How Do Catholics Read the Bible?

A splendid companion to the Bible. A sure guide through issues that need to be understood if the reader is to appreciate how the Bible is 'the Word of God in human language.' -- Emil A. Wcela, Auxiliary Bishop, Diocese of Rockville Centre and past President, Catholic Biblical Association Dan Harrington has the uncanny ability to make the complex, understandable and the profound, accessible to ordinary readers. In this volume, he brings together wise reflections on methods of interpreting Scripture today with examples from his own experience of interpreting Scripture for parish communities. How do Catholics Read the Bible is a reliable guide for every Catholic who has waited for a straightforward and clearly written introduction to reading the Bible in the Church today. -- Barbara E. Bowe, R.S.C.J., Professor of Biblical Studies, Catholic Theological Union A superb synthesis of Catholic views on biblical interpretation, written by one of the church's best practitioners. The Bible Today This volume, both concise and informative, constitutes a significant contribution to that pedogogical effort and is a splendid gift to general readers...In sum, both church and academy can welcome this book as a valuable vade mecum in biblical studies, as much for the informed access it provides to the thought of others as for Harrington's own exegesis. -- Mark Kiley, April 2008 H-Net: Humanities and Social Science Reviews Online This little volume is both interesting and enlightening...This book gives good insight to Roman Catholic interpretation. -- James R. Walker, Ph.D., Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary, DIrector of Web-Based education, Associate Professor Harrington's book is a wonderfully clear, balanced, and accessible presentation of how the Catholic Church at its best understands and uses the Bible. This book should prove very helpful for a wide audience of Catholics and others who are interested in understanding the Bible in its historical contexts and, even more importantly, in their daily lives and in the life of the Church today. The book's style is always user-friendly. Harrington explains unfamiliar terms clearly and gives helpful examples of what he means. The book obviously reflects Harrington's thirty years of teaching, preaching, and praying over the biblical text. -- Thomas H. Tobin, S.J., Professor of Theology, Loyola University Chicago