DO NOT accept any commentary that attributes error to Sacred Scriptures, 13 Mar 2007
Although a comprehensive and readable commentary there is a fatal flaw in which the late Raymond Brown cleverly attacks the Bible's inerrancy.
On page 1169, section 72:14 the NJBC leaves out a crucial part of a sentence from Dei Verbum when it states:
'On inerrancy Vatican II made an important qualification as our italics indicate: 'The Books of Scripture must be acknowledged as teaching firmly, faithfully, and without error "that truth which God wanted put into the sacred writings for the sake of our salvation" '.
However the full sentence from $11 of Dei Verbum begins:
'Therefore since everything asserted by the inspired authors or sacred writers must be held to be asserted by the Holy Spirit, it follows that...the Books of Scripture...etc....'
The NJBC then argues against the Church teaching it just omitted: 'Some have tried to interpret ["the phrase in double quotes"] to cover everything the human author expressed; but pre-voting shows an awareness of errors in the Bible'
BUT that's EXACTLY what the omitted passage says: "everything asserted by the human authors or sacred writers is asserted by the Holy Spirit!"
And, of course pre-voting debates are utterly irrelevant. What matters is what the FINALLY APPROVED document teaches. The NJBC doesn't tell the reader that the "some" who interpret this passage to "cover everything asserted by the inspired authors" are the Holy Father and the bishops in union with him.
How, then, can the NJBC editors act as their own censors? Instead of submitting their work to objective scholars, they gave themselves a nihil obstat, officially declaring their own work to be free of errors in doctrine or morals.
Not liberal Slop but honest scholarship, 01 Sep 2005
This is a book that should not be ignored as we investigate and interpret Holy Scripture. The Church of Christ is facing real challenges today and these callenges will not be overcome by sinking our heads into the sands of irrational fundementalism.
If you can't afford a new copy buy a copy second hand and open up a collection of some of the finest thinking from modern, spirit filled, Christians.
A wonderful resource for theologians., 06 May 2001
The New Jerome Biblical Commentary: Student Edition has been a wonderful resource, that I have been able to use for my undergraduate theology essays and has also been a great aid for me when I have prepared sermons for the college Prayer Group. It is the second book that I use after the bible!! It is clear and easy to follow and a amazing resource edited by three top theologians.
A very good quality single volume bible commentary., 01 Nov 2000
St Jerome said "Igonorane to the bible is like ignorance to Christ", therefore the Catholic church has either set it's self up for a big fall (if the book leaves the reader igonorant)or been very clever in the naming of this book.
I feel the latter is true as the book gives the reader a wealth of information from many sources. It is clear, precise, easy to navigate and is a very interesting read.
liberal slop, 26 Jun 1999
The work is from a bunch of liberals. Most any other commenary surpasses it. Of note is their accusation that Luke was in error in Luke 2:1. These liberal Humanists in clerical dress are the ones in error. Don't waste ten cents on the work.
Comments by Michael Calum Jacques author of '1st Century Radical'., 17 Nov 2008
This is a highly useful, carefully planned, one volume aid to Bible study and general research upon biblical themes and topics. It also provides copious introductory material to each book and period of biblical history. The editorial team consists of familiar names within the world of Biblical Studies and the scholarship is principally that based upon mainstream viepoints.
For general reference, it can stand comparison with any other single Bible 'companion' availability and the standard of scholarship is, on the whole, high.
Most of the contributors to this volume have excellent academic credentials and the overall quality of the presentation, printing, and general finish of this book is similarly pleasing. The book contains an excellent and - what would appear to be - an extensive index and has a copious number of specific articles written by a range of specialist in that particular field.
This reviewer is happy to commend this volume for general Bible study and to provide introductory research material for undergraduate students et al.
Michael Calum Jacques
An excellent survey of hermeneutics with commentary on it, 18 Jan 2000
This is certainly, as the previous reviewer warned, a difficult book. The somewhat ponderous style takes some getting used to, but is worth the effort. While admittedly focussing on Biblical hermeneutics, it is unfortunate that this designation will restrict the audience of this thoroughly worthy book to the readership of 'Religion and Spirituality.' Its compass alone merits a much wider readership than that. The obvious improvement on the author's previous work 'Two Horizons' (which he generously concedes) is in its inclusion of Pannenberg's eschatological dimension to a critique of Gadamer. This is indeed a crucial inclusion as it is that which gives substance to Gadamer's otherwise empty general concept of the universal - the naivete of which has brought him under attack or unwarranted appropriation by Rorty, Habermas and others.
The pastoral dimension of the work in the final two chapters is an interesting dimension to a work in a field that often seems abstracted from such considerations. Given the inclusion of the 'life-world' within almost all discussions in post-Heideggerian hermeneutics, this adds credibility to what are often only academic arguments. In general, the use of Biblical examples throughout the work is also judicious and helpful to furthering Thiselton's argument. An indispensible work to all students of textual hermeneutics.
Difficult but excellent discussion of how texts have meaning, 13 Dec 1998
This is not a work for beginners. While biblical hermeneutics are in view, it really concerns how we interpret any text. Thiselton has one major concern: are there standards of meaning that go beyond any particular society and embrace all humanity, or not? Thiselton argues throughout the book that there are, while thoroughly and (I think) fairly presenting the alternative viewpoint(s). His major supports include the later Wittgenstein, the speach-act theory of Austin and Searle, and (to a lesser extent) the eschatological vision of Pannenberg. His major targets are the deconstruction of Derrida and Barthes, the pragmatism of Rorty and (some but not all) liberation theologies, and the reader-response theory of Fish. In a typically understated British way, he cheerleads for the one side and pans the other through the whole book. In both modes, however, Thiselton keeps an impressive critical distance (most of the time) in admitting both to the strengths of those he opposes and the weaknesses of those he supports. While difficult, I know of no better one volume treatment of the subject. A thorough and discerning work for the serious student.
