Ignatius RSV-2CE Revisited

As I am perusing through the new Ignatius Catholic Study Bible New Testament, I wanted to make a few comments about the RSV-2CE leather edition which came out a few years back. Ironically, the RSV-2CE was one of the first Bible reviews I did on this blog, back in August 2008. So why revisit the RSV-2CE? Well, if you have seen this edition in stores recently you may have noticed that it looks a bit different.

Well, first of all, the newer editions that Ignatius is putting out are not made in China, but rather the good old USA. While I didn't make any comment about this when I did the review back in 2008, it was something that bugged me. So, I am quite happy to see Ignatius make this change.

Secondly, you will instantly notice that the new edition seems slightly thicker. There is no new content from the first version, which contained the RSV-2CE text, with the original RSV-CE notes, and a small section of maps. What is different is the type of paper being used. One of my biggest complaints against the original version was that it used glossy paper, which I found tough to read in certain places. That is not the case anymore. The paper, which is still thick enough to avoid bleed-through, is not glossy. Thank you Ignatius! When I saw this in the store I thought to myself: "Should I buy another edition of the RSV-2CE?" Well, I have been much happier with this change in paper quality. So the answer is yes. For me, it makes the text much more clear and enjoyable to read.

Finally, one other difference is the leather cover. The first edition had a very stiff, bonded leather cover. This one, however, while still bonded leather (I think) is much more flexible and limp. It easily opens and sits flat in the lap or on a table. Again, another upgrade.

While these three upgrades may seem minor to some, I think they make this standard Ignatius RSV-2CE more enjoyable to read from. Now with the newly released Ignatius Catholic Study Bible New Testament available, they make a fine combination for everyday Bible study and prayer. More on the ISBNT in coming days.

1951/53 "Catholic Commentary on Holy Scripture"

I received this little bit of info a few weeks back from the Bible Christian Society site run by Catholic apologist John Martignoni: Hey folks, I want to let you know about an excellent new resource I’ve recently come across for Bible study. It’s a re-printed version of the 1951/53 “Catholic Commentary on Holy Scripture.” I haven’t been through all of it, yet, but what I have seen of it is very, very good. I highly recommend it for anyone looking to deepen their knowledge of Scripture and of their Catholic Faith. I think Tim Staples is recommending this Commentary as well. You can find it here.

The Commentary series, which is well over 50 years old, is broken into three volumes: 1) Old Testament, 2) New Testament, 3) Articles, Maps, and Index. I acquired one of the original one volume editions from a used book store a few years back. At the time, I used it quite a bit, but now I rarely refer to it. If I remember correctly, the translation used as the base scriptural text was the original Douay-Rheims. Of course, most people are familiar with the editor, Dom Bernard Orchard, who was instrumental in the production of the Catholic Edition of the Revised Standard Version Bible.

A Brief Pause

Hey folks! Sorry for the light blogging as of late, but I am reaching the end of my first year teaching at the High School, thus my plate is quite full. I hope to be back to normal blogging soon.

Ignatius Catholic Study Bible NT Now Available

According to Ignatius Press, the Ignatius Catholic Study Bible New Testament is now available in the hardcover and paperback editions. The leather edition, which I ordered, should ship in early June. I will be sure to have a review of it, once I receive it!

Thanks to reader Francesco for the link.

Update: I decided to switch my order and get the hardback instead of the leather edition. It should be coming in some time Friday, so hopefully I will have a review up over the Memorial Day weekend. We shall see!

NRSV Thinline Update

A few posts back, I mentioned that HarperOne would be releasing an actual thinline edition of the NRSV early in the Fall. Well, I decided to contact them to see if their new NRSV thinline would be come in a specifically Catholic edition. A representative from HarperOne informed me that "The NRSV Thinline that comes out this Fall will release in 2 Protestant editions - with and without the Deuterocanonical Books. We will be releasing a Catholic Thinline edition in Winter 2011." So that is definitely good news! Hopefully, it will be a true thinline, which would make it the only Catholic thinline Bible I am aware of in any translation. Very cool!

