NEW COLLEGEVILLE BIBLE COMMENTARY: NEW TESTAMENT – serie

The Gospel of Matthew carries important lessons on the formation of community and of Jesus as authoritative Teacher--lessons that helped the early Matthean population relate to both the Jewish and Christian communities of which they were composed.The Gospel According to Matthew provides Gospel text (New American Bible translation) along with Barbara E. Reid's commentary, to aid in the interpretation and use of this Gospel today. As Reid demonstrates, this Gospel continues to bring Vision and hope to Christians throughout the ages.Reid stresses the importance of the Gospel of Matthew as the first book in the New Testament, possibly the first written Gospel, and the one most often used in the early church. Providing both the text and commentary, Reid addresses important questions such as the author's identity and sources, setting and Gospel translation.Sections are The Origins of Jesus (1:1-4:11)," "The Beginnings of the Galilean Ministry (4:12-10:42)," "The Sermon on the Mount (5:1-7:28)," "Varying Responses to Jesus(11:1-16:12)," "Jesus and His Disciples on the Way to Jerusalem (16:14- 20:34)," "Jerusalem; Jesus' Final Days of Teaching in the Temple (21:1-28:15)," "Finale: Back to Galilee; Commission to the Whole World; Jesus' Abiding Presence (28:16-20)." Also includes discussion questions.Also available with Little Rock Scripture Study Set: The Gospel According to Matthew"

Luke continues to challenge our lives. Focusing on Jesus and his earthly ministry among the early church, Michael, F. Patella, OSB, opens the Gospel of Luke to the 21st-century reader.Patella presents literary, textual, and historical criticism in a readable manner to give readers a solid background for the Lukan Gospel. A brief introduction informs reader of Luke's literary technique, Luke as an evangelist, and other historical data.Chapters are "The Prologue (1:1-4)," "The Infancy Narrative (1:5-2:52)," "Preparation for the Public Ministry (3:1-4:13)," "The Ministry in Galilee (4:!4-9:50)," "The Journey to Jerusalem (9:51019:27)," "The Teaching Ministry in Jerusalem (19:28-21:38)," "The Passion (22:1-23:56)," "The Resurrection (24:1-53)." Also includes questions for discussion.

The Gospel According to John presents the New American Bible Translation of the texts along with the illuminating commentary of Scott M. Lewis, S.J. John's faith portrait of Jesus in this Gospel departs significantly from those of the Synoptic Gospels. The decidedly human Jesus of Matthew, Mark, and Luke gives way to the Jesus described by Lewis as "a majestic, serene figure, omniscient and totally in control of his destiny at all times." Only in John's Gospel do we have such special features as these:       the rapturous prologue that salutes the preexistent Word of God made flesh and dwelling among us,  the Cana wedding where Jesus supplies the party with a staggering supply of good wine,  such unforgettable characters as the Samaritan woman at the well, Nicodemus, the man malingering at the pool of Bethesda for thirty-eight years, the woman caught in adultery, the man born blind, the once-dead Lazarus revived by Jesus,  Jesus' profound and inspiring Bread of Life and Last Supper discourses,  the unique resurrection appearances to the weeping Mary of Magdala and the doubting Thomas. Scott Lewis invites readers not to approach the text with preconceived ideas, but as if we are reading it for the first time. His clear and concise commentary helps us to be provoked, challenged, and enlightened by the "deceptively simple" but "irony-laded" words and actions for the Gospel's characters. The first of the Johannine Letters is more of a homily while the short and terse second and third ones follow the style of ancient letter writing. Lewis calls them "examples of moral exhortation" by the writer who encourages his believing community to behave in a manner consistent with their faith. As ancient as they are, the letters prove that times do not change that much. Today's Christian communities will see their own problems, disagreements, and divisions mirrored in this valuable correspondence so ably explained by the commentator.  Scott M. Lewis, SJ, STD, is associate professor of New Testament at Regis College, Toronto, Ontario, and is engaged in retreat ministry.

Dennis Hamm stresses the unity between the Acts of Apostles and the Gospel of Luke. His section-by-section commentary (along with New American Bible translation), based on the best of recent scholarship, will appeal to teachers, preachers and Bible study groups with its non-technical, yet scholarly style. Hamm helps visualize Christianity's growth from Jewish roots and the Church as continuation of God's covenant with Israel. Paying close attention to the use of the Old Testament. Hamm demonstrates how the Acts of the Apostles--first addressed to the early Christian community--speaks to our generation today.Chapters are The Risen Christ and the Restoration of Israel in Jerusalem (1:1 -8:3)," "The Mission in Judea and Samaria (8:4-9:43)," "The Inauguration of the Gentile Mission (10:1-15:35)," and "The Mission of Paul to the Ends of the Earth(15:36-28:31)." Also includes maps and discussion questions.Dennis Hamm, SJ, PhD, since 1975 has taught Scripture at Creighton University. He is author of the various journal articles and reviews, as well as the three-volume Let the Scriptures Speak, published by Liturgical Press(1999, 2000, 2001).

Vincent M. Smiles provides a fresh look at the early Church and the faith with which they approached their dynamic, diverse community. With a brief introduction to each letter, Smiles brings to light issues such as authorship, dating, and historical situation. Smiles focuses on similarities and contrasts-such as eschatology, ecclesiology and the status of women--within these diverse, yet unified letters.A reading of these letters as partners in a conversation" provides both an understanding and inspiration for today's Christian society: inspiration to meet our challenges in faith with the same creativity as did the early Church.With an understandable, yet comprehensive manner, this commentary will appeal to those interested in the changing early Church and its ancient wisdom.Vincent M. Smiles, PhD, is chair of the Department of Theology at the College of Saint Benedict/Saint John's University, Minnesota. He is author of The Gospel and the Law in Galatia, published by Liturgical Press.

Who would not relish the opportunity to read two-thousand-year-old letters? These four of the seven catholic letters" are addressed not to any specific church, as are Paul's epistles, but to the church in general. Giving us valuable insights into early Christianity, they insist on the need to join good works with faith, present Jesus' sufferings as the model for enduring persecution and warn against intruders intent on undermining traditional faith and morals. Far from being mere exercises in nostalgia for the "good ol' days," the letters offer principles that have not lost their value for the Church of the third millennium.Patrick Hartin's clarity and conciseness update the Church's earliest struggles to remain faithful to the spirit of Jesus Christ. These are letters for us today, too.Fr. Patrick J. Hartin, PhD, is professor of New Testament at Gonzaga University, Spokane, Washington, and the author of the Sacra Pagina commentary on James and A Spirituality of Perfection: Faith in Action in the Letter of James, published by Liturgical Press.