The Bible - Lesson 4: The Old Testament

Lesson 4:
The Old Testament

1. How many books does the Old Testament contain?

It contains from forty-five to forty-seven books, depending on how the books are divided.

2. Into how many classes may these books be divided?

Three.

3. Name these classes.

Didactic or Doctrinal, Historical, and Prophetic books.

4. Is there any reason for this classification?

Yes, the very matter contained in them suggests this classification.

5. What are the Didactic or Doctrinal books?

There are the books that contain the teachings of God to man.

6. How many Didactic books are there in the Old Testament?

Seven: Job, Psalms, Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, Canticle of Canticles, Wisdom, Ecclesiasticus.

7. Why are others called "Prophetical Books"?

Because they treat of the Messiah and His life, passion, and death in a prophetical manner.

8. Are all the Prophetical books of equal importance?

No; four of these books are called the Greater Prophets because they are greater in length and deal with more important matters, generally, than the other twelve which are called the Lesser Prophets.

9. Why are the remaining books classified as "Historical books"?

The remaining books are so classified because they narrate the history of the People of God and the history of our salvation.  

Wash Day

Now, this is really a cute one. . .and I've not seen it before, either!! That is getting to be a rarity!!!

Monday
Wash Day

Lord, help me wash away all my selfishness and vanity, so I may serve you with perfect humility through the week ahead.

Tuesday
Ironing Day

Dear Lord, help me iron out all the wrinkles of prejudice I have collected through the years so that I may see the beauty in others.

Wednesday
Mending Day

O God, help me mend my ways so I will not set a bad example for others.    
 
Thursday
Cleaning Day

Lord Jesus, help me to dust out all the many faults I have been hiding in the secret corners of my heart.

Friday
Shopping Day

O God, give me the grace to shop wisely so I may purchase eternal
happiness for myself and all others in need of love.

Saturday
Cooking Day

Help me, my Savior, to brew a big kettle of brotherly love and serve it
with clean, sweet bread of human kindness.

Sunday
The Lord's Day

O God, I have prepared my house for you. Please come into my heart so I may spend the day and the rest of my life in your presence.       


If this message has inspired you in anyway or you feel that it can brighten someone else's day, please share it. 
 

The Bible - Lesson 3: Dates and Division of The Bible

Lesson 3:
Dates And Division Of The Bible

1. When was the Bible written?

The Bible was written during a period covering more than 1500 years.

2. When was the first book written?

The exact date is not known, but it must have been some fifteen hundred years before Christ, since its author was Moses.

3. When was the last book written?

The last book was written about the year 93 A.D.

4. What period of time does the Bible, as a book of history, cover?

As a history, the Bible covers a period of many thousands of years.

5. Name the event with which the Bible, as a book of history, begins.

The creation of the universe.

6. What events bring the Bible, as a book of history, to a close?

The life of Christ and early spread of Christianity.

7. How is the Bible divided?

The Bible is divided into the Old and New Testaments.

8. Is the division into Old and New Testaments suitable?

It is, since the Old Testament deals with the span of time before Christ's first coming with the expectation for the future Savior, while the New Testament treats of His life and work in this world, or the realization of that hope.  

The Bible - Lesson 2: Inspiration of The Bible

Lesson 2:
Inspiration Of The Bible

1. Must we believe in the inspiration of the Bible?

Yes, the inspiration of the Bible is an article of Faith which cannot be denied without sin.

2. What is meant by inspiration of the Bible?

Inspiration of the Bible means, in the first place, that those who wrote the Bible were impelled to do so by God.

3. What else is meant by inspiration of the Bible?

Principally that those who wrote the Bible were protected from error while writing what God impelled them to write.

4. Is there a special name for that protection of the writer from error?

Yes, it is called "biblical inerrancy." It means that there are no errors in the Bible.

5. What proof have we that the Bible is inspired?

The Catholic Church, which is infallible, teaches us so.

6. Does not the Church itself rely on the Bible for proofs of its infallibility?

Besides those found in the Bible, the Church has many other proofs for its infallibility.

7. What general proof have we for the inspiration of the Bible?

Besides many others, we have Our Lord's constant references to the Old Testament as the word of God, while the early Christian Church testifies to the inspiration of the New Testament.

8. Are all the parts of the Bible inspired?

"For all the books which the Church receives as sacred and canonical are written wholly and entirely, with all their parts, at the dictation of the Holy Ghost ..." (Leo the XIII in Providentissimus Deus, E.B. 124, 127)

9. Does the inspiration apply to the originals only, or to the translations also?

Both: It applies absolutely to the originals, and to the translations insofar as they are faithful to the originals.  

The Bible - Lesson 1: Bible Definitions

To give us proper perspective on the Holy Writings, following the teachings of the Catholic Church, and observing what Peter the apostle call, the "Obedience of Faith", I would like to share with you a Bible Catechism which is consistent with the teachings of my Holy Mother Church:

 

Lesson 1:
Bible Definitions

1. What does the word "Bible" mean?

The word "Bible" means "book."

2. From what language is the word derived?
(Etymological definition)

From the Latin "Biblia," which in turn comes from the Greek.

3. Is the Greek word for what we call the "Bible" in the singular or in the plural?

In the plural, which means that it should be translated "the books".

4. Why did the Greeks use the plural form?

They used the plural form because the Bible is not one book but a collection of books.

