The Catholic Study Bible - New American Bible Revised Edition

The Catholic Study Bible
New American Bible Revised Edition
Donald Senior (Editor)
John Collins (Editor)
Mary Ann Getty (Editor)
Oxford University Press
ISBN 9780199362776
eISBN 9780190267261
ASIN B01AI5I8Y6


I read this in parallel to reading the old testament using A Catholic Introduction to the Bible: The Old Testament, from Ignatius Press by Brant Pitre and John Bergsma. They are recommended with each other when you look them up. It was a bit of over kill. Even for someone who spend 20 years as an undergraduate in University. When I read this book again it will be just by itself and not in conjunction with another intense resource.

As mentioned, I spent the better part of 20 years in University. I hold a Religious studies degree with specialization in Roman Catholic Thought. This book would have been an amazing resource during my university career. I attended St Jerome’s University at the University of Waterloo, there were three other Church collages and the Religious Studies and Theology Departments spanned the 4 collages and faculty at main campus. This book would have been great for some of my essays, especially for Professors from other denominations.

I do not fully agree with all the modern biblical scholarship. But enjoy reading about it. This is the third edition of the Catholic Study Bible and numerous scholars have contributed to this volume and the previous editions. The first section of the book is general articles and introductions. Then there is section on each of the areas of the bible. Followed by an overview article on each book, then a section by section breakdown of each book. And then we have the actual bible.

In this volume they have a section called ‘Biblical Novellas’, which is comprised of Tobit, Judith, Ester, First and Second Maccabees. I enjoyed this section immensely. Both in the history and overview and in the reading of the books themselves.

This is not my favorite study bible, but it is in the top 5. It is a very solid resource for academic work or personal study. I am glad to have read it, will read it again, and very happy to have it on my biblical studies shelf.

Note: This book is part of a series of reviews: 2020 Catholic Reading Plan!