How Did the NLTCE Come About?

Cyber Monday Deals

Good morning!  So, today being Cyber Monday, I was wondering if any of you will be purchasing any new bibles or bible related material today?  There are some good deals out there, including the one I am listing below.  I must confess that I will be silent this year.  I made a purchase about a week ago on something which I think is quite spectacular and can't wait to share it with you.  It might take a couple weeks to get here, so until then, what are you all getting?

Little Rock Catholic Study Bible

The Little Rock Catholic Study Bible is perfect for individual use or as a companion for Scripture study groups. A welcome balance between research and prayer, study and reflection, it includes:

• Engaging visuals
• User-friendly layout
• Digestible Catholic scholarship
• Suggestions for prayer

All designed to help you encounter Christ and grow in faith.

Save 50% today on this bestselling resource!*

PROMOTION CODE: LRSB50

Offer valid on paperback edition through 11:59 PM CST November 28, 2016

Paperback Price: $39.95 Sale Price: $19.97

And then there is this too from Ignatius Press:

Ignatius Bible (RSV), 2nd Edition
Hardcover - 1096 pages

The Ignatius Bible, RSV 2nd Catholic Edition, has been up at the top of the list of our best-sellers since it was published in 2006. Recognized for both the accuracy and beauty of its translation, it is sure to be treasured in every Catholic home.

Save 40%* with coupon code CYBER16.

$31.95    $19.17

Legacy of the RSV-CE and JB

It was around 50 years ago that two influential English language Catholic Bibles were published.  They are, of course, the Revised Standard Version-Catholic Edition and the Jerusalem Bible.  Both of these Bibles were fruits of the Second Vatican Council and each, in their own way, continue to have a following even today.  The RSV-CE represents a more formal translation in line with its KJV heritage, while the Jerusalem Bible, known for its thorough notes, maintains a more dynamic style.  Each has been further updated/revised, yet each is still available and is in use in various places.

So, I want to hear from you, my gentle readers, as to what you think the legacy is for these two translations and what the future holds for them?

Bible for Sale: Rebound Douay-Confraternity

From a reader who is looking to sell a rebound Douay-Confraternity:

Hello All, I've got an old Confraternity/Douay-Rheims bible that I'm trying to find a good home for. It's a St. Joseph edition from 1963, containing the completely revised NT and Confraternity translations of the OT except for 1 Kings-Esther and 1 & 2 Machabees. I originally inherited the bible from Tim, and then in the throes of a rebinding obsession, had it recovered and rebound in goatskin leather in the historical "Circuit Rider," style from Leonard's Book restoration. 

I'm trying to sell it because quite frankly, it's too nice of a bible with too nice a recovering to just sit on a shelf. In my house it has to compete for attention with a rebound RSV2CE Didache and a rebound Knox. I was hoping someone here might be interested. 

In the interests of full disclosure, it does have some fading damage on the spine and middle of the side flap that I tried to highlight in some of the pictures. This comes from my use of it in a hosptial ministry where I was constantly dousing my hands with alcohol sanitizer while carrying it. There's also some spots on the bottom edges of the pages, possibly water spots? I'm not sure. The pages themselves though, are perfectly pristine and enjoy that old book smell though. 

If you're interested, contact me at my email: tadena (at) gmail (dot) com. I'd be hoping for around $170.00 to recoup some of the cost, buyer paying shipping. I am open to negotiating a bit on that though. 

National Bible Week Contest Winner is..........

Jonny!

Congrats to Jonny, who was randomly selected to win the Knox book and Scepter RSV-NT Pocket Bible.  Jonny, please email me with your full name and address and I will get your prize out to you sometime this week.

Thank to all who participated!

Sunday Knox: Christ the King

After this, all the tribes of Israel rallied to David at Hebron; We are kith and kin of thine, they said. 

It is not so long since Israel marched under thy orders, when Saul was still reigning; and the Lord has promised thee that thou shouldst be its shepherd and its captain. 

And so the elders of Israel went to his court at Hebron; and there, at Hebron, in the Lord’s presence, David made a covenant with them, and they anointed him king of Israel. 

-2 Samuel/Kings 5:1-3 (Knox Bible)

A Review of Psalms and NT from Baronius Press

This review was posted today on the website New Liturgical Movement concerning the compact Psalms and New Testament (Douay-Rheims) from Baronius Press.  I've actually never seen one of these in person, but this review, and its pictures, has piqued my interest.  Although, to be honest, I could do without the condescending attitude of the reviewer to both the NAB or other more recent translations.

