Award-winning author and theology professor John Bergsma follows up his popular Bible Basics for Catholics—which has sold more than 60,000 copies—with a more in-depth look at the New Testament. Using simple illustrations and the same clear, conversational style that characterized his earlier book, Bergsma introduces four of the most important writers in the New Testament: Matthew, Luke, Paul, and John. With humor and simple illustrations, theology professor John Bergsma focuses on Matthew, Luke, Paul, and John, whose writings comprise about 90 percent of the New Testament. The gospel of Matthew, written for Jewish Christians, illuminates the life and teachings of Christ as the long-promised Messiah. In Luke's gospel, readers will delve into the infancy and Triduum narratives, as well as the Acts of the Apostles and the life of the early Church. This leads the reader to discover St. Paul and his first and arguably greatest theological treatise: Romans. Finally, “the beloved apostle” St. John draws us in to the unsurpassed beauty of the fourth gospel, as well as the most mysterious book of the New Testament: the book of Revelation. A concluding chapter offers suggestions for further study. Intended as an introductory work for those who are new to scripture study, New Testament Basics for Catholics does not aspire to be a comprehensive guide to all twenty-seven books of the New Testament, but is intended to lay the foundation for a lifetime of scripture reading.

John Bergsma’s popular Bible Basics for Catholics, which has sold more than 60,000 copies, offers readers an accessible vision of salvation history as it unfolds in the Bible, showing readers how the Bible points us to the saving life and work of Jesus. This new edition includes an additional chapter on covenant fulfillment in the Book of Revelation. Bergsma brings to his theology a combination of academic expertise, pastoral wisdom, and unique playfulness. Bible Basics for Catholics is based on Bergsma’s popular Introduction to Theology course at Steubenville. As a teacher, Bergsma has an uncanny ability to make complex ideas understandable and faith-inspiring while staying true to both Catholic teaching and biblical scholarship. Readers will begin to see the Christian understanding of salvation by walking through the Old Testament, going through the great stories of Adam and Eve, Noah, Abraham, Moses, the great kings and prophets of Israel, and culminating in the person and work of Jesus Christ.

In his third back-to-basics look at the Bible, popular theology professor and bestselling Catholic author and speaker John Bergsma highlights the presence of Jesus in the psalms and helps us understand their meaning in light of the story of salvation. Bergsma employs the same conversational style and simple illustrations found in Bible Basics for Catholics and New Testament Basics for Catholics to help bridge the gap between the world of contemporary Catholics and the ancient world of the Bible. In Psalm Basics for Catholics, John Bergsma introduces us to King David, the story of Israel, and the salvation of the Jewish people through the coming of Jesus. For more than two thousand years, Christians have sung, chanted, and prayed the psalms, a practice of worship inherited from our Jewish ancestors in faith. Whether prayed during Mass, the Liturgy of the Hours, or in personal reflection, these ancient hymns continue to be a guiding light for Catholics. Yet rarely do we step back and look at how the psalms fit into the story of salvation revealed in the Bible the way Bergsma does here. Bergsma also addresses common questions about the psalms, including Do the psalms really predict Jesus? What do we make of the so-called curse psalms? Why do we pray the psalms in the Liturgy of the Hours? How do I read and pray the psalms? Bergsma's insightful, practical examination of the psalms helps Catholics see how their promise is fulfilled in Christ.

Although many Catholics are familiar with the four Gospels and other writings of the New Testament, for most, reading the Old Testament is like walking into a foreign land. Who wrote these forty-six books? When were they written? Why were they written? What are we to make of their laws, stories, histories, and prophecies? Should the Old Testament be read by itself or in light of the New Testament? John Bergsma and Brant Pitre offer readable in-depth answers to these questions as they introduce each book of the Old Testament. They not only examine the literature from a historical and cultural perspective but also interpret it theologically, drawing on the New Testament and the faith of the Catholic Church. Unique among introductions, this volume places the Old Testament in its liturgical context, showing how its passages are employed in the current Lectionary used at Mass. Accessible to nonexperts, this thorough and up-to-date introduction to the Old Testament can serve as an idea textbook for biblical studies. Its unique approach, along with its maps, illustrations, and other reference materials, makes it a valuable resource for seminarians, priests, Scripture scholars, theologians, and catechists, as well as anyone seeking a deeper understanding of the Bible.

Many Christians are not quite sure what to do with the Old Testament. Common mistakes in reading it include fanciful allegory, unattached moralism, and allegorical moralism (combining the other two!). Yet the Old Testament is not just a collection of inspiring stories about people who triumphed, above all it is a message about Jesus Christ, especially his sufferings and the glories that would followthat is, the gospel. The shape of the Old Testament shows us its incompleteness and points us to Christ either directly or through some of its major figures: Jesus is the new Adam, the new Israel, and the new David.

