A great task - Bible advice needed

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Shiann

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DH and I are of different religions. He used to not mention his beliefs much to me, and I do not pressure him toward Catholicism (other than the use of NFP).

That said, lately the subject of religion has come up a lot. He has many anti-Catholic beliefs and is a preson who is OSAS, and “Bible only” in the basis of his faith.

This has led to many interesting discussions on Papal Authority, Nuns, praying to Mary, Tradition, Confession.

He recently asked me why I was Catholic. I told him that I grew up Catholic and I came to a place in my life where I found questions about my Faith that I wanted answered. So I got online, and I researched texts and got answers to my questions. One question led to three more questions, and those three led to 5 more each and I embarked on a journey of question and answer that I’m STILL on. I told him I am Catholic because of my studies in HISTORY, and in LANGUAGE, and in PHILOSOPHY, in an examination of SELF, and in SCRIPTURE. Not just one thing alone.

He did not like this answer as it was more complex than what he was looking for (I guess).

So, this leads me to our current situation. He assumes that I have no knowledge of the bible - which compared to someone who has memorized scripture and can throw out verses chapter and verse with no problem, I don’t have that kind of knowledge. (BTW he can’t toss around chapter and verse either, though he will refer to criptic verses in “Daniel” etc.)

I believe the Holy Spirit is subtly at work here with my husband and I. He will NOT be an easy nut to crack - but after reading about other converts and their pre conversion anti-Catholic views, I have much hope. I also feel compelled to try as best as I can to be a witness to the Faith for him.

He has asked to read the “Catholic” Bible. I have refered him to our local Catholic bookstore to search for one he might like to read, and have encouraged him to read my Catechism. The other day he brought it up again. He wants me to find a Catholic Bible for him to read.

Ok… so there are many versions from many publishers with many commentaries. He is a very intellegent person, but is looking for VERY uncomplicated answers. He does have bad eyes and does not want to read things other than the Bible (even when I’ve offered to read them to him). This may change eventually but at this point he’s just sure that Catholics are a bunch of deluded sheep that follow a grand master pope. 🤷

(Yes, I have a long row to hoe.)

I have historical text from Eusebius and Josephus. I have the Four Witnesses and a couple titles from GK Chesterton and of course the Catechism. But these seem to be pretty advanced texts for the situation we’re at now. I also have the Navarre bible for St. John (the only book I have :crying: so far.) I have for my personal reading the NAB bible I received at Confirmation from my family but I’ve never really felt moved by that translation.

I want to get him a Catholic bible for him to read (as per his request). I’m looking for advice as to which version/translation to get him. I’m not sure why he’s looking for a Catholic translation vs any other Protestant version - although he did mention wishing to review some passages in Genesis for “true translation”.

I fear this debate will have to start at the VERY beginning. “You know where the Bible came from don’t you honey?”

Truth be told he has a great number of odd notions of the Catholic Faith. Some I’ve heard before - some that are really new to me. I’m sure over the next few months I’ll be looking for assistance from the fine people here on how to handle discussions of one course or another.

For right now, getting the foundation of discussion is the most important- that he believes we have a “true” Bible or not. He does not wish to discuss much with me prior to him having a Catholic Bible.

Though we did have a very nice conversation the other night about Scripture and Tradition (not tradition). I pray that the Holy Spirit was helping me make the words that were reflective of true Catholic teaching and words that would penetrate his mind and heart.

He’s still hard hearted in demeanor - but he’s obviously intrigued.

👍 :extrahappy:

So what say you all on the book I get DH? Hit him with the Haydock with good Catholic commentary? Or the DR with the more archaic language? Or one of the more easier to read modern versions?

Thanks for your help!

(edit: I should note that he was raised Presbyterian, and that he currently has no real affiliation - though he has expressed a desire to attend our local Reformed Church).
 
If he has a favorite translation of the Protestant Bible, perhaps that’s what you should get him in a Catholic Bible. It won’t make a difference in books like Genesis, but he’ll be able to read the books that aren’t found in Protestant versions.
 
