Ronald D. Witherup – författare

The recent Year for Priests focused considerable attention on the priesthood, resulting in many books, articles, retreats, conferences, and symposia. In Gold Tested in Fire, Ronald D. Witherup, SS, makes an important new contribution. Intersecting scriptural and theological context with lived pastoral insight, Witherup explores both classic and contemporary understandings of the priesthood, offers insights into the four pillars" suggested for priestly formation, and looks at the charism of priests, and the need for ongoing formation across a life-span.

Having engaged in priestly formation in seminaries for a number of years, Witherup moves beyond overly idealized or pietistic approaches to the presbyteral life to offer key insights on the challenges and rewards inherent in contemporary priestly ministry. Underlying his approach is the firm conviction that the present testing in the priesthood is a profound summons to a new Pentecost, inopportunity for the priesthood to be cleansed and remade, and ultimately stronger.

A decade after the untimely death of renowned Scripture scholar Father Raymond E. Brown, SS, he continues to inspire and inform scholars and preachers, students and pastoral ministers, lay and ordained. It was only days after Father Brown''s death that his final book was published by Liturgical Press. That book, Christ in the Gospels of the Ordinary Sundays, completed his six-volume series on preaching the Scriptures, a series that had begun in the mid-1970s with the publication of his popular An Adult Christ at Christmas. Those six volumes are collected here in one convenient commemorative edition to mark the tenth anniversary of Brown''s death. Brown''s work is left largely untouched, and readers will find that his wisdom is lasting. Yet Brown, being a scholar''s scholar, would recognize the need for some enhancement in a work being republished some thirty years after the first volume appeared. Appropriately, then, this edition contains introductory essays by Brown''s colleagues and friends John R. Donahue, SJ, and Ronald D. Witherup, SS, as well as useful indexes and a bibliography of resources for preaching the word of God in the context of the lectionary.

As Witherup notes in his preface, Brown had the rare capacity to simplify complex biblical studies in a manner that did not ''dumb down '' the material but allowed it to be understood by a wide audience. . . . He did this in a fashion that was both inspiring and educational. That very broad audience ''those who grew up with Brown, so to speak, as well as a whole new generation of readers and preachers of the word ''will find this book to be a source of inspiration and knowledge that they will turn to again and again.

Raymond E.Brown, S.S., (1928 -1998) was the Auburn Distinguished Professor of Biblical Studies at Union Theological Seminary in New York City. He was author of some forty books on the Bible and past president of three of the most important biblical societies in the world. By appointment of two popes (Pal VI in 1972, John Paul II in 1996) Brown was a member of the Roman Pontifical Biblical Commission. Time magazine called him probably the premier Catholic Scripture scholar of the U.S.

To some, the New Evangelization" seems to mean warmed-over and outdated apologetics that rarely resonate with people today. But that approach fails to do justice to what evangelization is really all about. In Saint Paul and the New Evangelization, one of today's most respected Scripture scholars offers a far richer, more deeply biblical approach.

Ronald D. Witherup, SS, analyzes the techniques of one of the church's best evangelists—Paul of Tarsus—to show how we can help reinvigorate the faith of friends and loved ones. You don't need to know a lot about the Bible or theology. Just follow St. Paul's inspiring example, and discover how to talk about your faith in ways that change hearts and minds.

Open the Little Rock Catholic Study Bible and feel at home with the Word of God. Through accessibly written information and engaging visuals that highlight and clarify significant areas of Scripture, readers will easily gain an understanding of these ancient texts that can be carried into today's world. Using the authorized translation in the New American Bible Revised Edition, this lasting volume is ideal for both personal use and group Bible study. 

The valuable information in the Little Rock Catholic Study Bible is offered in small notes and inserts that accompany the Bible texts as well as in expanded essays, articles, and graphics. Key symbols help readers quickly identify the type of information they need, such as explanations, definitions, dates, character and author profiles, archaeological insights, personal prayer starters, and insights connecting Scripture and its use in today's church. Colorful maps, timelines, photographs, and charts further enhance the study experience. Longer articles are dedicated to explaining study Bible fundamentals, the Catholic Church's use of the Bible, and the people and places of the biblical world.

General Editor: Catherine Upchurch serves as the director of Little Rock Scripture Study. Her work in adult faith formation involves writing, editing, lecturing, leading retreats and days of reflection. She is the editor of A Year of Sundays and an associate editor of The Bible Today, a journal of biblical spirituality.

Old Testament Editor: Irene Nowell, OSB, is a Benedictine of Mount St. Scholastica in Atchison, Kansas. She is an adjunct professor at St. John's University School of Theology, has published two books and numerous articles, and is a past president of the Catholic Biblical Association. She is also a member of the Committee on Illuminations and Texts for The Saint John's Bible.

New Testament Editor: Ronald D. Witherup, SS, is Superior General of the Sulpicians and lives in Paris, France. He holds a doctorate in biblical studies and is the author of numerous books and articles on Scripture. His current interest is in the letters of Saint Paul and the Acts of the Apostles.

Drawn from the main talks given at a Year of the Priest symposium at The Catholic University of America, Ministerial Priesthood in the Third Millennium explores the mystery of the priesthood in light of the Church's theological and spiritual heritage.

Chapters and Contributors:

Biblical Foundations on the Priesthood: The Contributions of the Letter to the Hebrews Very Rev. Ronald D. Witherup, PSS, a widely published Scripture scholar, is superior general of the Society of St. Sulpice, known as the Sulpicians, an order of diocesan priests dedicated to initial and ongoing formation of priests.

Priesthood, Priestliness and Priests Monsignor Paul G. McPartlan is a priest of the Archdiocese of Westminster, United Kingdom, and the Carl J. Peter Professor of Systematic Theology and Ecumenism at The Catholic University of America.

Faithful Stewards of God's Mysteries: Theological Insights on Priesthood from the Ordination Ritual Rev. Michael Witczak is a priest of the Archdiocese of Milwaukee and an assistant professor of liturgical studies at The Catholic University of America.

Finding Our Way to God: Three Different Paths to Holiness Very Rev. Lawrence B. Terrien, SS, is a former superior general of the Sulpicians. He has served as associate professor of systematic theology, academic dean and vice-rector at St. Patrick's Seminary in California, and is presently professor of systematic theology at Saint Mary's Seminary in Baltimore.

A Contemporary Priestly Spirituality Monsignor Kevin Irwin is a priest of the Archdiocese of New York and dean of the School of Theology and Religious Studies at The Catholic University of America.