Didache Bible Q&A
Interview of Fr. Jim Socias by Liam Ford
Why did Midwest
Theological Forum decide to publish the Didache
Bible?
The primary inspiration for the Didache Bible was the address given by Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger,
now Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI, in 2002 on the tenth anniversary of the publication
of the Catechism of the Catholic Church.
In this address, Cardinal Ratzinger strongly defended the use of Scripture in
the Catechism as a means to explain
the faith and emphasized how it was important to read Scripture within the
living tradition of the Church.
While the Catechism has
greatly benefitted from its many references to Sacred Scripture, we found it surprising
that there was nothing that would allow the reader to go the other way around;
that is, a Bible with commentaries that referenced the Catechism. Such a Bible would
facilitate a better understanding of how a particular verse or verses are directly
related to the teachings of the Catholic Church.
In reflecting on this, we came to see that a Bible with
commentaries based on the Catechism would
be a good companion to the Didache Series textbooks, which are also based on
Scripture and the Catechism. This, in
effect, was our inspiration to publish the Didache
Bible.
What is the importance
of consulting the Catechism when
reading the Bible?
As Cardinal Francis George says in the preface, the Second Vatican
Council “affirmed the importance of Sacred Scripture in the life of faith.” The
Deposit of Faith, which is contained in Sacred Scripture and Sacred Tradition,
is safe-guarded and transmitted by the Magisterium of the Church, and the Catechism is the basic summary of this great
wealth of Catholic teaching. Catholics who desire to understand the faith more
completely will naturally want to study the Catechism
and read the Bible on a regular basis.
By basing the commentaries on the Catechism and by referencing the relevant parts Catechism, the Didache Bible provides the reader with a means to better understand
how the teachings of the Church are based on Scripture and how the living
tradition of the Church interprets those verses of Scripture.
How does the Didache Bible respond to the Second
Vatican Council’s call to renew the Catholic faith in the modern world?
In Dei Verbum (no. 10),
the Second Vatican Council taught that the task of authentically interpreting
the Word of God has been entrusted to the Magisterium of the Catholic Church.
By basing the commentaries of the Didache
Bible on the Catechism, we show both
how the Church has interpreted the different parts of Scripture and how that
Scripture has become part of her magisterial teaching.
Additionally, Guadium et
spes (no. 58) speaks of how the Gospel of Christ renews the modern world
and advances culture, perfecting them in Christ. By promoting the Word of God
and its authentic interpretation, we hope to assist the Church in her mission
of renewing the faith in the modern world.
How did you determine which
paragraphs of the Catechism to
include with the different commentaries?
As a first step, we looked at which verses of Scripture were
quoted or referenced in the various paragraphs of the Catechism and worked backwards. We then looked at how these verses were
explained in the Catechism and
incorporated these teachings into the commentaries as appropriate.
Subsequently, these draft commentaries were carefully reviewed by a
team of Scripture scholars, such as Fr. Paul Mankowski of the University of
Chicago and Fr. Andreas Hoeck of St. John Vianney Seminary in Denver. As part
of their work, the team not only corrected the commentaries but drafted new
material as appropriate and made suggestions as to other relevant paragraphs of
the Catechism that should be
included.
What are some of the
elements that comprise the Didache Bible?
In addition to the commentaries based on the Catechism of the Catholic Church, the Didache Bible provides references to additional paragraphs of the Catechism. This enables the reader to go
back to the original source and see what further information on a particular
topic the Catechism offers.
Another important element of the Didache Bible is the apologetical explanations. These 105, one-page
explanations cover topics that help the reader to understand the faith better and
to explain the faith to others.
When speaking with non-Catholics, it’s not enough just to say the Catechism tells us these things. Therefore, the apologetical explanations are
based not only on the Catechism but
also rely heavily on Sacred Scripture, which is useful when speaking with
non-Catholic Christians. When possible, they are also based on natural reason,
which is useful when speaking with non-Christians. Sample topics include such
Catholic beliefs and practices as honoring or venerating the Blessed Virgin
Mary, going to Confession, and believing in the Real Presence of Christ in the
Eucharist.
The Didache Bible also
offers a comprehensive glossary of Biblical terms, a topical index, numerous
maps of the various places mentioned in the Bible, Introductions to the books
of the Bible, timelines of Biblical events, and other helpful information, such
as how to read the Bible.
How can the Didache Bible be useful to teachers and
students?
