The Pentateuch
The Pentateuch, also known as the Torah or the Five Books of Moses, forms the foundation of the Old Testament. It consists of the books of Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, and Deuteronomy, which cover the early history of the Israelites and the covenant between God and the descendants of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. Genesis tells the story of creation, the fall of man, and the generations of the patriarchs leading to the Exodus of the Israelites from Egypt.
Exodus narrates the deliverance of the Children of Israel from slavery in Egypt, their journey through the wilderness to the edge of Canaan, and the giving of the Ten Commandments in Mount Sinai. Leviticus focuses on the laws and regulations required for the worshipping of God within the “sanctuary” of the tabernacle. Numbers continues the story of the Israelites wanderings in the desert, and the struggle for them to remain in covenant with the Lord until they arrive in Canaan’s borders. Lastly, Deuteronomy covers a review of what was achieved throughout the Exodus journey and reiterates the covenant between the Lord and his people.
Historical Books
The Historical Books is a recount of the history of Israel from the time of Joshua to the post-exilic period. This includes the books of Joshua, Judges, Ruth, 1 and 2 Samuel, 1 and 2 Kings, 1 and 2 Chronicles, and Ezra, Nehemiah, and Esther. The biblical narrative in these books features the rise and fall of the monarchy and accounts of the kings of kingdoms that came after the divisions of Israel and Judah. The books of Joshua and Judges narrate the entry and conquest of the Israelites into Canaan, while the books of Samuel trace the history of the dynasty that followed the same period.
The books of Kings narrate the events of the monarchy of both the northern and the southern kingdoms and the eventual decline of Jerusalem. The books of Chronicles, on the other hand, tell the story of the nation’s history from the time of Adam until the later kings of the divided nations. Ezra and Nehemiah narrate the return of the exiles from Babylon to the land of Judah and their re-establishment there. Lastly, the book of Esther recounts the Judean women, Esther, who saves her people from the wicked prime minister, Haman.
Wisdom and Poetry
The Wisdom and Poetry books consist of Job, Psalms, Proverbs, the Song of Solomon, Ecclesiastes, and Lamentations. Job tells the story of a man of faith who endures tests and trials sent by God. Most of the Bible is narrated in prose, but the literary form of the book of Job stands out. Then, the book of Psalms comprises a large collection of poems written as prayers and songs. Some of these psalms were used in the worship of the ancient nation of Israel in the temple.
Proverbs and Ecclesiastes are collections of wise sayings, proverbs, and the reflections of King Solomon. They impart ancient sayings and church teachings. The Song of Solomon is composed of love poems and songs set in the context of God’s love for His people and their marriage relationship. Finally, Lamentation is a lament for the prophet Jeremiah for the destruction of Jerusalem.
Prophets
The books of the prophets provide a prophetic view of the history of God’s people from the time of Abraham through the return from exile and up to the end times. This includes the books of Isaiah, Jeremiah, Ezekiel, Daniel, Hosea, Joel, Amos, Obadiah, Jonah, Micah, Nahum, Habakkuk, Zephaniah, Haggai, Zechariah, and Malachi. Isaiah, Jeremiah, and Ezekiel are part of the Major Prophets that cover a significant amount of history. Isaiah focuses on the immediate situation of the kingdom of Judah, while both Jeremiah and Ezekiel focus on the international situation of Judah as well as its spiritual worldview.
The Minor Prophets also serve as a reminder of God’s love and providence over His people, as He continues to fulfill His promise to bring them back from their exile. The books of Hosea, Joel, Amos, Obadiah, Jonah, Micah, Nahum, Habakkuk, Zephaniah, Haggai, Zechariah, and Malachi remind the people of the goodness of God even in their hard circumstances.
New Testament
The New Testament covers the life and ministry of Jesus Christ, his death and resurrection, and the early development of the Christian Church. It consists of the four Gospels, the Book of Acts, the Epistles, and the Book of Revelation. The four Gospels—Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John—describe the life and teachings of Jesus, as well as his death, resurrection, and ascension. The book of Acts recounts the days immediately following Jesus’ ascension and the events leading up to the spread of Christianity throughout the Roman Empire. The Epistles, including Romans, Corinthians, Galatians, Ephesians, Colossians, Thessalonians, Timothy, Titus, and Philemon, are letters from the apostles to churches around the world.
Finally, the Book of Revelation is the prophetic revelation of future events in the world, in which the Christian Church will ultimately triumph. It contains both visions of judgment and hope for the coming Kingdom of God.
Apocrypha
The Apocrypha, also known as the Deuterocanonical Books, is a collection of books not found in the Protestant Bible. The Apocrypha includes books of the Old Testament such as Tobit, Judith, Maccabees, and Wisdom of Solomon, as well as books of the New Testament such as the Epistles of Clement and the Shepherd of Hermas. Although these books were included in earlier versions of the Bible, many scholars and theologians do not consider them to be part of the canon of Scripture because they were written after the books of the Old Testament and are not included in some versions of the Bible.
The Apocrypha is generally considered to be less reliable than the canonical books of the Old Testament, and their authors are generally unknown or uncertain. Nevertheless, these books have been studied for centuries for their theological insight about the time period in which they were written, and they provide a unique perspective on the history of redemption.
Apostolic Writings
The Apostolic Writings are pastoral letters and other writings from the early Church Fathers. They include the letters of Ignatius, Polycarp, Barnabas, Clement, and the Didache. These works primarily served to instruct the Church in issues of faith and practice, and each of them sheds light on the evolution of the Christian Church in the decades following the life of Jesus.
These writings provide valuable insight into the life and practices of early Christianity, including the formation of the Christian Church, the spread of the Gospel, and the development of creeds and confessions. The apostolic writings are highly important to early Church history and are essential for understanding the early years of the Church.
Apocalyptic Literature
The Apocalyptic Literature, or Apocalyptic for short, is a uniquely Jewish genre of literature that arose shortly after the exile of the Jews from their homeland and the spread of their faith throughout the Mediterranean region. The most famous example of Apocalyptic literature is the book of Revelation, but there are also other examples of this genre. These include the books of Daniel, Enoch, Baruch, the Testament of Abraham, 4 Ezra, and the Sibylline Oracles.
Apocalyptic Literature is marked by a vivid narrative quality and includes grand visions of the end times and the coming Kingdom of God. Apocalyptic Literature is an eschatological genre that speaks of the fulfillment of God’s promises to his people and the establishment of a just and peaceful world. It is an important part of the Biblical tradition and provides a unique perspective on the development of the Christian faith.
General Epistles
The General Epistles are letters written by the Early Church Fathers to churches in various places around the world. These letters provide insight into the life and practices of the early Church, including the development of the faith, the spread of the Gospel, and the formation of creeds and confessions. The General Epistles include the letters of James, Peter, John, Jude, and 1 and 2 John. These letters provide instruction to the Church in practical matters of living out the faith.
The General Epistles also provide commentary on the books of the New Testament and how they should be interpreted and applied. They provide valuable insights into the development of the early Church and offer timeless wisdom and instruction to Christian believers today.
