Letter & Spirit, Volumes 1-10: A Journal of Catholic Biblical Theology, edited by Scott Hahn (EPUB, MOBI, PDF)

A publication of the St. Paul Center for Biblical Theology in Steubenville, Ohio, Letter & Spirit is a journal of Catholic biblical theology for the new millennium that seeks to foster a deeper conversation on Sacred Scripture and the divine liturgy of the Church. Volumes of the Letter & Spirit journal are published annually. This new journal of biblical theology, published in collaboration with Scott Hahn and the St. Paul Center for Biblical Theology, takes a crucial step toward recovering the fundamental link between the literary and historical study of Scripture and its religious and spiritual meaning in the Church’s liturgy and Tradition.

Letter & Spirit, Vol. 1: Reading Salvation: Word, Worship, and the Mysteries

A publication of the St. Paul Center for Biblical Theology in Steubenville, Ohio, "Letter & Spirit" is a new journal of Catholic biblical theology which seeks to foster a deeper conversation about the Bible. In light of the advancements of the last century in recapturing the historical and literary context of Scripture, "Letter & Spirit" embraces the challenge of the next century--linking the scientific study of Scripture to its liturgical sense in the Church's living tradition.

Letter & Spirit, Vol. 2: The Authority of Mystery: The Word of God and the People of God

Letter & Spirit is a journal of Catholic biblical theology for the new millennium. It seeks to foster deeper understanding of sacred Scripture and the divine liturgy of the Church. This second volume of the journal, The Authority of Mystery: The Word of God and the People of God, is inspired by the scholarship of Pope Benedict XVI especially Benedict s concerns about the relation of the Bible to faith in Christ. The editors write in their introduction: As we write in our introduction: How to read the Bible is, at bottom, a question about the identity of Jesus. Is he Jesus of Nazareth only, or is he also the Christ, the Son of the living God? Did he have a divine mission to reveal the mystery of God, or was he only a man like others? Does he remain among us in sacrament and liturgy? Letter & Spirit is published annually by the St. Paul Center for Biblical Theology, a nonprofit research and educational institute founded by Dr. Scott Hahn.

Letter & Spirit, Vol. 3: The Hermeneutic of Continuity Christ, Kingdom, and Creation

This is the third annual volume of the remarkably popular journal of biblical theology edited by Dr. Scott Hahn. This volume features important contributions by Pope Benedict XVI, Cardinal Christoph Schonborn, and Cardinal Avery Dulles. Also included are original and thought-provoking contributions on such topics as: the biblical basis of indulgences; feminine and maternal images of the Holy Spirit in early Christianity; and the “image of God” doctrine in St. Thomas Aquinas’ writings. Hahn contributes a deep exploration of how the Gospel of Luke portrays Christ as the Davidic Messiah and the Church as the restoration of the Davidic kingdom.

Letter & Spirit, Vol. 4: Temple and Contemplation God's Presence in the Cosmos, Church, and Human Heart

This is the fourth annual volume of the remarkably popular journal of biblical theology edited by Scott Hahn and his St. Paul Center for Biblical Theology. This volume features important new works by Hahn, Gary Anderson, John Cavadini, Brant Pitre, among others. Inspired by the ground-breaking work of Yves Congar and Jean Danielou, this volume includes original and thought-provoking contributions on such topics as: the Tabernacle and the origins of Christian mysticism; Jesus self-consciousness of being the new Temple and the new High Priest; and the doctrine of the indwelling of the Trinity in the soul; Hahn contributes a new perspective on the Gospel of John, showing how Israel's Temple and feasts are fulfilled in Christ and the sacraments of the Church. As the editors write in their introduction to this volume: The Temple theme is perhaps the richest in all of biblical theology, embracing the mysteries of Christ, Church, and Kingdom; liturgy, sacraments, and priesthood; salvation, sanctification, and divine filiation. These are the beautiful mysteries we contemplate in this volume of Letter & Spirit.

Letter & Spirit, Vol. 5: Liturgy and Empire: Faith in Exile and Political Theology

This is the fifth annual volume of the remarkably popular journal of biblical theology edited by Scott Hahn and his St. Paul Center for Biblical Theology. This volume features important new works by Hahn, Brant Pitre, Matthew Levering, and Robert Barron, among others. The issue explores the biblical themes of Church and state; idolatry and power; religion and violence; worship and sacrifice; the Kingdom of God; and the Eucharist. Highlights include Hahn’s new essay on the “prophetic historiography” of 1 and 2 Chronicles; and Pitre’s essay on “Jesus, the Messianic Banquet, and the Kingdom of God.” The journal, which always seeks to reprint classic texts alongside groundbreaking new works, this time includes a new translation of St. Thomas Aquinas’ “Lectures on 2 Thessalonians”—the first time this work has been translated into English. Also included are an influential work by Louis Bouyer on “Satan and Christ in the New Testament and Early Tradition.” The volume concludes with a classic homily by Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger, now Pope Benedict XVI on “the morality of exile.”

