Scripture: History and Interpretation: Engaging Theology: Catholic Perspectives

Ignorance of Scripture is ignorance of Christ." What Saint Jerome said centuries ago is surely still true today; any serious theological study must be grounded in Scripture. While there are plenty of biblical scholars today, few authors are able to introduce Scripture to students the way Dianne Bergant does. Bergant invites readers to genuinely engage Scripture, to enter the world of the text and explore some of the age-old questions that arise in every generation:

' What does it mean to say that the Word of God is both divine and human?
' Why is biblical history so important to the study of Scripture and theology?
' Why are there different literary forms in the Bible?
' Why the competing voices and apparent contradictions?

In language that is clear and compelling, Bergant explores the answers to these and other questions. She surveys the world of the Bible and biblical scholarship in an introduction that is sure to spark enthusiasm and further interest. This volume in the "Engaging Theology" series instills solid knowledge of Scripture and, thereby, knowledge of Christ, demonstrating that "the Bible is an inexhaustible source of challenge and delight, of inspiration and guidance, and a testimony to ultimate meaning and value."

"Dianne Bergant, CSA, is professor of biblical studies at Catholic Theological Union in Chicago. She is a member and past president of the Catholic Biblical Association of America and is an active member of the Chicago Catholic/Jewish Scholars Dialogue. She has published numerous works in the area of biblical scholarship, including "Lamentations" in the Abingdon Old Testament Commentaries (Abingdon Press); "Song of Songs" in the "Berit Olam"series, "Collegeville Concise Glossary of Biblical Terms, " and "Israel's Story" (Part One and Two), all published by Liturgical Press.""