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Today, while perusing in a Christian bookstore, I came upon a Biblical Commentary Series entitled: Ancient Christian Commentary . I believe there are nine or 10 volumes total. They are supposedly based on the writings of the Church Fathers but appear to have been written by Protestants. Is anyone familiar with this Commentary series? Is it any good?

John

Glory to Jesus Christ!

I do not know about this comentary and tend to be distrustful of many Protestant publicatiuons. For just the quotes unaltered and without agenda I've always used The Fathers of the Church [newadvent.org] . Its quite impressive IMO. Catholic Answers at http://www.catholic.com liberally uses the quotes of the Church Fathers to back up their apologetics. God Bless!

IC XC NIKA,
-Nik!

Dear Petrus,

Yes, I have several volumes of that series and you are quite right, it was published by Protestants.

But they have, by and large, simply reprinted the Fathers, the Liturgies and other texts with very little of their own theological colouring, which, in any event, is quite lame to boot.

What I find interesting is how those Protestant scholars reviewing those writings thought about how their own modern beliefs square with the teachings of the Fathers on so many issues that conflict with Calvinism.

John Cassian's writings refer to constant prayer by the Fathers of the Thebaid, all kinds of "Podvigs" or spiritual struggles that would sound quite foreign to Calvinist ears.

At one point, one of the holy Fathers of the desert says that scriptural commentaries are entirely unnecessary for the Christian who has achieved purity of heart through prayer and other spiritual exercises.

Why would one then need scriptural commentaries, the Father asks?

Just as the human eye, when cleansed of all obstruction on it, can see clearly and plainly what is in front of it, so too the eye of the soul can see clearly the meaning of Holy Scripture once it too is cleansed of all sinful impurity.

And then there are the Liturgies that they also reprint, which must have sounded strange to those Protestants coming from a non-liturgical tradition . . .

And they had to admit that certain other New Testament deuterocanonical books were, at one time or another, read as Scripture in the Church.

There's just no end to the ravaging that those Holy Fathers of the Church can do to contemporary Protestantism!

It's an excellent series translated responsibly by scholars.

How they squared their beliefs with those of the Fathers they say have kinship with the founders of their denominations is another matter . . .

Alex

Thank you Nik and Alex!

Alex, if I may ask, at what level are these books written? Are they written at a college level, high school, etc?

The organization of the books seem a bit ambitious. That is, it seemed to me that it tried to be the "last word" on biblical commentary.

I, on the other hand, would be suspicious of what they may exclude especially because it doesn't jive with their own tradition and perspective.

Your story of the desert father reminds of St. Mary of Egypt. Supposedly, she would quote biblical passages even though she never "learned" them. She knew them through her spiritual exercises alone. Sola Scriptura? Perhaps?

John

[ 07-10-2002: Message edited by: Petrus ]

Dear Alex;

I decided to pursue this further. I went to one of my favorite sources, Amazon.com and reviewed the reader editorials. I chose the Romans edition as I thought this would be most difficult for Protestants to reconcile. The comments were illuminating.

Some of them included the inclusion of heretics (e.g. Pelagius) to a greater degree than esteemed Fathers (e.g. Athansius and Gregory of Nyssa).

Also, this commentary uses the RSV translation which one editor states downplays the messianic implications of the OT.

I think I'll take my money elsewhere.

John

Fr Deacon John,

the Ss Cyril and Methodius Seminary library has that series on the shelves. Although published by Intervarsity Press, I believe the editorial staff includes Catholic and Orthdox. At any rate, inside the covers are postive reviews from both Catholic and Orthodox clerics. Fr Jack Custer endorses the series as a "must have" for sermon preparation. I believe the intent was to gather appropriate commentary from the Fathers (letters, homilies, etc) on the Sacred Scripture. If you remember Fr James Spontak talked about the series in the Synoptic Gospels' course. (Wait a minute, I forgot you did not particpate in those courses.)

John, who is waiting for the holy haircut.

To my brother in Christ, Petrus:

I have found the "Ancient Christian Commentary on Scripture" to be a wonderful blessing!! It is an incredible aide for me, who teaches/leads Men's Bible studies, to see how the early Fathers applied this to their everyday lives. We should not be concerned about the Protestant editing. (I believe you though the series was WRITTEN by Protestants, to the best of my knowledge that is NOT the case.)

Actually, we should be rejoicing that our Protestant friends are taking an interest in Patristic writings/theology. What better way for them to be convinced of the Apostle's teaching on the Eucharist, for example? And the awareness of the Mass and Divine Liturgy?

This Protestant interest in Patristics, by the way, had its beginnings from an Evangelical event called the Chicago Call (I believe it happened during the mid 70's). There were many Evangelical and mainline Protestants who participated in studying early church history only to find out that they should be re-thinking their theology. Some have converted to Catholicism. But the majority have opted either for Orthodoxy (Peter Gillquist being one), or for churches like the Charismatic Episcopal Church or the Communion of Evangelical Episcopal Churches. You can go to their web sites (type in CEEC, or CEC) to see what they believe. There are two of these churches locally in Phoenix, Arizona, near where I live. They are basically Catholic in nature (liturgical and sacramental) but they still employ the SOLA SCRIPTURA methodology.

These churches have not accepted all of the theology and practices found in Eastern and Western Catholicism and Orthodoxy, but at least they came to the realization of the Real Presence of our Lord's Body and Blood in the Eucharist. To me, that is a great step...and it came about from the early church fathers.

I think we should support and use these commentaries for our edification and applications.
In addition, traditional Catholics such as Fathers Avery Dulles and George Dragas, and inlfuential contemporary Orthodox members such as Father Peter Gillquist and Frederica Mathewes-Green love the series!!! I hope this response will be of help. Please e-mail me and let me know.

A sinner undeserving of His Amazing Grace,
Walter Metrick
waltermetrick@aol.com