Bible Basics for Catholics


Book Description

John Bergsma’s popular Bible Basics for Catholics, which has sold more than 60,000 copies, offers readers an accessible vision of salvation history as it unfolds in the Bible, showing readers how the Bible points us to the saving life and work of Jesus. This new edition includes an additional chapter on covenant fulfillment in the Book of Revelation. Bergsma brings to his theology a combination of academic expertise, pastoral wisdom, and unique playfulness. Bible Basics for Catholics is based on Bergsma’s popular Introduction to Theology course at Steubenville. As a teacher, Bergsma has an uncanny ability to make complex ideas understandable and faith-inspiring while staying true to both Catholic teaching and biblical scholarship. Readers will begin to see the Christian understanding of salvation by walking through the Old Testament, going through the great stories of Adam and Eve, Noah, Abraham, Moses, the great kings and prophets of Israel, and culminating in the person and work of Jesus Christ.




New Testament Basics for Catholics


Book Description

Award-winning author and theology professor John Bergsma follows up his popular Bible Basics for Catholics—which has sold more than 60,000 copies—with a more in-depth look at the New Testament. Using simple illustrations and the same clear, conversational style that characterized his earlier book, Bergsma introduces four of the most important writers in the New Testament: Matthew, Luke, Paul, and John. With humor and simple illustrations, theology professor John Bergsma focuses on Matthew, Luke, Paul, and John, whose writings comprise about 90 percent of the New Testament. The gospel of Matthew, written for Jewish Christians, illuminates the life and teachings of Christ as the long-promised Messiah. In Luke's gospel, readers will delve into the infancy and Triduum narratives, as well as the Acts of the Apostles and the life of the early Church. This leads the reader to discover St. Paul and his first and arguably greatest theological treatise: Romans. Finally, “the beloved apostle” St. John draws us in to the unsurpassed beauty of the fourth gospel, as well as the most mysterious book of the New Testament: the book of Revelation. A concluding chapter offers suggestions for further study. Intended as an introductory work for those who are new to scripture study, New Testament Basics for Catholics does not aspire to be a comprehensive guide to all twenty-seven books of the New Testament, but is intended to lay the foundation for a lifetime of scripture reading.




Psalm Basics for Catholics


Book Description

In his third back-to-basics look at the Bible, popular theology professor and bestselling Catholic author and speaker John Bergsma highlights the presence of Jesus in the psalms and helps us understand their meaning in light of the story of salvation. Bergsma employs the same conversational style and simple illustrations found in Bible Basics for Catholics and New Testament Basics for Catholics to help bridge the gap between the world of contemporary Catholics and the ancient world of the Bible. In Psalm Basics for Catholics, John Bergsma introduces us to King David, the story of Israel, and the salvation of the Jewish people through the coming of Jesus. For more than two thousand years, Christians have sung, chanted, and prayed the psalms, a practice of worship inherited from our Jewish ancestors in faith. Whether prayed during Mass, the Liturgy of the Hours, or in personal reflection, these ancient hymns continue to be a guiding light for Catholics. Yet rarely do we step back and look at how the psalms fit into the story of salvation revealed in the Bible the way Bergsma does here. Bergsma also addresses common questions about the psalms, including Do the psalms really predict Jesus? What do we make of the so-called curse psalms? Why do we pray the psalms in the Liturgy of the Hours? How do I read and pray the psalms? Bergsma's insightful, practical examination of the psalms helps Catholics see how their promise is fulfilled in Christ.




A Catholic Introduction to the Bible


Book Description

Although many Catholics are familiar with the four Gospels and other writings of the New Testament, for most, reading the Old Testament is like walking into a foreign land. Who wrote these forty-six books? When were they written? Why were they written? What are we to make of their laws, stories, histories, and prophecies? Should the Old Testament be read by itself or in light of the New Testament? John Bergsma and Brant Pitre offer readable in-depth answers to these questions as they introduce each book of the Old Testament. They not only examine the literature from a historical and cultural perspective but also interpret it theologically, drawing on the New Testament and the faith of the Catholic Church. Unique among introductions, this volume places the Old Testament in its liturgical context, showing how its passages are employed in the current Lectionary used at Mass. Accessible to nonexperts, this thorough and up-to-date introduction to the Old Testament can serve as an idea textbook for biblical studies. Its unique approach, along with its maps, illustrations, and other reference materials, makes it a valuable resource for seminarians, priests, Scripture scholars, theologians, and catechists, as well as anyone seeking a deeper understanding of the Bible.




