I spoke this evening at our mission at Holy Family Church. How can we know Jesus Christ? Through the Scriptures.
What version would I recommend? I like the New American Bible because it’s the version closest to what we use in our liturgy and it’s got great notes. It’s also been recently revised to benefit from new bible manuscripts come to light, new archeological discoveries, and new historical and biblical scholarship.
A drawback of a version like the King James is that it stands still and doesn’t benefit from these advances. Fundamentalists would say it’s the Word of God and doesn’t need updating. The Catholic Church, on the other hand, welcomes the advance in understanding and new biblical knowledge as advancing our knowledge of Jesus Christ.
Biblical fundamentalism, by its nature, neglects the gifts of reason. It’s a step backward.
One thing I noticed in the hymns we sang tonight in Holy Family is their rich scriptural base. They’re words from the bible, which are a step towards a biblical spirituality.
I reflected on two sections of Isaiah, the great prophet of Advent. His promise of the kingdom coming on God’s holy mountain seems so unrealistic, given the circumstances Jerusalem, God’s holy mountain, faced in his day. But Isaiah spoke of a promise that comes from God who is with us, who teaches us to pray and live in hope for what’s beyond human power to bring about.
I also spoke of the spirituality of childhood, which calls us to be free from crippling anxieties, forgetful of injuries, sociable, and wonder at all things. At the pinnacle of God’s holy mountain Isaiah, and Jesus after him, places a Child.
The Victor's Place 
Coming from a Fundamentalist background, I really appreciate your remarks. But I admit to having a tender place in my heart for the resonant language of certain scriptures in the KJV.
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How is it that victor hoagland useses secular language cp.
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fundamentalism is cursesd secular language.
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The RSV-CE is the bible I use for the classes I am taking, and is the one I have come to favor. I use my NAB study bible extensively for its excellent reading guides and footnotes. For a recent lesson on “The Song of Songs,” I used the New Jerusalem bible because it was Tolkein’s interpretation. When I’m having difficulty with a particular passage, I have found that It’s handy to have a number of bibles, because I can usually find one that helps me with my question. I even refer to the NIV from time to time.
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We welcome Father Vic to the Bahamas. First night of mission was awesome. Striving to maintain a sense of God’s tremendous promises and spirituality of a child were good thought provokers -timely reflections for Advent. I like the description of the heart of a child: free from crippling anxieties, forgetful of injuries, naturally sociable and a sense of awe & wonder. I think I’ve found my New Year’s resolution.
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The KJV Christmas story can’t be beat. Still the best out there. Gave Fr. Tom your regards.
FV
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Great music last night. The songs carried us along.
Thanks Vernice,
Fr.V
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Have to look into the RSV-CE version, and it looks like I have to definitely come out for a refresher course. Best to Bill.
FV
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Fr Edmond Bliven used always to read Luke 2 on Christmas Eve “because it has greater dignity.” That, of course, is the version my father always read aloud to us on Christmas Eve, too.
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Oh yes, please come out! By the way, this evening we saw relics of St. Vincent Strambi and St. Maria Goretti.
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