What are your thoughts on this resource?
http://www.logos.com/product/8731/collegeville-catholic-reference-library-full-edition-version-3
Blessings,
Tim
Well, since you asked, and I qualify as "other Catholic," the product does not really appeal to me, personally. Perhaps I find it a bit too general, too introductory, somewhat dated. On the other hand, for someone with very little background in some of the topics, it could be useful. The NAB (1986) has now been replaced by the NAB-RE (2012); I prefer the RSV-CE to the NRSV; for a one-volume bible commentary I prefer the Jerome commentary to the Collegeville, etc. Just "my thoughts." But for you, it might be just the right thing; how would I know?
The Collegeville Commentary is essentially a collection of small introductory booklets designed for someone reading the Bible for the first time. The value of the collection is in its dictionaries - I'll attach a few samples so that you can compare them to your interests
I find them useful - but then again I love liturgy.
In addition to what have already been said, please read this cautionary regarding the liberal interpretation of Romans 1:18-32 in the commentary. Having said that you shouldn't be scared away if you are discerning in your reading.There is truth and value to be found almost anywhere, but as a faithful Catholic, one should read ANY non-magisterial work with a critical mind.
First of all let me thank you all for your comments.
Second, I should have titled this thread differently. But please know I meant no offense to anyone.
I am very new convert to the Catholic Church, I am looking for materials that will be easy for me to grasp in the beginning and will then move on to "heavier" material.
I guess what I was wondering is this a good place to start other than the commentary? What would you recommend?
I recently bought Verbum Foundations and am looking for some "beginner kind of stuff" to go along with it.
I would truly appreciate any help you can give me.
MJ,
Thank you for the samples. After reviewing them I am thinking these may be what I am looking for. I am looking for easy to understand and these at a glance seem to be just that.
I have the dictionaries that came in Verbum Foundations but they seem kind of deep to me, at least for now. I am still working on getting a basic understanding of things and will go deeper as time goes on.
Once again, thank you.
This is without doubt a resource every Catholic and hopefully every Christian should own. The classic Collegeville Bible Commentary is fine little one volume commentary and usually much better than the recently released catholic commentary on sacred scripture. The Encyclopedia is a good up to date one volume dictionary on most things catholic. The other dictionaries are great little handbooks on the various topics. I feel it is a horrible shame that this fabulous collection is not in any of the Verbum collections. I gave a copy of this a a bridal shower present to my sister in law, who was the youth minister at her catholic church and she very much liked it.
-dan
Yes, these would be good reference books to get you on your way. They are highly readable and cover a broad range of topics, viewpoints and history.
please read this cautionary
Unfortunately, in this case Catholic Answers fails to provide a coherent argument - arguing from etymology rather than usage. The Commentary received the appropriate approval "NIHIL OBSTAT: Robert C. Harren, J.C.L. Censor Deputatus and IMPRIMATUR: ✠ Jerome Hanus, O.S.B Bishop of St. Cloud October 19, 1988" if you care about such things. The Collegeville Commentary is imperfect, like any commentary. And like other commentaries it presents the best scholarship in the eyes of the authors which, if done honestly, usually ticks everyone off on some point.
Note for those unfamiliar with terms: The "Nihil Obstat" and "Imprimatur" are official declarations that a book or pamphlet is free of doctrinal or moral error. No implication is contained therein that those who have granted the Nihil Obstat and the Imprimatur agree with the content, opinions or statements expressed.
a description of the procedure:
The procedure works like this: when a Catholic writes a book on faith, morals, theology, liturgy, books on prayer, editions of Sacred Scripture, etc., he will submit his manuscript to his diocese's Censor. If the Censor finds no problem with it, he will give it his stamp, which reads "Nihil Obstat," or "nothing stands in the way." He then sends it to the Bishop for his review. If the Bishop finds nothing objectionable, he gives the book his "Imprimatur" which means, "let it be printed." If the Catholic writing the book is a member of a religious order, the manuscript is first sent to his religious superior before it is sent to the Censor and Bishop. If the religious superior finds no impediment to publication, he will give the book his stamp of "Imprimi Potest," which means "it can be printed."
Have you found this site? :: http://scripturestudysoftware.com/
Has Home:
Libraries: Mostly the Verbum sets
Resources: Drop down to the bottom of the list and review ‘More resources’
[[or go directly to http://www.logos.com/products/search?Christian+Group=Catholic for a list of all resources Catholic including [when you sort by newest] the latest added]]
[[also check the products page / pre-pub and sort by ship date to see last chance for bargains]]
[[also check the Products / Community Pricing for some fantastic deals [but you may have to wait a year or more before they are available]] [If you do not yet know what these are keep reading the forum]
And Blog – this is the home of the Verbum Blog
Under the Blog Go to older posts [at the bottom] Find the Oct 10, 2012 entry
The Year of Faith Is Finally Here!
October 10, 2012 By Alex Renn
Also use the search function to find: (I used CCC as the search string)
How to use Logos Bible Software’s Catechism of the Catholic Church
May 25, 2012 By Andrew Jones
Note: If you get into a read the CCC or the Bible in a year plan: finish – If it takes you more than a year then ‘so be it’ - just keep going, just finish – if you cannot finish in a year then finish when you can – BUT DO PUSH [but not so hard that it hurts] When you read something the size of the Bible or the CCC in a short period of time you are reading to get a good overview, you are going too fast to do an in depth study. Take notes on where to review in depth later [[most likely the entire book – your in depth study will take the rest of your life]]
I am very new convert to the Catholic Church, I am looking for materials that will be easy for me to grasp in the beginning and will then move on to "heavier" material. I guess what I was wondering is this a good place to start other than the commentary? What would you recommend?
