The Bible stands as the living Word of God, inspired by the Holy Spirit and written through human authors. This lesson dives into the Bible’s divine (from God) origin, its overarching structure, and its critical role in Catholic life. As the video by Fr. Mike Schmitz emphasizes, Scripture is "God-breathed" (2 Timothy 3:16), with God as the primary author and human writers serving as His instruments. The Old Testament, made of 46 books, reveals God’s enduring covenant with Israel and prepares the way for Christ, while the New Testament, with its 27 books, fulfills these ancient promises through the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus. The Gospels—Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John—form the very heart of Scripture, directly proclaiming the Good News of salvation (Catechism of Catholic Church 101-141).
Engaging with the Bible requires respect and prayer, as the Church teaches that Scripture is best interpreted with guidance. Reading the Bible can be complicated and difficult to understand without the Church’s help. Through real engagement, the divine message reaches hearts, transforming lives. The Bible is more than just a book; it is a profound means of encountering Christ, the Word made flesh (John 1:14). The Bible is a collection of books written by dozens of authors over thousands of years telling the love story of God. We can’t really know our own story if we do not read the Bible. As St. Jerome famously asserted, "Ignorance of Scripture is ignorance of Christ," showing the importance of cultivating a lifelong love for God’s Word.
Salvation history, as presented through the Catholic Bible and culminating in Jesus Christ, is the ongoing narrative of God's loving plan to redeem humanity from sin and restore communion with Him. It begins with Creation and the establishment of a perfect relationship between God and humanity. However, through the Fall of Adam and Eve, sin entered the world, severing this communion and introducing suffering and death. Despite this, God immediately promised a redeemer (Genesis 3:15).
Throughout the Old Testament, God progressively reveals His plan through a series of covenants. A covenant is a promise made between God and man. He establishes a covenant with Noah, promising never again to destroy humanity by flood. He calls Abraham, promising him countless descendants and a land, through whom all nations would be blessed, foreshadowing universal salvation. The Moses Covenant at Mount Sinai establishes Israel as God's chosen people, giving them the Law (Torah) as a guide for holy living and a foreshadowing of the New Covenant. Prophets like Isaiah, Jeremiah, and Ezekiel continuously call Israel to fidelity, condemn their sins, and foretell the coming of a Messiah who would establish a new and everlasting covenant, write the Law on hearts, and bring ultimate healing. Despite Israel's repeated unfaithfulness, God remains steadfast in His love and promises.
The high point of salvation history is found in Jesus Christ. He is the Incarnation of God, the Word made flesh, who perfectly fulfills all the Old Testament prophecies and covenants. Jesus' life, teachings, miracles, and his establishment of the Church reveal the fullness of God's love and saving will. The definitive act of salvation occurs through Jesus' Paschal Mystery: His Passion, sacrificial Death on the cross, Resurrection from the dead, and Ascension into Heaven. Through this, Jesus conquers sin and death, offering perfect justice for humanity's transgressions and opening the gates of Heaven.
Jesus establishes the New and Everlasting Covenant through his blood, which is not limited to one people but is open to all who believe. This New Covenant is characterized by grace and the receiving of the Holy Spirit, allowing believers to live according to God's will and participate in His divine life. The Church, founded by Christ and empowered by the Holy Spirit at Pentecost, provides the sacraments, continuing Christ's mission in the world until His glorious Second Coming, when salvation history will reach its ultimate fulfillment in the new heavens and new earth.
Reflection Questions:
What happened after Creation that caused problems between God and people, and what was the very first thing God promised to do to fix it?
The Old Testament talks about special promises, called covenants, that God made with people. Name and briefly describe at least two of these promises mentioned in the text. How did these promises help get things ready for Jesus?
The text says Jesus Christ is the most important part of "salvation history." What big events in Jesus' life (mentioned as the "Paschal Mystery") are described as being the main ways He fixed our problems with sin and started a new, better promise with God?
What is one practical way you can incorporate Scripture into your daily or weekly routine?
Multiple Choice Questions
What was the original relationship like between God and humanity at the time of Creation, according to the text?
a) It was a difficult relationship with many rules.
b) It was a perfect relationship.
c) They were distant from each other.
d) It was a relationship based on fear.
What event, according to the text, caused sin to enter the world and break the perfect relationship with God?
a) The flood in Noah's time.
b) The giving of the Law on Mount Sinai.
c) The Fall of Adam and Eve.
d) The building of the first temple.
Which of these is NOT mentioned as a promise or covenant God made in the Old Testament?
a) A promise to Noah not to destroy humanity by flood again.
b) A promise to Abraham about countless descendants.
c) A promise to build a giant tower to reach Heaven.
d) The Mosaic Covenant, giving Israel the Law.
According to the text, what is the "culmination" (most important part) of salvation history?
a) The building of the first temple in Jerusalem.
b) The coming of a powerful king to rule Israel.
c) The life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ.
d) The writing of the Old Testament books.
What did Jesus' "Paschal Mystery" (His Passion, Death, Resurrection, and Ascension) achieve, according to the text?
a) It only showed that Jesus was a good teacher.
b) It primarily established new laws for people to follow.
c) It conquered sin and death, offering atonement for human transgressions.
d) It led to the destruction of the city of Jerusalem.