John Bergsma – författare

How many times have you wanted to convey to someone the joy and excitement of the basic gospel message—but stumbled in the process? Here is a book that explains the kerygma—the proclamation of the gospel—in a simple way. Dr. Bergsma, a professor at Franciscan University and noted biblical scholar, uses both words and illustrations to tell the story of the Bible. In this short book, he brings the gospel to life for believers and nonbelievers alike. Readers will want to buy multiple copies of this book to give away to friends and family so that they can truly understand the amazing good news of what God has done for us in Christ Jesus.

John Bergsma’s popular Bible Basics for Catholics, which has sold more than 60,000 copies, offers readers an accessible vision of salvation history as it unfolds in the Bible, showing readers how the Bible points us to the saving life and work of Jesus. This new edition includes an additional chapter on covenant fulfillment in the Book of Revelation. Bergsma brings to his theology a combination of academic expertise, pastoral wisdom, and unique playfulness. Bible Basics for Catholics is based on Bergsma’s popular Introduction to Theology course at Steubenville. As a teacher, Bergsma has an uncanny ability to make complex ideas understandable and faith-inspiring while staying true to both Catholic teaching and biblical scholarship. Readers will begin to see the Christian understanding of salvation by walking through the Old Testament, going through the great stories of Adam and Eve, Noah, Abraham, Moses, the great kings and prophets of Israel, and culminating in the person and work of Jesus Christ.

Award-winning author and theology professor John Bergsma follows up his popular Bible Basics for Catholics—which has sold more than 60,000 copies—with a more in-depth look at the New Testament. Using simple illustrations and the same clear, conversational style that characterized his earlier book, Bergsma introduces four of the most important writers in the New Testament: Matthew, Luke, Paul, and John. With humor and simple illustrations, theology professor John Bergsma focuses on Matthew, Luke, Paul, and John, whose writings comprise about 90 percent of the New Testament. The gospel of Matthew, written for Jewish Christians, illuminates the life and teachings of Christ as the long-promised Messiah. In Luke's gospel, readers will delve into the infancy and Triduum narratives, as well as the Acts of the Apostles and the life of the early Church. This leads the reader to discover St. Paul and his first and arguably greatest theological treatise: Romans. Finally, “the beloved apostle” St. John draws us in to the unsurpassed beauty of the fourth gospel, as well as the most mysterious book of the New Testament: the book of Revelation. A concluding chapter offers suggestions for further study. Intended as an introductory work for those who are new to scripture study, New Testament Basics for Catholics does not aspire to be a comprehensive guide to all twenty-seven books of the New Testament, but is intended to lay the foundation for a lifetime of scripture reading.

In his third back-to-basics look at the Bible, popular theology professor and bestselling Catholic author and speaker John Bergsma highlights the presence of Jesus in the psalms and helps us understand their meaning in light of the story of salvation. Bergsma employs the same conversational style and simple illustrations found in Bible Basics for Catholics and New Testament Basics for Catholics to help bridge the gap between the world of contemporary Catholics and the ancient world of the Bible. In Psalm Basics for Catholics, John Bergsma introduces us to King David, the story of Israel, and the salvation of the Jewish people through the coming of Jesus. For more than two thousand years, Christians have sung, chanted, and prayed the psalms, a practice of worship inherited from our Jewish ancestors in faith. Whether prayed during Mass, the Liturgy of the Hours, or in personal reflection, these ancient hymns continue to be a guiding light for Catholics. Yet rarely do we step back and look at how the psalms fit into the story of salvation revealed in the Bible the way Bergsma does here. Bergsma also addresses common questions about the psalms, includingDo the psalms really predict Jesus?What do we make of the so-called curse psalms?Why do we pray the psalms in the Liturgy of the Hours?How do I read and pray the psalms?Bergsma's insightful, practical examination of the psalms helps Catholics see how their promise is fulfilled in Christ.

Winner of a honorable mention award in the popular scripture studies category from the Catholic Media Association.

