Customer Reviews

The Gospels and Acts of the Apostles [The Navarre Bible: Reader's Edition]

5 star:		(8)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

Scepter has done a great service by binding the 4 Gospels and the book of Acts into one very nicely laid out, quality, hardcover volume. The only thing missing from this, as opposed to the individual paperback editions, is the text of the Latin Vulgate. Most people (like myself) won't find that to be a problem, and what's left is the text of the RSV Catholic Edition (not to be confused with the inclusive language NRSV) and the full commentary from the paperback editions.

This is the first Bible commentary that I have been absolutely unable to put down. For starters, this commentary, as far as I can tell, is absolutely faithful to the Magisterium, and the explations truly reflect the interpretation of Scripture in light of 2,000 years of Biblical scholarship. Within the commentary, one often finds quotes from Saints, Fathers, and Church documents which address the passage, something that I find indispensible and immeasureably interesting.

The work is also extremely well cross-referenced, and provides an excellent opportunity for in-depth study. This is a work intended for those truly interested in deepening their understanding of Scripture in light of the Orthodox Catholic teaching.

All in all, this is the best commentary on the Gospels and Acts that I've seen. I only wish that Scepter would release the rest of the NT in hardcover format...

The advantage of this compilation of the Navarre Bible's separate Gospel narratives and Acts is that it preserves the extended commentary of the individual volumes. Although the similar Navarre New Testament Compact Edition is excellent, its commentary is abbreviated. All the books in the Navarre series are characterized by fidelity to the Magisterium, an assumed and defended historicity, reflections by Church Fathers and Saints, and contextual explanations. There's simply no better Bible commentary available and it makes for wonderful personal devotional reading or a text for group study. Expensive, but worth every penny.

I have been using the Navarre Bible, Gospels and Acts for a bible study at church. I have found the commentary to be one of the best that I have read. It delivers extensive historical background as well as being equally strong in spiritual growth and development. This bible came highly reccommended to us by our associate pastor who has served for several years as a seminary instructor.

My seminarian and monk friends have been raving about the Navarre Bibles and this is the first one I've gotten. I've only read the Gospel of John so far but I've thoroughly enjoyed it. Don't expect great insights in each commentary. Some definitely do, but for the most part, they provoke me to meditate and reflect on my own life.

I am thrilled that Navarre is now publishing the New Testament in hardback. However, I wish that the editors would do with the NT what they have done with the OT in including the New Vulgate as well as the RSV and the outstanding commentary.

Nevertheless, the series is great. I required this very edition for two upper division Scripture classes I taught last spring.

Very Highly Recommended.

UPDATE: Two readers have pointed out to me that the hardcover New Testament "Reader's Editions" DO contain the New Vulgate. They are correct, at least with the edition I currently own. I'm under the impression that there was at one point talk of edition with the commentary, but not the Vulgate, but that is not the case with this particular edition. The New Vulgate can be found in the back of the book, rather than as a footer on each page, as it is in the several paperback volumes. In light of this, I am upping my recommendation to 5 stars!

I picked up this portion of the Navarre for a parish project and was happy with it. I needed a good transation with extensive notes for an exegetical presentation. The notes were helpful and the translation feels superior to the NAB (which isn't necessarily acclaimed as having the best translation). I don't know of a ton of Catholic Bible with extensive commentaries, thus this one certainly belongs in any Catholic's collection.

Also, as a note, I'm looking forward to picking up some of the Ignatius Catholic Study Bible works by Scott Hahn as they come out.

I was a bit worried that the Navarre bible would be hard to read because it has been translated from Spanish to English. My worries were wasted as worries so often are.

This bible is truly excellent. Scripture verses are presented across the top 1/4 or so of each page and explanation across the bottom. The explanations are very well written, the English is excellent and reads very comfortably.

The commentary does not delve deeply into highly technical citation and footnote (although there is some of both). It is conversational and that makes reading this bible a much more relaxed learning experience. While the commentary is Catholic in nature as a former protestant I think protestants would have to look pretty hard to find anything objectionable outside the few issues of dispute we all know so well.

An excellent study bible, best I ever used, easy to read and very informative.

This product is by far THE BEST Commentary available for study of Sacred Scripture that stands 100% alongside the Holy Father and teaching office of the bishops. It quotes extensively from the writings of the Early Church Fathers and the Ecumenical Counsels. Just good solid theology.

I am a fan of the NaVarre Bible series now.This latest book is a great addition to my growing Bible study collection, I highly recommend it!

The commentary that goes along with this Gospel is truely wonderful. A must read for any serious student.