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49 of 51 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
One of the greatest introductions..., February 11, 2004
This review is from: Pathways in Scripture: A Book-By-Book Guide to the Spiritual Riches of the Bible (St. Paul Center Studies in Biblical Theology and Spiritualit) (Paperback)
I just got this book today and I'm giving it 5 stars. The introduction in the book sums up the author quite well when it says, "Fr. Damasus is not a difficult or obscure author, but he is unique and original..." Indeed, his uniqueness as an author is remarkable. Fr. Damasus give a simple yet profound introduction of the books of Scripture. Keep in mind the word "introduction." This book is not an in-depth study of each book of the Bible but rather a fast-paced overview. And please, do not mistake "simple" for "simplistic"; for that would be an grave and inaccurate injustice to this book. The book is faithful to its title. Emphasizing the word "Pathways" it shows the careful reader the beginning paths of each book of the Bible. It is pertinent to Scripture readers that they be shown the beginning and the outline of the path rather than the path in its entirety because this encourages readers to make their own efforts and experience for themselves the riches in Sacred Scripture. Unlike most commentaries, this book does not even attempt to give you the "answers" to the scriptural texts or solve the difficulties for you. Rather it feeds the curiosity to explore what Fr. Damasus is speaking of and it enlightens your Scripture reading immensely. The Church teaches us 3 things to do when approaching Scripture: 1. We must be especially attentive to the content and unity of the whole Scripture. 2. Read the Scripture within the living tradition of the whole Church. 3. Be attentive to the analogy of faith. Fr. Damasus does precisely all three of these and in a brief but explosive manner. I have a couple of recommendations for prospective readers of this book. First, purchase the Ignatius Catholic Study Bible (ICSB hereafter) series by Dr. Scott Hahn and Curtis Mitch (Only the Gospels, Acts, and Romans are currently available). I just finished reading through the Gospel of John (ICSB). First, I can not convey enough, how rich the ICSB series' are. Similar to Fr. Damasus' book, the Ignatius Study series' sets the reader on fire without providing them with all the answers. However, the ICSB delves much deeper into Scripture. Secondly, I suggest that one read through one of the books of the Bible (especially using the ICSB) and read Fr. Damasus' writing on that particular book. This, I'm certain, will be of great value to the reader. I have to make a confession here. Soon after reading the Gospel of John in the ICSB, I wanted to immediately begin teaching others the unimaginable richness of even the surface of Sacred Scripture. (Read that carefully, note the word "surface"). The eternal Wisdom of the Holy Spirit prevented me from feeding my ego. I was quickly humbled by the fact that I could present no evidence for what the ICSB was teaching because I myself had not walked the path that the ICSB was showing me. So I decided to dig a little deeper and I couldn't believe what was present there in Sacred Scripture. Every WORD (word not emphasized enough) is an unbelievable treasure. I didn't even know that I was thirsty for anything until our Lord showed me how much more there was to drink.
I tell you this story only to illustrate how magnificent, beautiful, penetrative, and profound Sacred Scripture is but it will be revealed only to those who are willing to work for its discoveries through prayerful reflection and diligent, patient study. If you can't tell by my rambling, I highly recommend this book.
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19 of 20 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Respectable reference for scripture study, January 31, 2005
This review is from: Pathways in Scripture: A Book-By-Book Guide to the Spiritual Riches of the Bible (St. Paul Center Studies in Biblical Theology and Spiritualit) (Paperback)
This book synthesizes dominant threads or themes that occur through out the Bible. Damscus Winzen was a Benedictine monk (who founded a monsatery in the US after immigrating from Europe), whom I have never heard described as controversial, but the book does not have an imprmatur or nihil obstat.
Pathways is divided into chapters that focus on each book available in the Bible, including the books designated as apocrypha by non-Catholics. Each chapter is only a few pages (usually less than 10), but it addresses the main themes and highlights of the principle stories in the book. Genesis recieves two chapters. The letters of Paul constitute one chapter. The other letters comprise another chapter. I was disappointed with the combination of New Testament letter books, because I thought that they deserved more scrutiny than to be combined.
When referring to Old Testament books, Winzen uses typology to indicate how events and practices in the New Testament are foreshadowed. Likewise, when reviewing the New Testament books, he reflects how the characters'actions were prefigured in the Old Testament thorugh earlier characters of events.
I wish that Winzen had included a little historical commentary in the chapters, like what was going on whent he boks were beign described, and estimates for the dates of the writing and the events. But the book is a good tool for scriptural study because his approach helps the reader appreciate the continuity of scripture as a whole, rather than nitpick isolated verses out of context. It is a usfeul tool for understanding the implications that actions have on the entire story of Christianity, but it does not concern itself with interpreting what doctrine should be from the events it illustrates; a characteristic which makes it an ideal reference for any Christian.
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8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
A beautiful introduction to each book of the Bible - with typology!, January 7, 2007
This review is from: Pathways in Scripture: A Book-By-Book Guide to the Spiritual Riches of the Bible (St. Paul Center Studies in Biblical Theology and Spiritualit) (Paperback)
If you've spent any time seriously studying the Scriptures, you know that typology is one of the underlying principles the human authors of the books of the Bible employed. Types are figures that point to antitypes, which fulfill them... as a shadow points to and is fulfilled by the object that casts the shadow.
So, for example, within the Torah itself, Noah is presented by the author of Genesis as a New Adam. Adam serves as a prototype of Noah. In the New Testament, St. Paul shows how the Jerusalem Temple prefigured and foreshadowed the Christian in his First Epistle to the Corinthians. These are only two of innumerable Biblical types.
In "Pathways in Scripture," Damasus Winzen introduces each book of the Bible typologically. Every page of this book is filled with explanations as to how the New Testament lies hidden in the Old, and the Old Testament is unveiled/revealed in the New. This rich explanation of the meaning of the Bible will give the reader many "aha!" moments as the reader discovers the hidden riches of Biblical typology. Also, it should be noted that Winzen respects the historical-literal sense of Scripture - the reader will gain much knowledge with regard to the historical situation surrounding various passages.
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