A Catholic approach to the Hebrew Bible
Richard J. Clifford
Posted inThe Good Word
Apocalytpic Literature Readings
Some readings at the end of the liturgical year and the beginning of Advent are from apocalyptic books such as Daniel and the little apocalypses in the Synoptic Gospels These passages refer to cosmic disturbances sun and mood falling out of the sky wars and terror-stricken people giving th
Posted inThe Good Word
The Salvation of Nations
21st Sunday Ordinary Time Isa 66 18-21 is the conclusion of the book of Isaiah that began with God s condemnation of Zion a sacred name for Jerusalem as utterly corrupt 1 21-28 and his promise of a purifying visitation or judgment that would make it righteous This threatening passage howe
Posted inThe Good Word
Wisdom of Solomon and Hebrews 11
Wisdom of Solomon also known as the Book of Wisdom offers a perspective on Luke 12 An extended essay in elegant Greek Wisdom of Solomon was written for Egyptian Jews around the first century B C Like some of the literature produced in this period it retells biblical traditions in an elaborate
Posted inThe Good Word
Prayer in Genesis and Luke
On one level this Sunday s readings from Genesis and Luke both inculcate perseverance in prayer It is surely an important point because many people give up on prayer fairly quickly if nothing happens Abraham certainly keeps after God And to judge from Luke 11 5-8 Jesus would applaud such b
Posted inFrom Our Archives
Did It Happen? Is It True?
Several years ago I gave a talk on the Book of Genesis to a full parish hall. After explaining that Chapters 2 to 11 are traditional stories rather than historical reports, I was confronted by an angry questioner: If these stories are fables, then what can we believe? What about Moses? What about th
Posted inBooks
Inundation or Interpretation?
Chapters 6 through 8 of the Book of Genesis tell how God in response to human wickedness sent a flood to wipe out the human race sparing only the righteous Noah and his family and the animals they gathered into their ark The biblical account interweaves two versions an older one conventionally
Posted inFrom Our Archives
Creationism’s Value?
"The whole battle is hotting up," declared Ken Ham to The New York Times (12/1/99). A disillusioned science teacher turned creationist, Ham opposes the theory of evolution. He proposes instead a literal reading of the first chapter of the Book of Genesis: God created the world in six days.