National Bible Week 2016 Contest

As we are in National Bible Week, it would only seem appropriate to have a contest.  So, I am happy to offer the following two brand-new item to you, my beloved readers, in celebration of this week:

1) RSV-NT Pocket (Simulated Red Leather)

2) On Englishing the Bible by Msgr. Ronald Knox


Rules for the contest:

1) If you have a website or blog or an active Facebook\Twitter account, please announce this contest. If you don't, that is OK. You can still enter the contest.

 2) Please enter your name in the comment section of this blog post. I (or my wife) will randomly draw one winner at the conclusion of the contest, which will be on Sunday November 20th at 11:59 PM.  The winner will receive both books, which I will send out to you.

 3) I will announce the winners on Monday November 21st. The winner must contact me, via email, within a week with their full name and address.

 4) One entry per person.

 5) Contest is only available to those who live in the United States.

Thank you to Scepter Publishers and Baronius Press for supplying the books for the contest.  

National Bible Week 2016

From November 13-19, 2016, the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops invites families, parishes, schools, and other Catholic groups to participate in National Bible Week in celebration of the 51st Anniversary of the Second Vatican Council Dogmatic Constitution on Divine Revelation, Dei Verbum. This year's theme, "The Bible: A Book of Mercy," builds on this year's Jubilee Year of Mercy.

Head on over to the USCCB page where there are a number of resrouces, including a daily email/text from Bp. Robert Barron which you can sign up for.  Also, USCCB Publishing is providing a 20% discount on the Gift and Personal Editions of their NABREs with promo code: BIBLE.

I Showed This To My Freshmen Theology Class

Bible Poll: Which Bible Deserves a Premium Edition?

Which Catholic Bible Needs to Come in a Premium Edition?

Douay-Rheims

Knox

NABRE

RSV-CE

RSV-2CE

NRSV

New Jerusalem Bible

NLT-CE

The Message: Catholic/Ecumenical Edition

GNT-CE

New Community Bible

Other?

Quiz Maker

Compact Bibles: Reviews and Appreciation (Guest Post)

Thank you to Kevin for this article on compact Bibles.

When I first became interested in religion, my brother gave me a compact thinline NIV (much like this one) which I carried with me everywhere. It fit right in my hand, and the soft faux-leather cover just felt right to the touch. I used that Bible so much that it is no longer with me; I wore it out. The cover frayed and wore down until you could see almost through it. After I stopped using that Bible, I started collecting little pocket New Testaments and compact Bibles, which I thoroughly enjoyed using. 

For me, compact Bibles are a wonderful tool. I love to always have a copy of God’s Word with me. Larger Bibles often make it nearly impossible to do that, but compact Bibles are something I can easily hold, throw in a bag, or even shove into a pocket. With compact Bibles, my most cherished possession and favorite book is always within reach. I love compact Bibles in pretty much all forms, and I wanted to give a review for some of my favorite compacts.

1. HarperCollins Go-Anywhere Compact Thinline Bible with Apocrypha (NRSV)

            This Bible is my favorite compact Bible. The NRSV is a wonderful modern translation and the sole official heir to the King James Version (the “authorized” family tree is: KJV > RV/ASV > RSV > NRSV). This little Bible is only 16-20 dollars, but you would think you bought a higher-end Bible. It’s cheap, but the paper is thick, has line matching, and it is printed in a very clear, almost bold, font. Most compact Bibles can be exhausting to read because of how small or thin the font is, but not this one. Most importantly, this little Bible has a sewn binding, which makes it very durable, and if you dislike the bonded leather cover, you could easily have it replaced. In addition, since this edition includes the Apocrypha, it could be utilized by Catholic and Orthodox Christians (even though both groups have reservations about the NRSV’s liturgical application).

2. Cambridge Pitt Minion series (KJV, NKJV, NASB, ESV, NIV, and NLT)

            Even though they only come in the Protestant canon, Cambridge’s Pitt Minion line is an amazing example of what compact Bibles can and should be. They are compact, thinline reference Bibles. They have all the same bells and whistles of a normal size reference Bible, but they are crammed into a very handy size Bible. The print is small, but very clear. The size is perfect for slipping into a pocket, bag, or resting open in the palm of your hand. I specifically have the second edition KJV Pitt Minion, which has the added benefit of Cambridge’s “A Reader’s Companion to the Authorized (King James) Version of the Bible”. If you want only one Pitt Minion, I recommend the second edition KJV specifically because of that reader’s companion. It is a wonderful resource that is essentially a Bible dictionary and concordance in one combined volume. Another benefit of the Pitt Minion line is the quality of the manufacturing. Cambridge usually produces durable Bibles, and Pitt Minions are certainly included in that. Here you can see a review of an ESV Pitt Minion that has received constant wear and tear.

