Reading Scripture Like the Early Church: Seven Insights from the Church Fathers to Help You Understand the Bible

by James L. Papandrea

In this brief yet penetrating book, Dr. James Papandrea reveals what the early Church Fathers actually taught and believed about the Holy Scriptures as well as how they read, understood, and interpreted the Word of God. He explains the process by which the books of the Bible were selected and demonstrates the harmoniousness and complementarity of the Gospels. With Dr. Papandrea’s guidance, you will see how Scripture attests to the truth of the sacraments, Catholic doctrines, and the hierarchy of the Church founded by Christ. You will come to understand how the Church Fathers differentiated the “literal” and “figurative” interpretations of Scripture (it will likely surprise you!). You’ll come to appreciate as never before the multiple layers of biblical meaning, from the historical and prophetic to the allegorical, apocalyptic, eschatological, and typological. Dr. Papandrea further
In addition, Dr. Papandrea provides tips for biblical interpretation and advice on how to choose the most accurate Bible translation. Most significantly, you will recognize how reading Scripture is a relational exercise that helps you encounter our Lord in His divinity and His humanity and enter into the mystery of salvation.

207 pages, Paperback

Published November 22, 2022

About the author

Dr. James L. Papandrea is an award-winning author, Professor of Church History and Historical Theology, and the host of the Catholic Culture podcast, The Way of the Fathers. Jim has an M.Div. from Fuller Theological Seminary, and a Ph.D. from Northwestern University in the history and theology of the early Christian Church, with secondary concentrations in New Testament interpretation and the history of the Roman Empire. He has also studied Roman history at the American Academy in Rome, Italy. More information can be found via Jim’s homepage:
https://jimpapandrea.wordpress.com/ ,
his YouTube channel:
https://www.youtube.com/@TheOriginalC... ,
and his Amazon Author Page:
https://www.amazon.com/stores/James-L...

Reviews

[Connor Hansford]

Well written introduction to interpreting the Bible like some of the early church fathers. Because it is only an introduction, I think the author's Roman Catholicism need not have biased the text to quite the extent that it does; it reads sometimes like a polemic. It is also in places repetitive and glosses over some of the nonsense spouted by the church fathers and the fact that many practices, then seen as legitimate, have since fallen out of usage, proving they cannot always be relied on in the present.