Oates 50s.) This is the English translation by G. Patrick Campbell of Introduction aux Livres Saints first published in French in 1954. It is an admirable basis of work for the student and general reader, not of course intended to replace the Bible but to show the student how to du so, and, most important of all to make him want to. The approach is historical, outlining God's revelation to mankind from the establishment of the 'chosen people in Abraham and Moses to the summing-up in the Johartine writings at the end of the first century AD. Each chapter is accompanied by relevant texts selected from non-biblical sources as diverse as the Epic of Gilgamesh, the Testament of Levi and the writings of Louis Bouyer. Incidentally one is introduced to some lovely Canaanite poetry and Babylonian psalms. The book is rounded off with a comprehensive sketch of background subjects such as the nature of inspiration arid the relation of Scripture and Tradition. This treatment has numerous merits: for instance the student is set off on the right foot to consider the problem of Genesis I-XI by first reading the story of creation as one of the traditions of the people of Israel.
• Record of the Fulfilment: The New Testament by Fr. Wilfrid J. Harrington OP (Geoffrey Chapman 60s.) This is the third of a series by Fr, Harrington, "Record of Revelation: The Bible," and "Record of the Promise: The Old Testament" being the two previous volumes. Again the approach is historical, beginning with an outline history of New Testament times, a chapter on the formation of the synoptic gospels, and then proceeding in
detail from the Gospel of St. Mark through to the Juhannine writings. The presentation is well suited to the needs of paston and those engaged in work with study groups. The greatest matter is condensed into the least space with that clarity and orderliness which a goad teacher can induce. The study of formcriticism, pp. 79-92, is an outstanding example of this; the best I have ever seen.
• The Relevance of the New Testament by Heinrich Sohlier (Burns & Oates 45s.) Heinrich Schlier, professor of New Testament exegesis at Bonn who became a Catholic in 1953, ,is a disciple and colleague of Bultmann. That a Bultmannian critic could reconcile Catholicism and the Bible was inevitably a source of theological controversy. More important it is the source of those invaluable fourteen studies of the theology of the New Testament. The subject matter is as varied as politics and angeIology, and the style ranges from popular to scholarly. The reading is consistently profitable..
• Jesus Cod and Man by Fr. Raymond E. Brown SS (Geoffrey Chapman 25s). This is a valuable example of a fairly rare type of work: a popular study that is very readable without any loss of scholarly depth. Fr. Brown distinguishes between theology and scripture studies and does not try to make one do the work of the other. He considers history to be an art rather than a science. He does not regard the deposit of faith as a kind of intellectual bank balance, but as living and growing knowledge. Above all his work is imbued with a deep personal love and reverence for our Lord. Out of this comes a scriptural
study of the divinity and humanity of Jesus profound, scholarly and readable.
• The Gospels and the Jesus of History by Fr. Xavier LeonDufour S.J. (Collins 36s). The question "What do you think of Christ?" has been continually
asked for 2000, years, but in the last forty years the answer has become more complex because of the new methods of critical research which have been applied to the scriptures. And an answer is required not only by scholars but by those untrained in historical interpretation and exegesis. This English edition (about half the length) of a work which appeared in French in 1963 serves this purpose, partly because the paraphernalia of references and footnotes of the French edition has been eliminated, and more completely, because the author has such a complete grasp of his subject that he can communicate the fruits of his massive scholarship to the reader we so often name general. The translator and "abbreviator," Fr. John McHugh of Ushaw College is to be congratulated in preserving the comprehensive erudition of the original. It is impossible in a short space to do justice to such a work; let it suffice to say that even a study of the list of contents will provide the seeds of an answer for anything one can ask about the mystery of Jesus,
• Gospel According to Saint Luke: A Commentary by Fr. Wilfrid J. Harrington O.P. (Geoffrey Chapman 35s). Fr. Harrington's work needs no introduction; we have here the learning and clarity of exposition we now take for granted. We must remark, however, on the quality of the brief introduction and the handy layout of the commentary: historical cliviion of the
whole gospel followed by brief sections of text each with its own commentary. No clumsy thumbing M several books at once.
• Dictionary of Biblical Theology edited under the direction Fr. Xavier Leon-Dufour S.J. (Geoffrey Chapman 63s). One need only glance down the list of contributors with worldrfamous names like Benoit and Spicq to appreciate the learning and authority of this compenious work. At the same time the book is designed to serve pastoral need. One can sample the service of scholarship to pastoral purposes in an article like the one on Angels, where a complete conspectus of scriptural references to angels is given with full range of sources and authorities. More an encyclopedia than a dictionary.
• ABC of the Bible by Fr. Hubert Richards (Geoffrey Chapman 2Is). Fr. Richards's book is, as the title indicates, more modest than the above. but it is a handy volume.
• Abraham Father of Believers by Angel Gonzalez (Bums & Oates 25s), This is a study of religion and the main themes associated with it, faith, hope, trust, prayer, the ultimate meaning of life, which should interest all who are concerned about religious values whether they be believers or agnostics, • The Hope of Glory by Marcus Loane (Hodder & Stoughton 25s). A detailed study
ein and grace in the eighth chapter of the Epistle to the Romans.
• The Drama of the Psalms by Donald Anders-Richards (Darton, Longman, Todd 12s 6d). An introduction to the cultic interpretation of the psalms as hymns for temple worship in the historical life of Israel.