Fr. Barron on Bill Maher and Biblical Interpretation

The Board of Editors for the NABRE Revised NT

According to the list of abstracts for the upcoming Catholic Biblical Association annual meeting, which takes place at the end of the month, the following scholars will be on the editorial board for the upcoming revision of the NABRE NT:

Harold W. Attridge, Jr., Yale Divinity School 
Mary Healy, Sacred Heart Major Seminary, Detroit, MI.
Christopher Ciccarino, Seton Hall University
Felix Just, S.J., Loyola Institute for Spirituality
Donald W. Trautman, Bishop of Erie 

Mary Sperry, liaison with the USCCB 


At the above mentioned meeting, there will be a round table discussion to "introduce the project to revise the New American Bible New Testament, undertaken by the Confraternity of Christian Doctrine. The Board of Editors for the project will be available to present the process to be used, the rationale for the project, the approved principles of translation, and opportunities for input into the revision project."

Oxford NABRE Large Print

As has been mentioned on this blog on numerous occasions, we Catholics do not have anywhere near the number of quality, premium leather Bibles that our Protestant brothers and sisters do.  I dare say that we may have a handful at best.  The NABRE, like the other Catholic translations, can be found in plenty of paperback and hardcover editions, not to mention what seems like an infinite number of pseudo and imitation leather editions.  One would think that of all the Catholic translations, the NABRE, since it sold by a number of different publishers would, but alas that is not the case.

There is, however, one company that has produced the NABRE in genuine leather, that being Oxford University Press.  In the past, they have offered genuine leather NAB's in their study bibles, compact editions, readers editions, and large print ones.  When the NABRE was published back in 2011, I was expecting the same treatment.  Except for the large print version, this has yet to happen.

As a matter of fact, I was truly looking forward to the readers edition of the NABRE, much like the NAB, but they seem to not have bothered even publishing one.  Which is a real shame, since the text was extremely readable, with the notes and cross-references delegated to the back of each biblical book.  Therefore, it was an edition that would be perfect for spiritual reading and lectio divina.

The Catholic Study Bible seems to have also received very little attention.  Not only has it not been updated in its reading guides, but it is not available in genuine leather either.  All previous editions had been, which is a real shame.

So, this leads me to the NABRE Large Print from Oxford, which is covered in a marbled genuine leather.  It isn't the smooth and flexible one that they covered the NOAB NRSV 4th Edition in, but it is actually genuine leather and not bonded.   It is almost identical to the genuine leather RSV-CE readers edition that came out about 10 years ago.  Dei Verbum is included with the biblical text and the notes/cross-references. The box it came in, as well as some sellers, mention that the full lectionary readings are included, this is not the case.  The compact NABRE and the Catholic Study Bible editions do contain all weekday and Sunday lectionary readings.

The binding is also sewn.  As you can see with the photos, the text is very readable, the notes and cross-references being placed at the back of each book.  This makes it good for prayerful reading or for teaching. The gold gild edges give it a classy look to it, as well as the gold ribbon marker.  Some people don't like the Oxford tabs, but I think they are just fine.

Overall, this may be one of the nicest NABRE bibles in print.   I would dare say that it may be the most luxurious, if I may say so, Catholic bible in print today.  The only bibles that would come would be from Baronius Press, that being either their Knox or Douay editions.  The NRSV's from HarperOne are close, but unfortunately they are often printed on super-thin paper and wrapped in cheap imitation leather.

So, if you are looking for a genuine leather Catholic Bible, without having it rebound, I'd recommend this edition.

Summer Blowout Contest

I am finally about to settle into my summer vacation.  The school year has been over for a couple of weeks now, but I have had the privilege to attend a fantastic conference as well as teach a Vacation Bible School for Adults.  So, to celebrate some free time finally, I want to offer this contest to you.

The winner of this contest will receive the following items:

1) Compact New African Bible (NABRE)
2) Compact RSV-2CE Ignatius NT and Psalms
3) Compact Confraternity New Testament
4) Catholic Courses CD Set of The Christ: A Faithful Picture of Jesus from the Gospels by FR. Alfred McBride
5) A lot of CD's from Lighthouse Catholic Media, including talks by Scott Hahn, Peter Kreeft, Steve Ray, Patrick Madrid, Fr. Robert Barron, and others.


Rules for the contest:

1) If you have a website or blog or are active on Facebook, 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 July 6th at 11:59 PM.

 3) I will announce the winners on Monday July 7th. The winners 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. (Fear Not! There will be an international-only contest in the coming weeks.)

Sunday Knox: Solemnity of Saints Peter and Paul

2 Timothy 4:6-8, 17-18

Knox:
As for me, my blood already flows in sacrifice; the time has nearly come when I can go free. I have fought the good fight; I have finished the race; I have redeemed my pledge;*  I look forward to the prize that is waiting for me, the prize I have earned. The Lord, the judge whose award never goes amiss, will grant it to me when that day comes; to me, yes, and all those who have learned to welcome his appearing.  But the Lord was at my side; he endowed me with strength, so that through me the preaching of the gospel might attain its full scope, and all the Gentiles might hear it; thus I was brought safely out of the jaws of the lion. Yes, the Lord has preserved me from every assault of evil; he will bring me safely into his heavenly kingdom; glory be to him through endless ages, Amen.

Knox Note:
*‘I have redeemed my pledge’, or perhaps ‘I have kept the faith’, but the context here seems to demand a fresh metaphor; cf. I Tim. 6.20, II Tim. 1.12.


NAB:
I, Paul, am already being poured out like a libation, and the time of my departure is at hand. I have competed well; I have finished the race; I have kept the faith. From now on the crown of righteousness awaits me, which the Lord, the just judge, will award to me on that day, and not only to me, but to all who have longed for his appearance. The Lord stood by me and gave me strength, so that through me the proclamation might be completed and all the Gentiles might hear it. And I was rescued from the lion’s mouth. The Lord will rescue me from every evil threat and will bring me safe to his heavenly Kingdom. To him be glory forever and ever. Amen.

Fr. Donald Senior: "The Origin of the Messiah"

Theandric - Face to Face/Tantum Ergo