Made to be a Logos Resource! - Critical Edition Ecumenical Councils!

William Baptiste SFO
William Baptiste SFO Member Posts: 21 ✭✭
edited February 22 in Books and Courses Forum

I place my strongest suggestion & most emphatic request (& prayer) here for a Logos Edition of Decrees of the Ecumenical Councils, 2 Volume Set, edited by Norman P. Tanner, 1990 (Georgetown University Press).

This is a recent (up-to-date) critical edition Greek/Latin/English scholarly work of the highest ranking (see print reviews below), which a great many students and scholars will want to have in their Christian libraries. It would actually even be much more useful than it already is as a Logos resource, where its original language text and its copious references would link to other Logos resources. This is exactly the kind of reference work that is "made" for being a Logos resource, and it deserves to be listed as a Logos Pre-pub or Community Pricing title. There are a great many scholars (including myself) who drool over the expensive print edition, and I am sure that many of them would (like me) jump at the chance to order a Logos version which greatly enhances its already great usefulness (I know I would even be happy to pay the same expensive print price for the added benefits of a Logos electronic edition – which makes me think it might be a good Community Pricing Program title if not a Pre-pub offering – where people bid on how much they would pay for it).

Print Reviews and Print Product details follow:


Reviews

"The publication of these two volumes is a significant event...All who are interested in theology or church history should have it on their desk...Overall, these two volumes are a remarkable achievement and a well-conceived contribution to alleviate the theological (and cultural) needs of our times." - America

"For theologians, canonists, and historians this publication is an event of major scholarly importance...The decrees presented here often do represent lofty moments in the history of the Church and in the development of its doctrinal tradition; and every scholar and student will be grateful for the great and difficult labor that went into the preparations of this work." - Theological Studies "[This] two-volume set [is] beautifully realized and, for the theologian and intellectual historian, indispensable." - Commonweal"


Product Description

This monumental two-volume publication brings together in the original languages and an English translation, all the decrees of all the ecumenical councils from Nicaea I to Vatican II. As such it represents an indispensable reference work for theologians and historians, as well as for anyone interested in the development of Christian thought and doctrine. Indeed, these decrees represent the most authoritative distillation of Christian tradition which itself is bound together with scripture "in a close and reciprocal relationship" so that the two "form a single sacred deposit of the word of God, entrusted to the church." The original text is a reproduction of the brilliant edition by G. Alberigo and others of the decrees Conciliorum Oecumenicorum Decreta, which provides for the first time a reliable critical text for all the ecumenical councils. The English translation faces each page of the original text and is the first rendering into English of all these decrees taken together. The translators have used inclusive language throughout to emphasize the continuity of conciliar documents. The 2,528 total pages of these two volumes include all the authenticated texts and their English renderings as well as a preface and introduction by the original languages editor, a foreword by the English language editor, a bibliography for each decree, various commentaries and explanatory notes, and ten comprehensive indices.


3 Online reviews:

1. Best Authentic Edition of the Conciliar Decrees, December 12, 1999,  by Rev Dr John Trigilio, Jr, PhD, (HARRISBURG, PA USA)

This edition is by far the best source of the typical (authentic) Latin version of the Ecumenical Councils (Nicea-Vatican 2) ... this is the ONLY available book containing the official and original Latin text for Vatican II, in addition to the preceding councils ... I was happy to read the authentic texts of the Second Vatican Council in the mother tongue. Compliments Flannery's version all the way.

2. David Zampino - (one of Amazon.com’s "top reviewers" invited by Amazon to do reviews as part of their "Vine Voice" program)

These two volumes represent the most up-to-date, complete, and academically critical presentations and translations of all the decrees of all 21 Ecumenical Councils of the Catholic Church [including all the Undivided Early Church Councils].

Of particular note is the original language text, given on the left-hand pages, providing the resources for the language scholar to make the translations him/herself ... the research and scholarship is impeccable. These volumes should be on the shelves of any clergyman or academic -- regardless of denominational affiliation.

3. Anonymous Amazon.com Reviewer 

While I don't carry as much authority on the subject as Rev Dr John Trigilio, I wanted to add that this is a must have volume for theology students. I am studying for my undergrad in theology and Christian education and have started my MA in theology. These two volumes, while expensive for us college students, are well worth having as reference material, and to study. As well as the original languages, Fr. Tanner offers introductions and background to each of the councils. There are also biblical, person, and subject indexes for ease of use ... Along with a Bible, catechism, commentaries on scripture, and Church Fathers, these volumes should have an esteemed place on your shelf.

-- Again, I most strongly recommend that Logos try to publish this very sought-after and extremely useful recent reference work.  I am quite certain Logos will find enough buyers to cover costs if they offer it.  It would even "kill two birds with one stone" for some buyers since it includes an English translation of the Vatican II documents, which are no longer available on their own although a Logos 2.0 version of Flannery's translation with limited linking was once made.  Tanner's would be even better, presented in the context of all the Councils throughout history.

Peace and Blessings to All in Jesus Christ, the Head of the Body

Glory be to Jesus Christ!  Glory be Forever!

-- brotherunity@ymail.com -- http://christian-unity-in-diversity.ourchur.ch/

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