Letter & Spirit, Vol. 6: For the Sake of Our Salvation: The Truth and Humility of God's Word

This is the sixth annual volume of the remarkably popular journal of biblical theology edited by Scott Hahn and his St. Paul Center for Biblical Theology. This volume features an all-star lineup tackling one of the most controversial and important subjects in biblical scholarship — the inspiration and truth of Sacred Scripture. What does it mean to say that Scripture is “the Word of God”? Are there “errors” in Scripture? These are some of the questions addressed in important new works by Hahn, Brant Pitre, Pablo Gadenz, Michael Waldstein, John Betz, and Germain Grisez. Highlights include Hahn’s new essay on the “the truth and humility of God’s Word” and Gadenz’s authoritative review of the Catholic teaching on the “inerrancy” of Scripture. This volume also includes a never-before-translated essay by Romano Guardini, “Holy Scripture and the Science of Faith.” From the Editors’ introduction: “ The widespread erosion in the assumption that Scripture is the true Word of God forms the broader context for the articles and studies in this volume of Letter & Spirit. As we see it, the work we present in these pages is no ivory tower exercise. It is no exaggeration to say that at stake in this discussion is the future of the identity of the Church and the mission of the Word incarnate. If the Scriptures cannot be trusted to communicate the truth about God and his saving message, if they do not bring us to the encounter with the living God who speaks his Word, then it must be asked: what is the meaning and purpose of the Church?”

Letter & Spirit, Vol. 7: The Bible and the Church Fathers: The Liturgical Context of Patristic Exegesis

This is the seventh annual volume of the remarkably popular journal of biblical theology edited by Scott Hahn and his St. Paul Center for Biblical Theology. This volume responds to the call of Pope Benedict XVI in his Apostolic Exhortation Verbum Domini for a thoughtful return to the Fathers of the Church and how they approached Sacred Scripture. This is not in any way to jettison historical-critical methods and the valuable insights that modern biblical scholarship has brought to light. It is simply to acknowledge what Pope Benedict calls for, a measured return to the interpretive methods employed by the Church Fathers as well as the theology that flowed from their exegetical labors. As he said, “The Church Fathers present a theology that still has great value today because at its heart is the study of sacred Scripture as a whole. Indeed, the Fathers are primarily and essentially commentators on sacred Scripture.” Highlights include original articles by Fr. William Kurtz, SJ, Matthew Levering, Father Stephen Ryan, OP, Stephen Hildebrand, Owen Phelan, and Michael Barber, as well as an original translation of Joseph Ratzinger’s (Pope Benedict XVI) foundational essay “Vicarious Representation” by Father Jared Wicks, SJ.

Letter & Spirit, Vol. 8: Promise and Fulfillment: The Relationship Between the Old and New Testaments

Promise and Fulfillment: The Relationship Between the Old and the New Testaments is the eight volume in the acclaimed series from Scott Hahn’s St. Paul Center for Biblical Theology. Letter & Spirit, the most widely read journal of Catholic Biblical Theology in English, seeks to foster a deeper conversation about the Bible. The series takes a crucial step toward recovering the fundamental link between the literary and historical study of Scripture and its religious and spiritual meaning in the Church’s liturgy and Tradition. This volume features an all-star lineup tackling one of the oldest questions in Christian biblical scholarship — the relationship between the Old and New Testaments. Highlights include Hahn’s essay on the meaning of covenant in Hebrews 9 and Brant Pitre’s reading of the parable of the Royal Wedding Feast (Matt 22:1-14) against the backdrop of Jewish Scripture and tradition.

Letter & Spirit, Vol. 9: Christ and the Unity of Scripture

The St. Paul Center for Biblical Theology and Dr. Scott Hahn present the ninth annual edition of Letter & Spirit with the theme "Christ and the unity of Scripture". The seven highly-readable articles explore, from the Gospels of Matthew and John, to the letters of St. Paul, how the seemingly disparate themes and images are unified - and therefore properly understood - in Christ. The articles, while academic in nature, are easily accessible to the average reader and can be read with great profit, both spiritually and in coming to learn the truths of the Catholic faith more deeply.

Letter & Spirit, Vol. 10: Christ Our Passover: Theological Exegesis of St. Paul

The St. Paul Center for Biblical Theology and Dr. Scott Hahn present the tenth annual edition of Letter & Spirit with the theme “Christ Our Passover.” The articles, while academic in nature, are easily accessible to the average reader and can be read with great profit, both spiritually and in coming to learn the truths of the Catholic faith more deeply.