Rating: 
Summary: Good Enough to Buy Twice
Review: I first purchased the Catholic Study Bible as a text requirement for a Pauline Doctrine course when studying for my Master's of Theology. Since then, this book has become my bible of choice, accompanying me on my daily journey of faith. While I understand that the Revised Standard Version may sometimes contain a truer nuance of the ancient texts, the Catholic Church in America uses the NAB version in liturgy, so it's worth pursuing at home. I misplaced my beloved bible about a month ago, and have decided to buy the same version again!
Rating:
Summary: The bread of life
Review: I like this Bible for study purposes. When you come across a strange word or Jewish custom that you do not understand, the footnotes help you out. I have not used the reading guides all that much, so I cannot comment on those.Of course this is far too big to carry around, but what do you expect from a hardback study Bible?
Rating:
Summary: You've got to start with the Scriptures!
Review: I like this Bible for study purposes. When you come across a strange word or Jewish custom that you do not understand, the footnotes help you out. I have not used the reading guides all that much, so I cannot comment on those. Of course this is far too big to carry around, but what do you expect from a hardback study Bible?
Rating:
Summary: For Catholics who want Theology
Review: I think we Catholics have two problems: 1) We don't read the Bible half enough, and 2) we're always stuck on, "What's the orthodox view?" If you want orthodoxy, this *translation* is the way to go. It's the official translation of the American church, and yet the gender neutralization is annoying, but I think for the most part they did a great job in the translation and took much care to translate from the original language and to even keep the sentence structure much the same. It mostly does not over-translate, lest it interpret too. By finding a good medium, the Bible is not closed off but its mysteries are wide open before us. But, yes, the commentary in the front of this edition do contain *THEOLOGICAL* notes that are not necessarily standard Church teachings. But that is the point of THEOLOGY. The notes in front are for background info and Theology, NOT for outlining church teachings. If you want those, read the Catechism, not the Bible. And most of the Theology mentioned in the front is NOT being preached, but it points out the Theological thought at the time when the books were written. It is a very well-done, well-researched commentary that can teach you a lot about the mindsets of the people who wrote the books. I bought this book to aid me in intensely reading the Bible for Theological study. I am a college student of Theology at a university that swears orthodoxy to the magisterium, and is known for its sound teachings.
Rating:
Summary: For Catholics who want Theology
Review: I think we Catholics have two problems: 1) We don't read the Bible half enough, and 2) we're always stuck on, "What's the orthodox view?" If you want orthodoxy, this *translation* is the way to go. It's the official translation of the American church, and yet the gender neutralization is annoying, but I think for the most part they did a great job in the translation and took much care to translate from the original language and to even keep the sentence structure much the same. It mostly does not over-translate, lest it interpret too. By finding a good medium, the Bible is not closed off but its mysteries are wide open before us. But, yes, the commentary in the front of this edition do contain *THEOLOGICAL* notes that are not necessarily standard Church teachings. But that is the point of THEOLOGY. The notes in front are for background info and Theology, NOT for outlining church teachings. If you want those, read the Catechism, not the Bible. And most of the Theology mentioned in the front is NOT being preached, but it points out the Theological thought at the time when the books were written. It is a very well-done, well-researched commentary that can teach you a lot about the mindsets of the people who wrote the books. I bought this book to aid me in intensely reading the Bible for Theological study. I am a college student of Theology at a university that swears orthodoxy to the magisterium, and is known for its sound teachings.
Rating: 
Summary: retraction
Review: I would like to retract the last 2 star review that I gave, it is somewhat excessive. I stand by my comments from the first review that I gave, and I would suggest that those interested in the Catholic Study Bible also consider purchasing the St. Joseph's Edition of the New American Bible instead. The Doctrinal Index and Dictionary are very helpful, while the information in the reading guides of the New American Bible can be obtained in an inexpensive introduction to the bible. The Catholic Study Bible is a fairly good edition of the Bible, unfortunately it lacks the excellent Doctrinal Index of the St. Joseph's Edition. Also, in some of the reading guides, there is perhaps, I slight tendency to overemphasis the distinction between the Bible as lived in the Church today and the bible in the history of the Tradition.
Rating:
Summary: The bread of life
Review: If you have the desire and need to dilligently search for and completely appreciate Jesus Christ, then I would recommend that you read, study, and reflect on this book. This book shines a bright light on the spiritual, inspirational, and life-giving qualities of all of the books of the Bible. From the reference articles, to the reading guides, to the inroductions to the books of the Bible, and, most importantly, to the very text of the books of the Bible, itself, the Catholic Study Bible brilliantly and wonderfully opens the doors of understanding God - the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spririt; the divine plan of God; the reasons God created the universe and everything in it; discipleship; faith; hope; and love.
Rating: 
Summary: Leather Bound Bible with Modernist Comments and Analysis
Review: Nice quality bible that could have had more room in the margins for my own personal notes but that is just my request to the publishers of study bibles in general. This bible provides easy to follow crossreferences (links) to related passages and concepts. The Reader Guides to each book of the bible provide historical and other information that is easy to digest with a Modernist bent. So, the Reader Guide material shows what the latest intellectuals are theorizing as to what the Bible is as far as its literary aspects and its histroically correct aspects. This Study Bible does not present traditional Catholic teaching well but is very popular today. Some of the guides are sound and offer spiritual insights (since there are different authors for each of the books in the bible). Modern interpretations and datings are presented as facts, even on points where there is much debate. I do like a bible that translates Ecclesiastes 1:2 as "Vanity of Vanities, said the preacher" and not just "All is to no purpose, said the preacher". This bible gives it to me in the more stylish and meaningful "Vanity ..." fashion. The leather cover could have been slightly thicker and the margins could have been slightly wider but the content will show what the most recent studies on the bible have shown.
Rating:
Summary: Two-in One
Review: The beauty of this NAB is that it offers two services in one. First, it is a faithful translation of the ancient and ever-new inspired scriptures. This is the product of the finest Catholic Biblical scholars in the English-speaking world today. Secondly, it provides helpful footnotes and excellent introductory articles which offer readers an orientation to the Bible ingeneral, contemporary study and scholarly conclusions, as well as a sketch of the issues and background that concern each book of the Bible. I differ with the two other reviewers above in regard to this Bible. I believe it is not only for the serious scholar, but indeed can help the new Bible reader and the "average" reader appreciate the Scriptures more deeply. This version of the Bible can help support Catholic Christians, and Christians of any denomination by helping them to appreciate the important place of the Bible in their life of faith, and to incorparate this timeless wisdom into their everyay life more faithfully. I have found it helpful personally in my own study, and I always recommend it to people who ask what Bible they might purchase.
Rating: 
Summary: A Very Good Study Bible Overall
Review: The Catholic Study Bible is one of the best study bibles for students and scholars of biblical criticism. The biggest asset is the extensive Reading Guides which are very helpful for gaining a historical perspective and general background on all books of the bible. The New American Bible translation and footnotes are understandable enough, but this study bible lacks an important feature: an index or concordance. This study bible is recommended mainly for those in serious critical bible study, not normally for the mainstream Christian.
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