Review: Luke: The Gospel of Mercy

Being a high school theology teacher, I am always on the look-out for new Scripture study programs that can help enhance what I do each day in the classroom.  As you can imagine, there are a ton of different programs out there, with new ones seemingly being created and promoted each year.   When opportunity came about to review Catholic Scripture Study's Luke: The Gospel of Mercy published by Saint Benedict Press, I was very happy to do so.  I am glad I did, since this is the first CSS Bible Study that I have had a chance to review. 

Let me say, at the start, that this CSS Bible Study is beautifully produced and packaged.  When I first flipped through the over 300-page study guide, I remarked to my wife that it may be the most beautiful produced Catholic Bible study guide I had ever laid my eyes on.  Authored by popular Catholic writer Dr. Paul Thigpen and Fr. Jeffrey Kirby, each of the 18 lessons through Luke are lavishly illustrated with sacred art, photos, maps, and in-text information boxes that provide helpful supplemental information at  strategic points in the text.  These helpful in-text boxes contain "Voices of the Saints", "Rome to Home", and "Catechism Connections".  To emphasize how well they are placed in the text, one of the "Voices of the Saints" that I really appreciated came from St. Ambrose, where the authors quotes him saying, "Luke writes his Gospel to Theophilius, that is, to the one whom God loves.  But if you love God, it was also written to you.  And if it was written to you, you too must fulfill the duty of an evangelist.  Diligently keep this token of Luke's friendship close to your heart (10)."  I found this quote to be quite fantastic and a perfect to beginning my journey through the CSS's Luke: TheGospel of Mercy. 

The text, itself, is large and very readable, suitable to almost any setting.  Each lesson provides over five pages of "study notes" that gives the reader  a considerable amount of contextual insight into the text.  Next you will find a prompt to view the section of the DVD that accompanies the study guide, with space for notes and annotations.  The final section of each lesson provides questions, both exegetical and life application in scope.  These can be used for personal, as well as group study. 

The DVDs, in coordination with the study guide, are divided into 18 lesson.  Each lesson contains two sections, one led by Dr. Thigpen which focuses on providing the background necessary to studying the given text, with the second being a shorter life application reflection given by Fr. Kirby.  Dr. Thigpen's teaching usually is around ten minutes each in length, while Fr. Kirby's reflections are half that amount.  Both selections, for each lesson, are well-produced, with Dr. Thigpen's portion being taped in a studio, while Fr. Kirby's life application reflections are on location in Rome.  Viewing many of the presentations on the DVDs, not only did I learn some new information about Luke, but I was also edified and confirmed in my faith.  The three DVD's contain almost five hours worth of instruction.    

Having read through the material, I would say that this study is intended for anyone who is a beginner as well as one who has been a long-time veteran of attending and leading bible study.   I highly recommend this, particularly to those of you who are looking for a home study.  I plan on using some of the materials for my high school class, since it is so well done.  Bravo to CSS and Saint Benedict Press for creating this.

Saint Benedict Press provided this bible study to me with the understanding that I would give an honest review.

Saint Benedict Press and CSSI Partnership

Review: CSSI Bible RSV-CE

When the Catholic Scripture Study International Study Bible debuted late last year, all 800 copies sold out within a few weeks. Since then, I had been hoping to get a copy at some point in order to review it, however, I was unable to until this week. So, thanks to the fine people at Saint Benedict Press for sending along a review copy. For those interested, this edition is now available for purchase. I do not know how many were printed, so if you find yourself really liking it, you may want to order one soon.

The production of the CSSI Bible is a joint venture between Saint Benedict Press and Catholic Scripture Study International. It includes: “This high-quality RSV-CE Bible seamlessly integrates Sacred Scripture with extensive study materials and reference guides. Includes 76 full color pages, Holy Land maps marked with significant events and places, and extensive biblical apologetics and topical indexes, all beautifully bound in our Classic Black Bonded Leather with multiple ribbon markers, gold edges and beautiful foil stamped cover.” To see some sample pages, you can go here.

In many ways, this is a great apologetics study Bible. After spending some time with it, I would rate it higher than its closest rival, the New Catholic Answer Bible. This is due not only to the CSSI Bible’s use of the RSV-CE, but also the study material is more substantial and organized. If, however, you are looking for a study Bible comparable to the Catholic Study Bible or the Ignatius Catholic Study Bible, then this is not what you are looking for. I hope to explain what I mean below.

