A reader writes…

I enjoy your articles and books. I have a question for you. I am currently taking deaconate formation classes and have been teaching a Bible study at my parish for 6 years now (yes I am a convert). I previously tried to use the New Jerome’s biblical commentary but found many teachings that worried me in orthodoxy so I stopped. I did more research and found that the authors/editors had played big and honored roles during V2 but later were cautioned for unorthodoxy by the church. Yet Papa Ben has lavished praise on Brown. My Gospel class in the deaconate program is using this as a primary source and I have cautioned her (the Nun teacher, older and very liberal in Catholic views) and the class that this source is questionable, think critically and weigh it with what is the church’s traditional teachings. Yes the gas expulsion in church followed. I had to apologize to all for making them uncomfortable. I was about ready to leave the program. You can make me go out and pray to the native American fire god in an ecumenical spirituality class but I cannot uphold orthodoxy, or am I? have you a theory on the topic of this reference? I have been told that the Older commentary is good but the new is new but not improved. I would appreciate and value your input.

I think the Jerome is a useful resource with a lot of good scholarship. Is it perfect? No. But it’s still quite useful. As with all commentaries, you should approach it with discernment and not be credulous. But at the same time, lumping it in with prayer to the Native American fire god is rather over the top. (Did they really have you do that? If so, you should talk to your bishop. That’s nuts.)