| How many key passages in the specification
show a range of themes that are authoritative for
believers. | eight |
| What are the eight passages? | Ecclesiastes 12: 13-14 , Luke 6:36-37 , Psalm 119:9-16 ,Psalm 119: 105-112 , Genesis 1:26-28 , Ecclesiastes 9: 5-9 , Psalm 46:1-3 , Matthew 6:25, |
| Which two are moral advice? | Ecclesiastes 12: 13-14 , Luke 6:36-37 |
| Which two are a guide to living? | Psalm 119:9-16 ,Psalm 119: 105-112 |
| Which two are the meaning and purpose of life | Genesis 1:26-28 , Ecclesiastes 9: 5-9 |
| Which two are comfort and encouragement ? | Psalm 46:1-3 , Matthew 6:25, |
| How does the bible bring meaning into culture? | (Ten Commandments as a basis for the legal system), |
| How does the bible bring meaning into rituals? | rituals (I Corinthians 13 at wedding ceremonies) |
| How does the bible shape our year? | (the prominence of festivals such as Christmas
and Easter). |
| Ecclesiastes 12: 13-14 | is about the fear of God as the basis for the moral life. ‘Fear’ could be translated as ‘awe’ or ‘respect’ – we are wise to act humbly in the face of great power. |
| Luke 6:36-37 | is about acting with mercy towards others because this is a main character quality of God. Mercy involves compassion, not being quick to judge others and the ability to forgive. |
| Psalm 119:9-16 | is about having joy that God has given humanity rules and standards. Judaism has been unfairly characterized as ‘legalistic’. |
| Psalm 119: 105-112 | this is about the revelation of God’s ways being like a light to guide one’s path. When a religious believer faces a dark or uncertain time, they find their way by reading God’s revelation. |
| Genesis 1:26-28 | is about how humans are made in God’s likeness and have dominion. Christians link this to the theme of stewardship – the care and responsibility for the material world. |
| Ecclesiastes 9: 5-9 | is about the enjoyment of life. This passage urges people to not waste time in hatred, envy and sadness but to enjoy what we are able to enjoy. |
| Psalm 46:1-3 | is about God being a refuge in uncertain times. The analogy is that just as we seek shelter in an earthquake, we can find emotional shelter in God. |
| Matthew 6:25 | is about life being more than food or clothing. Jesus teaches that not only are there more important things to think about but that God cares about the believer’s basic needs. |
| Why are psalms important to Christians? | they believe they refer to Jesus (Psalm 22), |
| What do the psalms say about worship? | describe a worshipful life and have informed hymnody (Luther’s ‘A Mighty Fortress is our God’ -Psalm 46) |
| Why do some Christians not think Psalms is important? | because they believe in the ‘Old’ testament, do not cover key contemporary issues (such as genetic engineering, abortion, etc.) |
| Key thinkers? | D. Bonhoeffer and A. Pope |
| What did D. Bonhoeffer say? | ‘The Psalter is the prayer book of Jesus Christ ... He prayed the Psalter and now it has become his prayer for all time.’ |
| What did A. Pope say? | ‘The scripture in times of disputes is like and open town in times of war, which serves indifferently the occasions of both parties.’ |
| Alternative views? | However, the narrative of evolution,
the possibility of goodness without God/
religion and the increasing irrelevance of
the Bible in culture. |
