Topic 9: The Prophetic Literature of Ancient Israel

The Prophet Jeremiah as portrayed by Michelangelo

Introduction to the Prophets of Ancient Israel

The Book of Joshua

The Book of Judges

The Books of Samuel and Kings

The Book of Amos

The Book of Isaiah (First Isaiah)

Topic 8: The Torah

The Importance of the Torah in the Community of Israel

General Introduction to the Pentateuch

The Book of Genesis

The Book of Exodus

Exodus to Deuteronomy

Topic 6: The Book of Sirach

Please click on Topic 6: The Book of Sirach

Topic 5: The Book of Qoheleth

Topic 5: The Book of Qoheleth

Topic 4 The Book of Job

Job in Prayer - by Marc Chagall

Topic 4: The Book of Job

Topic 3: The Book of Proverbs

For Topic 3 PowerPoint presentation, click here.

SHEMA Yisrael - Class Prayer

Shema  - part 1 | Music Codes


The Shema (Deut 6:4-9)
Hear, O Israel! The LORD is our God, the LORD alone!
Therefore, you shall love the LORD, your God,
with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your strength.
Take to heart these words which I enjoin on you today.
Drill them into your children.
Speak of them at home and abroad,
whether you are busy or at rest.
Bind them at your wrist as a sign
and let them be as a pendant on your forehead.
Write them on the doorposts of your houses and on your gates.

v. 4. Shema Yisrael Adonay Eloheynu Adonay Echad.
v.5. Ve-ahabta et Adonay Eloheyka
Bekol-lebabeka ubkol-napsheka ubkol-meodeka
v. 6. Vehayu haddevarim ha-elle asher anoki mesavveka hayyom al-lebabeka
v. 7. Vesinnantam lebaneyka
vedibbarta bam beshibteka bebeteka
ublekteka badderek
ubshokbeka ubkumeka
v. 8. ukshartam le-ot al-yadeka
vehayu letotapot ben eneyka
v. 9. uktabtam al-mezuzot beteka ubish-areyka. Selah.

Misquoting Jesus by Professor Bart Ehrman

In class, Abby raised a question on the complicated transmission of the Biblical text. I mentioned and showed the work of the world-class biblical scholar Bart Ehrman, Misquoting Jesus as an easy-to-understand explanation of the transmission of the New Testament text. Here's a video lecture of Professor Bart Ehrman.

Video 1 


Video 2

Video 3

Video 4

Video 5

Video 6

Video 7

Video 8

Video 9

Video 10

Topic 2: The Bible in General and the Old Testament in Particular

Please click on the links to go to the files. Download the attachments using your sign in ID and password.

1) PowerPoint Lecture on Topic 2: The Bible in General and the Old Testament in Particular.

2) Bible and History by Paul Jurkowitz

3) Guide Questions on Bible and History

4) Introductory Summary

Topic 1: What is Theology?

During our first meeting as a class, we talked about the title of the theology book that Snoopy wanted to write. We agreed that Snoopy's title is a good after all: "Has It Ever Occurred to You That You Might Be Wronged?" This led us to conclude that critical understanding our faith is an important aspect of being Catholic Christians and of deepening our faith. Because we believe in God so we seek to understand this faith -- or as St. Anselm of Canterbury puts it: "Fides quaerens intellectum" (faith seeking understanding"). This is theology -- and it will be the guiding principle for our Saturday courses at the CTS program.

Then we had a survey of the different areas in Theology and the different subjects of the CTS program and of the Divine Word Seminary curriculum for the seminarians.  We saw that the Bible is the "soul of theology".

We ended up with a rapid survey of the books and pages of the Bible.

Please click here for a copy of the TORSEM Handout given in class.

Please click here for a copy of the powerpoint presentation.

Also here for additional helpful reading materials Getting Started with Theology ; The Essential Key to Catholic Theology.

Please click here to read, "The Bible as Book and as Library" - in preparation for the next meeting.
Use ID and Password I gave in class.


Pleae also click here to read, "Bible and History" in preparation also for the next meeting.
Use ID and Password I gave in class.