Catholic Family Bible: Divine Mercy Edition

Set to be released in June, The Catholic Family Bible: Divine Mercy Edition is being published by C.d. Stampley Enterprises Inc. Totalling 1724 pages, this family Bible comes in the RSV-CE translation. If interested, there are many online book sites that have this Bible for sale somewhere in the $60 range.

Below is a short summary:

This beautiful edition of Stampley's "World's Most Beautiful Bible" pays special tribute to the Divine Mercy -- a powerful devotion for experiencing the mercy of God, strongly supported by Pope John Paul II and based on the spiritual writings of St. Faustina Kowalska. This special edition Bible includes a 16 page full color insert on the Divine Mercy message and devotion and a gold stamped burgundy cover with the Divine Mercy image prominently displayed.

Additional features include sections on the Rosary and Stations of the Cross; an inspiring 48 page full color section on the Life of Christ; a "pilgrimage in pictures" to shrines and the Holy Land; Old Master illustrations of Prophets, Patriarchs, and other Heroes and Heroines of the Bible; a 16 page Family Record section on fine Parchtex Paper; deluxe side-sewn binding; gilded page edges; extensive study aids, including a 256 page Biblical Dictionary, Index and Concordance; and much, much more. Features the RSV-CE text.

The USCCB Approved Bibles List

An anonymous reader commented in a prior post about the official list of approved Bible translations on the USCCB website. As noted, the revised NAB OT is already on the list. We now just have to wait for the re-revised Psalms to be completed and approved. Here is the full list for your reading pleasure:

USCCB Approved Translations of the Sacred Scriptures: 1991 – Present

Books of the New Testament, Alba House

Contemporary English Version - New Testament, First Edition, American Bible Society

Contemporary English Version - Book of Psalms, American Bible Society

Contemporary English Version - Book of Proverbs, American Bible Society

The Grail Psalter (Inclusive Language Version), G.I.A. Publications

New American Bible, Revised Old Testament

New Revised Standard Version, Catholic Edition, National Council of Churches The Psalms, Alba House

The Psalms (New International Version) – St. Joseph Catholic Edition, Catholic Book Publishing Company

The Psalms – St. Joseph New Catholic Version, Catholic Book Publishing Company

Revised Psalms of the New American Bible (I would assume the '91 NAB Psalms)

So You May Believe, A Translation of the Four Gospels, Alba House

Today's English Version, Second Edition, American Bible Society

Translation for Early Youth, A Translation of the New Testament for Children, Contemporary English Version, American Bible Society

The Ascension of the Lord

He said to them, ‘Thus it is written, that the Messiah is to suffer and to rise from the dead on the third day, and that repentance and forgiveness of sins is to be proclaimed in his name to all nations, beginning from Jerusalem. You are witnesses of these things. And see, I am sending upon you what my Father promised; so stay here in the city until you have been clothed with power from on high.’ Then he led them out as far as Bethany, and, lifting up his hands, he blessed them. While he was blessing them, he withdrew from them and was carried up into heaven. And they worshipped him, and returned to Jerusalem with great joy; and they were continually in the temple blessing God. - Luke 24:46-53

Ignatius Press Top 10 So Far

According to the Ignatius Scoop blog, the top ten sellers at Ignatius Press for 2010 are:

1. Be a Man! by Fr. Larry Richards
2. Heart of the Christian Life by Pope Benedict XVI
3. The Loser Letters by Mary Eberstadt
4. An Exorcist Tells His Story by Fr. Gabriele Amorth
5. Theophilos by Michael D. O'Brien
6. Jesus of Nazareth by Pope Benedict XVI
7. Rome Sweet Home by Scott and Kimberly Hahn
8. 7 Secrets of the Eucharist by Vinny Flynn
9. Ignatius Bible (RSV-CE2, Leather)
10. Ignatius bible (RSV-CE2)

Many of the selections are not surprising really. I know that the Fr. Larry Richards book is selling well and being used in a number of Catholic men's groups, like the one I am a part of. Jesus of Nazareth will continue to be a best seller, probably even more so as volume two is released later this summer. It is also nice to see that two editions of the RSV-2CE are on the chart. I wonder how this list will change once the Ignatius Catholic Study Bible: New Testament is released in a few weeks? I have pre-ordered my edition, and I look forward to providing a review sometime in June.

