Francis J. SDB Moloney - Reading the New Testament in the Church: A Primer for Pastors, Religious Educators, and Believers

2015 by Francis J. Moloney

Published by Baker Academic

a division of Baker Publishing Group

P.O. Box 6287, Grand Rapids, MI 49516-6287

www . bakeracademic . com

Ebook edition created 2015

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any meansfor example, electronic, photocopy, recordingwithout the prior written permission of the publisher. The only exception is brief quotations in printed reviews.

Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data is on file at the Library of Congress, Washington, DC.

ISBN 978-1-4412-2248-0

Nihil Obstat : Reverend Peter J. Kenny, STD (Diocesan Censor)

Imprimatur : Monsignor Greg Bennet (Vicar General)

Date: July 28, 2014

The Nihil Obstat and Imprimatur are official declarations that a book or pamphlet is free of doctrinal or moral error. No implication is contained therein that those who have granted the Nihil Obstat and Imprimatur agree with the contents, opinions, or statements expressed. They do not necessarily signify that the work is approved as a basic text for catechetical instruction.

Unless noted otherwise, Scripture quotations are from the Revised Standard Version of the Bible, copyright 1952 [2nd edition, 1971] by the Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

Scripture quotations labeled AT are those of the author.

Scripture quotations labeled NRSV are from the New Revised Standard Version of the Bible, copyright 1989, by the Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

Every now and then a scholarly work so aptly meets a glaring need that one is tempted to cry out, Why wasnt this done before? Once again, Francis Moloney has drawn upon his internationally renowned biblical expertise, vast knowledge of scholarly literature, and theological sensitivity to produce this timely resource for pastors and educators in the Christian tradition. It admirably achieves its aim of bridging the gap between technical biblical scholarship and scriptural literacy in the church.

Brendan Byrne , SJ , University of Divinity (Melbourne)

In this learned but pastoral guidebook, Moloney helps Catholics (and ecumenical readers) read Scripture both critically and with faith in Jesus, and in and for the church. Moloney immerses readers in early Christian beliefs in Jesus death, resurrection, and living presence, vigorously rejecting the common academic distinction between the Jesus of history and the Christ of faith. I heartily recommend this introduction to reading the New Testament as an excellent textbook for seminaries and training programs for deacons and lay Catholic ministers.

William S . Kurz, SJ , Marquette University

Moloneys latest book is a gift for Catholics who want to read the New Testament as both serious Christians and intelligently critical citizens of the modern world. It will also serve as a comprehensive textbook for students who may read only one book on the subject. As always, Moloneys talent as a teacher is bolstered by his scholarship rather than encumbered by it.

Sandra M. Schneiders, IHM , Jesuit School of Theology of Santa Clara University and Graduate Theological Union, Berkeley, California

After many decades as a Catholic priest and a distinguished biblical scholar, Frank Moloney has written this important and reflective book to remind the modern church of the importance of its Scriptures. It guides readers through the New Testament documents with clarity and with the sure hands of an experienced exegete, pastor, and teacher. Reading the New Testament in the Church provides a timely reminder that the modern community of faith, both Catholic and non-Catholic, must read, appreciate, understand, and be informed by its ancient Scriptures.

David Sim , Australian Catholic University

The relationship of Church, Scripture and scriptural interpretation has suddenly become a burning question in many circles. In my view we ought to be glad that an important theological theme of this kind is no longer the preserve of academic interests but has been taken up by local congregations.

Ernst Ksemann, March 12, 1962

For my fellow Salesians, pastors,
religious educators, and believers
at Don Bosco Hall,
Berkeley, California, USA,
and Don Bosco House,
Clifton Hill, Victoria, Australia