A Monastic Introduction to Sacred Scripture

Among the numerous sets of conferences that Thomas Merton presented to young prospective monks during his decade (1955–1965) as novice master at the Cistercian Abbey of Gethsemani is a wide-ranging introduction to biblical studies, made available for the first time in the present volume. Drawing on church tradition, teaching of recent papal documents, and scholarly resources of the time, he reveals the central importance of the Scriptures for the spiritual growth of his listeners. The extensive introduction situates material of these conferences in the context of Merton’s evolving engagement with the Bible from his own days as a student monk through the mature reflections from his final years on the biblical renewal in the wake of the Second Vatican Council. For Merton, at the heart of any meaningful reading of the Scriptures, not only for monks but for all Christians, is the invitation to respond not just intellectually but with the whole self, to recognize the gospel as “good news,” as a saving, liberating, consoling, challenging word, reflecting his fundamental belief that “the Holy Spirit enlightens us, in our reading, to see how our own lives are part of these great mysteries—how we are one with Jesus in them.”

Thomas Merton (1915-1968)--Catholic convert, Cistercian monk, hermit, poet, contemplative, social critic, and pioneer in interreligious dialogue--was a seminal figure of twentieth-century American Christianity. Among his many books are his best-selling autobiography The Seven Storey Mountain and the modern spiritual classic New Seeds of Contemplation.




Patrick F. O'Connell, a founding member and former president of the International Thomas Merton Society, edits its quarterly publication, The Merton Seasonal, and is coauthor of The Thomas Merton Encyclopedia (2002). He has edited many volumes of Merton's writings, including most recently for Cascade Books A Monastic Introduction to Sacred Scripture (2020) and Notes on Genesis and Exodus (forthcoming).

Bonnie Thurston is a native of southern West Virginia, and lives near Wheeling, WV, having resigned the William F. Orr Professorship in New Testament at Pittsburgh Theological Seminary in 2002. She earned the BA in English from Bethany College, and MA and PhD degrees from the University of Virginia. Bonnie has written or edited eighteen theological books and many articles, has contributed to reference works in New Testament and taught at the university level for thirty years. Her scholarly interests in New Testament include the gospels of Mark and John, the Deutero-Pauline canon and, more generally, the history of Christian Spirituality and prayer. She was ordained in 1984 and has served as co-pastor, pastor, or interim of five churches and twice in overseas ministries. She is an experienced spiritual director and retreat leader. Her poetry frequently appears in religious periodicals, and she has authored five volumes of verse. Bonnie is a widow, an avid reader, gardener and cook, enjoys classical music and loves the West Virginia hills.