Last century, after approximately 40 years of rigorous opposition, the Catholic Church in the 1940s made an undeniable volte-face in attitude towards biblical criticism. The encyclical Divino Afflante Spiritu (1943) instructed Catholic scholars to use the methods of a scientific approach to the study of the Bible that had up to that time been forbidden.
Since that time the result has progressively been the pursuit of virtually uninhibited biblical scholarship by Catholic scholars. Such have been, for example, Raymond E. Brown SS, professor of biblical studies in the Union Theological Seminary, New York, and nearer home Wilfred Harrington, a Dominican, professor of scripture at their House of Studies, senior lecturer at the Milltown Institute of Theology and visiting lecturer at the University of Dublin.
Prof Harrington is a prolific author. Of his 27 books, for use by ministers and leaders in Bible classes and study groups, his Luke Gracious Theologian - The Jesus of Luke (Columba Press) and his The Jesus Story (also Columba) are unsurpassed.
In Luke Gracious Theologian, Harrington sees the evangelist portray Jesus as manifesting the graciousness of God; as saviour in word and deed; as one consistently concerned with the marginalised. Luke sees sinners as in direst need and Jesus as their friend, which was scandalous to the righteous of his day.
The birth stories, peculiar to Matthew and Luke, he sees in Luke 1 and 2 as highlighting his artistic creativity, and an affirmation early in his gospel of the nature of Jesus as one who is saviour, Messiah and Lord. In eight illuminating chapters: Luke, Jesus, Birth of the Messiah: Prophet and Teacher, Vindicator of the Poor, Friend of Sinners, Prayer, and Death and Vindication, this book could provide the soundest scholarly and inspiring sourcebook for a Bible class or study group meeting between the New Year and Easter.
The Jesus Story, which is Harrington's 27th book, is a delight to read. What is common to the four Gospels is that each is addressed to a Christian community with each Gospel writer's perception of the needs and concerns of that community in mind. Each tells the story his way.
Harrington tries to let Jesus, the dominant character in all four, tell his story, which sounds different in each Gospel. This is a novel and effective way of presenting the message of the Gospels while highlighting the distinctiveness of each. Modern scholarly understanding informs the chapters: The Gospels, The Jesus of Mark, The Jesus of Matthew, The Jesus of Luke, and The Jesus of John.
When will such volumes find their way increasingly into Protestant religious bookshops and greater accessibility be given to first-rate Bible studies?
Roz Stirling, the Presbyterian Church's director of youth work, has contributed No 3 of a series of little volumes entitled Break- fast with God (Marshall Pickering/Harper Collins, 120 pp, £3.99 sterling). Volume 3 comprises 120 Bible passages and comment offered as breakfast menu of orange juice, The Big Breakfast, Continental Breakfast and Coffee. The scripture passages are wide-ranging: the comment is pithy and full of insight and relevance. The reading of a page a day and reflection on it throughout the day is a good way to start each day.
Under the auspices of the National Bible Society of Ireland, the Bedell Boyle Lecture will be given on November 22nd at 7.45 p.m. in Buswell's Hotel, Molesworth Street, Dublin. The distinguished lecturer will be Dr Peter Harbison, who will talk on "Scripture on Stone - The High Crosses of Ireland". Admission is free and all are welcome.
Dr Harbison is an archaeologist of great distinction in Ireland. He is the author of several books on Irish archeology and numerous articles. He is a popular lecturer and his lecture will be copiously illustrated.