Resources
The internet is a confusing place and it can be a struggle to understand where to look for the right information. As such, in this section, i try to point you to places you can look for answers to your questions and where you can look to study further.
1. The Bible – I suggest that you get the “Revised Standard Version (RSV) Catholic Edition”. Please note that there is also a New Revised Standard Version (NRSV). Don’t assume that “New” is always better. I suggest getting the RSV over the NRSV.
- The Revised Standard Version, Second Catholic Edition is the most beautiful English translation of the Bible today. The beauty of the RSV language makes it a joy to read and reflect on the Word of God.
- The RSV is a contemporary English translation without dumbing-down the text. The second edition of the RSV doesn’t put the biblical text through a filter to make it acceptable to current tastes and prejudices.
- The RSV, second Catholic edition is the only Bible translation that uses standard (non-feminist) English and is in conformity with the Church’s translation guidelines found in the Vatican document, Liturgiam Authenticam
- The RSV translation is used in official Church pronouncements, and serves as the basis for the scriptural text used in the Catechism of the Catholic Church.
2. New Testament Study Bible – I suggest the “Ignatius Catholic Study Bible”. Under this section, I am trying to list a study Bible which is affordable. Unfortunately, i don’t know of an affordable study Bible which covers both the Old and New Testaments. Hence i am suggesting a Study Bible that only covers the New Testament. The team is however currently working on the Old Testament, and you can purchase Study Bible for individual books of the Old Testament currently. See: https://www.ignatius.com/promotions/catholic-study-bible/ . The downside of this Bible is that it is fairly bulky.
3. The Best Study Bible – The Best Study Bible that i know of is “The Navarre Bible”. The Navarre Bible is fairly expensive, but it is well worth the money, if you are serious about it. See: https://scepterpublishers.org/collections/navarre-bibles
4. Bible Overview – If the Bible seems very daunting to you don’t know where to start and how everything fits together, I suggest you get “The Great Adventure Bible Timeline Chart” by Jeff Cavins and Sarah Christmyer. It will provide you with an overview of the Bible, it helps you “uncover the story woven throughout scripture” and teach you how the read the Bible to make sense of it. It only costs $5. See: https://ascensionpress.com/products/great-adventure-bible-timeline-chart. You could also look into “The Great Adventure Catholic Bible” from Ascension Press.
5. Dramatized New Testament Audio Bible – Get the EWTN app. It provides the entire New Testament of the Bible in a dramatized audio format, in addition to the RSV CE Text. It is a very nice way to listen to the New Testament. With regards to the dramatized audio, only the Gospel of Mark is free, but the rest of the new testament can be bought at a reasonable price.
6. The Catechism of the Catholic Church – This is the official teaching of the Catholic Church. The Catechism of the Catholic Church (CCC) is where the teachings of the Catholic Church are clearly spelt out. So rather than believing what people say about what the Catholic Church teaches, rather look up for yourself what the Catholic Church teaches. See: https://www.vatican.va/archive/ENG0015/_INDEX.HTM. You can also buy a printed copy online. But this can be confusing. So look for editions published by “Libreria Editrice Vaticana”.
7. Looking for Answers to Specific Questions – I suggest going to www.catholic.com. You can also find them on “Catholic Answers” on Youtube.
8. Love, Relationships, Sex and Marriage – Look up resources on the “Human Love in the Divine Plan” by Pope John Paul II. It is mostly referred to as the Theology of the Body (ToB). Popular people presenting the ToB include Christopher West and Jason Evert.
9. Catholic Websites –
- www.vatican.va – This is the official website of the Catholic Church. So i suggest this, if you are looking for specific documents of the Catholic Church. If not, i suggest using https://www.rosarycenter.org/tag/theology-for-the-laity/ or www.catholiceducation.org, as www.vatican.va can be a bit difficult to use.
- https://www.rosarycenter.org/tag/theology-for-the-laity/ – There are only about 52 articles on this website, under the category “theology for the laity”, but based on what i have read, they are excellent articles about central issues.
- www.catholiceducation.org – I have used this website on almost a daily basis, for more than a decade and have found it extremely useful.
10. Catholic TV Channels – Shalom World and Eternal World Television Network (EWTN)
11. Secular Resources to Get Your Life in Order – Look up Jordan Peterson. He is an excellent resource with helping you out with the practical aspects of day to day living and with orienting your life in the right direction. I don’t recommend him as a theological or spiritual guide, because i don’t think his understanding of the Bible is always accurate and I think at least some of his views on sexual morality are wrong. He tends to look at everything through a psychological lens.
12. History of Christianity – I would suggest the course “A Journey Through Western Christianity: From Persecuted Faith To Global Religion (200-1650)” by Yale University, which you can do for free through coursera.org. However, the module on Islamic Spain seems to me to be aimed at a deliberate mis-characterization of Christianity and as a cover up of islam.
13. One on One Coaching for Freedom from Porn – Check out https://freedom-coaching.net
14. Studies on The Effects of Porn Use – https://www.yourbrainonporn.com/research/