Teachings based on the letters of St. Paul permeate just about everything Christians believe and practice, but many of us know very little about this great apostle of the Church. In Meeting St. Paul Today, preeminent scholar Daniel J. Harrington, SJ, brings the letters of Paul and the apostle himself to life. Harrington, writing with great respect for St. Paul and his ministry, covers three main topics in this helpful and highly readable book for any discerning Christian. First, he describes what Paul was really like, from his days as a Pharisee to his arduous years as a missionary. Second, he helps readers interpret the letters of Paul through literary, historical, and theological lenses. Finally, he thoughtfully surveys the specific purpose, major points, and other compelling particulars of each of the letters of Paul.
In this volume a leading biblical scholar helps readers rediscover the ancient books of the Old Testament Apocrypha. INVITATION TO THE APOCRYPHA provides a clear, basic introduction to these important--but often neglected--ancient books that is ideal for personal study, churches, and classroom settings. Using the latest and best scholarship yet writing for those new to the Apocrypha, Daniel Harrington guides readers through the background, content, and message of each book. A distinctive feature of this primer is that it focuses throughout on the problem of suffering, highlighting what each book of the Apocrypha says about this universal human experience.
In The Gospel of Mark Fathers Donahue and Harrington use an approach that can be expressed by two terms currently used in literary criticism: intratextuality and intertextuality. This intratextual and intertextual reading of Mark's Gospel helps us to appreciate the literary character, its setting in life, and its distinctive approaches to the Old Testament, Jesus, and early Christian theology. "Intratextuality" means we read Mark as Mark and by Mark. Such a reading expresses interest in the final form of the Gospel (not its source or literary history) and in its words and images, literary devices, literary forms, structures, characterization, and plot. Reading Mark by Mark gives particular attention to the distinctive vocabulary and themes that run throughout the Gospel and serve to hold it together as a unified literary production. "Intertextuality" comprises the relation between texts and a textual tradition, and also referring to contextual materials not usually classified as texts (e.g., archaeological data). "Intertextuality" is used to note the links of the text of Mark's Gospel to other texts (especially the Old Testament) and to the life of the Markan community and of the Christian community today.
In the last days of the twentieth century, leading New Testament scholar and popular preacher Daniel Harrington, S.J., asked himself two powerful questions: What might the church of the first century have to say to the church of the twenty-first century? And How might a brief sythesis of what the New Testament says and does not say about the church help bring greater vitality within and unity among the churches? The result of Father Harrington's research and thinking is this timely and important book.
Perhaps the most striking development in biblical studies in recent years has been the proliferation of "new" methods used in approaching the texts. While in most circles the historical-critical method remains fundamental, biblical interpreters now routinely draw on "new" approaches developed in linguistics, literary studies, and the social sciences. In recent years an important testing ground for the application of these new methods to the Bible has been the Gospel of Mark. As a fast moving and sophisticated narrative about Jesus' public ministry issuing in his passion and death, Mark's Gospel lends itself to various forms of literary, historical, and theological analysis. This book describes and analyzes the many attempts at applying the new methods to Mark's Gospel. It considers how this Gospel has been approached from different angles according to the perspectives of modern literary criticism, examines how its major theological topics have been treated, explores efforts at clarifying its historical setting, and discusses the "engaged"--feminist, political, and pastoral--readings this Gospel has generated in recent years. +
These accounts of the Maccabean revolt, by which the sons of Mattathias reclaimed the temple of Jerusalem, tell an important story of the founding of the Jewish people. "The Hammerers" is the meaning of the nickname "Maccabees," given to Mattathias's sons, who lived in a time of revolution. Empires struggled for control of Greece, Egypt, and Asia, and the small population of Jews tried to preserve their claim to Judea. The five brothers also made heroic contributions to the practice of Judaism. Their rededication of the temple establishes the annual celebration of Hanukkah, and the martyr stories in Second Maccabees emphasize faithfulness to the law of Moses. The books of First and Second Maccabees are also important for Christians, as in them is told how the Jewish people established the political and religious culture into which Jesus was born. The martyr stories inform the early Christian martyrdoms, and the books are written in Greek, the language in which the Jews of Jesus' time read the Scriptures. As Father Harrington notes, without the Maccabees "the fate of Judaism (and with it Christianity and Islam) was uncertain.
This introduction to New Testament exegesis helps readers by explaining in a simple and brief way the basic literary methods used in studying the New Testament today: textual criticism, translations, words and motifs, source criticism, form criticism, historical criticism, redaction criticism, and parallels. It is a beginner's book, designed to make explicit some of the procedures now used by the commentators who have had formal exegetical training.
