Reading Response 1 for CHRTC 100
Welcome to CHRTC 100. You are expected to post your responses to the readings here five times during the semester. You are expected to post responses to two of the posted discussion questions below. Each response should be 150 – 250 words in length.
Please choose two of the following questions and post your responses by 11:59 pm on Friday, May 9, 2025.
1. The Bible is a book of books. These various books are written in various languages in various local contexts at different points of time in the Ancient Near East. Why is it important for students of the Bible to be aware of these realities?2. The first five books of the Hebrew Bible / Old Testament are referred to as the Torah or Pentateuch. Which books are included in this section and what are some of the basic themes of the Torah / Pentateuch?
3. Scholars of the Hebrew Bible / Old Testament have noted that the texts may have been edited together from previous sources. What textual clues are scholars using to build their argument for this?
4. The biblical book of Genesis begins with two stories of creation and other stories of human-divine interaction as well as human-human interaction. What general insights about God, humanity, and violence are being argued for in this section of Genesis by the writers of the text?
5. The second major section of Genesis (chapters 12 – 50) focuses on a very specific family and their interactions with God and with each other. Who are the members of this family and what does God say to and do with this family?
6. In the General Introduction of the Catholic Study Bible, Donald Senior addresses the issue of inclusive language in the NABRE translation of the biblical text. What decisions do the translators make in terms of the issue of inclusive language regarding references to God? to people? Reply
