Whats the best Roman Catholic biblical commentary?

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I have a 200$ expositor bible commentary but its of evangelical nature and was hoping to get a solide catholic one. I am not rich though so i only want to buy one, thats why i ask for the BEST one.
 
A one volume commentary that Catholic Answers apologists have recommended in the past is the 1953 edition of A Catholic Commentary on Holy Scripture, edited by Dom Bernard Orchard, published by Thomas Nelson & Sons. You might be able to pick up a copy at a used book store, such as www.abesbooks.com, or on www.ebay.com.
 
It doesnt have to be a one volume (as in one book) just preferbally one set. I don’t want to have to put 5 different theologians writtings on the bible
 
The “classic” that many biblical scholars and full-time students of theology will have on their bookshelves is the New Jerome Biblical Commentary. I’ve found this volume to be indispensable in my study of Sacred Scripture.

Pax!
-Josh
 
I have the Jerome Biblical Commentary, but it sure is weighty. If you are looking for something likewise on the net then I can suggest the following:
Code: 
http://biblia.com/jesusbible/
I am no expert though.😃
 
Future_Prodigy said:
I have a 200$ expositor bible commentary but its of evangelical nature and was hoping to get a solide catholic one. I am not rich though so i only want to buy one, thats why i ask for the BEST one.
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Is that the one Jimmy Swaggert encourages. I am in Australia but once a week on Sunday someone is sponsoring the show on public access tv I believe. It is right after an hour of EWTN on Sundays!

I normally stick to Catholic bibles but I have come across a Life Application Bible (NRSV) in a public library. I know the translation is not everyones favourite but it does help on some parts which I have trouble understanding. Also has maps and character descriptions etc. However, there may be parts which do not necessarily support Catholic teachings obviously and if I recall does not include the Deuterocanonicals. I do not recommend it for Catholics but it is okay for some extra notes. It is free from the library so I can’t complain!
 
IoA said:
The “classic” that many biblical scholars and full-time students of theology will have on their bookshelves is the New Jerome Biblical Commentary. I’ve found this volume to be indispensable in my study of Sacred Scripture.

Pax!
-Josh
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I heard that the New Jerome Biblical Commentary is not really an orthodox study guide, particulary compared to the previous edition. But that is only what I heard.
 
MH84 said:
I heard that the New Jerome Biblical Commentary is not really an orthodox study guide, particulary compared to the previous edition. But that is only what I heard.
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If you study scripture in a Catholic University, this will be your first reference. It is edited by Raymond Brown, Joseph Fitzmyer, and Roland Murphy. All three from the Pontifical Biblical Commission. In other words, the Church considers them experts.

If you are looking for just something to give you a deeper appreciation at home, not scholastic level, try the Navarre.

Some people will tell you Vatican II was not orthodox if you let them. Dont get caught into some idea you shouldnt read an author because ‘someone thought they werent quite right’. In the end you will only be dragged into an argument that isnt really yours. “Tolle Lege” as Augustine wrote…Take up and read!
 
cialovesyou said:
If you study scripture in a Catholic University, this will be your first reference. It is edited by Raymond Brown, Joseph Fitzmyer, and Roland Murphy. All three from the Pontifical Biblical Commission. In other words, the Church considers them experts.

If you are looking for just something to give you a deeper appreciation at home, not scholastic level, try the Navarre.

Some people will tell you Vatican II was not orthodox if you let them. Don’t get caught into some idea you shouldn’t read an author because ‘someone thought they weren’t quite right’. In the end you will only be dragged into an argument that isn’t really yours. “Tolle Lege” as Augustine wrote…Take up and read!
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I am in our Archdiocese Diaconate prep program (for pre-requisite courses) and I can tell you this is EXACTLY what they teach, and we have a very Orthodox Cardinal who is active in the archdiocese. While it is unpopular with some Catholic fundamentalists who will rip Ray Brown and Fitzmyer, doing some searches on the Internet will show that JP II and Cardinal Ratzinger were very supportive of their work.
 
Future_Prodigy said:
I have a 200$ expositor bible commentary but its of evangelical nature and was hoping to get a solide catholic one. I am not rich though so i only want to buy one, thats why i ask for the BEST one.
Click to expand...
Although not a biblical commentary per se, Xavier Leon-Dufour’s masterful Encyclopedia of Biblical Theology would be an excellent addition to your personal library. The author addresses the major topics and themes (and minor ones, too) of sacred Scripture. I can’t recommend this work highly enough.
 
After trying many different system, here is what I’ve found to be the “best”, (though this question can only have subjective answers).

