An Inspired Word in Season
Reading the Bible Responsibly in a Polarized World
Published on 7. June 2025
Book
Paperback/Softback
228 pages
978-0-8146-8802-1 (ISBN)
Description
2026 Association of Catholic Publishers third place award in Scripture, pastoral resources
An accessible guide to thoughtfully and faithfully reading and interpreting the Bible in our polarized world.
Can Christians navigate the use of biblical texts that are quoted and used to support points across the political spectrum? What principles exist for interpreting those that support conflicting viewpoints? In An Inspired Word in Season, biblical scholar Thomas Bolin addresses these pressing questions by equipping readers with an interpretive toolkit to more thoughtfully and faithfully use the Bible as a moral guide to inform their thinking as Christian citizens.
Drawing upon U.S. history and contemporary social debates, along with the centuries old interpretive traditions used in reading the Bible, this book describes how biblical interpretations can be so diverse and offers an interpretive principle for helping to bridge the gaps that divide Christians who rely on the Bible as a resource for thinking about important social issues. In An Inspired Word in Season, Thomas Bolin offers readers a guide for responsible use of the Bible for discerning modern ethical questions, forming reasoned opinions on current political issues, and examining the Bible's relevance to modern life.
An accessible guide to thoughtfully and faithfully reading and interpreting the Bible in our polarized world.
Can Christians navigate the use of biblical texts that are quoted and used to support points across the political spectrum? What principles exist for interpreting those that support conflicting viewpoints? In An Inspired Word in Season, biblical scholar Thomas Bolin addresses these pressing questions by equipping readers with an interpretive toolkit to more thoughtfully and faithfully use the Bible as a moral guide to inform their thinking as Christian citizens.
Drawing upon U.S. history and contemporary social debates, along with the centuries old interpretive traditions used in reading the Bible, this book describes how biblical interpretations can be so diverse and offers an interpretive principle for helping to bridge the gaps that divide Christians who rely on the Bible as a resource for thinking about important social issues. In An Inspired Word in Season, Thomas Bolin offers readers a guide for responsible use of the Bible for discerning modern ethical questions, forming reasoned opinions on current political issues, and examining the Bible's relevance to modern life.
Reviews / Votes
"Polarization in the church begins with the divided ways in which we read the Bible-different interpretations but also different concepts of authority of Scripture. This book comes at a crucial time because it helps readers navigate that widening gap and to not abandon the Bible as a guide on current political issues."Massimo Faggioli, professor of historical theology, Villanova University "Tom Bolin's An Inspired Word in Season is wise and learned and the book on biblical interpretation that we need in our polarized world. It should be essential reading for all serious Christians whether Catholic, Protestant, or other, as it surveys the history of biblical interpretation in a manner that invites everyone into the conversation. More than this, it is a book that covers complicated technical matters in a manner that is open to all serious readers, but not in a manner that excludes non-experts. Bolin calls for greater empathy and understanding in our biblical reading and greater personal engagement with those with whom we disagree. If every Catholic and every Christian were to read this book, and take it seriously, it could actually have a positive aspect on biblical literacy, biblical interpretation, and reducing polarization in the Church and in the United States for at its heart is a simple prescription: we need to read the Bible with each other guided by the rule of love."
John W. Martens, professor of theology, St. Mark's College, Vancouver "As a guide for understanding how and why the Bible is used in so many different ways, this book could not be more timely. Deeply engaged in Christian and Catholic sources and tradition, Thomas Bolin uses wide-ranging examples (e.g., slavery, Church documents, Augustine, Huck Finn, Amelia Bedelia and, of course, lots of biblical texts) to explain how we got here with the Bible and where we should go from here. His thought-provoking book is a perfect choice for a college course or parish discussion group or Bible study."
Andrew R. Davis, professor of Old Testament, Boston College
More details
Language
English
Place of publication
Collegeville, MN
United States
Target group
College/higher education
Professional and scholarly
Product notice
Paperback (trade)
Dimensions
Height: 229 mm
Width: 152 mm
Thickness: 13 mm
Weight
335 gr
ISBN-13
978-0-8146-8802-1 (9780814688021)
Copyright in bibliographic data and cover images is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or by the publishers or by their respective licensors: all rights reserved.
Schweitzer Classification
Other editions
Additional editions
E-Book
07/2025
LITURGICAL PRESS
€27.49
Available for download
Person
Thomas M. Bolin writes and teaches about the literary and religious histories of ancient Israel/early Judaism and the history of Christian biblical interpretation. He is the author of numerous articles and four books, including Ezra, Nehemiah in the New Collegeville Bible Commentary series published by Liturgical Press.
Content
Contents
Preface ix
Introduction 1
Chapter 1
Where We Are and How We Got Here 17
Chapter 2
Making Sense 47
Chapter 3
The Divine Library 75
Chapter 4
Plain Sense 101
Chapter 5
Reading from the Outside In 135
Chapter 6
Reading in the Kingdom of Love 163
Conclusion 189
Bibliography 197
Preface ix
Introduction 1
Chapter 1
Where We Are and How We Got Here 17
Chapter 2
Making Sense 47
Chapter 3
The Divine Library 75
Chapter 4
Plain Sense 101
Chapter 5
Reading from the Outside In 135
Chapter 6
Reading in the Kingdom of Love 163
Conclusion 189
Bibliography 197