Biblical Covenants and Scripture Structure

Biblical Covenants and Divine Promises

The Noahic Covenant

After sending a flood to destroy the evil on earth, Noah and God develop a covenant that God will protect His people as long as they respect and worship Him. God will never punish the world in this way again.

Symbol: Rainbow

The Abrahamic Covenant

Symbol: Circumcision. Abraham followed God in spite of hardship and difficulty. God promises salvation for all descendants of Abraham.

The Mosaic Covenant

Symbol: Ten Commandments. Moses encounters God in the burning bush—"Yahweh" (I am who I am). God is eternal and the source of all things.

The Davidic Covenant

God creates a covenant with David to restore the Mosaic Covenant. God says that His house will rule over Israel forever and if the ruler is good, then they will be blessed.

Symbol: Messiah / Jesus Christ

Structure of the Bible and Key Books

Law Books (Torah or Pentateuch)

The first five books of the Bible—Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, and Deuteronomy—are also known as the Torah or Pentateuch.

• NT Example: Luke's Gospel

History Books

These books tell the story of the people of Israel from the conquest of Canaan through the ends of the kingdoms of Israel and Judah to the restoration of Jerusalem.

• OT Examples: Judges and Ruth
• NT Example: Acts of the Apostles

Wisdom Books

Several different kinds of advice to face everyday problems.

• OT Examples: Proverbs, Psalms
• NT Example: Epistles of Saint Peter

Prophecy Books

These books tell of what is to come. Often the prophets warned Israel of disasters to come if people did not return to the True God.

• OT Example: Isaiah
• NT Example: Book of Revelation (John)

Gospel Formation and the Gospel of Mark

Three-Stage Formation of the Gospels

1. Life and teachings of Jesus Christ
2. Oral traditions and preachings of the apostles
3. Written gospels

Collegeville Stages of Mark

1. Draws us into a relationship with God
2. True meaning of discipleship
3. The resurrection of Jesus

Collegeville Themes for Mark

• Discipleship: Peter denies Jesus three times
• Trust: Rejection at Nazareth
• Humanity: Agony in the Garden
• Service: Syrophoenician Woman

The Three Temptations of Jesus

Matthew’s Account

1. Turn stone to bread: Response: "I don't need food"
2. Throw yourself down: Response: "I will not test my God"
3. Worship Satan: Response: "I only worship one God"

Luke’s Account

Temptations #2 and #3 switch because Luke believes that not testing God is more important than worshipping only one God.

Particular Judgment and the Afterlife

1. Person dies
2. Soul leaves body
3. Judged by God

There are three places that one goes after judgment:

• Heaven: Live in the infinite joy of God, Jesus, Holy Spirit, and others.
• Purgatory: Punishment for venial sins. The soul knows that it will go to Heaven at some point.
• Hell: Self-exclusion from communion with God.