For teachers and students—whether in Catholic high schools,
parishes, homeschools, or in a family setting—the Didache Bible can be a useful instrument to help understand how the
Word of God is interpreted by the Magisterium and how Scripture, along with
Sacred Tradition, is the foundation of Catholic teaching.
Although it was developed as a companion to our Didache Series
textbooks, the Didache Bible is
really accessible to anyone. For example, it is great for parents, who are the
primary educators of their children. It
is also ideal for Bible study programs and anyone wanting to learn more about
their faith and Sacred Scripture.
How can the Didache Bible be of use to someone
trying to study the Bible in-depth?
The Didache Bible is a
great tool for Bible study. For those wanting a more in-depth understanding of
Sacred Scripture, the commentaries will help them to understand what the Bible
says in the light of the teachings of the Church and how this Scripture helps
to form the faith. The other elements of the Didache Bible will assist in better understanding the historical
context of different parts of the Bible, the meanings of biblical terms and
concepts, and the relationship between the different books of the Bible. The commentaries also help the reader to see
how the Bible is a unified whole and how the Old Testament is fulfilled in the
New.
The Didache Bible not
only helps the reader have a better understanding of Scripture but also of the Catechism, which is the surest
interpretation of the faith. In short, the Didache
Bible makes evident how the Catechism
and Sacred Scripture complement each other.
What are some tips on
reading the Bible for a person who is trying to grow in his or her spiritual
life?
The Church highly recommends that Catholics read the Bible regularly.
The practice of lectio divina or the
prayerful reading of the Scripture makes a good place to start. In this
traditional practice, you slowly read
a selection of Bible verses, re-reading them, if necessary, and then meditate on what has been read, pondering
what the Word of God is trying to say to you. Next, you pray that God will speak through his Word and, finally, place
yourself in God’s presence and contemplate
on what God is saying.
Understanding what God is trying to say to us through Sacred
Scripture is much easier and more fruitful when we have the Church as our guide.
For example, in the Didache Bible commentaries
you can read what the Catechism has
to say about a particular verse or selection of verses.
Of course, in addition to lectio
divina, there are many different methods of reading the Bible. Sometimes,
as in a Bible study group, a book or books of the Bible can be studied methodically
from beginning to end. Other times, a person might want to know what the Bible
says about a particular topic. In this
case, he or she can look up the term in the topical index and read the relevant
Scripture passages about this topic. In both instances, the Didache Bible will help the person
better understand what the Church has to say about these verses or selections
of Scripture.
It is always a good idea for Catholics to make a resolution to
read the Bible each day, at least for a few minutes. Doing so helps us grow in
our relationship with God and helps us to understand our faith better. Of
course, it is important for Catholics who want to grow in their understanding
of the faith to study the Catechism of
the Catholic Church. The Didache
Bible helps in both these regards.
Being more familiar with the Bible and the Catechism gives us the tools to be an effective witness of the
faith and to defend the faith when needed.
Thank you to Ignatius Press for giving me permission to publish this full interview. The Didache Bible is due to be published later this month.
34 comments:
I sure appreciate the publication of what might hopefully be the first in a line of truly Catholic study Bibles but...I wish they had chosen the NABRE as the translation. For all intents and purposes (better or worse) it is the "official" Bible for USA Catholics and thus the most commonly used in parishes, schools, etc. The fact that it is RSV-CE2 is enough to make me hesitate in purchasing it since the added materials are already available. However, convenience might win me over.
Deacon Dave,
I agree with you. The main problem is that the NABRE has to be published with the commentary, so there simply may not be room to do it. Unless they used endnotes, which was only allowed on a couple Oxford editions.
A humble thought on this...
The RSV (and its younger sibling the NRSV) continue to be Bible choice for scholars (Catholic and non-Catholic). Scott Hahn prefers the RSV/RSV-2CE and almost all non-Catholic scholars prefer the NRSV. And since this is a 'study' Bible, perhaps the choice in translation reflects a desire for the most accurate translation that will appeal to both layperson AND scholar?
We hear a LOT of balking at the NABRE but very little towards the RSV. A safer choice?
The RSV-2CE was chosen, no doubt, for its accuracy (compared to other modern English Catholic versions), and its overall fidelity to the Church's vision for Scripture in all aspects of life from personal study to liturgy.
I know eyes will roll at this, but the so-called "inclusive language" of certain Bishop-approved translations post Vatican II is a major problem. Its results are sloppy and inconsistent at best, and purpously manipulates the translation at its worst. The original inspired Word of God gives the name of our race, "Man" or "Adam" a definite masculine connotation. This is not because the authors of the Scriptures were male chauvinists who wanted to put woman down, this is the inspired Word of God, and we as Catholics are bound to believe that.