As a “course” I got Scott Hahn’s “Understanding the Scriptures”. It is an oversized hardbound, with many beautiful color panels, and wonderful commentary throughout. At the end of each chapter there are questions, and even extra credit type assignments. I think it cost me close to $50, but it was money very well spent imho.

amazon.com/Understanding-Scriptures-Complete-Course-Didache/dp/1890177474/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1/103-3541305-2184607?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1174575640&sr=8-1

In conjunction with this course, I also have the books which are completed so far of the “Iganatius Catholic Study Bible”. This is a work in progress, however you can buy it as it is released. Right now I have 10 books. I think that’s all there is for now. They are doing the New Testament first, and have finished the Gospels, and at least most of the Letters. I believe the rest of the NT books will come out later this year, and then they will begin on the Old Testament. Once they are entirely complete, they will be formed into a single volume book, and I’ll be faced with the choice of keeping my individual tracts, or getting the single volume. I’ll probably end up getting the single volume, and giving the tracts out to my Catechumens. This series is the best bible study I’ve ever seen. Hands down. You’d have to look far and wide to find better biblical commentary, and I don’t think you can. It also has questions, space for notes, special graphs and charts, maps and commentary by both the Church Fathers and Scott Hahn. It works very well with my “Understanding The Scriptures” course guidebook, described above. I can’t say enough about these.

(Sold as a set, or seperately if you want to space out the money)

getfed.com/displayproduct.cfm?JP=1001916

For the book of Revelations only: Scott Hahn wrote a book called “The Lamb’s Supper”, that I use to study the book of Revelations, at least until the Ignatius Catholic Study Bible gets that far. I have a deep personal attraction to this book, because frankly it was the final catalyst that God put in my life that brought me into the Church. This was my conversion book. I was a Buddhist. This book’s use of Revelation in explaining the Catholic Liturgy is disarmingly beautiful It’s hard for me not to cry when I read this book. I feel those stirrings all over again. That pulling toward the Eucharist. Wow. just wow!

amazon.com/Lambs-Supper-Mass-Heaven-Earth/dp/0385496591/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1/103-3541305-2184607?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1174575808&sr=1-1

Finally, my regular reading bible that I keep on hand when going through my course, to cover the books that are not yet available through the Ignatius Catholic Study Bible, is the Revised Standard Version Bible, Catholic Edition (Ignatius Holy Bible).

amazon.com/Holy-Bible-Containing-Old-Testaments/dp/089870491X/ref=ed_oe_p/103-3541305-2184607?ie=UTF8&qid=1174575863&sr=1-1

Hope this helps. I just don’t think you can go wrong with any of this stuff.

Peace,

Steven
 
IoA said:
The “classic” that many biblical scholars and full-time students of theology will have on their bookshelves is the New Jerome Biblical Commentary. I’ve found this volume to be indispensable in my study of Sacred Scripture.

Pax!
-Josh
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Some doubt is thrown on the “New Jerome Biblical Commentary” by “The Authors of the Gospels” by Dennis Barton (see page 106).

Spiritus Sapientiae nobiscum.

John Hiner
 
Future_Prodigy said:
I have a 200$ expositor bible commentary but its of evangelical nature and was hoping to get a solide catholic one. I am not rich though so i only want to buy one, thats why i ask for the BEST one.
Click to expand...
The International Bible Commentary is a one volume commentary that covers each book. It is about 1900 pages. It costs around $100.
 
cialovesyou said:
If you study scripture in a Catholic University, this will be your first reference. It is edited by Raymond Brown, Joseph Fitzmyer, and Roland Murphy. All three from the Pontifical Biblical Commission. In other words, the Church considers them experts.

If you are looking for just something to give you a deeper appreciation at home, not scholastic level, try the Navarre.

Some people will tell you Vatican II was not orthodox if you let them. Dont get caught into some idea you shouldnt read an author because ‘someone thought they werent quite right’. In the end you will only be dragged into an argument that isnt really yours. “Tolle Lege” as Augustine wrote…Take up and read!
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Vatican II is orthodox, but Raymond E Brown is a bit heretical to say the least.
 
I can agree with most of what has been said. I am currently in a graduate theology program and have also found that the New Jerome Biblical Commentary is a standard text. Something you may want to think about is what you want the commentary for. For instance, the New Jerome Biblical Commentary is great for gaining an understanding of the text from the perspective of the original authors. This is often referred to as the Historical-Critical Method of Bible Study. However this commentary is a little weak on integrating church teaching into scripture. The Navarre Study bible is great for gaining insights from the early church fathers and church teaching. The ignatious study bible is similar, in style/focus to the Navarre.
 
I use Father Haydock Douay Rheims, The Navarre, Ignatius Study Bible and of course St Thomas Aquinas’s Commentary on The Gospel. Each are all well worth it and can stand alone as an excellent reference.

God Bless
 
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