When you begin to see the Bible as a book of love, it will change the way you view love, sex, marriage, family, and your personal relationship with God.

Walk with popular scripture scholar John Bergsma from the creation of Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden to the wedding between the Lamb and the New Jerusalem in the Book of Revelation to learn how marriage in the Bible represents the love between God and his people.

Bergsma focuses on what nine biblical marriages tell us about God’s relationship with us. These stories include: Adam and Eve—who show us that marriage is the culmination of all creation and that marriage can be an image of the Trinity; Ruth and Boaz—who display the tenderness and virtue of a marriage; Solomon and his bride in the Song of Songs—who illustrate a positive, healthy view of the body and physical beauty; and Jesus as Bridegroom of his people, the Church.  

Using his popular, whimsical stick-figure illustrations and engaging style, Bergsma helps us understand scripture and salvation history in a unique, memorable way. He also provides insight into Church teachings on marriage and relationships—such as monogamy, the single life, the Sacrament of Matrimony, and Jesus’s words about divorce—to show how these teachings come from the love God shares with his people through the covenants in scripture.

An easy-to-read, straightforward, and thorough look at the "e;big picture"e; of salvation history.Do you feel overwhelmed by or guilty for not knowing the Bible better? Bible Basics for Catholics by award-winning scripture professor John Bergsma is here to change that. With more than 120,000 copies sold and 700-plus five-star Amazon reviews, this bestselling guide offers a clear, concise, and easy-to-understand walk through salvation history-from Adam and Eve to Jesus Christ-providing valuable insights to help you see how God's love story unfolds in scripture.Drawing from his popular Principles of Biblical Study course at Franciscan University of Steubenville, Bergsma blends academic expertise, pastoral wisdom, and an unmistakable sense of humor to make complex ideas easy to understand-and even fun!This new and expanded edition features all of the original stick figures and drawings readers everywhere have come to know and love while adding new features that are especially useful in sharing this powerful message with your small group, parish, classroom, or family. Whether you're exploring the Bible on your own or leading others in study, this edition offers valuable tools to deepen your understanding and faith. New features include:Chapter-by-chapter study questionsSeven-week program for small groupsCompanion videos for deeper understandingDon't let uncertainty about scripture hold you back. Discover the "e;big picture"e; of God's love for his people and learn how this story becomes your own-helping you live out your Catholic faith with greater confidence and joy.

Una introducción didáctica e inteligente a la Biblia, desde los relatos de Adán y Eva, Noé, Abraham y Moisés, y los grandes reyes y profetas de Israel, hasta la persona y obra de Jesús.Bergsma ofrece en este volumen un curso de introducción a la Biblia y a la teología, de enorme popularidad entre sus estudiantes americanos, y con más de 60.000 ejemplares vendidos. Manifiesta en sus páginas una sorprendente habilidad para hacer comprensibles e inspiradoras las ideas fundamentales de la fe católica.El lector va recorriendo el Antiguo Testamento y contemplando los relatos de Adán y Eva, Noé, Abraham y Moisés, y los grandes reyes y profetas de Israel, para culminar finalmente en la persona y obra de Jesús: un gran libro de cabecera para quien enseña y para quien aprende.

Con humor y sencillas ilustraciones, el profesor de teología John Bergsma se centra en los cuatro evangelistas, cuyos escritos constituyen aproximadamente el 90 % del Nuevo Testamento.Mateo escribe para los cristianos judíos, e ilumina la vida y las enseñanzas de Cristo como el Mesías largamente prometido. Lucas introduce a los lectores en los relatos de la infancia y muerte de Jesús, así como en los Hechos de los Apóstoles y en la vida de la Iglesia primitiva. Esto lleva al lector a descubrir a san Pablo y su primer —y posiblemente mayor— tratado teológico: Romanos. Por último, Juan, el discípulo amado, nos ofrece la insuperable belleza del cuarto evangelio, y el libro más misterioso del Nuevo Testamento: el Apocalipsis.Un capítulo final ofrece sugerencias para un estudio más profundo.