God's letter to Me

101 Questions and Answers on the Bible
By Giovanni Tonucci
ISBN 9966-08-056-2; 112 pages; publication 2005; prices US$ 2.00

Archbishop Giovanni Tonucci Shares with the readers his knowledge of the Scriptures by putting into writing the answers to questions put to him during the many Bible Days he animated in Kenya as Apostolic Nuncio. He engages the reader in a friendly and gracious way, leading one to a deeper understanding of the meaning of the SCriptures in our daily life.

This book encourages us to turn to the Bible on daily basis. At the same time it provides the inspiriration and assistance needed as one journeys through the sacred Scriptures.

THE BIBLE
• How did the word “Bible” come about?
• How was the Bible written?

• Being a collection of books, how did the Bible become one book and who selected them to make all of them one book?
• Which is the first book in the Bible and who wrote it?
• How many books are in the Bible?
• Why is the Bible considered as the most important of all books?
• In what way can the Bible help us in our daily lives?
• Who translated the Bible from Hebrew and Greek into other languages, and how was it translated into English?
• You talked about The African Bible. We do have other Bibles. Since God is one, why not having a universal Bible?
• What is the difference between The African Bible and The Jerusalem Bible? Why is The African Bible called so, yet it is written in English? Why was it not written in an African language?
• I am very good at reading the Bible but I find it difficult to meditate on it. Could you give me a piece of advice?
• How do you identify a verse or a topic to read in the Bible?
• If one’s Bible is old and torn up, should one dispose of it by burning it or what should one do with it?
• Which are the relevant readings for the beginners of Bible reading and how can one be guided on how to start reading the Bible?

THE OLD TESTAMENT
• Why is it that the books that make up the Old Testament are more than those of the New Testament?
• When was the first Old Testament book written? How could the text be found?
• We understand that some books of the Bible are not complete. Some scrolls of old writings of the Old Testament have been discovered. Is it true?
•All major Christian Churches agree upon the content arrangement of the books of the New Testament today. Why is it not so concerning the Old Testament arrangement? Our Protestant brothers do not have the same point of view as we Catholics on the books composing the Old Testament.
• The book of Genesis is the first book in the Bible and we have been told that it was written by Moses. How was it compiled in the Bible and when?
• Where is the Garden of Eden to be found?
• In the Garden of Eden there was the forbidden fruit. What is the fruit the Bible talks about?
• Where did Cain get his wife? (Gn 4:16)
• What is the meaning of numbers in the Old Testament?
• Tell us something about the Sabbath day.
• Was Ishmael a legitimate child of Abraham? Why did Sarah tell Abraham to get a child with Hagar?
• Why did the Catholic teaching change the place of the first of God’s commandments?
• Exodus 20 prohibits idol worship. Is kissing of a holy crucifix idol worshipping? What about the veneration of the cross?
• Why do we find in the Old Testament that the one who dies being hanged or crucified is a cursed man?
• In the Old Testament we find prophets like Samuel. Nowadays do we have prophets? Who are the prophets and how can we get to know them?
• Why is it that, in some editions of the Bible, the Psalms are numbered in a different way, but at the end they are always 150?

THE NEW TESTAMENT
• When was Jesus born?
• How old was Jesus when he died?
• Where did Africans feature in the Bible during the times of Jesus especially the southern Sahara?
• In the Gospels we find the episode in which some persons, who want to follow Jesus, approach him. One of them said to him: “Lord, let me go first and bury my father.” But Jesus answered him: “Follow me, and let the dead bury their dead.” Can you explain to us what Jesus meant by saying: “…and let the dead bury their dead”?
• In the Bible there is the story of a woman who was brought to Jesus because she had been caught committing adultery. We read that Jesus bent down and began to write on the ground with his finger. What was Jesus writing?
• Why did Jesus have favourites? Why did he love John more than the other disciples?
• Why was Jesus baptized if he did not have original sin?
• When were the letters of St Paul written?
• According to tradition we know that the first book of the New Testament that was written was the First Letter to the Thessalonians. In which year and at which place was it written?
• Who wrote the Letter to the Hebrews?
• written that the Kingdom of God is close at hand. These days, can we say that the Kingdom of God is close at hand?
• We are told that Christ will come again. Where shall we be and how will we be by then?
• Did the people who died before death and resurrection of Jesus obtain redemption through his death?
• Which one is the first day of the week?
• Why does the Catholic Church recommend people not to read the book of Revelation?
• What is the meaning of 666 in the Book of Revelation?
• The book of Revelation says that 144,000 will go to heaven. Where will the others go?

• Why do we believe in Christ as God?
• What is the role of the Holy Spirit in helping us understand the Scriptures?
• who grieve the Holy Spirit cannot be forgiven. Why is it that there is no forgiveness for such a sin?
• Jesus Christ left to the Christians the gift of the Holy Spirit. Do Muslims also possess the gift of the Holy Spirit?
• Do we misuse the gifts of the Holy Spirit by: Asking people to pay for prayer? Advertising these gifts through the written and electronic media?

• Why is the Bible entrusted to the Church and why is the Church guiding us?
• You said that the Church guides us in reading the Bible, why?
• What is a Church dogma?
• Can the Church broadcast teachings on TV?
• What is the difference between a church and a denomination?
• If I have the gift of the Holy Spirit like speaking in tongues, healing and interpreting the tongues, can the Church receive me?
• Why are Catholic priests called “fathers”? Is this title not reserved for God alone? Why do churches call their leaders “holy fathers” and yet the Bible tells us that we have only one father, God, who is in heaven?
• Is there any chance for priests to be allowed to get married?
Can I join missionary priests or brothers?

MARY
• Is the Church teaching on Mary based on apparitions?
• Has Mary, appearing to some people, taught new things?
• What is the place of Mary, the Mother of Jesus, in the Church? Is she to be adored?
• Is the virginity of Mary related in some way to the old age of Joseph in the history of redemption?
• Why do charismatic people refuse to recite the Hail Mary and the rosary?
• Mary had other children and they quote the relevant verses, what should be our answer or why do we often feel contradicted? Did Jesus have brothers?
• Why did God choose barren and old women in the Old Testament to play important roles and in the New Testament chose a virgin for our salvation?

WOMEN
• What does the Bible say about the role of women in the Church?
• Why does the Church not ordain religious sisters to priesthood?
religious sisters cannot serve God in the way priests do?
• Why is it that in the Catholic Church religious fathers and sisters do not marry?

THE SACRAMENTS
• What is the correct way in which baptism should be performed, by immersion or by pouring some water on the person baptized?
• During the proclamation of the Word in the Eucharistic celebration, we are discouraged to quote the verses where the readings come from, why?
• Is it a must to have three readings on Sunday or in Small Christian Communities?
• What is the Lectionary which we use for the celebration of the Liturgy? Does the Lectionary go through the entire Bible, or is the Catholic Church making more use of some books, while others are practically left aside? Why don’t we usually read the whole Bible?
• During the homily I listen attentively to the elaboration on the Word of God. I do feel that I am saved although I do not receive Holy Communion. However, have I fulfilled my Christian life?
• If one is late for the readings and the homily during Mass and then goes forth to receive the Holy Communion is it a sin?
• Why is it that in the rural areas, the Holy Mass is often celebrated by the catechist?
• When there is a service of the Word instead of the Eucharistic celebration, why is there a feeling among the Catholics that there was no celebration at all?
• In the Old Testament women are not allowed to stand in front of people and preach. Is it bad therefore to proclaim the Word of God in the Church?
• What is the importance of the Visit to the Blessed Sacrament?

PRAYERS
• Certain books, like “The Pieta,” are full of prayers purported to have been revealed either by Jesus, Mary or some saints. Is it advisable to use them or are we to leave them aside?
• We ask the Father to give us our daily bread. What about rich people having things in plenty and thus being sure of their daily bread? Should they ask for it?
• Why do people refuse to recite the Hail Mary or the rosary?
• It is said that there are different types of rosaries, e.g., holy rosary, Holy Spirit’s rosary and so on. What’s the difference and where can we find all these rosaries?

ISLAM
• Why do Muslims believe that Jesus is not God?
• Abraham as our father in faith and yet denies that Jesus is the Son of God. What do you think about it?
• Muslims do not believe in Jesus as their saviour. Will they go to heaven?

HEAVEN, HELL AND OTHER QUESTIONS
• Where is heaven?
• In the Apostles’ Creed we state that we believe in the “communion of saints.” What does it mean?
• Why do Protestants declare that they are saved while still being in this world? Being Catholic, am I right when I say that I am saved? We have been anointed using holy chrism; what then keeps us Catholics from declaring that we are saved?
• Why is it that good people suffer and people who take advantage of others often prosper?
• Could children undergo catechism training during school holidays?
• What assistance can you give to us Catholics to enable us to grow while we are in prison and live a better life?
• If humankind serves one true God, why do the great religions of the world differ on their way of worship?
• Is the Bible prohibiting Christians from drinking alcohol and smoking cigarettes?

APPENDIX
Suggestions for Lectio Divina and Meditations
1: Proposal for a Daily Lectio Divina
2: What the Bible Says about Marriage...
Freedom
Sacrifice

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