New Catholic Biblical Commentary Series

For years, I have said that we need a fresh approach to Catholic biblical commentaries; one that is both scholarly and pastoral on the one hand, and faithful to the teachings of the Catholic faith on the other.

Fortunately, there is now an excellent new series about to be published, "Catholic Commentary on Sacred Scripture" (CCSS) that meets this need. The authors look excellent, and at present, many of the books of the NT are planned for publication.

The series combines outstanding biblical scholarship with lively faith to help Catholics, especially those in pastoral ministry, interpret Scripture and apply it to Christian life today. In seventeen volumes, the series offers readable, informative commentary on each book of the New Testament. The CCSS responds to the desire of Catholics to study the Bible in depth and in a way that integrates Scripture with Catholic doctrine, worship, and daily life.

Central to the commentary’s approach are the theological principles taught by Vatican II for interpreting Scripture “in accord with the same Spirit by which it was written”—that is, interpreting Scripture in its canonical context and in the light of Catholic tradition and the analogy of faith (Dei Verbum, 12). The CCSS helps readers grasp the meaning of texts both in their historical and literary context and in their relationship to Catholic doctrine and life in the present.

• Written in an engaging style that can be read for personal study and spiritual nourishment as well as referenced for exegetical information

• Distinguished by a theological and pastoral hermeneutic rather than a focus on technical questions that legitimately interest scholars but have less relevance for Christian life

• Interprets the canonical form of the text in light of the whole of Scripture and the Church's faith

• Aims to serve readers across a spectrum of Catholic opinion while remaining faithful to Church teaching

• Employs ordinary modern English that does not require “translation” for preaching and catechesis

• Packed with features useful to preachers and teachers of the word, lay and ordained, and other Catholics interested in deepening their faith

• Fills a gap between substantial scholarly resources and brief popular commentaries

Learn more about this exciting new series here.