Why is it so hard to find a good Catholic study Bible?

[rosinski]

amazon.com/Catholic-Bible-Personal-Study-American/dp/0195284054

Did you not like this one?

Just a precaution, but this is the older 1st edition. The newer 2nd edition is here at Amazon (and most other online and brick-and-mortar book stores):

amazon.com/Catholic-Bible-Personal-Study-American/dp/0195289250/ref=sr_1_5?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1232590749&sr=1-5

Another (also 2nd Edition) Catholic Study Bible is here:

amazon.com/Catholic-Study-Bible-Donald-Senior/dp/0195282787/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1232590749&sr=1-3

I have both of these bibles, along with several other study bibles…some Catholic and some not. I have to agree with the original poster that there is not a comparable and good Study Bible for Catholics. Take a look at the NLT Study Bible for starters. I’m not saying I agree with the notes and content, but the organization, type of information, breadth of information, study aids, and layout make this a superior study bible, IMHO.

 

[DD2007]

Guys,

Here is the Bible that Jean told me to buy: amazon.com/New-Catholic-Answer-Bible-American/dp/1592761402/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1232592430&sr=1-1

She said it was real good.

I have the Catholic Study Bible, The Douay Rheims Challoner, and the RSV-CE. None of these have very good notes.

I being a Protestant prefer my Reformation Study Bible which has excellant notes. The ESV Study Bible is real good as well.

 

[jblake]

Jerry Parker;:

Just one question about the content of this esnip software of the “Nicene Church Fathers”.

It is a resource for e-Sword. Mijac initially uploaded it to esnips.com. (I’ve since uploaded it to e-sword-users.org.)

Is this one of those collections?

When it was first published, it was the most comprehensive collection of the writings of the Early Church Fathers to be published. Since publication, a number of earlier manuscripts of their writings have been found/discovered. More recent works are more “accurate” in terms of what was originally written.

If so, is there real justification for this complaint on the part of Roman and Eastern Catholics and Eastern Orthodox regarding this compilations?

There is a Catholic edition of The Early Church Fathers. I’ve a copy of what purports to be an Orthodox version, but thus far I haven’t found any differences between it, and the Catholic version.

Most of the editorialization is found in the footnotes, and not main text of the textual translations.

jonathon

 

[mijac]

Originally Posted by mijac
esnips.com/web/CatholicApolegetics/?flush=1
Nicene Church Fathers now avialable for the first time in esword format Catholic Bible software for free. Many thanks to David Gaither for making the nicen church Fathers available in esword
Nicene Church Fathers Zipped.zip
eSword Topical eswordNicene Chruch Fathers historic Edinburgh Edition of the writings of the Early Church Fathers essential to the right understanding of the New Testament itself. It is a volume indispensable to all scholars, ???

dude, why do you post the same thing in multiple threads and sub forum???

I post on multiple threads because I have found that if it was just posted in one thread too many people would never see it, which includes x number of people who might be truly interested. The multiple threads are all related to Bible study, Just that esword is a unique, and is free, though the base program is protestant there are numerous Catholic modules for study the Bible. Being as comprehenive of a Bible Study Software program for Catholic use and being free, I believe it is too important for as many people as might be intereseted at least learn of its availblity…

 

[tobinatorstark]

I post on multiple threads because I have found that if it was just posted in one thread too many people would never see it, which includes x number of people who might be truly interested. The multiple threads are all related to Bible study, Just that esword is a unique, and is free, though the base program is protestant there are numerous Catholic modules for study the Bible. Being as comprehenive of a Bible Study Software program for Catholic use and being free, I believe it is too important for as many people as might be intereseted at least learn of its availblity…

I thought posting the same post in multiple threads was against the rules.

 

[Crumpy]

1. I will have to study the preceding posts, which provide a wealth of information.
2. Whatever exists now – that’s one thing. I’d like to see what Pope Benedict is going to do with the recommendations from the Fall 2008 Synod on the Bible. There might be an organized push for a general commentary or reference Bible, as a result of the Synod.
3. I’d like to see more emphasis directly on the Bible, on EWTN. You now what you get now, is a program or a series based on somebody’s book that they published. But, what I’m hoping for, is that they get the idea (which is not a new idea) a) to have a program of just bible reading on the air, and b) to have a program of scripture study on the air, with the program notes available on their website, to follow along. EWTN seems to be in “ruts” that Mother Angelica has made, and I think they need to go beyond what MA thought was good.

