Writing the Bible

Bible Master Class Series:

Lesson 3 "Writing the Bible"

 

 

 

{pdf=/pdf/masterclass/writingbible.pdf|100%|100%}

 

Download Slides

 

A redactor takes existing tradition, either oral or written and:

  • Compiles it with other material that fits

    To shorten the pericope (ie story section) I have not included all the Noah story.

Noah 1

Noah 2

  • Gen 6:13-22

  • Gen 7:7-24

  • Gen 7:1-6

  • Gen 8:15-22



The analysis suggests that the redactor had at least two sources. One emphasized ritual cleanness of the animals (7 and 2) and the other survival of the animals (2).

  • Emphasises some parts, de-emphasises other parts.

Founding the Monarchy 1

Founding the Monarchy 2

  • 1Sam 10:24-25

  • 1Sam 11:4-15

  • 1Sam 8:4-22

  • 1Sam 10:17-19



The analysis suggests that the redactor had at least two sources. One was pro monarchy and the other was anti monarchy. Using a process of conflation (ie taking the sources and mixing them together) the redactor expresses the idea that monarchy may be either good or bad.

  • Re-casts stories for the current situation

  • Mt 12:1-9

The text picks up a story about David from 1Samuel (21:6) to make a point about physical needs vs righteousness.

  • Corrects misunderstanding of their audience.

  • Amos 5:25,26

In the traditions, generally the Wilderness journey is cast as a time of special devotion to God. Here Amos takes that tradition and recasts it to extend the Israelite's idolatry into the sacred Wilderness journey.

  • Explains historical oddities for their contemporaries.

  • 1Sam 9:6-11

The redactor was operating in a time when the idiom of his source wasn't accessible to his audience. He adds a side note that explains the use of the term “seer”.

  • The Synoptic Problem – Sources and Redactors in Action

Examine the following passages. Decide which sections are Mark (Triple Tradition), Q and Special L or Special M.

Matthew

Mark

Luke

 

 

 

 

7:9 Or what man is there of you who, if his son shall ask of him a loaf of bread, will give him a stone;

10 and if he ask a fish, will give him a serpent?

 

 

11 If therefore *ye*, being wicked, know [how] to give good gifts to your children, how much rather shall your Father who is in the heavens give good things to them that ask of him?

 

22 Then was brought to him one possessed by a demon, blind and dumb, and he healed him, so that the dumb [man] spake and saw.

23 And all the crowds were amazed and said, Is this [man] the Son of David?

24 But the Pharisees, having heard [it], said, This [man] does not cast out demons, but by Beelzebub, prince of demons.

25 But he, knowing their thoughts, said to them,

Every kingdom divided against itself is brought to desolation, and every city or house divided against itself will not subsist.

26 And if Satan casts out Satan, he is divided against himself; how then shall his kingdom subsist?

27 And if *I* cast out demons by Beelzebub, your sons, by whom do they cast [them] out? For this reason *they*

 

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

And the scribes who had come down from Jerusalem said, He has Beelzebub, and, By the prince of the demons he casts out demons.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

11:9 And *I* say to you, Ask, and it shall be given to you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened to you.

11 But of whom of you that is a father shall a son ask bread, and [the father] shall give him a stone? or also a fish, and instead of a fish shall give him a serpent?

12 or if also he shall ask an egg, shall give him a scorpion?

13 If therefore *ye*, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much rather shall the Father who is of heaven give [the] Holy Spirit to them that ask him?

 

14 And he was casting out a demon, and it was dumb; and it came to pass, the demon being gone out, the dumb [man] spoke.

And the crowds wondered.

 

15 But some from among them said,

By Beelzebub the prince of the demons casts he out demons.

16 And others tempting [him] sought from him a sign out of heaven.

17 But *he*, knowing their thoughts, said to them, Every kingdom divided against itself is brought to desolation: and a house set against a house falls;

18 and if also Satan is divided against himself, how shall his kingdom subsist? because ye say that I cast out demons