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The Word on Fire Bible (Volume I): The Gospels (Paperback)
The Word on Fire Bible series introduces readers to the strange, colorful world of the Bible. It was designed to appeal not just to Christians but to non-believers, searchers, and those with far more questions than answers. It doesn't presume any experience with the Bible, catering to those unfamiliar with its many events and characters, while still providing rich insights to even the most biblically literate.
Inside this first volume of the series, you'll find the four Gospels surrounded by illuminating artwork and helpful commentary from Bishop Robert Barron, the Church Fathers, and some of the greatest saints, mystics, artists, and scholars throughout history, allowing the story of Jesus Christ to shine with new clarity and splendor. You'll discover insights from John Chrysostom, Augustine, Thomas Aquinas, John Henry Newman, G.K. Chesterton, Thérèse of Lisieux, Fulton Sheen, John Paul II, and many other teachers in the way of the Spirit.
The translation used in The Word on Fire Bible is the New Revised Standard Version: Catholic Edition (NRSV-CE), which has received wide acclaim from academics and Church leaders. It stands out because of its accuracy and readability, being as literal as possible yet as free as necessary to make the meaning clear in graceful, understandable English.
[Description from Wordonfire.org condensed slightly.]
Inside this first volume of the series, you'll find the four Gospels surrounded by illuminating artwork and helpful commentary from Bishop Robert Barron, the Church Fathers, and some of the greatest saints, mystics, artists, and scholars throughout history, allowing the story of Jesus Christ to shine with new clarity and splendor. You'll discover insights from John Chrysostom, Augustine, Thomas Aquinas, John Henry Newman, G.K. Chesterton, Thérèse of Lisieux, Fulton Sheen, John Paul II, and many other teachers in the way of the Spirit.
The translation used in The Word on Fire Bible is the New Revised Standard Version: Catholic Edition (NRSV-CE), which has received wide acclaim from academics and Church leaders. It stands out because of its accuracy and readability, being as literal as possible yet as free as necessary to make the meaning clear in graceful, understandable English.
[Description from Wordonfire.org condensed slightly.]
592 pages, Paperback
Published June 14, 2020
54 people are currently reading
80 people want to read
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* They are officially published under that name
* They are traditional stories not attributed to a specific author
* They are religious texts not generally attributed to a specific author
Books whose authorship is merely uncertain should be attributed to Unknown.
See also: Anonymous
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Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews
February 18, 2021
Reading of the Bible for me had always been a daunting task. One I have tried to read many times before, but, always put down, because of my lack of understanding of the written words.
The Word on Fire, The Gospels, was given to me by my daughter for Christmas in 2020. I chose to start this book on Jan 1, 2021; and I found that it was hard to put down. The meaning of the words took on new meaning for me, due to the meanings of the gospel passages explained by many others in language that was much easier for me to understand.
When I finished The Gospels, I found out a few things, one, I was saddened that I had finished , two, it gave me the yearning to learn more; and three, I believe I will be able to open once again the Bible that I have put down many times before, and read it.
With great thanks to my daughter for the gift of the Gospels, and the philosophies of Bishop Baron and others, "deciphering" the Gospels for me, it has strengthened and encouraged me to learn more about our Savior, Jesus Christ.
I will save these Gospels and will re-read for pleasure again, if I get mired down in the reading of the Bible, so as to increase my yearning to learn more, and return to reading the Bible.
The Word on Fire, The Gospels, was given to me by my daughter for Christmas in 2020. I chose to start this book on Jan 1, 2021; and I found that it was hard to put down. The meaning of the words took on new meaning for me, due to the meanings of the gospel passages explained by many others in language that was much easier for me to understand.
When I finished The Gospels, I found out a few things, one, I was saddened that I had finished , two, it gave me the yearning to learn more; and three, I believe I will be able to open once again the Bible that I have put down many times before, and read it.
With great thanks to my daughter for the gift of the Gospels, and the philosophies of Bishop Baron and others, "deciphering" the Gospels for me, it has strengthened and encouraged me to learn more about our Savior, Jesus Christ.
I will save these Gospels and will re-read for pleasure again, if I get mired down in the reading of the Bible, so as to increase my yearning to learn more, and return to reading the Bible.
January 29, 2021
What fun to just read the gospels straight through. We are so used to hearing them one story at a time, but, reading them "like a book" is meaningful and Word on FIre makes it fun. Word on Fire doesa great job of adding annotation and commentary as well as art from the age of Christianity to help understand and learn the "Good News." Annotatoins come mostly fro Bishop Barron, but includes great Catholic thinkers from G.K. Chesterton to St Cryil and Thomas Aquinas in between.
