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"That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked upon and touched with our hands, concerning the word of life -- the life was made manifest, and we saw it, and testify to it ...." I John 1:1-2 (RSV)

"After his resurrection the disciples saw the living Christ, whom they knew to have died, with the eyes of faith (oculata fide)." Thomas Aquinas, Summa Theologica, III, 55, 2 ad 1, as quoted in D. M. Stanley, Jesus in Gethsemane (New York, Paulist Press 1980).

Monday, August 6, 2012

Bible Study

I am in beautiful Door County on Lake Michigan this week. I can't get to a computer. I can only post by texting on my phone. That means only short posts this week, probably with typos. Next week I have John chapter 2 to post on, and it has some tremendous themes in it. Today I'm posting a note of gratitude for three books which have been teaching me how to study the Bible: 1) Jesus and the Eyewitnesses by Richard Bauckham. The Bible is based on the eyewitness testimony of credible witnesses. That is exciting to me. 2) Jesus of Nazareth Vol 1 by Pope Benedict XVI. The fact that he is the Pope has nothing to do with what I am learning from this book. The Pope is a first rate scholar who is not afraid of the biblical sceptics. His defense of the Gospel of John, and his tips on how to read it, has been most helpful. 3) How Do Catholics Read the Bible? by Daniel J. Harrington S.J. In chapter 4 Fr. Harrington gives an actual example using Matthew 11:25-30 of how to analyze a text from a literary, historical and theological standpoint. I have been studying the Bible for over 35 years. I wish that I had been able to read a book like this 35 years ago.
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