Crisis in the church is not a new phenomenon. In fact, the church has always been - and probably always will be - involved in some kind of crisis. Even in the apostolic period, which is regarded by many as the church's golden age, there were serious crises coming both from the outside, as in 1 Peter, and from the inside, as in Jude and 2 Peter. The three short New Testament letters treated in 1 Peter, Jude and 2 Peter illustrate the problems early Christians faced, as well as the rhetorical techniques and theological concepts with which they combated those problems. In the first part of this volume, Donald Senior views 1 Peter as written from Rome in Peter's name to several churches in northern Asia Minor - present-day Turkey - in the latter part of the first century C.E. The new Christians addressed in 1 Peter found themselves aliens and exiles in the wider Greco-Roman society and suffered a kind of social ostracism. But they are given a marvelous theological Vision of who they have become through their baptism and pastoral encouragement to stand firm. They are shown how to take a missionary stance toward the outside world by giving the witness of a holy and blameless life to offset the slander and ignorance of the non-Christian majority and possibly even to lead them to glorify God on the day of judgment. In the second part of this volume, Daniel Harrington interprets Jude and 2 Peter as confronting crises in the late first century that were perpetrated by Christian teachers who are described polemically as intruders in Jude and as false teachers in 2 Peter. In confronting the crises within their churches, the authors appeal frequently to the Old Testament and to early summaries of Christian faith. While Jude uses other Jewish traditions, 2 Peter includes most of the text of Jude as well as many distinctively Greek terms and concepts. It is clear that for the authors, despite their different social settings, what was at stake was the struggle for the faith. Daniel J. Harrington, SJ, is a professor of New Testament at Weston Jesuit School of Theology in Cambridge, Massachusetts, and general editor of New Testament Abstracts. He is a past-president of the Catholic Biblical Association of American and the editor of the Sacra Pagina series. He also wrote The Gospel of Matthew in the Sacra Pagina series. Donald Senior, CP, is a professor of New Testament studies and president of Catholic Theological Union in Chicago. He was recently appointed by Pope John Paul II to the Pontifical Biblical Commission. General editor of The Bible Today, he also co-edited The Collegeville Pastoral Dictionary of the Bible and the 22-volume international commentary series New Testament Message, and he wrote the four-volume The Passion series published by The Liturgical Press.
Addressing difficult questions in a readable, pastoral style, Father Harrington helps you draw meaningful and personal connections between Scripture and your own experience. Why Do We Suffer? helps you understand the concepts and context of suffering in the Bible.
A clear, concise, and respectful presentation of Mark’s Gospel—and what Jesus’ suffering means for us Daniel J. Harrington, SJ, is well known for his superb New Testament scholarship, but he is also highly regarded for his exceptional ability to bridge the gap between modern biblical scholarship and authentic Christian spirituality. In Meeting St. Mark Today, the final book in this series on the Gospels, Harrington has provided another straightforward, practical resource for lay Catholics who want a better understanding of this synoptic Gospel. The book begins with background information on the Evangelist and his Gospel. It moves quickly into a concise but complete narrative analysis of the Gospel, which clearly demonstrates the human side of Jesus. Part Three of the book explains how Mark’s Gospel provides answers to two essential questions: What did Jesus suffer?, and Why did Jesus suffer? It also proposes answers to the universal question, Why do people suffer? The book’s final section includes five meditations on suffering, based on lectionary readings from Year B (St. Mark) in the Sunday lectionary cycle. Each chapter concludes with questions for reflection and discussion, making Meeting St. Mark Today an ideal resource for individual Scripture study or group Bible study. The readings from Mark’s Gospel for all Sundays and Feasts in Cycle B are listed at the end of the book. Ultimately, Meeting St. Mark Today opens the theological treasure chest of this easily overlooked Gospel, enabling us to see how Jesus’ suffering and the mystery of the cross can reshape our faith and our lives.
A Sheed & Ward book." Includes bibliographical references and index. What do Catholics believe about the Bible? -- The Bible and the church -- Modern Catholic documentation -- The Word of God in human language -- What is in the Catholic Bible? -- The different canons -- The history of the Old Testament canon(s) -- The history of the New Testament canon -- How do Catholics approach the Bible? -- The Catholic theological tradition on the Bible -- The Catholic experience -- Catholic Bibles today -- How do Catholics analyze a biblical text? -- Literary methods -- Historical methods -- Theological methods -- How do Catholics read the Old Testament? -- Old Testament study today -- Biblical interpretation in Jesus' time -- Reading the Old Testament as Catholic Christians -- How do Catholics read the New Testament? -- The formation of the Gospels -- The Gospels as witnesses to Jesus and the early church -- The Epistles as witnesses to early Christian faith and life -- How do Catholics interpret scripture? -- Hermeneutics -- The literal sense and the spiritual sense -- Scripture and tradition -- What place does the Bible have in Catholic life? -- The role of the magisterium -- The Bible in Catholic life -- Lectio divina -- Conclusion: twenty-five theses.