October 8, 2021
I really enjoyed this book and I am glad I read it slowly. Scripture here is accompanied by essays and comments from bishop Barron and other influential writer in the last 2000 years, which helps understanding big and small details. Much better way to read the bible than to tackle it by yourself, at least in my experience.
To me the biggest point was the design and presentation of the book. It is simply a truly beautiful book. The font, the design, and the style were clearly well-thought out. Plus, showing different paintings and art pieces to make connections with the scripture was a delight. Seeing so many of the most-famous Caravaggio's paintings made my day.
To me the biggest point was the design and presentation of the book. It is simply a truly beautiful book. The font, the design, and the style were clearly well-thought out. Plus, showing different paintings and art pieces to make connections with the scripture was a delight. Seeing so many of the most-famous Caravaggio's paintings made my day.
January 27, 2021
Whether you've read the Gospels before, or they're new to you, this is a wonderful edition of the Bible (which only contains the four Gospels—Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John) to own. It is filled with interpretations, historical context, essays, and more to allow you to really study the Bible. My favorite portions included the way Bishop Barron gives context about the authorship of each book, and also the focus on art and how it represents the Catholic/Christian faith. The essays throughout help explain moments in the Bible which can be confusing or downright jarring for the modern reader, providing a much needed historical lens for understanding so much of these four books.
While this is specifically a Catholic Bible, even if you're not religious it could also serve as great study material for understanding the breadth of influence this book has had on Western civilization and nearly all literature.
I look forward to more of the New Testament from the Word on Fire Institute, and hopefully if they ever get to it, the Old Testament as well.
While this is specifically a Catholic Bible, even if you're not religious it could also serve as great study material for understanding the breadth of influence this book has had on Western civilization and nearly all literature.
I look forward to more of the New Testament from the Word on Fire Institute, and hopefully if they ever get to it, the Old Testament as well.
April 17, 2021
Word on Fire Bible has reignited a desire in my heart to read scripture.
Here are my thoughts on this bible:
1. The artwork is astounding. This bible has ignited a desire in my heart to admire artwork. Since reading this bible I have fallen in love with art and often take time to look at art in person. I have been introduced to Caravaggio and Rembrandt and other wonderful artists whom capture biblical narrative through the paint brush.
2. The commentaries are incredibly helpful and illuminative. I find the balance of saintly thinkers to be very helpful. The Church Fathers are also found within commentary along with significant thinkers like GK Chesterton and Flannery O'Connor. I appreciated hearing the voice of Fulton Sheen and Pope Saint John Paul II along with Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI. I also came to appreciate more and more how Bishop Barron has more commentaries than any other thinker in the Bible. At first I was opposed to this; however, I came to enjoy reading the commentaries by Bishop Barron more and more as I read more.
3. I look forward to when the rest of the New Testament is completed and the Old Testament.
I highly recommend this bible.
Here are my thoughts on this bible:
1. The artwork is astounding. This bible has ignited a desire in my heart to admire artwork. Since reading this bible I have fallen in love with art and often take time to look at art in person. I have been introduced to Caravaggio and Rembrandt and other wonderful artists whom capture biblical narrative through the paint brush.
2. The commentaries are incredibly helpful and illuminative. I find the balance of saintly thinkers to be very helpful. The Church Fathers are also found within commentary along with significant thinkers like GK Chesterton and Flannery O'Connor. I appreciated hearing the voice of Fulton Sheen and Pope Saint John Paul II along with Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI. I also came to appreciate more and more how Bishop Barron has more commentaries than any other thinker in the Bible. At first I was opposed to this; however, I came to enjoy reading the commentaries by Bishop Barron more and more as I read more.
3. I look forward to when the rest of the New Testament is completed and the Old Testament.
I highly recommend this bible.
December 4, 2022
This is an incredible way to read the Gospels! Using beautiful clean layout, this presentation of the Gospels draws the reader into the narrative of the holy text, while providing easy-to-read expert commentary along with the text to deepen understanding as you read. In addition, prints of famed Christian artwork is interspersed throughout the text, giving the reader a break from the narrative in order to reflect on, and learn about, Christian themes in great art. I've read many versions of the Gospels, but this one was by far the best because it provided a virtually immersive, accessible experience of the Christian story.
May 14, 2021
Admittedly I’ve never read the gospels in their entirety before. This was a very pleasurable experience to tackle them in this way. I look forward to many re reads as I experience them from the guidance of Bishop Barron and the church fathers. Highly recommended to anyone who wants to start reading the Bible and doesn’t know where to start.
