Customer Reviews

The Catholic Bible Study Handbook: A Popular Introduction to Studying Scripture

5 star:		(4)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

The Catholic Bible Study Handbook: A Popular Introduction to Studying Scripture is reader-friendly to the interested person who is not a Scripture scholar. Its format is easy to follow, with headings for each major section, as well as a comprehensive history of the Israelites and information on the background of each major writer. This book could be valuable as an aid in discussion by groups, and also contains a section on how to use the Bible as a guide for individual prayer and meditation.

I was looking for a book to study the bible as in a workbook type of way. Not to make a chore of it but to gain a more working knowledge of the bible and of the books contained in the bible. All of what is contained in this book on 'how to study the bible' is really on less than 10 pages. What this book does go into a great depth, is a description of each book of the bible, various forms of writing of each book of the bible, how different religions wrote their versions of their bible and such. On that the book is very good. Again, it was not what I was looking for but the price was worth the information I got from it.

The Catholic Bible Study Handbook is a very well organized, well written work by the Benedictine Jerome Kodell. He does a wonderful job in explaining the origins of the Bible and ways to study it objectively and spiritually. The part I find the most helpful is his concise summaries of each book of the Bible, explaining what they contain and where they fit in the historical context of Judeo-Christianity. This book doesn't pull out Catholic doctrine from the Bible (if you're looking for that, see Frederick Knecht's "A Practical Commentary on Holy Scripture"), but leaves that the the Bible reader. This book is very user-friendly, as someone has already stated. It is a great handbook that can be used to Catholics and non-Catholics alike.

This book is disappointing. Little more than a surface treatment of background issues, it is not very well written. It presents a shallow style of pop biblical scholarship (circa 1970's), along with a dry and dated charismatic spirituality. What is lacking? For one thing, the rich Benedictine tradition of "lectio divina" is poorly presented (see the classic work of Damasus Winzen, OSB). Also lacking is an adequate treatment of spiritual exegesis, as recommended by Vatican II (Dei Verbum 12), and the Catechism of the Catholic Church (109-119). Try to find a used copy of Winzen's "Pathways in Scripture," or maybe Shea's "Making Senses of Scripture".

I found this book to be a good foundation for Bible study. It answered many questions I would have had.

I just happened to pick up the book from a used bookstore and had no expectations so the only reason I would have been disappointed is if the book just seemed like a total waste of money. As it is, I feel like the first two chapters alone were worth much more than the price I paid, and the book has earned a permanent place on my bookshelf.

As a life-long Protestant who is poised to begin conversion to Catholicism I found this book very helpful. The first two chapters explained very well the difference between how and why a Catholic would study the Bible verses a Protestant approach. I own three comparable Protestant books on how to study the Bible which focus on interpretive principles despite the fact that the Bible itself warns against personal interpretation. This book will replace at least two of those other books on my book shelf.

Although most Protestants have great reverence for the Bible, I have never as a Protestant heard the Bible approached with such deep reverence as was expressed by the author of this book and the official Church documents he was quoting from. I learned that the Bible isn't just God's instruction book or just a history of God's people. God is actually present in the Bible in a way somewhat similar to how Jesus is present in the Eucharist. To me this is a real eye-opener, and I thank God for guiding me to this small volume so that I could understand this mind-blowing concept.

The book is written to be a reference, and although it doesn't go into lots of depth, that's on purpose. It's an intro, not a master course. For the purpose it was written and the audience it was written for I think it should be very helpful. I highly recommend it.

I have not had a chance to read said book, but as I glanced at it, it does seem to work up to it's title. It does seem to be very thorough in scope. I don't think that I will be disappointed when I do get the time to read it. The title of the book is Catholic Bible Study Handbook.

I was not very impressed with the book, but it might be helpful to others.

Thoroughly enjoying the book and am gaining insights on the Book of Job. The book is in great condition and was received promptly. Would highly recommend it.

Looking forward to examining this book more closely. First look gets an "A" from me. Thanks.