 

[rightandreason]

I have every modern Catholic Study Bible and Commentray that there is including Scott Hahn’s, which I must say I was disappointed in, and only bought 4 volumes of it because it was so shallow. (The Ignatius series) I must say as far as the new ones go the Navarre is the best. The others like the Collegeville are liberal and do not reflect real Catholic Biblical scholarship. None of the new ones are really that good in my opinion. They are very shallow and provide little if any early Church Father commentaries that go in depth. I have however recently purchased the reprinted Cornelius a Lapide’s commentary on the 4 Gospels. It blows away any commentary on Scripture including the great Haydock Bible, which I still love. You can go to Loreto Press and get it. It will keep you busy for months. It is a bit pricey, but it is nicely bound and in my opinion worth every penny. It is a 4 vol set.

loretopubs.org/index.php?target=products&product_id=119

 

[KingAlfred]

Why is it that Protestant’s have a lot a really nice study bibles with maps & cool tools. But we don’t seem to have many good study Bibles, the ones we do have are very hard to find & are hard to understand. I did a amazon search & didn’t find any Catholic study Bibles that were what I’m looking for. Hmm just weird

It goes back to Luther’s revolutionary teaching of ‘sola scriptura’. To evangelicals (e.g., Protestant-oriented Christians), the Bible is everything, so they invest a lot of energy in manufacturing Bibles of all types, to suit any purpose and circumstance, and to do so in highly engaging, marketable ways. The Bible is their church and religion. Accordingly, I must confess that my main Bible is a Protestant version, for the reasons you alluded to earlier.

 

[mijac]

I have every modern Catholic Study Bible and Commentray that there is including Scott Hahn’s, which I must say I was disappointed in, and only bought 4 volumes of it because it was so shallow. (The Ignatius series) I must say as far as the new ones go the Navarre is the best. The others like the Collegeville are liberal and do not reflect real Catholic Biblical scholarship. None of the new ones are really that good in my opinion. They are very shallow and provide little if any early Church Father commentaries that go in depth. I have however recently purchased the reprinted Cornelius a Lapide’s commentary on the 4 Gospels. It blows away any commentary on Scripture including the great Haydock Bible, which I still love. You can go to Loreto Press and get it. It will keep you busy for months. It is a bit pricey, but it is nicely bound and in my opinion worth every penny. It is a 4 vol set.

loretopubs.org/index.php?target=products&product_id=119

The Great Cornelius Lapide commentary, yes it is absolutely the best, wish someone who knows latin would translate the rest or more of this commentary. There is nothing that can compare to this commentary. This commentary, the four gospels, plus 1&2 Corinthians, 1-3 John, and galatians is available for esword Bible study as a module at esnips.com/web/CatholicApolegetics/?flush=1

 

[Deacon_Joseph]

1. I will have to study the preceding posts, which provide a wealth of information.
2. Whatever exists now – that’s one thing. I’d like to see what Pope Benedict is going to do with the recommendations from the Fall 2008 Synod on the Bible. There might be an organized push for a general commentary or reference Bible, as a result of the Synod.
3. I’d like to see more emphasis directly on the Bible, on EWTN. You now what you get now, is a program or a series based on somebody’s book that they published. But, what I’m hoping for, is that they get the idea (which is not a new idea) a) to have a program of just bible reading on the air, and b) to have a program of scripture study on the air, with the program notes available on their website, to follow along. EWTN seems to be in “ruts” that Mother Angelica has made, and I think they need to go beyond what MA thought was good.

The Great Adventure Bible Study with Jeff Cavins and Tim Grey all have the Pope’s stamp of approval, and they are heavily geared to BIBLE study. Tim Grey does one of this series( the Exodus) on EWTN right now. You might be very surprised how detailed the Jeff Cavins and Tim Grey Bible study series is, the first 2 are 24 weeks, the next one is 20 weeks, and each week you have to answer about 8 to 10 questions.

greatadventureonline.com/

 

[Crumpy]

Just since yesterday when I submitted post #26, I have received my order from the bookstore with the Ignatius Bible study of Mark.

I think everyone will want to have the full Ignatius Bible when it is complete. Another post since yesterday remarked that it is “shallow.” Surely, I’m just getting into this short volume but I would say that it is a **good **Bible study for a whole lot of people. If half of Catholics were up to speed at least to this level of scripture study, it would be veritably a modern Pentecost of our generation.

