Bible Basics for Catholics, A New Picture of Salvation History

By John Bergsma

John Bergsma’s popular Bible Basics for Catholics, which has sold more than 60,000 copies, offers readers an accessible vision of salvation history as it unfolds in the Bible, showing readers how the Bible points us to the saving life and work of Jesus. This new edition includes an additional chapter on covenant fulfillment in the Book of Revelation.

Bergsma brings to his theology a combination of academic expertise, pastoral wisdom, and unique playfulness. Bible Basics for Catholics is based on Bergsma’s popular Introduction to Theology course at Steubenville. As a teacher, Bergsma has an uncanny ability to make complex ideas understandable and faith-inspiring while staying true to both Catholic teaching and biblical scholarship. Readers will begin to see the Christian understanding of salvation by walking through the Old Testament, going through the great stories of Adam and Eve, Noah, Abraham, Moses, the great kings and prophets of Israel, and culminating in the person and work of Jesus Christ.

"Let award-winning teacher John Bergsma guide you through a high-energy and entertaining walk through the Bible, illustrated with his own charming drawings. Bible Basics for Catholics: A New Picture of Salvation History is so fresh, engaging, and truly instructive that you will find yourself smiling as you read it, and you'll be amazed at what you retain." --Elizabeth Scalia, Blogger at The Anchoress

"John Bergsma is a very effective teacher of Scripture with a gift for clarity and depth." --Scott Hahn, Author of Signs of Life: 40 Catholic Customs and Their Biblical Roots

"John Bergsma brings his biblical scholarship, pastoral heart, and gift for teaching together in this charming, easy-to-use overview of Salvation History. Catechists, teachers, and pastoral ministers will find this an inestimable resource, both for their own reference, and for shepherding those under their care. Highly recommended." --Edward Sri, STD, Chancellor and Professor of Scripture and Theology, Augustine Institute

"We go by way of history and imagination to the Holy Land, and to times long past, and we meet the most fascinating people who ever lived: Abraham, Moses, David, Jesus. We can do all this because of John Bergsma's rare gifts. This book can change lives." --Mike Aquilina, Author of The Mass: The Glory, the Mystery, the Tradition

Author John Bergsma is professor of Theology at the Franciscan University of Steubenville and a senior fellow at the St. Paul Center for Biblical Theology. Twice voted Faculty of the Year by graduating classes at Franciscan University, he is a popular teacher whose love of scripture inspires his students.

Bergsma earned Master of Divinity and Master of Theology degrees and served as a Protestant pastor for four years before converting to Catholicism in 2001 while working on his doctorate in theology at the University of Notre Dame. He specialized in Old Testament and the Dead Sea Scrolls, graduating with high honors in 2004. His articles, some coauthored with Scott Hahn, have appeared in the Journal of Biblical Literature and other academic and popular periodicals. A frequent speaker at conferences and parishes, Dr. Bergsma has appeared as a guest on Franciscan University Presents, EWTN's The Journey Home, and Relevant Radio's Drew Mariani Show. He and his wife, Dawn, live with their eight children in Steubenville, Ohio.

Paperback, 2015

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