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Making Senses Out of Scripture: Reading the Bible as the First Christians Did
Reading the Bible in a way that is as old as Scripture itself, award-winning author Mark P. Shea takes us on a “fly-over” of the biblical story from Genesis to Revelation. He shows you how to explore the literal, allegorical, moral, and anagogical sense of Scripture.
Whether you have been studying Scripture for years, or are encountering it for the very first time,Making Senses Out of Scripture is an invaluable tool that it will help you see biblical revelation afresh, as Christians have done for 2000 years.
Whether you have been studying Scripture for years, or are encountering it for the very first time,Making Senses Out of Scripture is an invaluable tool that it will help you see biblical revelation afresh, as Christians have done for 2000 years.
268 pages, Paperback
First published November 15, 1999
17 people are currently reading
121 people want to read
About the author
Mark P. Shea
18 books20 followersMark P. Shea is a popular Catholic writer and speaker. The author of numerous books, his most recent work is the Mary, Mother of the Son trilogy (Catholic Answers). Mark contributes numerous articles to many magazines, including his popular column “Connecting the Dots” for the National Catholic Register and his regular feature on InsideCatholic.com. Mark is known nationally for his one minute “Words of Encouragement” on Catholic radio. He also maintains the Catholic and Enjoying It blog. In addition, Mark is Senior Content Editor for CatholicExchange.com. He lives in Washington State with his wife, Janet, and their four sons.
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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
July 16, 2021
I have had this book on my shelf for a long time (it came out in 1999) and was finally prompted to read it because I have been asked to do a short exposition on the senses of Scripture for a Bible study group.
Shea does an excellent job. I was interested to know why it took 245 pages to explain the concept of the senses of Scripture. Well, he devotes the entire first of two parts to what he calls 'The Big Picture" which is a summary of the Bible broken up into six covenants (Scott Hahn fans, of which the author is one, will appreciate this approach). For those very familiar with the Bible, going over this is fine but not necessary. For those needing a refresher it is much appreciated. I would say that reading the last chapter of Part 1 is beneficial for all readers before working through Part 2 as it acts as a sort of bridge, discussing typology.
Part 2 is the meat and potatoes. Offering plenty of examples and explanations, it is excellent for the person who wants or needs to go beyond the five paragraphs of the CCC (115-119) specifically devoted to this subject.
Highly recommended for any person who wants to get more out of Scripture by coming to better appreciate the layers of meaning of this inspired text.
Shea does an excellent job. I was interested to know why it took 245 pages to explain the concept of the senses of Scripture. Well, he devotes the entire first of two parts to what he calls 'The Big Picture" which is a summary of the Bible broken up into six covenants (Scott Hahn fans, of which the author is one, will appreciate this approach). For those very familiar with the Bible, going over this is fine but not necessary. For those needing a refresher it is much appreciated. I would say that reading the last chapter of Part 1 is beneficial for all readers before working through Part 2 as it acts as a sort of bridge, discussing typology.
Part 2 is the meat and potatoes. Offering plenty of examples and explanations, it is excellent for the person who wants or needs to go beyond the five paragraphs of the CCC (115-119) specifically devoted to this subject.
Highly recommended for any person who wants to get more out of Scripture by coming to better appreciate the layers of meaning of this inspired text.
November 3, 2013
This was a very solid, accessible treatment of how to read Scripture. The author sets out the various "senses" of scripture, including the literal, allegorical, moral and anagogical meanings of scripture. The book also neatly explains the necessity of Tradition and the teaching authority of the Church in understanding scriptures and as a means of ensuring that we understand it's true meaning.
Author Shea presents his themes very logically. You don't need a degree in theology in order to get a lot out of this book!
Author Shea presents his themes very logically. You don't need a degree in theology in order to get a lot out of this book!
September 13, 2024
A FORMER EVANGELICAL AND CONVERT TO CATHOLICISM GIVES SOME "BASIC TOOLS”
Mark Shea is a popular Catholic apologist and speaker, who has also written 'By What Authority? an Evangelical Discovers Catholic Tradition,' 'This Is My Body: An Evangelical Discovers The Real Presence,' 'The Heart of Catholic Prayer: Rediscovering the Our Father and the Hail Mary,' 'The Work of Mercy: Being the Hands and Heart of Christ,' and 'Salt and Light: The Commandments, the Beatitudes, and a Joyful Life.'
He wrote in the Introduction to this 1999 book, "When I was twenty years old, I went to college, but I did not get the education I thought I was going to get. Instead, I had an encounter with the living God... I continued for about seven years... imagining 'Scripture alone' was sufficient for me to discern the revelation of God. Then something happened that brought me back to reality... The trouble came with a little book by an author who I later discovered to be what theologians call an extreme Calvinist. He was a cheery fellow who agreed that Scripture is all you need... my inability to appreciate our friend's picture of God was a sign that I had not experienced Irresistible Grace and was therefore, sooner or later, destined to be damned...