Look at current heresies within the Church, how many have been brewing with gender-bending and the sexual perversions that follow it. A full assault is underway against the roles of men and women in marriage, family, and in the Church. There are even bishops who want to admit those in mortal sexual sins to the Most Holy Sacrament! I am not saying the gender neutralized translations are the cause of this, but their generic acceptance by some Catholic scholars is indicative of the ignorance of the bigger picture of who we are, as created in the image of God. People can't seem to grasp the ideas of equality and submission together with headship, but that is who we are in family and Church.
I don't expect anyone to understand what I am talking about here, but if you want to see appropriate use of gender language that is accurate and inclusive (inclusive as defined by Sacred Scripture), see those translations that were approved after Liturgiam Authenticam. Revised Grail Psalms, NABRE Psalms ONLY, and RSV-2CE.
I have to admit that I am truly excited about this new edition and hope it lives up to my expectations. We Catholic Bible lovers have been in a desert wasteland for a long time awaiting a one volume modern edition of the Scriptures that is authentically "Catholic". This referring to being in harmony with Sacred Tradition and not undermining it.
Oh I'm so excited for this Bible to exist! It will be so great for us idiots who suck at apologetics!
I went on the Midwest Theological Forum web site and it appears you can order the Didache Bible hardcover right now. The only thing that held me back was the $17 shipping. I decided to order the hard cover from my local Catholic bookstore. I still have a pre-order for the leather copy from Ignatius.
Rolf,
It appears you can order directly from Midwest, via Amazon, which means a cheaper shipping. I did.
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1939231140/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1
RSV is my preferred translation, so I am happy about that. I have a Catholic ONLINE store through Amazon www.godspace3.com I am willing to take orders and the shipping will be priority mail $5.05 if I can get enough orders for a case of 12. $17 shipping is inexcusable. I have asked them a couple of questions and shall return with more info and a link to order direct. We have NO exact date on the shipping of the leather one.
Deacon Dave, not all of us are American. Unlike the NAB, the NRSV has the advantage of not being tied to one particular country. Surely you wouldn't be happy to have to study a "New British Bible", no matter how approved it was by the Vatican.
Jay, actually I use Catholic hierarchy approved English language Bibles from various countries: JB/NJB; the CCB and the New Catholic Community Bible (India and Australia, I believe); the New English Bible (1971 edition). So I don't think the NABRE is exclusive to the USA except that only USCCB can authorize it.
I placed my order through Amazon, via Midwest, and was alerted that it had shipped this morning. So, this may be the quickest way to get it.
I went ahead and ordered mine today through the Christianbooks web site. It will ship in a couple of weeks.I almost didn't buy it because of the thousand year old translation they decided to use, but I might end up liking it anyway.
I pre-ordered mine through my local Catholic bookstore. I'll pick it up so the shipping will be free, I just have to pay tax.
What's with all the RSV criticism going on? Do people realize that the RSV-2CE does not have any archaic language and that it is very similar to the ESV?
Luke,
Thanks for your comment. I think that the criticism is focused on the RSV-2CE for a couple of reasons: 1) it really isn't like the ESV, which was a true revision of the older RSV led by a team of prominent reformed scholars. Unlike the Ignatius revision which was done by an unknown number of people who more or less cherry picked particular passages or words and changed them. We don't have any evidence as to what their philosophy or rules of translation were, nor has Ignatius ever been willing to provide anything about what actually happened. It is clear there were people in Rome who were consults, particularly in regards to Liturgiam Authenticam, but not all the changes seemed to be tie to that document. The ESV has been far more transparent in its various revisions.
2) Because it was a partial revision, the basic text remains one that was done over 50 years ago. The ESV translators were open to utilizing new archaeological and textual discoveries, whether they chose to or not was up to them. (They most often followed the MT.). So for me, at least, a modern translation that does not at least recognize the importance of the Dead Sea Scrolls, for instance, either in the text or footnotes, is seriously lacking.
3) Following the prior point, books like Tobit are noticeably different, since the RSV uses the shorter version of Tobit, while most other Bibles follow the longer one, like the NRSV and NABRE. The same goes for Sirach, which was originally written in Hebrew and we now have parts of, thanks to the DSS. That should certainly be utilized.