3. Oxford’s RSV-CE Compact Bible

            Like the Harper compact Bible, this is a really good value, and it is an edition supported by the Catholic Church. This Bible has a sewn binding, nice clear print, and a durable hardcover. What I really like about this Bible is the additional material. At the ends of both testaments, it includes the Catholic footnotes of the RSV-CE, and there is an additional appendix after the New Testament that includes Catholic prayers and devotions. If I were Catholic, I feel like the RSV-CE, and especially this edition, would be my go-to Bible. The RSV-CE is such a beautiful translation; it takes the best of what made the King James Version so great. It then takes that literary power and couples it with Catholic tradition and modern textual-critical scholarship.

4. Cambridge Cameo Reference Bible with Apocrypha (KJV)

            I only recently acquired a Cambridge Cameo for myself. I was at a Mennonite relief sale in Goshen, IN, and I saw an old Cameo on sale for $1.50. It is a wonderful Bible. It has the same width and length of the Pitt Minion, but it is thicker, which gives you a much bolder, thicker font. Just like the Pitt Minion, it is a well-built, full-size reference Bible in a very convenient size. Unlike the Pitt Minion, you have a font that is very easy on the eyes, and you can get the Cameo with the Apocrypha. In addition, the references of the Cameo are keyed to the Apocrypha, even in the normal Protestant editions. If you want a reference Bible with Apocrypha, the Cameo is a great place to start. Unfortunately, Cambridge has been slowly discontinuing the Cameo with Apocrypha. Now, you can only get an expensive calf-split edition, and the other editions are long gone. There simply is not a lot of demand for the Apocrypha among KJV fans.

5. LCBP Compact Bible

            If you are not familiar with Local Church Bible Publishers (LCBP), they are one of many KJV-Onlyist publishers who—inspired by their love of the KJV—produce well-made Bibles at a very good price. This little Bible was a companion of mine for several months this past year, and it is a truly compact Bible. It is a plain text Protestant KJV. It has about a five point font, and it is the size of my wallet. It is a great Bible if you really want to carry a Bible everywhere, but only have a pants or coat pocket to put it in.

            In addition, Local Church Bible Publishers also reprints the Cambridge Cameo (without Apocrypha) as a much cheaper alternative to Cambridge’s printings. They call their edition of the Cameo the “Compact Center Column Reference” Bible.

            These are just some of my favorite compact Bibles, but there are a few other honorable mentions: Ignatius Press RSV-CE Compact with zipper, Compact Westminster Reference Bible from TBS, Royal Ruby, ESV Pocket New Testament with Psalms and Proverbs, and Oxford’s NABRE compact.

           

I love my compact Bibles. I find them to be one of the most useful editions of the Scriptures, but I also find myself using them less and less due to two things: 1. I started using a smart phone which has many Bible applications, and 2. I developed a habit of note taking in my Bible, which compacts are not the best for. Now, I am not so loyal to my compact Bibles. 

About the Author

Kevin Daugherty is a Mennonite Voluntary Service participant, food pantry worker, and pastoral ministry student in Elkhart, IN. 

Sunday Knox: 2 THES 2:16-3:5

"So may our Lord Jesus Christ himself, so may God, our Father, who has shewn such love to us, giving us unfailing comfort and welcome hope through his grace, 

encourage your hearts, and confirm you in every right habit of action and speech.  

And now, brethren, let us have your prayers, that the word of the Lord may run its course triumphantly with us, as it does with you; 

and that we may be preserved from malicious interference; the faith does not reach all hearts. 

But the Lord keeps faith with us; he will strengthen you, and keep you from all harm. 

We are sure of you in the Lord, sure that you are doing and will do as we bid you; 

may the Lord direct you where the love of God and the patience of Christ shew you the way" 

-2 Thessalonians 2:16(15)-3:5

A Future RSV-CE?

There has been a bit of talk in the comments of this blog about Scepter Publishers coming out with a newly deisgned edition of the entire RSV-CE.  This would not necessarily be a compact Bible either.  Hopefully their recent Pocket RSV-CE NT will be a success and encourage this to actually happen.  Well, I thought it would be interesting to hear from you, my loyal readers, as to what you would like to see in a future RSV-CE.  I have some ideas, but I would like to hear from you first.  So, consider sharing your ideas in the comments of this post.  Also, make sure to pick up a Pocket RSV-CE NT!

A Very Cool NLT-CE Website

Check it out here.  They also have a Facebook Page.