In that case, the materials would probably be very good for you, and some of dictionaries might be a challenge and give you a chance to grow in understanding and wisdom. My first response was without knowing anything about your particular situation, which is somewhat different from mine, after 35 years of scripture and theology study.
Thank you to everyone for your help and input on this resource and other suggestions. I decided to purchase this package and in the few hours I have had it it has proved to be very useful for me. I believe it is just what I was looking for to get going with.
Once again a BIG Thank You to all of you!
There was a thread some months ago where a Protestant asked for advice on how to study Catholicism. Admittedly your situation is different, but it might be worth taking a look nevertheless: A question for my Catholic friends?
I also recommend these Verbum blog posts:
Unfortunately, in this case Catholic Answers fails to provide a coherent argument
My thoughts exactly.
If the religious superior finds no impediment to publication, he will give the book his stamp of "Imprimi Potest,"
Didn't know about that one.
Actually, these stamps have been almost gone in Sweden for several decades. You can see them in very old books, and I believe I've seen them in a couple of very recent ones, but in between, no.
Actually, these stamps have been almost gone in Sweden for several decades.
In the US their use is spotty - it often tells one more about the intended audience than the book.
Unfortunately, in this case Catholic Answers fails to provide a coherent argument - arguing from etymology rather than usage
if you care about such things
I would caution anyone interested in introductory material about Catholicism against very liberal commentary works employing modernist form and redaction criticism which sometimes present their material in a way that is often faith-challenging rather than faith affirming. A lot of the time it comes down to how you say things and communicate concepts in a way that makes it clear to the average reader how this is to be harmonized with the faith. I personally have a sort of distaste to the hermeneutic of suspicion that is possessed of contemporary critical scholarship leaning too much in the direction of doubt. Even works by big names such as Fr. Raymond Brown cannot be recommended without similar caution to the general audience.
My humble opinion of course which may not be worth much. Peace and God bless.
Their 'incoherent' argument made a lot of sense to me.
I would suggest that you put it into standard argument form or a Toulmin argument map - the argument is well presented but not strong, as I read it.
Etymology is after all historical usage, is it not?
It may be - or it may not be. However, the fallacy of etymology is a very common error of reasoning. See http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Etymological_fallacy Be careful - I can easily be persuaded to take Greek (or Latin) back to its Proto-IndoEuropean roots.[;)]
To respond to the remainder of your post would force me into a discussion of philosophical hermeneutics or the definitions of terms such as "liberal", "modernist" and "faith challenging." The latter concept is one I rarely find need for even when teaching RCIA or Mystagogia. Such a discussion is beyond the guideline parameters that Logos provides for the forums. It does remind me, however, to recommend Peter Williamson's, Catholic Principles for Interpreting Scripture: A Study of the Pontifical Biblical Commission’s The Interpretation of the Bible in the Church, Subsidia Biblica, i–iii (Roma: Pontificio Istituto Biblico, 2001). which is available in Logos.
It may be - or it may not be. However, the fallacy of etymology is a very common error of reasoning. See http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Etymological_fallacy
Not completely convinced either way, what would a person like me without learning in biblical Greek (or morphology or lexicography...etc) do if he/she is equipped with Logos? (a dangerous thing?) I entered Romans 1:26 and pressed go:
I looked in the exegetical guide summary about the meaning of the word φυσικός. None of the lexicons in my humble library (and none of the bible translations that I have) provides a meaning other than 'natural' or according to nature:
With all due respect to his scholarship, Dr. John J. Pilch in the commentary does not offer a better argument than Catholic Answers in my opinion. Perhaps because of the space allowed for in the commentary.
Be careful - I can easily be persuaded to take Greek (or Latin) back to its Proto-IndoEuropean roots.
The latter concept is one I rarely find need for even when teaching RCIA or Mystagogia
I am reminded of when I was about 14 when my religion teacher in high school gave us a background of where the gospels came from, who wrote them etc. It came as a shock to me to learn that the earliest gospel was written decades after the resurrection. Although now I understand better, back then it was a huge stumbling block for me. My mind was not ready to understand and accept that the time between the resurrection and the writing of the first gospel did not alter the truth especially in a culture where literacy was rare and exaggeration was not uncommon. My own Mystagogia, if you will, lasted 10 years. That's how long it took me to overcome this. I guess my point is 1 Cor 8:9
It does remind me, however, to recommend Peter Williamson's, Catholic Principles for Interpreting Scripture: A Study of the Pontifical Biblical Commission’s The Interpretation of the Bible in the Church, Subsidia Biblica, i–iii (Roma: Pontificio Istituto Biblico, 2001). which is available in Logos.
The logos page has a great intro:
"Opening Up the Scriptures was written by a group of eminent Catholics, among them Joseph Cardinal Ratzinger—now Pope Benedict XVI. In these erudite essays, the authors contend that historical-critical interpretation of Scripture has long since run its course in both Protestant and Catholic exegesis. Instead, they argue, the future of interpretation lies in accepting that the Bible is not just a collection of historical documents but also a record of revelation conceived in faith. By this token, true exegesis involves the faith and humility of the exegete."
My mind was not ready to understand and accept that the time between the resurrection and the writing of the first gospel did not alter the truth especially in a culture where literacy was rare and exaggeration was not uncommon. .... I guess my point is 1 Cor 8:9
In light of this I understand your warning.
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