The Sacred Page is a blog written by Catholic professors of biblical studies and theology. Here we offer thoughts on recent trends in contemporary biblical scholarship as well as reflections on the role of Scripture in the life of the Church. This site, therefore, has two audiences in mind: scholars and believers interested in learning more about Sacred Scripture. We hope our posts are of interest to both kinds of readers.
The Sacred Page has long sought to help homilists and bible study leaders by offering detailed reflections on the lectionary readings by scholars who have published works in exegesis and theology. Here you will also find posts on Scripture in the Christian life. Those interested in these areas should especially look pieces written under the labels of “Scripture and the Liturgy” and “Scripture in the Life of the Church.” Our mission here involves a commitment to ecclesial service and we hope these posts will continue to be of help to those engaged in ministry.
At the same time, this site has also always engaged with the world of biblical scholarship. It was one of the first blogs associated with the biblioblogging project aligned with the Society of Biblical Literature. All of its writers are active members in this scholarly organization.
In particular, our approach is informed by the teaching of Vatican II, which explained that “the study of the sacred page is, as it were, the soul of sacred theology” (Dei Verbum §24). This site is committed to engaging the world of biblical studies in a rigorous yet accessible manner that recognizes the need for both historical-critical analysis as well as theological reflection (cf. Dei Verbum §22).
Readers will therefore find posts on recent academic works and trends in contemporary exegesis. Among other things, we hope to raise awareness of some of the fine work that is being done by biblical scholars and contemporary theologians. Our posts are therefore often categorized by the various fields of biblical scholarship such as “Historical Jesus,” “Pauline Studies,” or “Scripture and Tradition” (which looks at reception history of Scripture in early Christian and medieval sources). Though we may not agree on all points with the contemporary exegetes we cite—or even with one another—we aim to always engage scholarship in a respectful and charitable tone. We believe that we can learn a lot from one another, even when we part ways on specific matters of interpretation. In a world that is increasingly marked by polarization, we hope to model an approach that builds bridges across divides and forges meaningful friendships.
For more, see the post that introduced the relaunch of this site in 2020.
Also, please visit our the Facebook Page for this blog here.
ABOUT THE AUTHORS
Michael Patrick Barber is Associate Professor of Sacred Scripture and Theology at the Augustine Institute Graduate School of Theology (Greenwood Village, CO). He is the author of numerous scholarly articles and book reviews for academic journals as well as a number of books. His two latest titles are Paul, A New Covenant Jew: Rethinking Pauline Theology (Eerdmans, 2019), co-authored with Brant Pitre and John Kincaid, and Salvation: What Every Catholic Should Know (Augustine Institute, 2019). He participates regularly in academic societies (e.g., Society of Biblical Literature, Catholic Biblical Association). He also speaks at parishes and Catholic events nationwide, giving talks on the Bible and the life of the Church. He lives in Aurora, CO, with his wife Kimberly and their six children.
On Twitter: @MichaelPBarber. For more on Michael Barber’s academic work, visit his page on Academia.edu.
John S. Bergsma is Professor of Theology at Franciscan University of Steubenville (Steubenville, OH). He holds three degrees in ancient languages and theology from Calvin College and Seminary and a Ph.D. in ancient Christianity and Judaism from the University of Notre Dame. He is a specialist in the Old Testament and the Dead Sea Scrolls. He is the author of numerous scholarly and popular level books, including, The Jubilee from Leviticus to Qumran: A History of Interpretation, VTSup 115 (Brill, 2007) and, more recently, Jesus and the Dead Sea Scrolls: Revealing the Jewish Roots of Christianity (Penguin Random House, 2019). He also sought after as a Catholic speaker and appears regularly at parishes and conferences. He lives in Steubenville, OH, with his wife Dawn and their eight children.
On Twitter: @JohnSBergsma Personal Website: http://www.JohnBergsma.com
Brant Pitre is Distinguished Research Professor of Scripture at the Augustine Institute Graduate School of Theology (Greenwood Village, CO). He earned his Ph.D. in Christianity and Judaism in Antiquity from the University of Notre Dame and an M.T.S. in Biblical Studies and Theology from Vanderbilt University. He is the author of several academic articles as well as numerous scholarly and popular books, including, Jesus, the Tribulation, and the End of the Exile, WUNT 2/204 (Mohr Siebeck, 2005), Jesus and the Last Supper (Eerdmans, 2015), Paul, A New Covenant Jew: Rethinking Pauline Theology (co-authored with Michael Barber and John Kincaid; Eerdmans, 2019), and The Case for Jesus (Image Books, 2016). He has also produced dozens of Bible studies on CD, DVD, and MP3, in which he explores the biblical foundations of Catholic faith and theology. He currently lives in Louisiana, with his wife Elizabeth, and their five children.
Personal Website: www.BrantPitre.com
John A. Kincaid is Associate Professor of Theology and Administrative Chair for University-Wide Programs at the University of Mary (Bismarck, ND). He received his PhD from Ave Maria University, his ThM from Duke Divinity School, and his MA from Covenant Theological Seminary. He has published articles in the Journal for the Study of Paul and His Letters, Letter and Spirit, and is a co-author of Paul, A New Covenant Jew: Rethinking Pauline Theology (Eerdmans, 2019). He and his wife Kristen live in Bismarck, ND, with their children, Natalie, Jack, Evie, Olivia, Gabi, and Mary Grace.
For more on John Kincaid’s academic work, visit his page on Academia.edu.
John Sehorn is Assistant Professor of Theology at the Augustine Institute Graduate School of Theology (Greenwood Village, CO). An Oregon native, John holds a PhD in the History of Christianity from the University of Notre Dame. He is especially interested in biblical studies, patristic exegesis, and medieval theology. He lives in Aurora, CO, with his wife Sarah and their three children.
James Prothro is Assistant Professor at the Augustine Institute Graduate School of Theology (Greenwood Village, CO). A native Texan, he holds degrees in biblical languages, classical literature, and theology. He completed his doctoral work at the University of Cambridge under Simon Gathercole. His dissertation analyzed the Apostle Paul’s vocabulary and theology of “justification.” It is published with Mohr Siebeck as Both Judge and Justifier: Biblical Legal Language and the Act of Justifying in Paul (2018). He is currently writing two books on the Apostle Paul. In addition, he writes theological articles on the inspiration of Scripture and biblical interpretation.
Among other things, James loves playing music, reading fantasy fiction and true crime, and spending time with his wife and three young daughters.
For more on James’ work, visit his academia.edu page.