SuscipeMeDomine’s advice is good; keeping a familiar translation could be very helpful.

I would recommend the RSV-CE also because if DH is familiar with the RSV, he might be comfortable with the fact that it was initially done by non-Catholics. For my :twocents: it is the cleanest and least manipulated translation on either side of the Tiber.
 
Yes, the Navarre is a wonderful commentary. If you’d like to understand the Bible, I’d read “A Father Who Keeps His Promises” by Scott Hahn. It’s a pretty easy read that helps to put the Old Testament together into the one story it is meant to be.

I’ve been using the Ignatius 2nd Edition Study Bible (Scott Hahn and Curtis Mitch) for New Testament Scriptures and I’ve enjoyed it so much. For about $84.00, you’ll get almost all the NT with great Catholic commentary. By all means, although I like the translation of the NAB, don’t get one with commentary. I sometimes wonder if the commentary was written by Protestants. It’s bizzarre.
 
If he want’s a Catholic Bible, I suggest getting him the Revised Standard Version, 2nd Catholic Edition:

amazon.com/Ignatius-Bible-Revised-Standard-Catholic/dp/0898708338/ref=pd_bxgy_b_img_b/002-3071045-5295231

In style of language, this is probably close to what he is used to (it is also the translation you find in your Navarre Commentary). It is largely free of distracting and sometimes annoying footnotes such as are found in the NAB. This is the translation that the Vatican uses when it translates official Latin documents into English. This version is also easier on the eyes than the original Ignatius RSV-CE.

If he is looking for commentary later, you can turn him on to the Navarre, or to the multi-volume Ignatius Study Bibles that also use the RSV-CE (they’re up to Hebrews now):

amazon.com/Letter-St-Paul-Romans-Standard/dp/0898709385/ref=sr_1_6/002-3071045-5295231?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1193775043&sr=1-6

Don’t forget to pray everyday for him, and ask for the Holy Spirit’s guidance. Don’t get discouraged if it seems like it’s one step forward and two back sometimes, but just remember God is in control and he wants your husband Catholic more than you do.
 
SuscipeMeDomine said:
If he has a favorite translation of the Protestant Bible, perhaps that’s what you should get him in a Catholic Bible. It won’t make a difference in books like Genesis, but he’ll be able to read the books that aren’t found in Protestant versions.
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Here’s the kicker… he doesn’t have a favorite translation. He has a preacher friend of his that gave him a bible 25 years ago - not sure the version, I’ve only seen the book one time. The preacher friend inscribed it of course with a nice Bible only type inscription. I imagine it is a King James though.

And beyond that, I think all this talk of “right translation” is smoke and mirrors. I’m not sure he can tell you from a historical perspective about the construction of the Christian Bible. Which is why I think we’re probably going to have to start at the WAYYYY beginning. 🙂

His comments about reviewing the Genesis scripture stumped me too. I have no idea what he thinks he’s going to find or not find in either translation.

🤷
 
mercygate said:
SuscipeMeDomine’s advice is good; keeping a familiar translation could be very helpful.

I would recommend the RSV-CE also because if DH is familiar with the RSV, he might be comfortable with the fact that it was initially done by non-Catholics. For my :twocents: it is the cleanest and least manipulated translation on either side of the Tiber.
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That was the translation that I was leaning toward too. It seems to be the one most often recommended to new students of scripture. Easy to read and true enough to form.
 
NotWorthy said:
Yes, the Navarre is a wonderful commentary. If you’d like to understand the Bible, I’d read “A Father Who Keeps His Promises” by Scott Hahn. It’s a pretty easy read that helps to put the Old Testament together into the one story it is meant to be.

I’ve been using the Ignatius 2nd Edition Study Bible (Scott Hahn and Curtis Mitch) for New Testament Scriptures and I’ve enjoyed it so much. For about $84.00, you’ll get almost all the NT with great Catholic commentary. By all means, although I like the translation of the NAB, don’t get one with commentary. I sometimes wonder if the commentary was written by Protestants. It’s bizzarre.
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Though RSV-CE is the translation I think will probably be the one we get, I would love to get him a good bible with good commentary that he can read RIGHT there in scripture. No back and forth referencing etc… I love my Navarre.

