Dive into the Old Testament – Off the Shelf 108 with John Bergsma

Off the Shelf 108 – John Bergsma

If you are one who loves studying Scripture than this episode is for you. Dr. John Bergsma joins me to talk about the EXCELLENT new volume on the Old Testament he co-wrote with Brant Pitre called A Catholic Introduction to the Bible: The Old Testament. This book is packed with charts, graphs, history behind each book of the Old Testament and much, much more within it’s 1060 pages. Learn about the book, a little Bible history, and the process John and Brant went through over a span of 10 years to write the book. We even touch upon when we can expect to see the companion New Testament volume.

From the publisher Ignatius Press

Although many Catholics are familiar with the four Gospels and other writings of the New Testament, for most, reading the Old Testament is like walking into a foreign land. Who wrote these forty-six books? When were they written? Why were they written? What are we to make of their laws, stories, histories, and prophecies? Should the Old Testament be read by itself or in light of the New Testament?

John Bergsma and Brant Pitre offer readable in-depth answers to these questions as they introduce each book of the Old Testament. They not only examine the literature from a historical and cultural perspective but also interpret it theologically, drawing on the New Testament and the faith of the Catholic Church. Unique among introductions, this volume places the Old Testament in its liturgical context, showing how its passages are employed in the current Lectionary used at Mass.

Accessible to nonexperts, this thorough and up-to-date introduction to the Old Testament can serve as an idea textbook for biblical studies. Its unique approach, along with its maps, illustrations, and other reference materials, makes it a valuable resource for seminarians, priests, Scripture scholars, theologians, and catechists, as well as anyone seeking a deeper understanding of the Bible.

Bio

John Bergsma, (Ph.D., University of Notre Dame), is Professor of Theology at the Franciscan University of Steubenville and a Senior Fellow at the St. Paul Center for Biblical Theology. He is the author of The Jubilee from Leviticus to Qumran (VTSup 115; Brill 2007)

Where to find

I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. Read my complete archives at The Catholic Book