"It is difficult to exaggerate the devasting impact this little book had on me... I discovered... The Catholic Church... had chewed the problem over with a lot of thought ... and had discovered some rather respectable answers to my Calvinist friend... In short, I found the teaching office or Magisterium of the Church had done its homework... So, in the end, I came to admit that to be led by the Holy Spirit in the real world with its imbalances and excesses is to be led TOWARD Sacred Tradition and the Church, not away from them... this book will try to ... give some basic tools for reading Scripture as Christians have historically done." (Pg. 19, 21, 23-27)
He says, "the whole of the human race, both Jew and Gentile, toils ... until it reaches a point of crisis. In Judaism, the crisis is met in several ways... [such as] the attempt by some Jews to understand what is of God in Gentile culture... Job... is notable as a Gentile who suffers horrendous tragedy, not because he is forsaken of God, but because he is one of God's special favorites... despite his status as a Gentile, [Job] is vindicated by God himself and praised by the Almighty as 'my servant.'" (Pg. 103)
He states, "the New Testament makes plain that the prophecies of Messiah were not so much REVEALED by the Old Testament as they were HIDDEN there. This is precisely why St. Paul writes [2 Cor 3:14] that the New Covenant was 'veiled' until the gospel took away the veil... In short, Paul insists the deepest meaning of the Old Testament was seen only AFTER the life, death and resurrection of Christ...
"Even the disciples themselves, close as they were to Jesus, make it clear that they did not anticipate the crucifixion, much less the resurrection, one little bit---even when Jesus rubbed their noses in it (Mark 9:9-10). As John says, they did NOT understand from the Scripture that the Messiah had to rise from the dead, even while they were standing in the mouth of the empty tomb gawking at his graveclothes (John 20:1-10)." (Pg. 185-186)
This book will be helpful to Christians (particularly Catholics, of course) wanting assistance in interpreting the Bible.
Mark Shea is a popular Catholic apologist and speaker, who has also written 'By What Authority? an Evangelical Discovers Catholic Tradition,' 'This Is My Body: An Evangelical Discovers The Real Presence,' 'The Heart of Catholic Prayer: Rediscovering the Our Father and the Hail Mary,' 'The Work of Mercy: Being the Hands and Heart of Christ,' and 'Salt and Light: The Commandments, the Beatitudes, and a Joyful Life.'
He wrote in the Introduction to this 1999 book, "When I was twenty years old, I went to college, but I did not get the education I thought I was going to get. Instead, I had an encounter with the living God... I continued for about seven years... imagining 'Scripture alone' was sufficient for me to discern the revelation of God. Then something happened that brought me back to reality... The trouble came with a little book by an author who I later discovered to be what theologians call an extreme Calvinist. He was a cheery fellow who agreed that Scripture is all you need... my inability to appreciate our friend's picture of God was a sign that I had not experienced Irresistible Grace and was therefore, sooner or later, destined to be damned...
"It is difficult to exaggerate the devasting impact this little book had on me... I discovered... The Catholic Church... had chewed the problem over with a lot of thought ... and had discovered some rather respectable answers to my Calvinist friend... In short, I found the teaching office or Magisterium of the Church had done its homework... So, in the end, I came to admit that to be led by the Holy Spirit in the real world with its imbalances and excesses is to be led TOWARD Sacred Tradition and the Church, not away from them... this book will try to ... give some basic tools for reading Scripture as Christians have historically done." (Pg. 19, 21, 23-27)
He says, "the whole of the human race, both Jew and Gentile, toils ... until it reaches a point of crisis. In Judaism, the crisis is met in several ways... [such as] the attempt by some Jews to understand what is of God in Gentile culture... Job... is notable as a Gentile who suffers horrendous tragedy, not because he is forsaken of God, but because he is one of God's special favorites... despite his status as a Gentile, [Job] is vindicated by God himself and praised by the Almighty as 'my servant.'" (Pg. 103)
He states, "the New Testament makes plain that the prophecies of Messiah were not so much REVEALED by the Old Testament as they were HIDDEN there. This is precisely why St. Paul writes [2 Cor 3:14] that the New Covenant was 'veiled' until the gospel took away the veil... In short, Paul insists the deepest meaning of the Old Testament was seen only AFTER the life, death and resurrection of Christ...
"Even the disciples themselves, close as they were to Jesus, make it clear that they did not anticipate the crucifixion, much less the resurrection, one little bit---even when Jesus rubbed their noses in it (Mark 9:9-10). As John says, they did NOT understand from the Scripture that the Messiah had to rise from the dead, even while they were standing in the mouth of the empty tomb gawking at his graveclothes (John 20:1-10)." (Pg. 185-186)
This book will be helpful to Christians (particularly Catholics, of course) wanting assistance in interpreting the Bible.
July 12, 2012
Part 1 is a summary of salvation history from Genesis to Acts. Part 2 covers the four senses of Scripture. I've only finished the first part. I've read other summaries, bible histories, etc., but Mark Shea makes the story exciting. When you've heard a story over and over your whole life, it is hard to find it as exciting as if you were hearing/reading it for the first time. Mark manages to do this.
January 9, 2011
Great explanations about Old Testament covenants.
January 29, 2013
An excellent book for a properly understanding Scripture!
November 9, 2008
I LOVE this author and this was a terrific book (funny!) and super informative!
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July 3, 2012One of the best books on the early church fathers. Currently reading this work.
August 4, 2017
I enjoy Mark Shea's writing style. It's witty and conversational and he shows his command of the Bible. I would have liked him to define more clearly each of the senses rather than describing them. Overall, people who want to read an effective overview of the Biblical Covenants and learn about the 4 senses of scripture will enjoy this overview for lay people.
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews