How to Use Public Transport in South Korea (Beginner’s Complete Guide)

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INTRODUCTION: MY FIRST REAL EXPERIENCE WITH KOREA’S TRANSPORT SYSTEM This article contains affiliate links. If you book through these links, I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.              When I landed at Incheon International Airport for the first time, my biggest worry wasn’t food, language, or accommodation. It was transportation. I had read stories online about complicated subway lines, color-coded buses, and unfamiliar payment systems. Standing at the airport terminal with my backpack, I wondered whether I should just take a taxi everywhere. That decision changed within one hour. By the end of my first day, I had: • Bought a T-money card • Taken the AREX train • Transferred subway lines • Used a city bus • Walked confidently through Seoul South Korea’s public transport system didn’t just move me from one place to another it gave me freedom . This guide is written so you feel the same confidence on your first day . ...
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📖 The History of the Holy Bible: From Divine Revelation to Global Scripture

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Table of Contents

  1. Introduction

  2. What is the Bible?

  3. Origins and Early Revelation

  4. The Hebrew Bible (Tanakh/Old Testament)

  5. The New Testament Origins

  6. Canon Formation: What Made It into the Bible?

  7. Major Early Manuscripts

  8. The Bible in the Early Church

  9. The Latin Vulgate and Jerome’s Translation

  10. The Bible During the Middle Ages

  11. The Bible and the Reformation

  12. The Birth of the English Bible

  13. The King James Version

  14. Archaeological Discoveries and the Bible

  15. Bible Translation Movements

  16. Modern Bible Versions

  17. Digital and Online Bible Platforms

  18. Global Reach of the Bible

  19. Influence of the Bible on Society and Culture

  20. Conclusion

  21. FAQs

1. Introduction

            The Holy Bible is the most translated, distributed, and studied book in human history. Revered by billions across Christian traditions and respected by multiple faiths, its journey from oral tradition to printed pages is both fascinating and complex.

           This article explores the history of the Bible, tracing its origin, development, preservation, and impact over thousands of years.

2. What is the Bible?

            The word "Bible" comes from the Greek word biblia, meaning “books.” It is a collection of sacred scriptures compiled over centuries by different authors under divine inspiration.

Main Divisions:

TestamentBooksDescription
Old Testament  39 (Protestant), 46 (Catholic), 51  (Orthodox)Hebrew scriptures, law, history, prophecy
New Testament  27Life and teachings of Jesus and early Church

3. Origins and Early Revelation

Oral Traditions

Long before it was written, biblical teachings were passed orally—from patriarchs like Abraham, Moses, and David.

The First Written Words

The earliest writings possibly date back to around 1500–1200 BCE, starting with:

  • The Ten Commandments (Exodus 20)

  • Early laws, songs, and genealogies

4. The Hebrew Bible (Tanakh/Old Testament)

Structure of the Tanakh:

  1. Torah (Law) – Genesis to Deuteronomy

  2. Nevi'im (Prophets) – Joshua to Malachi

  3. Ketuvim (Writings) – Psalms, Proverbs, Job, etc.

Languages:

  • Originally written in Hebrew (majority)

  • Some parts in Aramaic (e.g., Daniel 2–7)

Scrolls were used instead of books and written on parchment or papyrus.

5. The New Testament Origins

When and Where?

  • Written between 50–100 CE

  • In the Koine Greek language

Key Authors:

  • Paul (Epistles)

  • Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John (Gospels)

  • Other Apostles and early Christian leaders

Core Themes:

  • Life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ

  • Formation and teachings of the early Church

  • Future hope (Book of Revelation)

6. Canon Formation: What Made It into the Bible?

Old Testament Canon:

  • Solidified by Jewish scholars (e.g., Council of Jamnia ~90 CE)

  • Includes books accepted across Jewish traditions

New Testament Canon:

  • Debated by early Church fathers

  • Criteria: Apostolic origin, universal acceptance, doctrinal soundness

  • Finalized by councils such as:

    • Council of Carthage (397 CE)

    • Synod of Hippo (393 CE)

Apocrypha/Deuterocanonical Books:

  • Books like Tobit, Judith, Wisdom, and Maccabees

  • Included in Catholic and Orthodox Bibles

  • Excluded from Protestant Bibles

7. Major Early Manuscripts

Notable Manuscripts:

