Broad Overview of The Bible
Our Broad Overview of The Bible is a collection of 66 books written over approximately 1,500 years, is divided into two main sections: the Old Testament and the New Testament. Understanding its structure, history, and key themes provides a crucial framework for interpreting its message.
I. Structure:
Old Testament (OT): Comprises 39 books, primarily written in Hebrew (with some Aramaic). It narrates the history of God’s relationship with Israel, from creation to the period before the arrival of Jesus. The OT is often categorized into:
Pentateuch (Torah): The first five books (Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, Deuteronomy), containing foundational laws, narratives, and covenants.
Historical Books: Narratives of Israel’s history, including Judges, Kings, Chronicles, and others.
Poetic Books: Collections of wisdom literature, poetry, and songs (Job, Psalms, Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, Song of Solomon).
Prophetic Books: Messages from prophets conveying God’s warnings, promises, and judgments (Isaiah, Jeremiah, Ezekiel, Daniel, and the minor prophets).
New Testament (NT): Contains 27 books, primarily written in Greek. It focuses on the life, ministry, death, resurrection, and teachings of Jesus Christ, as well as the early development of the Christian church. The NT is typically divided into:
Gospels: Four accounts of Jesus’s life and ministry (Matthew, Mark, Luke, John).
Acts of the Apostles: The story of the early church’s expansion.
Epistles (Letters): Letters written by Paul and other apostles to various churches and individuals.
Revelation: A prophetic book describing the end times.
II. History:
The Bible’s history spans millennia, encompassing diverse cultures, languages, and historical periods.
The OT covers the creation of the world, the patriarchs (Abraham, Isaac, Jacob), the exodus from Egypt, the conquest of Canaan, the establishment of the monarchy (David and Solomon), the division of the kingdom, exile in Babylon, and the return to Jerusalem.
The NT begins with the birth of Jesus in the Roman province of Judea, covering his ministry, crucifixion, resurrection, and the spread of Christianity throughout the Roman Empire.
III. Key Themes:
Several overarching themes weave throughout the entire Bible:
Creation and Covenant: God’s creative act and his covenant relationships with humanity (Adam, Noah, Abraham, Moses, David, and the new covenant in Christ).
Sin and Redemption: The reality of human sin and God’s plan for redemption through sacrifice and grace.
Law and Grace: The Old Testament’s emphasis on law and the New Testament’s emphasis on grace through faith in Jesus Christ.
Kingdom of God: The establishment of God’s reign, both present and future, characterized by justice, peace, and righteousness.
Hope and Promise: The promise of a future restoration and the hope of eternal life.
God’s Character: The Bible reveals God’s attributes: love, justice, mercy, holiness, power, and faithfulness.
This broad overview is for those who are starting to read the Bible and want to understand what to expect in its pages.
If you have any questions, thoughts or concerns, feel free to contact us directly through our emails: jean@ourdividedworld.com and john@ourdividedworld.com and we will respond as quickly as possible. We would love to hear from you with any comments and to let us know how your journey into the Holy Bible is progressing. Blessings to you.
H John & Jean
Our Divided World Ministry
john@ourdividedworld.com
jean@ourdividedworld.com
https://ourdividedworld.com
Jesus replied, “What is impossible with man is possible with God.”
Luke 18:27
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