How is the Hebrew Bible divided? How does grouping the books of the Hebrew Bible into sections affect how we read these texts?
The shape of the Hebrew Bible had a few different key moments where some sort of “canon” was identified. However, a critical moment, mentioned by Dr. Collins, is the Persian observance of Israelites using certain texts that led to a formalization of a canon and law. How does this impact how we understand these books in relation to each other?
Did you know that there were differences between the Old Testament and the Hebrew Bible in form and organization before this study? Does this information surprise you?
Applying the Text:
How are these texts of the Hebrew Bible used in your faith community? Are these books treated similarly or differently from texts in the New Testament? How so?
How does the unique sorting of the texts of the Hebrew Bible and Old Testament affect how Jews and Christians think about them? Do certain texts become more or less authoritative based on how they are included in the canon?