Ignatius Study bible sounds good in this regard too, and probably more economical than the entirety of the Navarre.

Yah, my NAB commentary often makes me go “huh?” But I read it with other commentary (Word Among Us) so I don’t worry about it too much :).
 
Fidelis said:
If he want’s a Catholic Bible, I suggest getting him the Revised Standard Version, 2nd Catholic Edition:

amazon.com/Ignatius-Bible-Revised-Standard-Catholic/dp/0898708338/ref=pd_bxgy_b_img_b/002-3071045-5295231

In style of language, this is probably close to what he is used to (it is also the translation you find in your Navarre Commentary). It is largely free of distracting and sometimes annoying footnotes such as are found in the NAB. This is the translation that the Vatican uses when it translates official Latin documents into English. This version is also easier on the eyes than the original Ignatius RSV-CE.

If he is looking for commentary later, you can turn him on to the Navarre, or to the multi-volume Ignatius Study Bibles that also use the RSV-CE (they’re up to Hebrews now):

amazon.com/Letter-St-Paul-Romans-Standard/dp/0898709385/ref=sr_1_6/002-3071045-5295231?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1193775043&sr=1-6

Don’t forget to pray everyday for him, and ask for the Holy Spirit’s guidance. Don’t get discouraged if it seems like it’s one step forward and two back sometimes, but just remember God is in control and he wants your husband Catholic more than you do.
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God bless you!

Thank you for this wonderful reminder… I have a tendency in debate to get intensely logical and overbearing, (it is a huge failing on my part when trying to have charitable debate). And this will be a wonderful thing for me to remember to stay patient and loving and charitable. I want to be a tool for God.

:knight2:

That is also good bible advice… I think that is the version that will probably find its way to my DH bedside.

Any more advice is very much appreciated though.
 
Shiann,

The series on the EWTN audio library list by Jeff Cavins and Scott Hahn entitled something like “Reading the Bible – The Father’s Plan”, is REALLY excellent as an intro to Scripture in general. It’s not Katholicky but very sound as a historical introduction to the Bible.
 
I’ll second (third, fourth, whatever) the RSV suggestion. It’s a nice translation, and the footnotes are helpful. That’s what’s in the Navarre Bibles, by the way, so if he’s tempted to dig a little deeper into any of those, the translations will be the same.

If he has any affinity for the KJV, then the Douay-Rheims would also make sense, maybe as a second copy to have.

Lastly, if you’re inclined to pick up a few more volumes of Navarre, think a bit about where your husband’s “sticky” issues would be-- Luke would be helpful for Marian questions, some of the Pauline collections helpful for “faith/works” debates (and James, too, of course.) Given a fixed amount of money, you have to budget it out for where it would be most helpful.

Keep praying, and listen to all the previous advice you’ve gotten from smarter and more experienced people than me!!! 😃

Margaret
 
Get him a bible. I would suggest the RSV-CE which a lot of apologists like to use. But also try to get him the comparative catholic bible. I think Oxford publishes that one. It has numerous verses and when he questions a particular verse he can look it up in a number of catholic bibles at once. 👍
 
Shiann – although you are (wisely) looking for a Catholic Bible, it isn’t necessary to be all-or-nothing about this. I went for three or four years without owning one, even while already Catholic. I stuck with my RSV and even the KJV. 99.999% of it is non-problematic for Catholics. The trick is to key into the Greek when there are translation quibbles. Most of the debated stuff is widely available on the 'net.
 
Wow, what a great opportunity. When you do select the bible, maybe you could read it together. Even if he never converts, you would at least understand each other’s beliefs.

