St. Anthony Messenger
Press Publisher Jeremy Harrington, O.F.M., said, "Raymond
Brown reached scholars, religious educators and clergy with his
academic books, but in his zeal he wanted to reach more: the people
in the pew who hungered for a greater understanding of the Bible.
We were honored that a scholar of his stature would write for
a popular audience.
"Brown once commented
that Catholic Update and St. Anthony Messenger reached
hundreds of thousands, more than his books. He also reached that
wider audience through Scripture From Scratch and the paperback
books that he wrote for St. Anthony Messenger Press. He was a
joy to work with. Some authors resist any suggestions, but Brown
was open to ideas and editing. He was a gracious man and a brilliant
scholar who knew the fruits of his labor were for everyone."
Brown, a Sulpician priest,
was Auburn Distinguished Professor Emeritus of Biblical Studies
at Union Theological Seminary, New York. He was twice appointed
a member of the Pontifical Biblical Commission, by Pope Paul VI
in 1972 and by Pope John Paul II in 1996. He wrote extensively
on the Bible. In addition to his books, he was a frequent contributor
to Catholic Update, St. Anthony Messenger
magazine and Scripture From Scratch (all publications of
St. Anthony Messenger Press).
Brown's last book,
A
Retreat With John the Evangelist: That You May Have Life
(St. Anthony Messenger Press), was published the day before he
died. Brown penned the work as part of the A Retreat With…
series.
The book is a seven-day retreat
with spiritual director John the Evangelist, author of the fourth
Gospel. Through his artful appearance in the role of "Translator"
for John, Brown wove the evangelist’s words into a week of
prayer and deepening acquaintance, ending with a list of resources
to help the reader continue this relationship. Brown brought immediacy
to the "gospel message," allowing modern readers to
understand and resolve difficulties in the text and its interpretation
throughout the centuries. Transcending the political struggles
and divisiveness of some modern Christians, this retreat refreshes
for the reader what it means to be, first and foremost, a disciple
of Jesus.
The following are some samples
of Brown's work published by St. Anthony Messenger Press:
St. Anthony Messenger
magazine (online edition)
Mary, the First
Disciple
Catholic Update
(most were published simultaneously in St. Anthony
Messenger)
How
to Read the Resurrection Narratives
Lenten
Stories From John's Gospel
The
Fundamentalist Challenge
The
Death of Jesus and Anti-Semitism
How the Infancy Narratives Were Written (out of print)
How to Read the Passion Narratives of Jesus (out of print)
Scripture from
Scratch
The
Holy Spirit As Paraclete
The
Christmas Stories
The
First and Most Perfect Disciple
Books by St. Anthony
Messenger Press:
A
Retreat With John the Evangelist: That You May Have Life
Reading
the Gospels With the Church From Christmas Through Easter
