GA08096

PPC highlights new commentary, Feasting on the Word

by John Sniffen

Laura Mendenhall, president of Columbia Theological Seminary, spoke at the Presbyterian Publishing Corporation breakfast on Wednesday. Photo by Danny Bolin

SAN JOSE, June 25, 2008 — The Presbyterian Publishing Corporation (PPC) highlighted two new worship aids during its breakfast Wednesday morning (June 25) at the Marriot Hotel during the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) General Assembly here.

Columbia Theological Seminary President the Rev. Laura Mendenhall introduced the two resources: Feasting on the Word, a 12-volume lectionary commentary series produced in cooperation with the seminary, and The Disciple Study Bible, which provides guidance for Christian living in addition to factual information about biblical texts.

Mendenhall said the host of respected editors who produced these resources greatly enlarges the community in which users can study the Bible.

Feasting on the Word, which is edited by Columbia professors David L. Bartlett and Barbara Brown Taylor, also features 12 well-known volume editors. The Discipleship Study Bible was edited by a team of five editors — Bruce C. Birch, Brian K. Blount, Gail R. O’Day, W. Sibley Towner and Thomas G. Long — and features contributions from 35 theologians.

“You’re not studying by yourself when you use these resources,” said Mendenhall, who is also a PPC board member. “They are wonderful for anyone who has a deep hungering for God’s word.”

The first two volumes of Feasting are about ready for shipping, said PPC Director David Dobson.

Providing an update on the corporation’s popular The Thoughtful Christian Web-based resource, David Maxwell, senior editor for Geneva Press, noted that with the cooperation of the Office of the General Assembly the 218th General Assembly Bible study of Micah 6:8 had been provided to subscribers.

Working with the General Assembly Council’s youth ministries office, another study series has been developed for The Thoughtful Christian that focuses on the concerns of high school juniors and seniors. Maxwell said the first 20 studies in the series have been released and two new studies will be released monthly.

And, in conjunction with the national election year, The Thoughtful Christian is featuring “Religion and Politics” study packs. The first study pack was released last year and a second one is scheduled for release in August.

PPC, the publishing arm of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), also includes Westminster John Knox Press and produces the theological journal Theology Today and These Days devotional magazine.