The St. Paul Center for Biblical Theology and Dr. Scott Hahn present the tenth annual edition of Letter & Spirit with the theme “Christ Our Passover.” The articles, while academic in nature, are easily accessible to the average reader and can be read with great profit, both spiritually and in coming to learn the truths of the Catholic faith more deeply.

This is the seventh annual volume of the remarkably popular journal of biblical theology edited by Scott Hahn and his St. Paul Center for Biblical Theology. This volume responds to the call of Pope Benedict XVI in his Apostolic Exhortation Verbum Domini for a thoughtful return to the Fathers of the Church and how they approached Sacred Scripture. This is not in any way to jettison historical-critical methods and the valuable insights that modern biblical scholarship has brought to light. It is simply to acknowledge what Pope Benedict calls for, a measured return to the interpretive methods employed by the Church Fathers as well as the theology that flowed from their exegetical labors. As he said, "The Church Fathers present a theology that still has great value today because at its heart is the study of sacred Scripture as a whole. Indeed, the Fathers are primarily and essentially commentators on sacred Scripture." Highlights include original articles by Fr. William Kurtz, SJ, Matthew Levering, Father Stephen Ryan, OP, Stephen Hildebrand, Owen Phelan, and Michael Barber, as well as an original translation of Joseph Ratzinger's (Pope Benedict XVI) foundational essay "Vicarious Representation" by Father Jared Wicks, SJ.

The St. Paul Center for Biblical Theology and Dr. Scott Hahn present the ninth annual edition of Letter & Spirit with the theme "Christ and the unity of Scripture". The seven highly-readable articles explore, from the Gospels of Matthew and John, to the letters of St. Paul, how the seemingly disparate themes and images are unified - and therefore properly understood - in Christ. The articles, while academic in nature, are easily accessible to the average reader and can be read with great profit, both spiritually and in coming to learn the truths of the Catholic faith more deeply.

About the Theology Journal This present publication comprises Volume 2 No. 1 of Semănătorul (The Sower): The Emanuel Journal of Ministry and Biblical Research. It incorporates the Proceedings of the Bi-Annual International Theological Conferences of the Department of Theology held in Emanuel University, Oradea, April and November 2017. The titles of the Conference were: “The Theology of the Cross,” and, “The Doctrine of Justification and Related Themes.” The papers presented here include those given in person by various colleagues of the Emanuel Faculty; others via a Skype call or by invitation. The International Conferences held by the Department of Theology were made possible through the commitment of members of the Emanuel faculty, the collaboration of Emanuel University Press, the Emanuel “Ethics and Society” Research Centre, and the contribution of distinguished colleagues from the Hungarian Baptist Academy, Budapest, The Irish Baptist College, UK and the Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary, Fort Worth, Texas. The Journal includes a range of papers on the death of Christ and the truth of justification by faith. The Christ hymn (Phil 2:5–11) is here, as is the focus upon the invitation in John 6 to “eat the flesh of the Son of God” and to “drink his blood.” Also the whole theology of the cross in the Fourth Gospel is considered. Again the concept of redemption in all the Gospels is discussed, as is a paper on the Holy Spirit and the death of Christ from a Pauline perspective. The theme of the cross in the sermons of Philip Doddridge is highlighted, plus two articles on Luther’s doctrine of justification and the treatment of this theme by the Reformer in the Epistle of James. These articles include a range of affirmations on crucial doctrines and theological themes which must not be lost or neglected. One remembers the exhortation of 2 Tim 2:1–2 to hold to truths that are fundamental and to entrust them “to faithful men who will be able to teach others also.” Hamilton Moore, Editor.

The bestselling author of The Lamb’s Supper continues his thoughtful exploration of the complex relationship between the Bible and the Catholic liturgy in a revelatory work that will appeal to all readers. Scott Hahn has inspired millions of readers with his perceptive and unique view of Catholic theology and worship, becoming one of the most looked-to contemporary authorities in these areas. In Letter and Spirit, Hahn extends the message he began in The Lamb’s Supper, offering far-reaching and profound insights into what the Bible teaches us about living the spiritual life. For both Christians and Jews, the texts of the Bible are not simply records of historical events. They are intended, through public recitations in churches and synagogues, to bring listeners and readers into the sweeping story of redemption as it unfolds in the Bible. Focusing on the Catholic Mass, Hahn describes how God’s Word is meant to open our eyes to the life-giving power of the sacraments, and how the liturgy brings about the “actualization” of the saving truths of Scripture. Letter and Spirit is a stunningly original contribution to the field of biblical studies and will help Hahn’s many loyal and enthusiastic readers understand the relationship between the Bible and the Mass in a deeper way.