A distinguished group of scholars has produced a useful, readable guide to current Biblical studies for the ordinary reader. The Bible Now has thought-provoking essays on complex topics in Biblical scholarship such as inspiration, literary analysis, the place of the Old Testament, and ethics and morality.

There are also essays on aspects of the Bible which affect ordinary churchgoers more directly: for instance, teaching the Bible to children, or using it in worship.

In both the general and the scholarly aspects of Biblical studies, the authors of these essays write accurately-with a knowledge of the contributions of experts and clearly to make their conclusions accessible to those not specially trained.

There is renewed interest in studying the Bible in all Christian churches. Since the Second Vatican Council, this has been as true for Roman Catholics as for other Christians. The Bible Now will become an indispensable resource for teachers, pastors, and laypeople seeking to open up the riches of the Bible for themselves and for their fellow Christians.