I prefer the original RSV-CE to the newer one, because it remains true to the time period in which It was produced. I am not saying that the RSV-2CE is bad, there are many good qualities to it. However, it is , in my opinion, not clearly and obviously the most superior translation that some claim it to be.
Tim,
Based on what you wrote above, I'd like to ask a couple of comparison questions:
1. Since most Catholics are compelled to use 'Catholic Bibles', out of the four 'bigs' - RSV-CE, RSV-2CE, NRSV, NABRE - which would you say is the most accurate and why?
2. And once this question is answered, shouldn't everyone then gravitate towards that translation since accuracy seems to be the crux of the issue?
3. And if accuracy/fidelity to advances in manuscript/archaeological discoveries, Dead Sea Scrolls, etc. is a primary concern, then I think an argument could be made for the NKJV (which revised the KJV AND has copious translation alternatives in the references and just use the KJV apocrypha or whatever apocrypha one would like to use) or as was mentioned, the ESV with Apocrypha.
Even with the latest manuscript scholarship, etc.. I am still of the conviction that the RSV is still the all around best translation of the '4 bigs'. No translation is perfect, but at least the RSV is a sound, pretty un-controversial translation *in comparison* with the NABRE, NRSV, and RSV-2CE.
What are your thoughts my friend?
Very well put, Tim. Thanks.
Dave,
Thanks for the easy questions! :)
1) That is a difficult question to answer. The typical response would be to define these translations within a spectrum of formal to dynamic. Certainly the RSV is the most formal (literal), followed by the NRSV and NABRE. They all tend to the more formal side of the spectrum. The question then becomes which Bible gives you the best opportunity to gain a good feel of the originals behind the translation. They all do it to a degree, yet we know that there are many manuscripts that translators have to choose from. So, for accuracy, I want a Bible that provides a lot of textual notes that show me not only literal renderings, but also other possible attestations. The NET Bible is fantastic in this, but alas, does not come in a Catholic edition or with full Deuteros. The closest thing to it would be the NRSV.
2) Reading level is important here as well as what the person is using the Bible for. I think Bibles that are more dynamic (or even paraphrastic) can be of great help to people. There is a beauty to translations like the Jerusalem or Knox or (even) the Message, which can be helpful for prayerful reading or for those new to the Bible. So, no, I don't think there needs to be one single translation that everyone uses.
3) I'd have to think about this one. I am not confident that the NKJV would fit because there is no Catholic edition, nor would their likely be. It, along with the KJV, also has a certain historic stigma in Catholic circles, which I am not sure it would be able to overcome. As for the ESV, attempts were made to adapt it to the liturgy in recent years, but those were stopped for some reason. There are also some translational choices that are found in the ESV that I am not a huge fan of.
The RSV-CE is still a really good translation. Like I mentioned above, I own a couple of the original versions. It is the most literal of any Catholic bible, utilizing the original languages. Until someone does something like a Catholic type NASB, it will remain valuable in that respect.
I believe there may still be some misunderstanding as to what the RSV-2CE is. It is not intended to be a revision of the translation, per se, but a second edition of the RSV-CE. The RSV-CE is a minor alteration of the RSV to make it more acceptable to a Catholic audience. The second edition substantially improves the RSV-CE for the Catholic audience by utilizing the guidelines in Liturgium Authenticam. This general purpose for the 2nd Edition is stated in the title page. If one wants a better understanding of the RSV-2CE, I would suggest reading that document on the Vatican website. Sure, Ignatius could have printed the entire document in the Bible and included a list of the changes made to the text, but I don't think the intention was to make an alternate RSV-CE to compare to the original edition. I think the idea was to usurp the first edition with a better one all the way around, for private and public reading, study, catechesis, and evangelization.
I could go on and on about the RSV-2CE changes, but I will be brief. The mild archaic language in the first edition is inconsistent and unnecessary. I would go as far to say it is inappropriate, especially when reading OT passages proclaimed by Christ himself as messianic... and the RSV translators chose to use the non-archaic forms. OK, this is a matter of opinion and interpretation, but for Liturgy: no. Bottom line on that is the translators included the archaic language as a novelty; not just for places they thought were references to God, but just wherever they wanted, and as I said, inconsistently. The other part... there are many words and phrases that can be, and are, translated in a variety of ways. Ideally, for Catholics, a Bible translation should take our Sacred Tradition, especially the ancient Latin Vulgate, in special consideration when preparing a Bible translation. There have been a number of posts about the changes on this blog; I believe they are tagged under RSV-2CE.