(I think that old Holy Spirit is doing his stuff again!)
 
mercygate said:
Shiann,

The series on the EWTN audio library list by Jeff Cavins and Scott Hahn entitled something like “Reading the Bible – The Father’s Plan”, is REALLY excellent as an intro to Scripture in general. It’s not Katholicky but very sound as a historical introduction to the Bible.
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This would be a good for me too :o
 
Red_Meg said:
I’ll second (third, fourth, whatever) the RSV suggestion. It’s a nice translation, and the footnotes are helpful. That’s what’s in the Navarre Bibles, by the way, so if he’s tempted to dig a little deeper into any of those, the translations will be the same.

If he has any affinity for the KJV, then the Douay-Rheims would also make sense, maybe as a second copy to have.

Lastly, if you’re inclined to pick up a few more volumes of Navarre, think a bit about where your husband’s “sticky” issues would be-- Luke would be helpful for Marian questions, some of the Pauline collections helpful for “faith/works” debates (and James, too, of course.) Given a fixed amount of money, you have to budget it out for where it would be most helpful.

Keep praying, and listen to all the previous advice you’ve gotten from smarter and more experienced people than me!!! 😃

Margaret
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What a good idea! I think that gives me a reason to pick up a couple more of those titles, and since those are the real issues he likes to bring up a lot… Church Authority and Faith/Works… those would be good ones to get.

I also decided to get the Compendium of the Catholic Church. Because it is in question and answer format… He can read it leisurely… it cross references to the Catechism, and the Catechism references Scripture. Kinda the long way around, but the way he’s approaching debate, I think it will be a good start to answering some of his questions.
 
Shiann said:
What a good idea! I think that gives me a reason to pick up a couple more of those titles, and since those are the real issues he likes to bring up a lot… Church Authority and Faith/Works… those would be good ones to get.

I also decided to get the Compendium of the Catholic Church. Because it is in question and answer format… He can read it leisurely… it cross references to the Catechism, and the Catechism references Scripture. Kinda the long way around, but the way he’s approaching debate, I think it will be a good start to answering some of his questions.
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Motherly advice: do not debate.

This is not a debate.

All we need to do is attempt to explain Catholic teaching as best we can using the best resources we can muster. Debates are about winning arguments. We’re in the business of winning souls to the Heart of Jesus Christ.

Nothing worse than religious tit-for-tat in a marriage.
 
mercygate said:
Shiann – although you are (wisely) looking for a Catholic Bible, it isn’t necessary to be all-or-nothing about this. I went for three or four years without owning one, even while already Catholic. I stuck with my RSV and even the KJV. 99.999% of it is non-problematic for Catholics. The trick is to key into the Greek when there are translation quibbles. Most of the debated stuff is widely available on the 'net.
Click to expand...
This is so true. He and I spoke at great length about the “language” history of Scripture. He has many issues and rhetoric about the “Church writing Scripture in Latin to make sure no one could read it…etc.”:rolleyes:

I spoke about the original portion of the New Testament being written in Greek and how it needed to be understood through that language.

:: skeptical look ::

It was his request to have an actual Catholic Bible to read. Again, I’m not sure what he thinks he going to find or not find in it… he mentioned looking at specific passages and named Genesis as one of the Books he was looking into.
 
mercygate said:
Motherly advice: do not debate.

This is not a debate.

All we need to do is attempt to explain Catholic teaching as best we can using the best resources we can muster. Debates are about winning arguments. We’re in the business of winning souls to the Heart of Jesus Christ.

Nothing worse than religious tit-for-tat in a marriage.
Click to expand...
You are so right. I guess I explained it badly. I really am not trying to convert at this point. More to what you are talking about in providing him with good tools, correct information, and a loving example of the Faith so his misperceptions can find light.

Thank you for the reminder 🙂

:hug1:
 
Shiann said:
You are so right. I guess I explained it badly. I really am not trying to convert at this point. More to what you are talking about in providing him with good tools, correct information, and a loving example of the Faith so his misperceptions can find light.

Thank you for the reminder 🙂

:hug1:
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Anybody who would try to debate YOU would be sent away licking his wounds for a long time. Not a good thing in a marriage.

I still have the Inquisition thread bookmarked where you locked the question up in a series of serene, well-researched posts that left the opposition trembling and powerless.
 
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