The version I am reviewing is the new paperback edition, which does not (yet) feature on the CTS website. I assume the hardback versions are the same inside, but do not have a copy to check that.
On opening this, the first thing I noticed was that the inside cover flaps serve as an index: listing the books of the Old Testament (inside front cover) and the New (inside back cover) along with the page number on which each book starts. That is one of those simple ideas that is very helpful and practical.
The next thing one encounters is a set of coloured maps: Old Testament maps (Near East and Palestine) at the front, New Testament maps (Palestine and 'The Cradle of Christianity') at the back.
After a full index (including all the additional matter, as well as the books of the Bible) there is an introductory section: Scripture in the Life of the Church. This is in fact a resumé of Dei Verbum. This is followed by a brief preface to the biblical text, explaining a little of the background (the Greek and Hebrew texts, the translation, etc). In fact the translation used is the one the Church uses liturgically: that is the Jerusalem Bible, with the Grail translations of the Psalms.
Each individual book of the bible is then introduced with a brief (typically 1 or 2 page) essay, setting the book in context, and giving an overview of the structure of the book. I have not yet read these, which have been written specially for this edition, but they look to be very helpful.
At the end of the Bible are some useful appendices. The first is a historical framework, showing the history of the bible, and in effect Salvation History, chronologically with approximate dates. This is followed by a brief note about wights, measures and money, and then an extensive index to the notes in the text, from Abba to Yahweh.
The next appendix is Scripture and Catholic Liturgy, and explains both the Sunday and the Weekday Lectionary, including tables showing the Sunday and Weekday readings for the whole cycle. There is also a fascinating table showing the readings for Mass in Biblical Order. It claims to exclude the Gospels and the Acts, but in fact includes the Acts, excluding only the Gospels (which is a shame - although they are read pretty well chronologically, it would still be useful.) There is a further appendix on Lectio Divina, a further table or scripture readings relevant to the other sacraments, and references for a scriptural rosary.
All in all this is a very comprehensive Bible; the typeface and layout are clear and the binding looks as though it should last well. So if you want a Bible that uses the same translation as the Lectionary I recommend this highly.
I'd be really interested to hear your views on this when you have read the introductory sections to the various books of the Bible.
ReplyDeleteThat sounds as though you have a view, Caroline. Would you like to elaborate?
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