And finally, to borrow your phrase Tim, because I though it way funny: the cherry picking. The very definition of modern Bible translations! Modern translations pick and choose readings from a host of documents, both in original languages and other ancient versions. This is true especially in the OT, and translators give themselves the liberty to "correct" the Hebrew text when they think a different vowel combination yields a better reading. So what about the Dead Sea Scrolls? The DSS certainly are an important archaeological find, but mostly they confirm the Hebrew texts we already possessed from later centuries to be of greater antiquity. And there are other manuscripts traditions as well! The DSS manuscripts also include Hebrew texts that are very consistent with the Septuagint and the Samaritan Pentateuch traditions. So we are far away from knowing what the original autographs looked like by studying the Dead Sea Scroll fragments. What we have are thousands of diverse manuscripts for translators to pick and choose from, then they pick and choose how to translate! And no, the translators do not unanimously agree on any of this, nor do Bibles translated after the DSS always share the same manuscript background or interpretations. Again, this is a matter of opinion, since no one possesses the originals. Each translation is a unique artist's impression of what the original may have "looked" like. The goal of the RSV-2CE was not to make a new "impression", so to speak, but to make a long-standing preferred formal translation amongst Catholics that is literary and beautiful even better.
+1 on the NKJV. The study notes are fantastic when it comes to textual variation. Although there is no Catholic version, the Orthodox Study Bible has the complete cannon and then some. Where the Septuagint and the Hebrew match, they used the NKJV of the translation. Where they differ and the books that were not translated were all done in-house by St. Athanasius Academy.
The notes done by St. Athanasius Academy also hit the nail on the head in so many ways because of their study note philosphy.
from pg xll in the introduction:
Thus, the notes give primary attention to:
1. The Holy Trinity: Father, Son and Holy Spirt
2. The Incarnation: The Divine Son of God becoming Man
3. The Centrality of the Church, the "dwelling place of God in the Spirt" (Eph 2:22)
4.The Virtues: God's call to His people to live righteous and holy lives in Christ
Its embarrassing that with far fewer resources the Orthodox were able to create this Study Bible that is IMO superior to every Catholic Bible I've used. I like historical critical notes but in a more academic study and they can be helpful in devotional reading but I rather the timeless wisdom of the Church when I study for devotion! I have great hope for the Didache!
P.S.
This hardcover edition has
TWO ribbons. They're both sort of
a gold/yellow color. Very nice.
Jeff,
Have you received a copy?
Deacon Dave,
I have a question for you, could you send me an email? mccorm45(at)yahoo(dot)com
(I posted this before my P.S. but it must not have been taken)
I just received a two-copy order of the Didache Bible
late this afternoon. It came by UPS delivery directly
from Midwest Theological Forum.
It's very attractive in its physical appearance. It's
pretty much meat & potatoes without attempt to look fancy.
By the way, it really does have 1960 pages even though the last page is numbered 1818.
Here's the explanation: the roman numeraled pages are 34 in number.
Then there are two un-numbered pages not counted as any number leading into Genesis.
Genesis itself starts as page 1. So that brings us to 1854 pages.
And the mystery is resolved by noting - which I did by lucky accident -
that in between pages 14 and 15 are two pages (one on each side of a physical sheet)
of Apologetics. And those pages are un-numbered and do NOT count
in the page numbering as you'll easily see by inspection. So then on a hunch, I looked
in the Table of Contents which would be page "v" but the first six roman numeral pages
don't have the roman numeral there. But if you count the pages manually starting with
the title page as "i" , it would be roman numeral "v".
Anyhow in the Table of Contents it refers to "Index of Apologetical Explanations by Title"
on page 1784. (going to there you find pages numbered 1784,1785,1786 have 34,38,34 listings
for a total of 106 pages of Apologetics and so 1854 + 106 = 1960.
A feature I found to by visually attractive is the use of bold-face dark red for the
headings of the 106 Apologetic pages and also the title of each book of the Bible.
On quick look, I noted that the beginning of Psalm 1 is "Blessed is the man ..."
And Isaiah 7:14 "...Behold, a virgin shall conceive and bear a son..."
Then for Luke 1:28 you'll find "Hail, full of grace, the Lord is with you!"
My hunch is that most readers will like the notes at the bottom of the latter page
referring to "Hail".
I'm going for a walk now but when I get back, I'll be glad to answer any questions
regarding actual printing stuff. I'm not much of an expert theologian, so I wouldn't
be able to give adequate answer to any questions like that.