NameDate      Language Content
Dead Sea Scrolls3rd century BCE – 1st CE     Hebrew  Old Testament fragments
Codex Vaticanus~325 CE     Greek  Nearly complete Bible
Codex Sinaiticus~330–360 CE     Greek  Old and New Testament
Codex Alexandrinus~400 CE     Greek  Almost entire Bible

8. The Bible in the Early Church

  • Church fathers like Origen, Athanasius, and Augustine defended scripture

  • Used in worship, creeds, liturgy, and pastoral care

  • Latin began replacing Greek as the Church language in the West

9. The Latin Vulgate and Jerome’s Translation

St. Jerome (347–420 CE) translated the Bible into Latin, creating the Vulgate:

  • Commissioned by Pope Damasus I

  • Became the standard Bible of the Catholic Church for over 1,000 years

10. The Bible During the Middle Ages

  • Manuscripts were hand-copied by monks in monasteries

  • Only clergy and scholars could access or interpret the Bible

  • Translations into local languages were rare and sometimes banned

11. The Bible and the Reformation

The Protestant Reformation (16th century):

  • Led by Martin Luther, John Calvin, and others

  • Emphasized Sola Scriptura (Scripture alone)

  • Translations into vernacular languages increased

Luther’s German Bible (1522) was a turning point in Bible accessibility.

12. The Birth of the English Bible

Key Milestones:

TranslationYear  TranslatorSignificance
Wycliffe Bible1382    John Wycliffe  First complete English Bible (Latin to English)
Tyndale Bible1526    William Tyndale  First English Bible from Hebrew/Greek
Coverdale Bible1535    Miles Coverdale  First complete printed English Bible
Geneva Bible1560     Reformers in Geneva  Popular among Puritans

13. The King James Version (KJV)

  • Commissioned by King James I of England in 1604

  • Published in 1611

  • Known for literary beauty, poetic language, and wide influence

Remains one of the most read and quoted versions of the Bible.

14. Archaeological Discoveries and the Bible

Important finds that support biblical history:

  • Dead Sea Scrolls (1947): Validated OT manuscripts

  • Tel Dan Stele: Reference to “House of David”

  • Cyrus Cylinder: Supports return of Jews from exile

  • Pilate Stone: Confirms Pontius Pilate's existence

15. Bible Translation Movements

Key Organizations:

  • Wycliffe Bible Translators

  • United Bible Societies

  • Bible Society of India

Goals:

  • Make the Bible available in every language

  • Focus on accurate, culturally relevant translations

16. Modern Bible Versions

VersionYearNotes
Revised Standard Version1952        Literal-modern balance
New International Version1978        Widely used evangelical version
New Revised Standard Version1989        Popular in academia and liturgy
English Standard Version2001        Word-for-word conservative translation
The Message2002         Paraphrase for easy understanding

17. Digital and Online Bible Platforms

With the digital age came platforms like:

  • YouVersion Bible App – Over 500 million installs

  • Bible Gateway – Online search tool for multiple versions

  • Logos Bible Software – In-depth study tools

  • Blue Letter Bible – Greek/Hebrew tools

18. Global Reach of the Bible

As of 2025:

  • Full Bible: Available in 740+ languages

  • New Testament: 1600+ languages

  • Portions of Bible: Over 3,600 languages

Distributed by:

  • The Gideons International

  • American Bible Society

  • World Bible Translation Center

19. Influence of the Bible on Society and Culture

Language:

  • Phrases like "by the skin of your teeth", "salt of the earth", "prodigal son"

Literature:

  • Inspired works by Shakespeare, Milton, Tolstoy, Dostoevsky

Law and Politics:

  • Influenced Western legal systems and constitutions

Music and Art:

  • Motifs in Renaissance art, hymns, and gospel music

20. Conclusion

          The history of the Bible is not just a chronicle of a book it is the story of a faith journey, cultural transformation, and spiritual guidance that has touched millions of lives.

          From stone tablets and scrolls to digital downloads, the Bible remains a living document interpreted, discussed, revered, and lived.

21. FAQs

Q1: Who wrote the Bible?
Multiple human authors prophets, apostles, scribes wrote under divine inspiration over 1,500 years.

Q2: What’s the oldest Bible manuscript?
Fragments like the Dead Sea Scrolls date to 3rd century BCE.

Q3: Which Bible is the most accurate?
Scholars recommend word-for-word versions like the ESV or NASB for study.

Q4: How many versions of the Bible exist today?
Over 700 full versions in different languages; hundreds of English translations alone.

Q5: Is the Bible historically reliable?
Many archaeological finds and manuscripts support its historical claims.

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