“shallow” is too harsh a criticism. That there is much more, though, cannot be denied. Based on this one gospel study, I am primed to jump in, when the whole project is done. But, it doesn’t hurt to buy into parts now to support the whole effort.

Sure, I’d love to see an OT study that really gives the comprehensive Jewish perspective alongside our Christian view of the OT, as well. I’d like such a broad Bible study that preserved the sense of how **personal **a religion OT Judaism was – the perspective of a devout Jew.

 

[mijac]

The Nicene Church Fathers has been repaired and reloaded. There was a problem with Vol 1 which was fixed. There was also a problem with the Nicene Fathers loading up in correct order in the e-Sword program-this has also been repaired

esnips.com/web/CatholicApolegetics/?flush=1
Nicene Church Fathers.zip

Vol 1 repaired e-Sword Topical 1800s Edinburgh Edition church fathers–essential to the right understanding of the New Testament itself. It is a volume indispensable to all Church history embodies the living reality of God’s work in the world, guiding us in our conduct today. It is the key to the present condition of Christianity and it is our roadmap to how we may successfully labor in the cause of Christ.

For the record this free downloadable Catholic Bible study software, the modules at esnips.com/web/CatholicApolegetics/?flush=1
and the software base program at e-sword.net/downloads.html

contains the Haydock Catholic commentary, A Catholic Commentary on Holy Scripture by Father Bernard Orchard, A portion of the Great Cornelius Lapide Commentary, St. Thomas Catena Aura church fathers commentary on the Gospels. We Also have the OT Prophecies laid out in line with Jesus’s NT fulfillment in Scripture. A Catholic doctrinal concordance for Holy Scripture, and the list goes on.

 

[Crimson_Seraph]

Question:

Is the Ignatius study Bible series going to have the books of the Old Testament included as well? I would especially like to read the Catholic understanding of some of it, especially that of the Deuterocanon.

 

[Jerry_Parker]

Deacon Joseph,

25 Jan. 2009

It is good to know of the Catholic Bible study resources on your recent posting. They would seem to hold a lot of promise. However, they really do not consist of something that fulfils the desire for good Catholic study Bibles per se.

Thanks!

Jerry Parker

 

[ASD]

amazon.com/Catholic-Bible-Personal-Study-American/dp/0195284054

Did you not like this one?
Just a precaution, but this is the older 1st edition.

Does the the older, 1st edition have “inclusive language?”

ASD​

Traditional Latin Mass: Translation and Grammar

 

[ASD]

Honestly you might just be better off buying a bible that you love without it being a study bible, and then just buying a big old good catholic commentary. They seem to do better with commentary’s being seperate rather than together.

Which Catholic commentaries do you have in mind? I am pretty much resigned to idea that I can’t get everything I want in one nicely bound, double column, affordable, portable book, so I’m definitely open to that approach.

I certainly have not found everything I want from one Bible.

1. 
   *]I want the most up-to-date scholarly commentary. But newest editions almost always have “inclusive language” text and commentaries, which is a real annoyance to me, though others may like it.
   *]In addition to scholarly notes, I want some faith-building commentary. The older editions of NAB have a pretty good mix of critical and faith-building commentary without awkward inclusive language. However, the NAB translation is paraphrastic; not my favorite. Also, the NAB notes have been described as myopic, not very rich in Catholic tradition.
   *]I must have maps. Honestly, I can’t think until I can see the places mentioned on a map. The Life Application Bible NIV (LAB) is very nice in this regard, with simple maps included throughout and a nice map section in the back. (Apparently Navarre volumes are similar, but I don’t have any.) However, LAB commentary (1) is not really scholarly; and (b) is aggressively Protestant.
   *]Text in two columns like everybody knows Bibles are supposed to be.
   *]Lots of section and topic headings. A great study aid. Like, what are we reading about here? NAB is very good is this regard.
   *]It sure sounds like Navarre meets all requirements best. But, not one volume. And, I gather that when single volume is published, the notes will be abbreviated?
   
   So, most of the time I have 3 or 4 Bibles and Protestant software open all at once:
   
   1. 
      *]An old NAB
      *]A new NAB
      *]A Life Application NIV
      *]Oxford Annotated RSV
      *]BibleTime for Linux
      
      But there’s something really unsatisfactory about that. I want one that is my Bible, the one I read Psalms from every night, etc. I use my RSV that way now, but it doesn’t have everything I want.
      

