Four Year Curriculum for the Catholic Biblical Studies Program

The CBSP conducts a structured study of the Old and New Testaments over the course of four years. Each book is studied in its relationship with other books in the Bible and with various theological themes.

Year One Year Two Year Three Year Four

Year Four: Both Testaments Concluded - The Word in the Hellenistic World

Unit 1 The book of Proverbs begins a study of Wisdom Literature in the OT. Other books of this genre studied are Habakkuk, Job, Ecclesiastes, Sirach, and Wisdom. There will be an overview of priest, prophet and the wise. Themes discussed are creation emphasis and the problem of suffering.

Unit 2 Jonah, Esther, Tobit, Baruch, Zechariah, 1and 2 Maccabees, Judith and Daniel are studied. Deuterocanonical books and Hellenism are discussed as are the themes of martyrdom and resurrection.

Unit 3 The year ends with a study of the Gospel of Matthew, the pastoral letters and Catholic letters, and the letter to the Hebrews. The role of Peter and the Apostles is discussed as well as the NT as fulfillment of the OT.