Esguerra, Nathaniel L.

BTVTEd - 1B

1. Read Genesis 1:26

What does it mean to be created in the image and likeness of God?
Genesis 1:26 states, "Then God said, 'Let us make mankind in our image, in our likeness, so
that they may rule over the fish in the sea and the birds in the sky, over the livestock and all the
wild animals, and over all the creatures that move along the ground.Being created in the image
and likeness of God is a concept that has been interpreted in various ways by different religious
traditions. In general, it signifies that humans share certain qualities or attributes with God, such
as rationality, morality, and the capacity for spiritual connection. This idea suggests that humans
have inherent worth, dignity, and a special place in the world due to their resemblance to the
divine. Different religious groups may interpret this concept differently, but the common thread is
the belief in the unique and elevated status of humanity in the order of creation.

2. Since the Bible is our main reference, we need to be acquainted with it. So, what do you
know about the Bible?
The Bible is a collection of sacred texts and scriptures in Judaism and Christianity. It is divided
into two main sections: the Old Testament and the New Testament. The Old Testament contains
texts that are sacred in both Judaism and Christianity, including books of history, poetry,
prophecy, and law. The New Testament focuses on the life, teachings, and works of Jesus
Christ, as well as the early Christian Church.The Bible is highly regarded as a source of
religious and moral guidance by millions of people worldwide. It has been translated into
numerous languages and has had a significant influence on literature, art, culture, and religious
thought throughout history. Different religious denominations may have variations in the books
they consider canonical, but the core themes of love, morality, faith, and salvation are central to
most interpretations of the Bible.

3. Who wrote the Bible?

The Bible is a collection of sacred texts in Judaism and Christianity. It was written by multiple
authors over centuries. Different parts of the Bible were written by different people, including
prophets, kings, and apostles. The exact authors of many biblical texts remain unknown, and
the process of compiling and editing the Bible took place over a long period of time.

4. What language was used to write the Bible? Who translated it?
The Bible was originally written in several ancient languages. The Old Testament was primarily
written in Hebrew, with some portions (such as Daniel and Ezra) written in Aramaic. The New
Testament was written in Greek.
The translation of the Bible into various languages has been a continuous process throughout
history. One of the most famous early translations is the Septuagint, a Greek translation of the
Hebrew Bible, dating back to the 3rd and 2nd centuries BCE. Over the centuries, the Bible has
been translated into numerous languages to make it accessible to people around the world.
Prominent historical figures and religious scholars, as well as various religious denominations,
have contributed to Bible translations. For example, St. Jerome's Latin translation, known as the
Vulgate, completed in the 4th century CE, had a significant influence on Christianity in the
Western world. In the 16th century, the Protestant Reformation led to translations of the Bible
into vernacular languages, making it more accessible to ordinary people. Today, there are
countless translations of the Bible in languages spoken worldwide, each with its own team of
scholars and translators.

5. Who collected the sacred writings?

The process of collecting and organizing the sacred writings that make up the Bible was
complex and occurred over centuries. Different religious communities and traditions were
involved in this process.
For the Old Testament, Jewish scholars and leaders played a crucial role in preserving and
collecting the sacred texts of ancient Israel. The process of canonization, where certain books
were recognized as authoritative and sacred, took place over many centuries. The Jewish
canon, known as the Hebrew Bible, was generally settled by the 2nd century CE.
For the New Testament, early Christian communities valued writings that were believed to be
inspired by the apostles or their close associates. The process of canonization for the New
Testament texts was gradual and took several centuries. By the 4th century CE, most Christian
communities had accepted a core set of texts as the New Testament.
It's important to note that different religious traditions have slightly different canons. For
instance, the Catholic, Protestant, and Eastern Orthodox traditions have some variations in the
books they consider canonical. These differences stem from historical and theological factors
within each tradition.