Catholics are often reluctant to begin reading the Bible, this is for various reasons. Perhaps we hang on to the notion that the Bible is a book meant for display, for recording the dates of family members ' births, baptisms, marriages, and deaths. Or perhaps we once attempted to read the Bible and discovered there a culture entirely different from ours 'and came to the conclusion that the Bible had nothing relevant to say to us in this place and time. Attentive to these and the many other reasons Catholics might give for not reading Scripture, Stephen Binz offers practical explanations that will make the Bible less foreign and more familiar. Introduction to the Bible allows readers to discover how the Bible came to be, how to choose a Bible translation, how to interpret the Bible within Catholic tradition, and how to benefit the most from Bible study. Readers will find practical explanations that will make the Bible less foreign and more familiar. Stephen J. Binz is a Catholic biblical scholar, speaker, and counselor. He did graduate studies at the Pontifical Biblical Institute in Rome and is a member of the Catholic Biblical Association and the Society of Biblical Literature. Binz is the author of numerous books on the Bible, including The Passion and Resurrection Narratives of Jesus and The God of Freedom and Life, both published by Liturgical Press.
"Although this is, in a very clear way, a Catholic guide to Scripture, it would be a useful introduction for lay people from most mainstream Protestant churches too. Binz mixes theological reflection on the role of the Bible with a well-thought through description of it, and of how a Christian might profitably study."
Journal for the Study of the New Testament
"Highly recommended for Catholics new to the enlightening labor of love that is Biblical and scriptural study."
Midwest Book Review
"This slim volume contains a wealth of encouraging information to motivate the interested Roman Catholic towards reading and, indeed, studying the Bible. . . . [The] combination of Catholic theology with a pastoral concern and sound practical advice make this introduction invaluable for beginning Bible students, Bible study groups, church readers, and anyone interested in reading the Bible."
