Reviewsday Tuesday: Scott Hahn’s Bible Dictionary

Last updated on: May 13, 2014 at 9:33 am by Billy Kangas

Reviewsday Tuesday: Scott Hahn’s Bible Dictionary 2014-05-13T09:33:22-04:00 Billy Kangas

LOGO Patheos Explore the world's faith through different perspectives on religion and spirituality! Patheos has the views of the prevalent religions and spiritualities of the world.

A couple weeks ago the Gospel reading recounted one of my favorite stories of Jesus. It is the story of his walk down the road to Emmaus with two of his followers after the resurrection. They don’t recognize him at first, for his identity is hidden. As they walk Jesus opens up the scriptures, showing all the ways that the law and the prophets lay a foundation for the cross and the empty tomb. Finally, after a day of walking with them through the scriptures, Jesus is invited to stay with the two travelers. They sit down to eat together that evening and as Jesus breaks open the bread he is revealed to them, and disappears.

Their comment on all of this has always struck me they said:

Did not our hearts burn within us while he talked to us on the road,
while he opened to us the scriptures?”( Lk 24:32)

This has been my experience with scripture. There is such an amazing depth in its word, such a power to consume my heart. It inspires challenges and encounters me. It holds within it’s binding the power to change a life, and presents ideas that have shaped the world.

It is because I love the Bible that I get very excited whenever I get a new tool to read the Bible. Bible tools; like commentaries, dictionaries, critical editions of manuscripts, lexicons, atlases, and the like; help to unearth the treasures hidden within the field of scripture. Last month I was sent a copy of Scott Hahn’s Bible dictionary and thought it would be beneficial to write up a review.

On Bible Dictionaries

A bible dictionary is a particular genre of Biblical tool. They present key names, concepts, places, and ideas that one might encounter while studying the Bible. A good bible commentary will help you out if you run into a world that you want to know more about and want a simple place to start. It should present information at a level that an undergraduate could understand; readers shouldn’t have to look up three other articles just to understand what you’re saying. A bible dictionary should be conversant with the latest scholarship, but does not need to present a comprehensive review of all opinions. I have read dozens of them over the years, and I think everyone should have one in their home.

On Scott Hahn’s Bible Dictionary
Hahn’s Bible dictionary is a fairly decent dictionary. It has a lot going for it. It’s fairly comprehensive (covering the primary items one might need to look up), and it presents the material in a very accessible way. This is not a book that will confuse you. Another nice thing about it is that it presents Catholic Church teaching that relates to ideas. This is perfect for those who want to hear the wisdom of the Church as they dig into the most sacred texts of the Tradition. The Catholic element of this text is what sets it apart. Nearly all the Bible dictionaries that are available today are written from non-catholic perspective, or even anti-catholic perspectives. This is particularly true of Bible dictionaries written for the non-specialist. This book fills in an important gap. It offers a Catholic Bible dictionary that the average reader can understand. I think that in itself justifies this books existence, and the fact that a popular writer like Hahn has put it together makes it all the more intriguing.

As much as I like the dictionary, it is not a perfect text. My main qualm with it is its lack of citations. A bible dictionary is not a great source on its own. It’s a great starting point, but each article should include the references used in writing the article. One of the main things I use Bible dictionaries for is as a starting point for additional research, and in that regard this dictionary is lacking. It does not reference the scholarship that backs up the content of the entries. This is a major failing. The overall effect is that this is dictionary very much feels like the project of one man, Scott Hahn, rather than a comprehensive tool for the whole church.

Overall the book is an easy read, that present’s Hahn’s own perspective on many of the most important issues one might encounter in Biblical scholarship, but we have to take him at his word. I for one hope that future editions will offer better citations, and a more diverse group of contributors.

Uncategorized

Previous Post

May 12, 2014

You'll Love this video: Creation to the Flood in 3 minutes

Next Post

May 13, 2014 Pope Francis: Tolkien Fan

Browse Our Archives

Select a Category Art Bible Books CCC Prayer Christmas Current Events Family Film Free Photo Fridays Humor hunger liturgical calendar liturgy Music Photos pope Prayer Prayerful Leader questions Quotes Review Saints Satire Scripture SYNOD SYNOD FOR THE FAMILY teaching Uncategorized video Weekly Round Up

Select a Month October 2026 September 2026 August 2026 July 2026 April 2026 February 2026 December 2025 November 2025 October 2025 September 2025 August 2025 July 2025 June 2025 May 2025 April 2025 February 2025 January 2025 September 2024 June 2024 May 2024 February 2024 December 2023 August 2023 May 2023 February 2023 November 2022 July 2022 June 2022 May 2022 March 2022 May 2021 April 2021 March 2021 February 2021 January 2021 September 2020 April 2020 March 2020 February 2020 January 2020 December 2019 November 2019 October 2019 August 2019 June 2019 May 2019 March 2019 January 2019 December 2018 August 2018 June 2018 April 2018 March 2018 February 2018 December 2017 November 2017 September 2017 August 2017 July 2017 June 2017 April 2017 March 2017 February 2017 December 2016 November 2016 February 2016 January 2016 November 2015 October 2015 August 2015 July 2015 June 2015 May 2015 April 2015 March 2015 February 2015 January 2015 December 2014 November 2014 October 2014 September 2014 August 2014 July 2014 June 2014 May 2014 April 2014 March 2014 February 2014 January 2014 December 2013 November 2013 October 2013 September 2013 August 2013 July 2013 June 2013 May 2013 April 2013 March 2013 February 2013 January 2013 December 2012 November 2012 October 2012 August 2012 July 2012 June 2012 May 2012 April 2012 March 2012 February 2012 January 2012 December 2011 November 2011 October 2011 September 2011 August 2011 July 2011 June 2011 May 2011 April 2011 March 2011 February 2011 January 2011 December 2010 November 2010 October 2010 September 2010 August 2010 July 2010 June 2010 May 2010 April 2010 March 2010 February 2010 January 2010 December 2009 November 2009 October 2009 September 2009 August 2009 July 2009 June 2009 April 2009 March 2009 February 2009 January 2009 October 2008 August 2008 June 2008 May 2008 April 2008 March 2008 February 2008 January 2008 December 2007 November 2007

TAKE THE

Religious Wisdom Quiz

What is the "Great Schism" in Christian history?

Select your answer to see how you score.

Crusades Council of Trent Division between Eastern and Western churches Catholic-Protestant split