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Based on the Revised Standard Version, Second Catholic Edition, this volume leads readers through a penetrating study of Genesis, using the biblical text itself and the Church's own guidelines for understanding the Bible. Ample notes accompany each page, providing fresh insights and commentary by renowned Bible teachers Scott Hahn and Curtis Mitch, as well as time-tested interpretations from the Fathers of the Church. These helpful study notes make explicit what Genesis often assumes. They also provide rich historical, cultural, geographical, and theological information pertinent to Genesis. The Ignatius Study Bible also includes Topical Essays, Word Studies and Charts. Each page includes an easy-to-use Cross-Reference Section. Study Questions are provided for Genesis. These can deepen your personal study of God's Holy Word. There is also an introductory essay covering questions of authorship, date, destination, structure, and themes. An outline of Genesis is also included. "Once a generation a truly unique Bible tool is given to the Church. The Ignatius Study Bible is a gift for our generation. This is the most important book since the Catechism of the Catholic Church. Every parish study group and every student of Sacred Scripture should own and use this Bible".--David Currie Author, Born Fundamentalist, Born Again Catholic. "This Bible study Bible is a triumph of both piety and scholarship, in the best Catholic tradition: simply the most useful succinct commentary that any Christian or other interested person could hope for."--Erasmo Leiva-Merikakis Author, Fire of Mercy, Heart of the Word. "With copious historical and theological notes, incisive commentary and tools for study, Genesis come alive in their historical setting and contemporary application. The wisdom of the Fathers and the teaching of the Church illuminate its every page. Hahn and Mitch have done much of the work for us. Unabashedly Catholic, this series will assist the scholar as well as the beginner to Bible study."--Stephen Ray Author, Upon This Rock --Book Jacket.… (more)
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Each volume of the series begins with a general introduction to the entire series. This section
The next introduction is devoted to Genesis itself. Authorship and dating, structure, literary background, and more are covered here. Written in a fairly scholarly manner, but accessible to any educated and interested reader, it provides a fine overview and jumping off point to begin one's study.
In the text itself, extensive footnotes often fill up a third of a page, and sometimes a half a page or more. Icon annotations related to the Church's three criteria for biblical interpretation (content and unity, living tradition, and analogy of faith) are once again used, as appropriate, in the footnotes. These icons are particularly helpful to a user who may be pursuing a particular angle in his study or research. In substance, the footnotes are loaded. There is frequent reference to other Scripture passages, non-canonical religious and secular ancient texts, works of the Fathers of the Church, official Church documents (especially the Catechism of the Catholic Church), and explanation of Hebrew, Greek (LXX), and Latin (Vulgate) words and names. In addition, an appreciation of the culture and mores of these ancient times is provided to the reader through clear explanations.
Deeper dives into the material are provided through maps, charts, essays, and word studies distributed generously throughout the text. All are valuable and should be used, but the charts and essays are absolutely indispensible.
Study questions for each chapter fill up a dozen pages at the end of the booklet. Questions "for understanding" reinforce important passages and themes in the text and information found in the footnotes. "For application" questions challenge the studier personally here and now. All questions are substantial and well thought out, thus helping to ensure retention of material and provoking of thought. Great for all users, but particularly helpful for Bible study facilitators, since the latter will not (necessarily) have to provide questions for discussion themselves.
I was surprised to find that the booklet is in large format (8 ½ x 11) compared to the NT series (6 x 9). This allows for easier reading and larger margins for notes, while permitting the user to lay it flat. The notes pages in the back of the NT booklets have been eliminated with this volume; retaining a couple pages or more specifically for notes would have been nice, particularly anticipating its use in formal Bible studies.
Although it is touched upon in the general introduction to the series, I would have liked to have seen a dedicated overview of the Old Testament in general in this volume. Expanding on the Church's teaching on Catholic understanding of the OT (as found succinctly in Dei verbum 14-16), would have helped the reader or Bible study facilitator to better orient himself when reading this and subsequent OT texts.
This booklet provides an excellent study of the first book of the Bible. Indispensible for personal study or devotion, group study, homily aid, or scholarly research, this volume should be in the library of every Christian (and non-Christian for that matter) serious about understanding the Scriptures better and appreciating them more deeply.
Hopefully this introduction to the Old Testament will spur a new appreciation for these books, which "written under divine inspiration, remain permanently valuable" (DV 14), and inspire many to lead or form Bible study groups. For anyone who finds the Hebrew Scriptures intimidating or not particularly relevant, The Ignatius Catholic Study Bible: Genesis works powerfully to eliminate both of these issues.