John’s Gospel is a literary and theological masterpiece—but therein lays the problem for many people in the pew. Believing John’s Gospel to be too abstract and spiritual for them to comprehend, they never read it for themselves; as a result, they miss out on the amazing beauty and simplicity of John’s message. In Meeting St. John Today, renowned biblical scholar Daniel J. Harrington, SJ, offers a clear, concise, and respectful presentation of this rich Gospel while bridging the gap between modern biblical scholarship and Christian spirituality. This quick-moving book includes, among other topics, a look at the historical setting of John’s Gospel, a narrative analysis of the Gospel, and an overview of its theological message. Meeting St. John Today serves as an excellent resource for Bible-study groups or for any individual who wants to discover and put into practice the simple treasures this special Gospel has to offer. Daniel J. Harrington, SJ, is professor of New Testament at Boston College School of Theology and Ministry in Cambridge, MA. He has been general editor of New Testament Abstracts since 1972 and is a past president of the Catholic Biblical Association of America. Other books by this author Meeting St. Paul Today: Understanding the Man, His Mission, and His Message The letters of St. Paul permeate just about everything Christians believe and practice, but many of us know very little about St. Paul. In Meeting St. Paul Today, Daniel Harrington, SJ, brings the letters of Paul and the apostle himself to life. Meeting St. Luke Today: Understanding the Man, His Mission, and His Message Biblical scholar Daniel J. Harrington, SJ, helps people in the pew uncover both the theological and literary beauty of the Gospel of Luke. For more information and the Gospel of Luke, visit our Cycle C Resources pages. Meeting St. Matthew Today: Understanding the Man, His Mission, and His Message Daniel J. Harrington offers a clear, relevant, and respectful presentation of Matthew's Gospel written for people in the pews. *Comments: Max Char 250 *
What does the New Testament tell us about Jesus as the agent of God's love for humankind? Throughout the decades, a host of books has addressed this fundamental question of Christianity. Now leading biblical scholar Daniel J. Harrington, S.J., sheds abundant new light upon it by revealing how the New Testament writers understand that to see Jesus is to see the Father. He demonstrates how listening to the testimony of the pertinent biblical texts in their literary and historical contexts, then drawing out their theological lessons, reveals the Father's love for us in Christ. The key topics explored in this book include: Revealer and Revelation of God's Love (Gospel of John) Teacher of Love (Synoptic Gospels) The Heart of the Gospels: the Paschal Mystery (Pauline writings) Proof of God's Love (Hebrews and 1 Peter) Ground of Hope (Revelation) Unique to this work are the "Think, Pray, and Act" sections at the end of every chapter. This is where scholarship meets daily life, as you are invited to reflect not only upon the information you've read but on how it should impact the way you live. Laypeople and pastors alike will profit from this informed, authoritative, yet accessible work.
How did Jesus pray, and what can we learn from his teachings on prayer? In this inspiring and informative book, renowned Scripture scholar Daniel J. Harrington, SJ, looks at the prayers of Jesus as well as the New Testament prayers about him. His insightful explanations consider the Jewish heritage of the prayers as well as their use by the early Christians. Each chapter ends with a “think, pray, and act” section that helps us to see how these ancient prayers can deepen our relationship with God and shape our character and outlook on the world and other people. Our own conversations with the heavenly Father will be enriched when we turn to him as Jesus did.
In Meeting St. Matthew Today, preeminent biblical scholar Daniel J. Harrington, SJ, helps laypeople understand the riches of Matthew’s Gospel. This quick-moving yet insightful book provides a thoughtful and non-threatening introduction to the Evangelist and his message. Special attention is given to a narrative analysis of Matthew’s Gospel, including key concepts and themes that develop as the story unfolds. The closing chapter of the book includes three brief lessons based on lectionary readings of St. Matthew.
Interpreting the Old Testament addresses literary, historical, form, source and redaction, and textual criticism, each in separate chapters. Other chapters concern words and motifs, archaeology and parallels, the Old Testament in Christian worship, and a post-script on canonical criticism and the social sciences as new methods of approach to the study of Scripture.