5. Is the Latin word for what we call the Bible in the singular or in the plural?

It is in the singular and, therefore, should be translated "the book".

6. Why does the Latin use the singular form?

Because the Bible is the most important book there is, since it is the Word of God.

7. What does the Bible contain?

The Bible contains chiefly a history of God's Revelation to mankind.

8. What does the Bible give us in addition to the history of God's dealings with mankind?

In addition, the Bible gives us instructions in faith and morals.

9. Does the Bible give other instructions?

Certain books give detailed instructions for the carrying out of religious worship in the Old Law.

10. Did the Bible, as some seem to think, fall from heaven?

No; the Bible was written by man.

11. If the Bible was written by man, why do we say it is the written word of God?

Though written by man, we can truly say it is the written word of God, because it was written under the inspiration of God.  

Boy memorizes all 265 popes! His Catholic memory secrets will help your memory, too.

Recently a wise midwestern priest wowed his parishioners by pausing in his sermon to recite from memory --- and in order --- the names of all 44 United States presidents!

* "But wait," he said, holding up a hand to stifle applause. "Greater things are yet to come." "However, before I show you," he continued, "note this: although we've had lots of presidents, the Catholic Church already had 220 popes before the first American president was ever inaugurated. That's how old our Church is, and how ancient the origins of our beloved Eucharist!" * "But I told you that greater things are yet to come." "John Paul," he motioned to an eleven-year-old in the pews. "Come up here." John Paul walked nervously to the front of the Church, faced the tabernacle, and prayed silently. Behind him, Father and an associate held up a large poster with the names and images on it of every single pope --- from Peter to Benedict XVI.

Young John Paul then proceeded to name all 265 popes, in order and from memory!

John Paul with all 265 popes.

But there's something here
that's even greater than that!

You see, John Paul is clever, but he's no prodigy. He memorized all 265 popes by using a simple memory system created over 700 years ago by St. Thomas Aquinas, and recently revived by Dr. Kevin Vost . . . a system so simple it also helped a 5-year-old learn her numbers, letters, shapes, and colors:

As they taught young John Paul and Sonya's little daughter, Thomas Aquinas and Kevin Vost can teach you and your kids to remember virtually anything: . . . names, dates, phone numbers, passwords, the first 12 digits of pi (3.141592653589, if you really want to know!), and even whether, on the way home, you're supposed to buy ice cream and toffee (or was ittruffles and coffee?)

---

The Nine Beatitudes The Seven Spiritual Works of Mercy The Seven Virtues The Ten Holy Days of Obligation The Fourteen Stations of the Cross The Seven Capital Sins The Seven Corporal Works of Mercy The Ten Commandments The Twenty-Seven Books of the New Testament The Forty-Six Books of the Old Testament The Four Marks of the Church The Six Sins Against the Holy Spirit	St. Thomas created this remarkable system to help him remember the teachings of our Faith. You can use it for that, too. It's easy. And it's fun!	The Twelve Apostles The Twenty Mysteries of the Rosary The Seven Sacraments The Seven Gifts of the Holy Spirit The Five Proofs for the existence of God The Five Precepts of the Church The Twelve Fruits of the Holy Spirit The Four Last Things Plus: the ten items on your grocery list and the birthdays of your seven nephews and nieces!
In fact, by the time you finishMemorize the Faith!, you will have memorized dozens of key teachings of the Church (including all those listed left and right, above). You and your children will know by heart countless other precepts, traditions, Scripture verses, and other elements of the Faith that every good Catholic needs to remember and to live by. You already know your letters, shapes, and colors, and likely you don't need to know all 265 popes, but I'll bet that a good memory would make your life better all the way around, and would help your kids, too. Order it today: Save 25%* At checkout, enter code: HLVOST25 (*shipping not included) Memorize the Faith! by Kevin Vost, Psy.D. 272 pgs pbk $17.95 Save 25%* At checkout, enter code: HLVOST25 (*shipping not included) Other books by Dr. Vost that might interest you: Save 25%* At checkout, enter code: HLVOST25 (*shipping not included) 1-800-888-9344www.SophiaInstitute.com Sophia Institute Press Box 5284, Manchester, NH 03108 USA

Of Weeping And Rejoicing

 by Bill Crowder

Read: Romans 12:9-16

Rejoice with those who rejoice, and weep with those who weep. —Romans 12:15

Golda Meir knew both struggle and success during her life. As prime minister of Israel, she experienced many episodes of conflict and loss, as well as the periodic joy of successes and victory in the life of the fledgling State of Israel. She said of joy and sorrow, “Those who don’t know how to weep with their whole heart, don’t know how to laugh either.”

The apostle Paul called us to a life of both weeping and rejoicing—but with a twist. In Romans 12:15, the apostle challenged us to look outside our own experiences to the needs of others. He said, “Rejoice with those who rejoice, and weep with those who weep.”

If we rejoice only in our own victories, we miss the wonder of celebrating the power of the Lord, who desires to accomplish His purposes in and through others as well. If we mourn only our own losses, we lose the opportunity to “be there” for those who are hurting by showing them compassion.

Life is filled with the extremes of joy and sorrow, victory and defeat. But we have been given the privilege of entering into those moments in people’s lives to see the grace of God at work. Don’t miss it!

Lord, give me sensitivity

To people in their grief and pain,

To weep with them and show Your love

In ways mere words cannot attain. —Sper

Looking to the needs of others honors Christ.