The Didache Bible is what it says in that almost all of the notes reference a CCC number
or other source among the "Documents of the Magisterium" listed on page xviii.
I think most readers of this blog will like this edition of a Catholic Bible very much.
Thanks Jeff.
Tim,
I should thank you because I first heard of this very neat Bible on your blog back during the summer.
I immediately ordered both a hardcover and a leather copy off of the Ignatius Press website and then of course the long wait began. And then as a total surprise, I received an email from MTF since I had bought some books from them in the past. The email came late Tuesday afternoon but after their closing time, so I called up on the phone on Wednesday and ordered two copies for myself and one to be sent to a friend in South Bend, Indiana.
He actually received his on Thursday because South Bend isn't too far from MTF in the Chicago suburbs. I have no complaint about the $15 UPS charge which got my two copies to me in 48 hours. The UPS charge for the one copy to my friend was $14
which indicates that the cost might be roughly $13 + $1*number of copies. So if someone orders 10 copies for their friends, my hunch is that the shipping charge might around $23-$25 which works out to only $2.30-$2.50 per copy.
And you get it right away.
Anyhow, thanks very much from bringing this Bible to my attention this past summer.
Oh, and my order from Ignatius will probably get sent next week and I've got some friends I'll be giving copies to, as I've made extra hardcover orders to Ignatius
in December.
I can't for the review here by Tim with some snapshots!
Gerald, you and I both! I want to buy this, but not until I see more of the inside.
Jeff
-How thick is the Bible overall? Significantly thicker than the regular RSV-2CE? Also, can you spare a pic or two?
Eric,
I have one on the way, hopefully by Tuesday. I'll post as soon as I can.
Eric,
I don't have a cell phone and so I scanned some pages and will email them to Tim, since I don't know how to "attach" them here.
My scanner isn't quite big enough
to get all of two pages at a time
so don't worry, the Bible doesn't have the pages being cut short like
my scanner makes it look like it does!
And the dimensions of the cover are roughly 9.25" x 6.25" and it's
about 1.875" thick counting the covers. An actual page is about
9.00" x 6.00".
Jeff S.
Just received my copy from Amazon. A few random thoughts from my first flip through.
- It is about the size of the Navarre New Testament Compact Edition, maybe a little larger. Definitely not a brick.
- The hardcover is pretty average. I am going to put a cover on it or get it rebound.
- The sewn binding lays flat from cover to cover
- The print is dark and easy to read
- Paper is neither to thin nor too thick
- The black and red design is similar to the ESV Reader's Bible
- Each book has a one page introduction that is like a paired down version of those found in the ICSB
- Modern scholarship seems well represented as to authorship of books (Documentary hypothesis is presented without mention of Mosaic authorship, Deuteronomistic history, 1st, 2nd, 3rd Isaiah etc. Traditional authorship of Gospels and Epistles affirmed but modern theories mentioned)
- The commentary appears as advertised - mostly tied to CCC (but many other Magisterial documents are cited) as well as canonical / Christological interpretation of OT.
- Brief introduction to Catholic teaching about Scripture, how to read the bible, brief summary of Scripture, chronology of OT and NT at the front of the book are a nice touch
- Apologetic material appears to be somewhat randomly dispersed throughout but there is an index in the back
- The commentary seems to be much better geared to the "average Catholic" picking up the bible than the NABRE notes. I think this will definitely fill a much needed niche for Catholics interested in delving deeper in to Scripture without getting bogged down in the historical-critical weeds
I got my copy just minutes ago (Monday afternoon, the 12th). It is generally what we expected. No dust jacket - a true hard cover book. As Luke said, it is not a brick. Quite reasonable in size. Print quality seems good to my eyes. I am able to read it even without my glasses - though I would never do that for more than a few minutes.
The apologetics articles seem to be very good.
One the ribbons had glue on the end and was sticking to the page (1 Sam 14:18). Yikes! Luckily I was able to unstick it without damaging the page or ribbon. I had to cut the ribbon to remove the gluey part. The other ribbon was already slightly frayed at the end! By the way, the ribbons are really long. That will be useful over time if they get frayed and need to be cut away.
The Brief Summary of Sacred Scripture at the beginning of the Bible will be very useful for telling people what each book is about in as little as one sentence (or several if need be). Shortest Example: "2 Samuel: The reign of David".
I think I'll get lots of use out of this Bible - until the Ignatius Study Bible is finished (hopefully before I'm dead).
vladimir998
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