May 22, 2021
A perfect companion through Lent and finished on the vigil of Pentecost. The format is the only thing that has helped me really be excited to read the Bible for the first time in my life! Cannot wait for the next volumes. Praise God for Bishop Barron and the staff that contributed to making this accessible, beautiful book of Gospels.
December 26, 2024
Bishop Barron does an unbelievable job adding to the Gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John. The passages added may add context, additional information, or explanation on each excerpt from the text. I was actually looking forward to reading it right before bed and as soon as I got up every morning.
May 5, 2021
A great way to feel and understand the four gospels. The artwork and commentaries added a new depth of meaning to the gospel stories. I can hardly wait for the next release by Word on Fire of the remaining books of the New Testament.
October 15, 2021
An extraordinary book, full of beautiful artwork, commentary from commentators through out the ages and also from Bishop Barron. It also made me a big fan of the NRSV translation used in this collection of the gospels.
April 15, 2021
A cathedral in words.
June 18, 2021
Love this Bible! Looking forward to the next volume!
July 7, 2023
Just as I remember it.
December 30, 2020
I’m not an expert; but this was incredibly detailed and well put together while being respectful and thoughtful regarding the material.
The commentary was incredibly insightful.
The commentary was incredibly insightful.
September 29, 2021
I thoroughly enjoyed the Word on Fire Bible. Obviously the four gospels are worthy to read. In addition there are explanations and thoughts about the readings by Bishop Robert Barron, St Augustine and other church fathers spanning the centuries, current authors such as GK Chesterton and Flannery O’Conner, and recent saints such as John Henry Newman.
The text and placement on the page is very reader friendly.
In addition there are pages depicting beautiful Christian artwork by the masters with short but very interesting explanation. I now want to take a sacred art history class.
The only downside is a few instances where the creep of “political correctness” has seeped in. Really do we want to take away from the message by writing “fishers of people” or “Eve and Adam”? Big eye roll 🙄.
I definitely recommend this Bible for everyone but it would especially be useful for a first time Bible reader. It is very accessible, readable and interesting. I read a few pages every morning. Sometimes I would read much more and on the days I missed for some reason, I found I was missing it and my day did not start right.
I’m thinking about giving a copy to my sons (both in their 20s) for Christmas. Thank you, friend, who gave it to me last Christmas. You know who you are 😉😘.
The text and placement on the page is very reader friendly.
In addition there are pages depicting beautiful Christian artwork by the masters with short but very interesting explanation. I now want to take a sacred art history class.
The only downside is a few instances where the creep of “political correctness” has seeped in. Really do we want to take away from the message by writing “fishers of people” or “Eve and Adam”? Big eye roll 🙄.
I definitely recommend this Bible for everyone but it would especially be useful for a first time Bible reader. It is very accessible, readable and interesting. I read a few pages every morning. Sometimes I would read much more and on the days I missed for some reason, I found I was missing it and my day did not start right.
I’m thinking about giving a copy to my sons (both in their 20s) for Christmas. Thank you, friend, who gave it to me last Christmas. You know who you are 😉😘.
November 4, 2022
As a newly catechised and confirmed member of the Church, I am newly but quickly integrating myself into familiarity with the theological underpinnings of the Christian and Catholic Faith.
I may not be a Balthasarian- and may even find some of the more humanistic tendencies on the Nouvelle Theologie movement oftentimes a little too revolutionary. But to see Barron quote important and central Church Fathers, integrate the commentary and thought of the Angelic Doctor (St Thomas Aquinas for those who don't know, but I imagine most here do), and even go as a far a questioning the radical split between religion and politics in contemporary society was incredible and certainly awakened my Faith.
From artwork to relevantly timed commentary from authors and poets such as G.K. Chesterton and Flannery O'Connor, the work is richly lavished.
This bible is a delight to read. It awakens and enflames the Faith.
Word on Fire have produced something really special here.
I cannot but recommend for all with ears to hear.
I may not be a Balthasarian- and may even find some of the more humanistic tendencies on the Nouvelle Theologie movement oftentimes a little too revolutionary. But to see Barron quote important and central Church Fathers, integrate the commentary and thought of the Angelic Doctor (St Thomas Aquinas for those who don't know, but I imagine most here do), and even go as a far a questioning the radical split between religion and politics in contemporary society was incredible and certainly awakened my Faith.
From artwork to relevantly timed commentary from authors and poets such as G.K. Chesterton and Flannery O'Connor, the work is richly lavished.
This bible is a delight to read. It awakens and enflames the Faith.
Word on Fire have produced something really special here.
I cannot but recommend for all with ears to hear.
March 9, 2021
Beautiful
Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews