A Simple Guide to Matthew (Simple Guides to the Gospels) - Hardcover

SJ, Paul J. McCarren

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 1442218878 ISBN 13: 9781442218871

Publisher: Rowman & Littlefield, 2012

Synopsis

The Gospel writers state they aim to tell the story of Jesus in a clear manner, but throughout Paul McCarren’s years in ministry, he has seen that these simple and important messages are too often missed. In his Simple Guides to the Gospels series, McCarren provides a new translation of each Gospel book, leading readers chapter by chapter through the text. Each section includes scripture and a brief, engaging commentary about how readers can relate to the material. The Simple Guides introduce readers to life in early Christianity, describe points of controversy, and show how each section fits with those that went before. The Simple Guide to Matthew highlights many of Jesus’ compelling sayings, stories such as the Sermon on the Mount, and key themes of Jesus’ ministry, such as trust.

The books in the Simple Guides to the Gospels series are available individually or together as a complete set.

About this title

About the Author

Paul J. McCarren, SJ, works at Loyola Retreat House and at St. Ignatius Church, both in Maryland, while continuing to write Simple Guides to the Bible. A Jesuit priest, he has spent many years in both parish and campus ministry.

Reviews

McCarren, a Jesuit priest, attempts to make the gospels more accessible. Here he looks at the Gospel of Matthew, the first in the New Testament (though not the first to be written; that would be Mark). In his introduction , McCarren explains why a simple guide might be helpful, recalling his own frustrations making his way through some of the more confusing aspects of the writing. In the body of the work, readers will immediately note a friendlier translation; the writing may not soar, but it does give a clearer idea of what’s going on. This is extended by the commentary after each section. Sometimes the commentary just reiterates what’s in the text, but often McCarren goes beyond. For instance, in the parable about the workers in the vineyard who are quarrelsome over their pay, the commentary makes the point that it’s easy to understand the aggrieved response of the all-day workers but then explains the story’s broader context. A basic guide, especially for beginners; volumes on Mark, Luke, and John are also available in the Simple Guides series. --Ilene Cooper

Edition details

• Publisher: Rowman & Littlefield
• Publication date: 2012
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 1442218878
• ISBN 13: 9781442218871
• Binding: Hardcover
• Number of pages: 182