Jesuits Daniel Harrington and James Keenan have successfully team-taught the content of this landmark study to the delight of students for years. In this book they take the fruits of their own experiences as theologians, writers, teachers, mentors, and friends to propose virtue ethics as a bridge between the fields of New Testament Studies and Moral Theology. Answering the call of the Second Vatican Council for moral theology to "draw more fully on the teaching of Holy Scripture," the authors examine the virtues that both flow from Scripture and provide a lens by which to interpret Scripture. By remaining true to both the New Testament's emphasis on the human response to God's gracious activity in Jesus Christ and to the ethical needs and desires of Christians in the twenty-first century, the authors address key topics such as discipleship, the Sermon on the Mount, love, sin, politics, justice, sexuality, marriage, divorce, bioethics, and ecology. Covering the entire sweep of ethical teaching from its foundations in Scripture and especially in Jesus' life, death, and resurrection to its goal or "end" with the full coming of God's kingdom, the authors invite readers more deeply into an appreciation of the central biblical themes and how, based on the themes, Catholic Christian moral theology bears on general ethical issues in culture. Complete with reflection questions and suggestions for further reading, this book is essential reading for professors, students, pastors, preachers, and interested Catholics.
“Two prestigious scholars . . . serve up a gourmet banquet that blends the flavors of scripture and ethics without losing the distinctive tastes of each.” —Richard M. Gula, professor of moral theology, Franciscan School of Theology/Graduate Theological Union In Paul and Virtue Ethics, Daniel Harrington and James Keenan build upon their successful collaboration Jesus and Virtue Ethics to discuss the apostle Paul's teachings as a guide to interpret theology and ethics today. Examining Paul's writings, the authors investigate what they teach about the basic questions of virtue ethics: Who am I? Who do I want to become? And how do I get there? Their intent is not to provide stringent rules, but to awaken discovery and encourage dialogue. The book first considers the concept of virtue ethics, an approach to ethics that emphasizes moral character, and Paul’s ethics in particular. Next, the authors focus on the virtues of faith, love/charity, and hope as treated by Paul and Thomas Aquinas. Closing the book with reflections on the roles of other virtues (and vices) in individual and communal Christian life, the authors discuss various issues in social ethics and sexual morality as they are dealt with in Paul and in Christian virtue ethics today. “One could not ask for better guides [than] Harrington and Keenan.” ―Theological Studies “Bringing the moral teaching of Paul and contemporary virtue ethics into dialogue with each other, Harrington and Keenan have done what others have only spoken about.” —Frank J. Matera, The Andrew-Kelly-Ryan Professor of Biblical Studies, The Catholic University of America “[A] deeply learned yet broadly accessible volume. . . . [a] perfect book for an introductory course in theological ethics.” —M. Cathleen Kaveny, Darald and Juliet Libby Professor of Law and Theology, Boston College
This study is the first full analysis of the Qumran wisdom texts. New translations and a full explanation of the background and context of wisdom literature introduce the reader to an important and hitherto little discussed part of the Dead Sea Scrolls. After surveying biblical and extrabiblical wisdom books, the author considers the best and most fully preserved wisdom texts from Qumran. The centrepiece of the book is a discussion of the large wisdom instruction known as Sapiential Work A. Also, the author reflects on the relevance of those texts for the study of early Judaism and Christianity. An appendix treats the Ben Sira scroll from Masada.
The Church as a whole and all her Pastors, like Christ, must set out to lead people out of the desert, towards the place of life, towards friendship with the Son of God, towards the One who gives us life, and life in abundance."– Pope Benedict XVI, Apostolic Letter, Porta Fidei Becoming a disciple of Christ was no easy task in the time of Jesus and it continues to be the ultimate challenge. It is about combining one's head and heart to not only become His student in an intellectual sense but also "conforming" to His person, imitating His sacrificial love and, by means of faith and baptism, actually taking on His identity as the Son of God. This book from renowned Catholic biblical scholar Daniel J. Harrington is divided into four parts, each of which deals with six key New Testament passages relating to the theme of following Jesus. Part One: Hearing Jesus' Call in the Synoptic Gospels Part Two: Growing in Appreciation of Jesus in John's Gospel Part Three: Paul as a Disciple of Jesus Part Four: Other Ways of Being a Disciple of Jesus Harrington brings the concepts home in an accessible and actionable way through simplified summaries at the end of each section, along with the proactive Think, Pray, and Act reflections and Ten Points on Discipleship for support and guidance. Following Jesus: What the New Testament Teaches Us is perfect for individual or group study as we share in the universal call to discipleship.
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