An Introduction to the New Testament for Catholics

by Joseph F. Kelly

The title of this book may be a bit puzzling 'a Catholic introduction to the New Testament? The New Testament belongs to al Christians, and the modern study of the New Testament has benefited from the contributions by scholars of al Christian denominations. But there are questions and issues in the New Testament that are specific to Catholics, such as the portrayal of Jesus' mother Mary, the commissioning of Peter, and the Trinity. In this volume, Joseph Kelly provides an introduction to the New Testament for students and deals with the concerns of modern Catholics reading the Bible. It's a book that Catholic teachers can use rather than a book that presents them with problems they have toexplain. Kelly helps readers to understand what modern scholars, especially Catholic biblical exegetes, say about the individual books because we cannot understand what role Jesus can play in modern life if we don 't understand what he meant to the earliest Christians. The New Testament tells the story of Jesus, the most remarkable person who ever lived, and of his disciples. It includes some of the most famous narratives in the world and the most memorable words ever spoken. It introduces us to great people who moved history and of those who took the difficult step of leaving the religions of their ancestors and families to become Christians. Kelly shows that in looking at the New Testament we see real people communicating with us 'sharing their beliefs, their fears, and their hopes. Distant yet familiar, challenging yet comprehensible, the New Testament is a precious heritage, and one that Kelly recommends we must make our own. Joseph F. Kelly, PhD, is professor of religious studies at John Carroll University in Cleveland, Ohio. He is the author of The World of the Early Christians, The Problem of Evil in the Western Tradition, Responding to Evil, The Origins of Christmas and The Collegeville Church History Time-Line published by Liturgical Press.

296 pages, Kindle Edition

First published April 30, 2006

About the author

Joseph F. Kelly, PhD, is professor of religious studies at John Carroll University in Cleveland, Ohio. His books include The Feast of Christmas, The Origins of Christmas, The Ecumenical Councils of the Catholic Church, and others, all published by Liturgical Press.

Reviews

[Francine Apollo · Rating 5 out of 5]

Catholic laity were not encouraged to read the Bible (in my life experience) until Vatican II. I was in high school in those years.
As an adult I have read the Bible, alone and with others in course work. For the last 4+ years I have been in an Ecumenical Bible Study group. That's where this book came into my life. It has helped me in conversation with others who are so much better read.
I read it slowly as I went through other Bible study work. It will remain on my bookshelf so that I can dip into it as needed.
This is a valuable resource. Highly recommended.

[Katarzyna Balutowski · Rating 4 out of 5]

It was good but slightly dated in it's advice on reading the texts. Also very week in explaining The Gospel of John, the Letters of John, and Revelation. Outside of this still a great resource and I liked the inclusion of actual text readings prior to reading the explanation.

[Alexis · Rating 3 out of 5]

Reading with Catholic Biblical School - excellent resource... Not really done, but done for the required reading needed for this year's Biblical School

[Ella Mitchell · Rating 3 out of 5]

Read for college theology with Schweigl