Philippians, Colossians, Philemon: A Catholic Bible Commentary on the New Testament by Trusted Biblical Scholars | CCSS

Catholic Commentary on Sacred Scripture

by Dennis Hamm, Peter Williamson (Editor), Mary Healy (Editor)

Philippians, Colossians, and Philemon, written by Paul from prison in the middle of the first century, were addressed to specific Christian communities facing concrete challenges. What did these letters mean at the time, and what do they mean for us today?

In this addition to the Catholic Commentary on Sacred Scripture, seasoned New Testament scholar Dennis Hamm explores the significance of these letters and their enduring relevance to the life and mission of the church. Based on solid scholarship yet readily accessible, the book is enriched with pastoral reflections and applications and includes sidebars on the living tradition and biblical background.

Genres: Catholic, Reference

256 pages, Paperback

First published November 1, 2013

About the author

Dennis Hamm, SJ (PhD, St. Louis University), is professor of New Testament and Graff Chair in Catholic Theological Studies at Creighton University in Omaha, Nebraska, where he has taught Scripture for over thirty-five years. He is the author of several books and numerous articles.

Reviews

[Luke · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was another helpful commentary in the CCSS series. I particularly liked Hamm's discussions on the political implications of Paul's depiction of Jesus as "Lord Christ", in stark opposition to the emperor's title as "Lord Caesar". If anything was lacking in this commentary, I would have liked to see a bit more explanation as to how certain Catholic practices do not fall into the "human traditions" that Paul condemns in Colossians 2:16-23, a topic which Hamm briefly glossed over. I find that this section from Colossians (which Hamm admits is perhaps the central teaching of Colossians) is among the most commonly cited by critics of Catholicism, so I would have expected a Catholic commentary to spend a bit more time defending the Catholic view.

Overall, this was a very helpful commentary and I would recommend it.

[Mainerd Sorensen · Rating 5 out of 5]

It is provided a "sea change" in my thinking about "safety." I came across the text looking for the roots of "Just Culture," which is the paradigm underlying Ohio's Board of Nursing disciplinary process.

The author makes it pretty darn clear that a organization will never get to be one of those highly reliable (and safest) organization without there is REAL open communication and trust.

[Dim Bulb · Rating 4 out of 5]

Insightful and non-technical. For those with little or no knowledge of these three letters this book-part of a fine series on the NT- would be a good starting point for rectification of that.