Catholic Study Bible to be published in June

The Little Rock Catholic Study Bible can help bridge the gap between the ancient world and the 21st century, editor Cackie Upchurch said.
The Little Rock Catholic Study Bible can help bridge the gap between the ancient world and the 21st century, editor Cackie Upchurch said.

Little Rock Scripture Study will publish its first ever study edition of the Bible June 12 to help readers in their personal growth and supplement their Scripture study.
With the updated translations of the Old Testament approved by the U.S. bishops this month, director Cackie Upchurch said the release of the study Bible is timely. The New American Bible translation of the New Testament was released in 1986.
Upchurch said she believes the Little Rock Catholic Study Bible will be different from other Bibles and study editions for many reasons. In addition to the footnotes and cross references that are customary, the study Bible will have 46 pages of articles at the beginning of the Bible written by scholars, including Abbot Jerome Kodell, OSB, of Subiaco Abbey on “Why Study the Bible” and Bishop Anthony B. Taylor on “The Teachings of ‘Dei Verbum.’” The study Bible also will include a timeline and 16 color maps. Within every book of the Bible, there is supplemental material on archaeology, terminology, liturgical uses of the Bible, social justice and cultural world of the Bible. Sister Macrina Wiederkehr, OSB, of St. Scholastica Monastery in Fort Smith, wrote “prayer starters” related to verses throughout the book.
Upchurch said she believes there are many reasons that Catholics should have a study edition of the Bible. She said these editions can bridge the gap between the ancient world and the 21st century by explaining the culture, languages and geography. It is also more visual to readers because they include photographs, maps, timelines and charts.
“A good study edition of the Bible will have staying power and will become a vital tool for personal growth time and again over the years,” she said. “It is also an excellent supplement to any group study of a book of the Bible or biblical themes. It does not replace a full commentary but draws out important lessons and insights to reinforce or clarify aspects of Scripture.”
With a new translation of the Old Testament to be published in March, Upchurch said Catholics are not required to buy new Bibles, but there are some benefits to investing in a new version.
“Study should always be accompanied by the most current translation of an approved text because we know a lot more,” she said. “Scholars learn more about the ancient language every day, believe it or not. It is because they are finding things from parallel texts or extra biblical texts that help them understand how the language was used. … Part of it also is we realize that our own language is somewhat fluid. We don’t change the translation every few weeks when a new word becomes popular, but you have to admit our English is very different from Elizabethan English.”
She said for the purpose of prayer, using an older edition of the Bible is fine, but for study purposes it is better to have an updated and more accurate translation.
“In the next few years they will want to get a new Bible, particularly people who are wanting to do Bible study will find it beneficial. … The biology textbook I had in 1973 in high school is nothing like the biology text my nieces and nephews use. Part of it is there are new discoveries. People might say there are no new discoveries in the Bible, but in fact there are some. There are new discoveries about the language and about the culture and archaeology. So we do learn things that really can be helpful. We wouldn’t keep using the same textbook in any thing else. This isn’t a textbook; it’s a life book.”
Upchurch, who served as general editor, was assisted by Sister Irene Nowell, OSB, of Atchison, Kan., as the Old Testament editor and Father Ronald D. Witherup, SS, of Paris, France, as the New Testament editor.
Upchurch said this is by far the largest and longest project she has worked on. The book totals more than 2,600 pages and has been in the works for about nine years. Most of the writing on the project was done in 2003 and 2004. The final publication of the Bible was coordinated to come out when the Old Testament translation was approved.
In 2010 Little Rock Scripture Study released “The Four Gospels,” a study Bible of Matthew, Mark, Luke and John to give readers a glimpse of what the Little Rock Catholic Study Bible will be like. The content of the supplementary material in “The Four Gospels” will be the same in the study Bible.
Little Rock Catholic Study Bible can be pre-ordered from Liturgical Press at www.litpress.org for $49.95 for a hardback or $39.95 for a paperback. Bulk discounts are available. If ordered before Feb. 28, a 20-percent discount can be earned by entering the promo code LRBIBLE. The Bible will also be available through Catholic bookstores and Amazon.

Malea Hargett

Malea Hargett has guided the diocesan newspaper as editor since 1994. She finds strength in her faith through attending Walking with Purpose Bible studies at Christ the King Church in Little Rock.

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