The Ave Catholic Notetaking Bible


Book Description

The Ave Catholic Notetaking Bible combines exceptional readability, generous margins for journaling and notetaking, and a variety of special features designed to deepen your understanding of the Holy Scriptures. Comprehensive cross-references to the Catechism of the Catholic Church--a feature unique to this Bible--will help you explore the scriptural foundations of Catholic faith and practice. Essays and reading guides from leading Catholic teachers and scholars will enrich your experience of reading and reflecting on the Word of God. And the beautiful, single-column text design will make this Bible a joy to read. Thoughtfully crafted by the world's premier Bible designers and featuring the trusted and elegant Revised Standard Version, Second Catholic Edition, this Bible is perfect for men and women, for individuals and groups, and for high school classrooms and adult faith formation. Features include: exclusive cross-references revealing every Bible verse and passage that appears in the Catechism of the Catholic Church extra-wide margins for journaling and notetaking as you read essays, study guides, and reading plans from John Bergsma, Sarah Christmyer, Sonja Corbitt, Anthony Pagliarini, Mark Hart, and Meg Hunter-Kilmer line-matched, 9-point text sewn, lay-flat binding high-quality paper two satin ribbon markers the RSV2CE translation, noted for its clarity, elegance, and trustworthiness The Ave Catholic Notetaking Bible reflects the heritage of Ave Maria Press as an apostolate of the Congregation of Holy Cross, United States Province of Priests and Brothers, to be educators in the faith and to make God known, loved, and served through its books and resources.




Stunned by Scripture


Book Description

The Pope, devotion to Mary, confession ... just where are these topics in the Bible? Why does the Catholic Church seem to focus on so many things that aren’t Scriptural? Or so thought former Protestant pastor John Bergsma. Stunned by Scripture: How the Bible Made Me Catholic is an engaging examination of the things Dr. Bergsma once considered obstacles to ever becoming Catholic himself. Over an eighteen-month spiritual journey, Bergsma was stunned again and again by the biblical support he found for even the stickiest teachings of the Catholic Church. Weaving his personal story into clear explanations of Catholic teachings as found in Scripture, Dr. Bergsma explores seven key Catholic doctrines, including: The Pope Devotion to Mary Confession The Eucharist The priesthood Belief in the Bible alone Salvation by faith alone theologies Stunned by Scripture will help Catholics understand, defend, and explain the biblical basis for the Faith and show them how the Bible solidly supports even the most frequently misunderstood Catholic teachings.




Bible Basics


Book Description

Full-text Scriptural references and commentary for nearly 70 essential doctrines of the Catholic Faith Essays on how the canon of Scripture was established. A short history of Scripture translations. A discussion of the New Testament use of the Deuterocanonical booksArguments from Scripture including hard-to-identify topics like indulgences and Marian prayers. The Difference between Catholic and Protestant Bibles. The Church s salvation theology, Line-by-line analysis of Marian prayersAnd much more!




Bible Basics for Everyone


Book Description

Getting the most out of Bible reading time just got easier. This handy guide is small in size but big on information. Author Terry Glaspey addresses the top questions people have about the Bible, presents a 90–day reading plan, and eases the intimidation factor as he shares verses for comfort, peace, and grace 7 ways Scripture helps us know God a 5–minute synopsis of the entire Bible 8 tools to get the most out of each reading 66 one–page summaries of each book of the Bible For avid Bible readers or those curious about the bestselling book of all time, this portable resource opens up the wonder, power, and message of the Bible in new ways.




Bible for Young Catholics


Book Description

Paraphrases the Old and New Testaments and provides introductions to each book of the Bible along with illustrations, maps, and information about the history, geography, and theological teachings.




Catholic Bible Dictionary


Book Description

More than a generation has passed since the appearance of the last major Catholic Bible dictionary. It has been a fertile generation for biblical scholarship, an eventful time for biblical archaeology, and a fruitful time for the Church’s interpretation of the Bible. It is time for a new resource. Scott Hahn, internationally renowned theologian and biblical scholar, has inspired millions with his insight into the Catholic faith. Now he brings us this important reference guide, written specifically for Catholics, which contains more than five thousand clear and accessible entries and covers a wide range of people, places, and topics. From Genesis to Revelation, the whole of salvation history is presented and explained in smart, easy-to-understand prose. Catholic Bible Dictionary is an invaluable source of information, insight, and guidance for Catholics and others who are interested in enriching their understanding of Sacred Scripture. Scott Hahn draws from two millennia of scholarship to create an accessible and comprehensive tool for deeper and more rewarding biblical study.