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Spirit and Life: Interpreting the Bible in Ordinary Time
Spirit and Interpreting the Bible in Ordinary Time is the newest book by well-known and respected scholar and author Scott Hahn. Published by Emmaus Road, these nine essays provide fresh insights into important biblical themes. Topics in this volume Hahn shows that Scripture is not a dead letter but rather a great, living gift from God. Indeed, it is spirit and life to those who will unwrap and embrace it. Spirit and Interpreting the Bible in Ordinary Time provides the reader with a greater appreciation of the Living Word.
158 pages, Paperback
First published March 1, 2009
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Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
December 21, 2023
‘Spirit & Life’ by Catholic theologian Scott Hahn is a set of essays based on the role of the Bible in various areas pertaining to the liturgical celebration of the Mass. Hahn through this collection of essays tries to focus the Catholic reader’s attention on the unity among the various aspects of the community-based celebration of the Mass and the way Catholics live their lives.
It is fascinating to know that from Sacramental theology to Liturgical theology, from Biblical Hermeneutics to the Biblical Historical Contextual exegesis and from the Written Word of God to the Living Word of God – everything is united in a seamless flow that makes the faith what it is today. If you wish to learn more about this same unity, then check out these series of essays by Professor Hahn.
The book is erudite for a layman including one from a Catholic background, but if a believer gives some time to it and does not speed-read, then one can truly benefit from the writings contained therein. For theologians, theology students, religious and seminarians, this can be a very light, eye-opening, and interesting read.
I found the essay titled ‘Hermeneutic of Faith’ to be very rewarding, since I’ve always been fascinated by the uniqueness of Pope Benedict XVI’s exegesis of the Bible, especially in relation to the idea of a firm Christology. Professor Hahn manages to decipher and break up the Hermeneutics of the late Pope down to very common everyday language while yet doing justice to the essence of Pope Benedict’s Christology.
Another essay which took me by surprise was the one titled ‘The Times of the Signs’ which was a fantastic short biographical sketch as it were of the Pentecostal Movement from the 19th century onwards to the present age. However, it may surprise readers that the Movement was not something non-Catholic, but indeed, it was initiated from the heart of the Catholic Church that is the Vatican itself during the time of Pope Leo XIII. If you wish to know more, check out this revealing and intriguing essay.
The book has been deemed to be a bit of a hard or difficult read for the laity, but if one remains undaunted and even tries to reflect over the interpretations present in this book, one will find the whole process fruitful and enriching. Professor Hahn has here too focussed on the Eucharistic Revival Movement of the Catholic Church as well as on the importance of the Liturgical Movement in the reading and interpretation of the Word of God.
The book is a serious read and not like the humorous titles that otherwise define this author’s body of work. Be ready for some serious theology here in this book. I look forward to now reading more of the author’s works. This title was actually a sequel of sorts to his bestselling ‘Scripture Matters’ but can be successfully read as a stand-alone non-fiction work. It can be a great meditative tool as well and can be used for an introductory course on the association between the Bible and the Liturgy in a Catholic seminary.
It is fascinating to know that from Sacramental theology to Liturgical theology, from Biblical Hermeneutics to the Biblical Historical Contextual exegesis and from the Written Word of God to the Living Word of God – everything is united in a seamless flow that makes the faith what it is today. If you wish to learn more about this same unity, then check out these series of essays by Professor Hahn.
The book is erudite for a layman including one from a Catholic background, but if a believer gives some time to it and does not speed-read, then one can truly benefit from the writings contained therein. For theologians, theology students, religious and seminarians, this can be a very light, eye-opening, and interesting read.
I found the essay titled ‘Hermeneutic of Faith’ to be very rewarding, since I’ve always been fascinated by the uniqueness of Pope Benedict XVI’s exegesis of the Bible, especially in relation to the idea of a firm Christology. Professor Hahn manages to decipher and break up the Hermeneutics of the late Pope down to very common everyday language while yet doing justice to the essence of Pope Benedict’s Christology.
Another essay which took me by surprise was the one titled ‘The Times of the Signs’ which was a fantastic short biographical sketch as it were of the Pentecostal Movement from the 19th century onwards to the present age. However, it may surprise readers that the Movement was not something non-Catholic, but indeed, it was initiated from the heart of the Catholic Church that is the Vatican itself during the time of Pope Leo XIII. If you wish to know more, check out this revealing and intriguing essay.
The book has been deemed to be a bit of a hard or difficult read for the laity, but if one remains undaunted and even tries to reflect over the interpretations present in this book, one will find the whole process fruitful and enriching. Professor Hahn has here too focussed on the Eucharistic Revival Movement of the Catholic Church as well as on the importance of the Liturgical Movement in the reading and interpretation of the Word of God.
The book is a serious read and not like the humorous titles that otherwise define this author’s body of work. Be ready for some serious theology here in this book. I look forward to now reading more of the author’s works. This title was actually a sequel of sorts to his bestselling ‘Scripture Matters’ but can be successfully read as a stand-alone non-fiction work. It can be a great meditative tool as well and can be used for an introductory course on the association between the Bible and the Liturgy in a Catholic seminary.
May 12, 2024
The middle section on how the Canon was developed as a form of lectionary and sacramentary was fascinating.
March 31, 2016
This is a good book, but it is very deep in more than a few places. Hahn says in his introduction that some chapters are for lay people and others are for theologians and theology students. I found most of the essays geared toward the latter. I had enough theology in college that I was able to follow the arguments in those essays that were more theological in nature.
I find myself in a quandary as to whether or not I can recommend this book. It would really depend upon the skill level of the person reading it. If you are accustomed to books that are theological then you probably won't have any problem with this book. If your skill tends more toward the lay person then you might want to read a different book by Hahn that is geared toward that level of reading. He does have them.
I find myself in a quandary as to whether or not I can recommend this book. It would really depend upon the skill level of the person reading it. If you are accustomed to books that are theological then you probably won't have any problem with this book. If your skill tends more toward the lay person then you might want to read a different book by Hahn that is geared toward that level of reading. He does have them.
October 25, 2013
I really enjoyed learning so much more aout the Bible.
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews