The editors of America are excited to announce the launch of “The Living Word: Scripture in the Life of the Church,” a two-year, multi-platform project in collaboration with the American Bible Society aimed at promoting deeper engagement with the Bible. Editor-in-Chief Matt Malone, S.J., writes that this project represents a “two firsts”for the publication: “It is the first time America has undertaken such an ambitious program of content devoted to a single subject,” and the first extensive partnership “with an interdenominational Christian ministry that has been engaging people with God’s word for nearly 200 years.”
2015 marks the 50th anniversary of "Dei Verbum: The Dogmatic Constitution on Divine Revelation," the groundbreaking document of the Second Vatican Council, and while the church has been greatly enriched by the fruits of modern biblical criticism in the intervening decades, new challenges and opportunities have also emerged.
Through this unprecedented partnership, America and the American Bible Society will examine how the church can more fully realize the conciliar vision of a more biblically literate and personally engaged Catholic population and will model that engagement through the inventive use of twenty-first century social communications. “The Living Word” project will include commissioned articles in print and online, Web-only content such as blogs, podcasts and videos and live events to connect authors and readers across all platforms.
Content for "The Living Word" will be organized around five themes drawn from "Dei Verbum": Conversion through Scripture; Praying with Scripture; Worshipping with Scripture; The Aesthetics of Scripture; and The Theology of Scripture. Here we present the first articles and multimedia features highlighting this partnership, as well as a series of resources on Scripture.
Articles and Multimedia Features
A seven day series of reflections featuring commentary by James Martin, S.J., Kerry Weber, Kevin Clarke and other members of the America team.
"Jesus and the Bullied," a Bible Journey
In this 7-day guided reflection, Brian B. Pinter offers passages from the Bible on the theme of taunting and reconciliation and explores what the example of Jesus can offer. Sign up to recieve daily reflections by email or text message.
"Words that Heal: Finding Strength in Scripture"
Kathleen Norris, March 10, 2014
"Bite-Sized Bible: Digesting God's Word in 140 Characters or Less"
Rob Weinert-Kendt, February 14, 2014
"Jesus and the Bullied: What Scripture teaches us about taunting"
Brian B. Pinter, February 6, 2014
"The Bible Reborn: Rediscovering the riches of Scripture"
Dianne Bergant, January 20-27, 2014
"The Word Made Digital: Who to follow and what to watch for while engaging the Bible Online"
John W. Martens, December 19, 2013
Take an Advent Journey with the editors of America.
These daily Scripture reflections start on Sunday December 1 and continue until Christmas Eve. Featuring commentary by James Martin S.J., Kerry Weber, Luke Hansen, S.J., Raymond A. Schroth, S.J., and the rest of the America staff.
"Partnering to Promote 'The Living Word'" (November 11 Podcast)
Robert Briggs of the American Bible Society talks about the two-year collaboration between America and ABS.
"The Gift of the Word: The achievements and challenges of 'Dei Verbum'"
Richard J. Clifford, S.J., November 11, 2013
Resources
Explore a dozen different Bibles: this resource from the American Bible Society allows the reader to compare notes and scholarly introductions on any section of the Bible from a variety of translations and editions.
Find out which Bible is best for you, explore maps from Biblical times or choose a Bible reading plan on this page collecting a variety of resources from ABS.
See centuries of biblically inspired art, and to learn about the institute that helps preserve these masterpieces, at the Museum of Biblical Art.
The Nida Institute for Biblical Scholarship is a leading Institute on Biblical research and public education on the Bible.
Prayer on the go: sign up for Scripture study and reflection by email or cell phone.
Lecture Series & Notable Dates
Scott Hahn, "The Sacramentality of Scripture," Wednesday, April 30, 2014
James Martin, S.J., Thursday September 18, 2014
Amy Jill-Levine, Thursday March 12, 2015
All talks will be held at 6:30 p.m at the American Bible Society, 1865 Broadway, New York, N.Y. RSVP to MSarci@AmericanBible.org.
Dr. Roy Peterson becomes the 28th president of ABS on January 15, 2014. Congratulations!
The Clifford link is fixed, thanks!