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'''What does the Bible contain?'''
'''What does the Bible contain?'''
The Bible consists of two main parts - the [[Old Testamen]]t and the [[New Testament]].
The Bible consists of two main parts - the [[Old Testament]] and the [[New Testament]].
There are some additional books that some branches consider to also be sacred parts of the Bible, and those are
There are some additional books that some branches consider to also be sacred parts of the Bible, and those are
referred to as the Apocrypha.
referred to as the Apocrypha.
referred to as the Torah. The majority
referred to as the Torah. The majority
of the Old Testament consists of the "Prophets", which can be further divided into major prophets,
of the Old Testament consists of the "Prophets", which can be further divided into major prophets,
minor prophets, and historical books (like Johua, Judges, and Chronicles). Finally, we have
minor prophets, and historical books (like Joshua, Judges, and Chronicles). Finally, we have
the "Writings" (known as Ketuvim to the Jews), which contain books like Psalms and Proverbs.
the "Writings" (known as Ketuvim to the Jews), which contain books like Psalms and Proverbs.
The Old Testament was written in Hebrew, with the earliest books written during the time of
The Old Testament was written in [[Hebrew]], with the earliest books written during the time of
King David around 1000 BC. Most of the Prophets were written during the Babylonian exile in the
King David around 1000 BC. Most of the Prophets were written during the Babylonian exile in the
6th & 7th centuries B.C. Some books were written later, during the Hellenistic period in the 3rd and
6th & 7th centuries B.C. Some books were written later, during the Hellenistic period in the 3rd and
'''The New Testament'''
'''The New Testament'''
The New Testament is the Christian part of the Bible. Whereas the Old Testament concerns itself
The New Testament is the [[Christian]] part of the Bible. Whereas the Old Testament concerns itself
with the history of Israel, and predicts the coming of Jesus, the New Testament is all about
with the history of Israel, and predicts the coming of Jesus, the New Testament is all about
the life of Jesus and the early church that developed after his resurrection. It, too, can
the life of Jesus and the early church that developed after his resurrection. It, too, can
be divided into various parts. The most important part is the Gospels. There are 4 gospels (by
be divided into various parts. The most important part is the Gospels. There are 4 gospels (by
Mark, Matthew, Luke, and John), which describe the entire life of Jesus, each doing so independently.
Mark, Matthew, Luke, and John), which describe the entire life of [[Jesus]], each doing so independently.
This is one of the reasons we know the Bible is accurate - four separate and independent accounts
This is one of the reasons we know the Bible is accurate - four separate and independent accounts
reveal the same story (although each goes into slightly different details). Another part of the New Testament
reveal the same story (although each goes into slightly different details). Another part of the New Testament
Testament (and thus the Bible), ends with the Book of Revelation, also commonly known as the Apocalypse. It
Testament (and thus the Bible), ends with the Book of Revelation, also commonly known as the Apocalypse. It
was written by the Apostle John and essentially describes the end of the world, when Jesus will return to
was written by the Apostle John and essentially describes the end of the world, when Jesus will return to
judge everyone, and all the believers will be taken to the Kingdom of Heaven, whereas sinners will be cast
judge everyone, and all the believers will be taken to the Kingdom of [[Heaven]], whereas sinners will be cast
into the fires of Hell. The New Testament was written primarily in Greek (although parts were likely in Aramaic -
into the fires of [[Hell]]. The New Testament was written primarily in Greek (although parts were likely in Aramaic -
an ancient language common to Judea at the time). It's important to realize that the Greek the Bible was written
an ancient language common to Judea at the time). It's important to realize that the [[Greek]] the Bible was written
in is not the modern Greek spoken in the country of Greece today - it was so-called "Koine Greek", which was
in is not the modern Greek spoken in the country of Greece today - it was so-called "Koine Greek", which was
a bit different (much like Old English is different from modern English). The New Testament was written in
a bit different (much like Old [[English]] is different from modern English). The New Testament was written in
a much shorter time period than the books of the Old Testament. All the books were written in the 1st century
a much shorter time period than the books of the Old Testament. All the books were written in the 1st century
A.D. - approximately between the years 35 A.D. and 85 A.D. There were also many other book related to Christianity
A.D. - approximately between the years 35 A.D. and 85 A.D. There were also many other book related to Christianity
'''Translations'''
'''Translations'''
I already mentioned the first translation of the Old Testament that was made - the so-called Septuagint, which
I already mentioned the first translation of the Old Testament that was made - the so-called [[Septuagint]], which
translated it from Hebrew into Greek. It is called the Septuagint from the Greek word for "seventy" - supposedly
translated it from Hebrew into Greek. It is called the Septuagint from the Greek word for "seventy" - supposedly
72 translators were gathered, and each made an independent translation. It then turned out that all of the
72 translators were gathered, and each made an independent translation. It then turned out that all of the
translations were identical! This proved that the translation was as divinely inspired as the original texts,
translations were identical! This proved that the translation was as divinely inspired as the original texts,
and thus accurate. Accuracy of translating the Holy Bible has always been a concern. THe first translation
and thus accurate. Accuracy of translating the Holy Bible has always been a concern. The first translation
into a non-Greek language happened at the end of the 4th century, when the scholarly St. Jerome translated the
into a non-Greek language happened at the end of the 4th century, when the scholarly St. Jerome translated the
entire Bible into Latin - the common language of the Roman Empire. This translation was known as the "Vulgate",
entire Bible into Latin - the common language of the [[Roman Empire]]. This translation was known as the "Vulgate",
which comes from the Latin word for "common" - meaning the text was finally available in a language that was
which comes from the Latin word for "common" - meaning the text was finally available in a language that was
common to everyone. Since then, the Bible has been translated into virtually every language known to man. In fact
common to everyone. Since then, the Bible has been translated into virtually every language known to man. In fact
some systems of writing were invented specifically for translating the Bible! For example, the Cyryllic alphabet
some systems of writing were invented specifically for translating the Bible! For example, the Cyrillic alphabet
was invented by missionaries so that they would be able to write the Bible in the language understood by those
was invented by missionaries so that they would be able to write the Bible in the language understood by those
living in what is now Russia. The first English translations were developed in the 16th century. However, the
living in what is now [[Russia]]. The first English translations were developed in the 16th century. However, the
first accurate and reliable translation into English didn't get completed until 1611 - this is the so-called
first accurate and reliable translation into English didn't get completed until 1611 - this is the so-called
"Authorized King James Version," since it was commissioned by King James. This version remains one of the most
"Authorized King James Version," since it was commissioned by King James. This version remains one of the most
5. How is the process used in translating the Conservapedia Bible different from the process used for other
5. How is the process used in translating the Conservapedia Bible different from the process used for other
translations? How do you think this improves the final product?
translations? How do you think this improves the final product?
EXTRA CREDIT: Translate at least 5 verses for the Conservapedia Bible Translation project.