Kitchen Catechism: Featured Articles
My Bible, My Recipe Files and My Cookbooks
(Part 2)
by Lois Donahue
Along that same line, in many of the books I have mentioned above you will find maps. I think of them, too, as a great resource. They can be such a help in learning not only the history but, again, the reality that the Bible is a people-story. One look at a map, especially in globe form, and you will face the reality that we can board a plane here "at home" and, in a matter of hours, -BE- where Abraham, David and the Prophets -- Jesus, Mary and the Apostles were "at home".
One of my favorite, catch-all, resources is a 'clippings' file. A good many bulging manila folders attest to how often I frantically search for scissors to 'clip' something interesting or unusual. I think you will enjoy this kind of surprise, never-know-when-you'll-find-it way of gathering information.
Since I am fully aware that my sources are limited, that they do not in every case bear "hot off the press" printing dates and may not always reflect the most current thinking, please know I am always open to verifiable correction and suggested additions. Having referred to the need to 'verify', let me remind you, as Marilyn has in the past, that we will encounter things written and spoken which do not, even if such a claim is made, legitimately present the truths taught by our Church. That brings to mind one of our indispensable resource books -
"CATECHISM OF THE CATHOLIC CHURCH" -This book is the official presentation of what we are to believe as Catholics. To quote Pope John Paul II - it is "a statement of the Church's faith and of catholic doctrine, attested to or illumined by Sacred Scripture, the Apostolic Tradition, and the Church's Magisterium." Therefore it is where we will find help in judging if something presented as 'Catholic teaching is valid.
Another 'indispensable' book is, for sure, the BIBLE. However, as I talk to you today, I am not thinking of the Bible only as a source book but as the pivotal, overruling book - so I thought it might possibly be of some help if I passed along just a couple of the many things which have come as "news to me" during my on-going and often snail-paced Journey toward 'getting to know the Bible'.
I'm somewhat ashamed to admit that long, long ago in my elementary-school years, the concept of 'translations' of the Bible never entered my thinking. For me there seemed to be two Bibles - the "King James Bible" used by the Protestants and the one for Catholics, with the strange name of the "Douay-Rheims Bible". Fortunately it didn't take me too long to learn there is only one Bible of which there have been a great many translations. Oh yes, and that my 'strange name' Bible was so named because two French cities, Douay and Rheims, share the honor of being where the first complete translation and publication of the Catholic Bible in English appeared - the New Testament in 1582 and the Old Testament in 1609 and that what I thought of as the 'Protestant' Bible, derived its name from the fact that it was fashioned as per orders from King James I of England and first appeared in1611.
While there remain differences of opinion between Protestants and Catholics as to the number of Old Testament books considered inspired as well as to some instances of interpretation, still there is enough agreement and accommodation made regarding book numbers that a variety of good English translations of the Bible are available today.
'Catholic Editions' of these are so marked by publishers but you can be assured they are authentically Catholic if you find 'nihil obstat' and 'imprimatur' printed on one of the front pages. These words (my Catholic Dictionary tells me) indicate that the Church has given permission for publication of this book and assures us it does not contain any doctrinal error. However, we, as Catholics, still have to decide which of these approved translations best meets our personal needs - easy reading? Informative foot notes? etc. Visit a book store and "browse".
Oops, it's later than I thought - back to my Microwave cookbook but not without offering you a word of caution in spite of the fact that accumulating resources is, without doubt, a rewarding addiction; we must acknowledge it presents us with both good news and bad news. The 'bad news' is -- it can quickly fill a room, giving it the look of an overnight suitcase packed for a month's vacation. The 'good news' is -- with a room that full, you hardly notice the dust. Bye for now.
Afterthought
Although I have sources shelved, piled, boxed and filed their total is minuscule compared to what is 'out there' in the form of books, tapes, pamphlets, magazines, newspapers etc. to say nothing of everything available in the computer world.
(Since I am as familiar with the Internet as I am with the Dead Sea Scrolls, I'll let our dear friend, Marilyn, tell you what that resource has to offer.)