." The bible is rightly a collection of books, many works by various authors from widely different epochs and cultural situations. As we have it now, the Bible consists of the books of the Old and New Testaments, as well as other books called the Apocrypha or Deuterocanon.
To be sure, the Bible carries the spiritual heritage of a culturally specific group group of people from the ancient near east - namely, the Israelites or Jews from about the 10th century BCE to the 1 century CE. Nevertheless, the story is still relevant to millions of people around the world because, simply, we believe it bears the imprint of God. In other words, we accept that it is (somehow) the word of God that is God's self-revelation. Bible.Oremus.org
(a searchable online bible) |
Old Testament * - indicates the Apocrypha |
New Testament |
Torah (Pentateuch) - Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, Deuteronomy |
Gospels & Acts - Matthew, Mark, Luke, John, Acts of the Apostles |
"Historical" Books - Joshua, Judges, Ruth, 1-2 Samuel, 1-2 Kings, 1-2 Chronicles, Ezra, Nehemiah, Esther (incl. additions*), Judith*, 1-2 Maccabees* |
Pauline Letters - Romans, 1-2 Corinthians, Galatians, Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians, 1-2 Thessalonians, Philemon, 1-2 Timothy, Titus |
Prophets - Isaiah, Jeremiah, Ezekiel, Daniel (incl. additions*), Baruch*, The Twelve: Hosea, Joel, Amos, Obadiah, Jonah, Micah, Nahum, Habakkuk, Zephaniah, Haggai, Zechariah, Malachi |
Catholic Letters & Other Writing - 1-2 Peter, James, Jude, 1-2-3 John, Hebrews, Revelation (Apocalypse) |
Wisdom Literature & Psalms - Job, Psalms, Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, Song of Songs, Lamentations, Wisdom*, Tobit*, Sirach* |
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