The Ave Catholic Notetaking Bible combines exceptional readability, generous margins for journaling and notetaking, and a variety of special features designed to deepen your understanding of the Holy Scriptures. Comprehensive cross-references to the Catechism of the Catholic Church--a feature unique to this Bible--will help you explore the scriptural foundations of Catholic faith and practice. Essays and reading guides from leading Catholic teachers and scholars will enrich your experience of reading and reflecting on the Word of God. And the beautiful, single-column text design will make this Bible a joy to read. Thoughtfully crafted by the world's premier Bible designers and featuring the trusted and elegant Revised Standard Version, Second Catholic Edition, this Bible is perfect for men and women, for individuals and groups, and for high school classrooms and adult faith formation. Features include: exclusive cross-references revealing every Bible verse and passage that appears in the Catechism of the Catholic Church extra-wide margins for journaling and notetaking as you read essays, study guides, and reading plans from John Bergsma, Sarah Christmyer, Sonja Corbitt, Anthony Pagliarini, Mark Hart, and Meg Hunter-Kilmer line-matched, 9-point text sewn, lay-flat binding high-quality paper two satin ribbon markers the RSV2CE translation, noted for its clarity, elegance, and trustworthiness The Ave Catholic Notetaking Bible reflects the heritage of Ave Maria Press as an apostolate of the Congregation of Holy Cross, United States Province of Priests and Brothers, to be educators in the faith and to make God known, loved, and served through its books and resources.

Full-text Scriptural references and commentary for nearly 70 essential doctrines of the Catholic Faith Essays on how the canon of Scripture was established. A short history of Scripture translations. A discussion of the New Testament use of the Deuterocanonical booksArguments from Scripture including hard-to-identify topics like indulgences and Marian prayers. The Difference between Catholic and Protestant Bibles. The Church s salvation theology, Line-by-line analysis of Marian prayersAnd much more!

The Basics of New Testament Syntax provides concise, up-to-date guidance for intermediate Greek students to do accurate exegesis of biblical texts. Abridged from Greek Grammar Beyond the Basics: An Exegetical Syntax of the New Testament, the popular exegetical Greek grammar for studies in Greek by Daniel B. Wallace, The Basics of New Testament Syntax offers a practical grammar for second-year students.The strengths of this abridgment will become quickly apparent to the user:• It shows the relevance of syntax for exegesis and is thoroughly cross-referenced to Exegetical Syntax.• It includes an exceptional number of categories useful for intermediate Greek studies.• It is easy to use. Each semantic category is discussed, and a definition and key to identification are provided.• Scores of charts and tables are included to enable the intermediate student to grasp the material quickly.

This full-color book explains basic Christian beliefs in an easy-to-understand way. Includes explanations of 16 essential doctrines, the Trinity, Jesus’ claims, the Resurrection, salvation, and heaven. It covers the Apostle’s Creed and the Nicene Creed. Includes charts that compares 12 denominations, the two most common methods of baptism, and four Christian views of the End Times in the Book of Revelation. Includes 6-week study guide for individual or group use. Overview:Essential Doctrines: the 16 key beliefs Christians holdCreeds: These simple summary statements were the early Church’s way of training new believers, and helping them discern truth from error.The Trinity: Simple explanation, plus answers to questions. Includes diagrams, illustrations, and ways of helping people understand what the Trinity is—and isn’t.Life of Jesus: His claims, his miracles, his death, resurrection, ascension, and Second Coming. This covers the key biblical passages. Includes a timeline and a map of Jesus’ travels.Denominations Comparison: Helpful side-by-side comparison of the beliefs of 12 Christian church groups on God, Scripture, Church structure, founder, date, and more. Shows where they are unified and where they diverge.Baptism: Covers Jesus’ command to be baptized, the symbolism in Scripture for baptism, what to expect when being baptized. Includes the most common types of baptism and what biblical basis and symbolism is being emphasized.Understanding the Book of Revelation: Shows four approaches that serious Christians have taken to this book over the past 2000 years. This side-by-side comparison helps Christians focus on Christ—the beginning and the end.Heaven: Compares the popular views of Heaven in the media with the actual passages in Scripture. Very encouraging to know about this place of joy, restoration, and healing. Ideas for Use:Discipleship for individuals or groupsIntro to Christianity (for new believers or a refresher course)Confirmation classesPre-baptism or Baptism prepHomeschoolingSunday schoolHome fellowshipSmall group

The Oxford Bible Commentary is a Bible study and reference work for 21st century students and readers that can be read with any modern translation of the Bible. It offers verse-by-verse explanation of every book of the Bible by the world's leading biblical scholars. From its inception, OBC has been designed as a completely non-denominational commentary, carefully written and edited to provide the best scholarship in a readable style for readers from all different faith backgrounds. It uses the traditional historical-critical method to search for the original meaning of the texts, but also brings in new perspectives and insights - literary, sociological, and cultural - to bring out the expanding meanings of these ancient writings and stimulate new discussion and further enquiry. Newly issued in a series of part volumes, the OBC is now available in an affordable and portable format for the commentaries to the Pauline Epistles. Includes a general introduction to using the Commentary, in addition to an introduction to study of the New Testament, and to the Pauline Corpus in particular.