      ASD​

      Traditional Latin Mass: Translation and Grammar

 

[ASD]

I certainly have not found everything I want from one Bible.

1. 
   *]I want the most up-to-date scholarly commentary. But newest editions almost always have “inclusive language” text and commentaries, which is a real annoyance to me, though others may like it.
   *]In addition to scholarly notes, I want some faith-building commentary. The older editions of NAB have a pretty good mix of critical and faith-building commentary without awkward inclusive language. However, the NAB translation is paraphrastic; not my favorite. Also, the NAB notes have been described as myopic, not very rich in Catholic tradition.
   *]I must have maps. Honestly, I can’t think until I can see the places mentioned on a map. The Life Application Bible NIV (LAB) is very nice in this regard, with simple maps included throughout and a nice map section in the back. (Apparently Navarre volumes are similar, but I don’t have any.) However, LAB commentary (1) is not really scholarly; and (b) is aggressively Protestant.
   *]Text in two columns like everybody knows Bibles are supposed to be.
   *]Lots of section and topic headings. A great study aid. Like, what are we reading about here? NAB is very good is this regard.
   *]It sure sounds like Navarre meets all requirements best. But, not one volume. And, I gather that when single volume is published, the notes will be abbreviated?

1. 
   Just one more little item on wish list:
   

   5a. Wouldn’t it be wonderful to have notes that tie passages to Revised Common Lectionary? Then when reading we could think about how a passage relates to liturgical year. See this discussion.

   ASD​

   Traditional Latin Mass: Translation and Grammar

 

[JeanneH]

Crumpy

Sure, I’d love to see an OT study that really gives the comprehensive Jewish perspective alongside our Christian view of the OT, as well. I’d like such a broad Bible study that preserved the sense of how **personal **a religion OT Judaism was – the perspective of a devout Jew.

I bought a Jewish Bible that gives extended notes on what Jews believe including Jewish history. You can put their commentary along with what you know as a Catholic. I found it to be interesting. They comment on the OT much as we would.

Just my thoughts
Jeanne

 

[Jerry_Parker]

Crumpy (and Jeanne H, too),

Thanks for the comments about the Ignatius Catholic Study Bible. I was wondering if ever there would be a cumulation of the many volumes and revisions thereof into a single-volume study Bible. One advantage is that is based on the R.S.V.-C.E. (2nd C.E., I assume). I loathe having to resort to a study Bible that may have excellent commentary, but which attaches that apparatus to a Bible as feeble and banal as the N.A.B. version or (horrors!) the T.E.V. (“Good News”) paraphrase.

As for incorporating “Jewish insights” into these matters, I am sceptical. Judaism, at least excepting the most radially modernised kind, is rooted in Talmudism. Are you aware of just to what an appalling extent the Talmud sinks Jews into amoral, superstitious, racist, legalistic, and other spirt-quenching abuses? One must avoid the easy trap, so rampant among Christian “Fundamentalists” (who are fundamentally wrong!), that Judaism is the religion of the O.T. No, it is that of the Talmud, alas, something from which to keep ourselves unpolluted! Okay, a few moments of insight here and there from Judaism, but avoid falling in love with what is, in essence, quite grotesque. My step-family renounced Judaism three generations back, and for such good reasons!

Jerry Parker

 

[jblake]

ASD;:

*]I want the most up-to-date scholarly commentary.

Skip the Study Bibles and buy commentaries on the individual books.

The older editions of NAB have a pretty good mix of critical and faith-building commentary without awkward inclusive language. However, the NAB translation is paraphrastic; not my favorite.

This is where Bible software enables one to use the commentary, whilst ignoring the translation that it was originally written for.

I must have maps.

A separate atlas enables one to have the Bible open, and the place map open, without having to switch between pages in the same volume.

Lots of section and topic headings

With Bible Study software, if it enables/allows one to create one’s own resources, a commentary file can contain the headers for the passages. Whilst not quite the same, the virtue is that you can look at the headings, regardless of the translation.

However, LAB commentary (1) is not really scholarly; and (b) is aggressively Protestant.

Once upon a time, one could buy a Catholic Version of the Life Application Study Bible.

BibleTime for Linux

No telling on when the Deuterocanonical books will be supported.

In the meantime, there is e-Sword,which runs under WINE.

tie passages to Revised Common Lectionary?

With Bible Study software, if it enables/allows one to create one’s own resources, a commentary file can contain the RCL references.

jonathon