There are many positive features of the CSSI Bible. As a matter of fact, some features which I thought I wouldn’t like, surprisingly I found to be quite good. For example, when I read that this Bible was large print, I was initially unsure how I would like it. Yet, after spending a few days reading from it, I have found it to be very readable and inviting. This all comes down to personal preference to be sure, but I was pleasantly surprised. Anyone who has previously purchased a Saint Benedict Press large print Bible will have a good idea of what each pages looks like.

Another feature which I thought would be a distraction was the use of Bible inserts, instead of integrating the study material directly into the text. While I still feel that having the additional study material placed in the text is the best option, Saint Benedict Press has done a really nice job making sure that the inserts are positioned well without being an annoyance to page turning or laying the Bible out flat. What I mean by that is I have an old edition of the St. Joseph NAB, which while having some lovely inserts that include maps, photos and devotionals, always seemed to be more obtrusive than helpful, particularly when flipping through the Bible. From just looking at the CSSI Bible when it is closed, you wouldn’t necessarily be able to tell that there are 76 full color pages included throughout the text. The glossy paper that these inserts are printed on is very thin.

The real jewel of this study Bible is the apologetics content found in the 76 full color pages. Most notably, the eight pages of “Catholic Apologetics Bible Verses” I have found to be quite helpful. This section not only covers issues ranging from “Anointing of the Sick” to “Works” but does so with both biblical citations as well as direct quotations from the Fathers of the Church. A very nice touch! In addition, the editors placed “*” by verses that are used to challenge Catholic teachings. This section, combined with the “Topical Index” in the appendix, makes looking up particular passages related to apologetics and doctrine a breeze. (By the way, I am teaching a Catholic Apologetics course at the high school next Spring for our Seniors, so I am very excited that this Bible has these features.)

I should also mention that the remaining inserts are scattered throughout the Bible and include a couple of Bible maps, timelines, CUF Faith Facts, and some inspirational images of Biblical characters and events. I have found the Faith Facts to be the most helpful of the bunch. You can preview some of them at the CUF site here. One Faith Fact that I would like to point out is entitled “Making Sense Out of Scripture: The Four Best Kept Secrets in Biblical Studies Today”, which does a fantastic job explaining the Four Senses of Scripture as taught in Dei Verbum and the Catechism of the Catholic Church. This should be a tool that is present in every Catholic Bible.

Two more positive features that are most welcome are the inclusion of three Bible ribbons and the Sunday/Weekday Mass readings. Both are a definite must for any Catholic study Bible.

With all the praise that I have just given, there are a few things that I feel are missing from the CSSI Bible. Most prominently, any future edition really needs to have cross-references or at the very least a list of Old Testament references in the New Testament in the appendix. (The HarperCollins Study Bible does this.) Any Bible that is named a “study Bible” should have them. I am sure that this is something that Saint Benedict Press is looking into for future editions. (Also, a concordance would be helpful, but as I have mentioned in previous reviews, it is not a deal breaker for me.)

Secondly, while I found the bonded leather cover to be fairly flexible, perhaps future editions could come in their genuine leather or ultrasoft covers. This is particularly the case when the price tag for this Bible is basically $70.00!

My last negative critique would be that a few more maps would be helpful. I think including maps which show the route of the exodus, the Davidic kingdom, the layout of Jerusalem, and the journeys of Paul would be important additions and would compliment the maps already included.

In conclusion, this is a top-notch apologetics study Bible, even with the missing cross-references. If you are looking for an apologetics Bible, particularly utilizing the RSV-CE, look no further. In many ways, this could be a wonderful compliment to the Ignatius Catholic Study Bible RSV-2CE.

***Again, thanks to Saint Benedict Press for the review copy***

CSSI Bible due mid-November

After contacting the publisher, I was told that the new Catholic Scripture Study International Bible is due to be released in mid to late November. I also asked if there would be cross-references included, but the person I talked with was unsure of the answer. I would hope so, since I am not sure that I would be willing to dish out over $50.oo on a study Bible without cross-references. Seems kind of silly to do so.

As a reminder, this study Bible includes:

This high-quality RSV-CE Bible seamlessly integrates Sacred Scripture with extensive study materials and reference guides. Includes 76 full color pages, Holy Land maps marked with significant events and places, and extensive biblical apologetics and topical indexes, all beautifully bound in our Classic Black Bonded Leather with multiple ribbon markers, gold edges and beautiful foil stamped cover.