"Jesus of Nazareth Part II" is on the Way

According to the Vatican, the sequel to Pope Benedict's popular 2007 release Jesus of Nazareth has been completed and sent to the publishers. This edition will focus on the Passion and Resurrection of Jesus and picks up where the first volume left off. It is believed that it will still be a few months until we see Jesus of Nazareth II in English, perhaps by the end of the summer.

This gives us all plenty of time to re-read the first book over the next few months. If interested, we could have a little book discussion on this blog, examining each chapter of part I in detail. Hmm.....

A New NRSV Study Bible?

Reader diakonos09 spotted a listing for The NRSV Study Bible which is set for publication in June 2010. I did a little looking around as well and found a couple of sites that listed the publication date for June 2011. In all listings, Harold W. Attridge, who edited the most recent edition of the HarperCollins Study Bible, is the editor listed for this volume and the publisher is HarperOne. As of yet, there is no listing of this new edition on either the HarperCollins/One website or the NRSV.net site. My guess for publication date would be 2011, but who knows. One would think that if they were going to be publishing "the" NRSV Study Bible, they would have started publicizing the product by now.

I wonder if there are looking to re-brand the older Society Of Biblical Literature HCSB as The NRSV Study Bible, much like the ESV Study Bible and the NLT Study Bible. We shall see. Hmmm.....

Catholic Men's Bible

One area of Catholic Bibles that has yet to receive the attention it deserves is the need for a Catholic men's devotional Bible. The Catholic men's movement has been growing each year, with new conferences and fellowships popping up all over the place. Here in the metro Detroit area, where I live, each year the Archdiocese of Detroit holds a men's conference that attracts thousands of attendees. As a matter of fact, this year's conference has expanded and will be the first which will encompass all of the state of Michigan. I am also involved in a men's fellowship group that meets twice a month at a local parish.

This got me to thinking a bit about men's devotional Bibles. I know that there are a number of good, though primarily Protestant men's Bibles out there on the market, most notably in the NLT and NIV translations. Yet, there are, as far as I know, no Catholic Men's Bible available. On the other hand, however, a few Catholic Women's Bibles are available, most notably the Catholic Women's Devotional Bible NRSV from Zondervan. My wife has used it in the past, and when I had a chance to look at it I liked the overall format and additional devotional material included in it. I thought it was a very nicely put together edition. Are there any Catholic women out there who use this edition?

So, I guess we will see if there will ever be a Catholic Men's Bible on the market. One would guess that it is inevitable right? However, one would also assume that there would be at least a few premium leather Catholic Bibles on the market as well as a standard NRSV which comes with cross-references but, of course, we know how that goes!

The C.S. Lewis Bible.....Really?

Yes, it is true. HarperOne will be publishing The C.S. Lewis Bible in October. This hardcover edition will contain the NRSV translation and total around 1600 pages. In addition, this Bible will contain: "Over 600 Scripture-linked devotional readings from Mere Christianity, The Screwtape Letters, and other classics---plus Lewis's letters, poetry, and less-familiar works as well as an introductory essays and presentation page." If you are interested in checking out some sample pages, go here.

While I am grateful to HarperCollins/One for their recent revival of the NRSV in attractive editions, but is this really necessary? This seems to be continuing the trend from HarperOne, with the publication of particular theme oriented Bibles like the Green Bible and Catholic Faith and Family Bible.

Perhaps they will come out with The J.R.R. Tolkien Bible when The Hobbit movie is released? ;)