The Future of Catholic Biblical Interpretation: Marie-Joseph Lagrange and Beyond

Notable Catholic interpreters of Scripture discern the guiding values of biblical interpretation at the brink of a new era for the church. Under the influence of Benedict XVI and Francis, Roman Catholics, whether lay or religious, have found renewed interest in studying sacred Scripture. Yet the church has also grown and faces new challenges in the new millennium. What does the future of Catholic biblical interpretation look like? And how ought the church's rich heritage of biblical interpretation continue to influence it? This volume collects essays by some of the most influential voices in Catholic biblical scholarship today. Covering a variety of topics, from the Old Testament to the New Testament and biblical theology, the essays are united by a common goal: to hear the word of God and proclaim and apply it within the church. The authors pay special tribute to Marie-Joseph Lagrange. This nineteenth-century French Dominican led the way in blending critical methodology with respect for the Church's authority in order to put scriptural study in service to the good of souls. Featuring diverse and authentically Catholic perspectives, The Future of Catholic Biblical Interpretation represents fresh purpose and direction for the church's long and fruitful tradition of exegesis. Catholic Media Association (CMA) Book Award Scripture Academic Studies Third Place (2025)

About the Author :
James B. Prothro is assistant professor of theology and sacred Scripture at the Augustine Institute Graduate School of Theology. Isaac Augustine Morales, OP, is associate professor of theology at Providence College.

Review :
"This collection of essays is both a splendid overview of the recent past in Catholic exegesis and a hopeful signpost for its future. It reads like a posthumous Festschrift for Père Lagrange, a saintly mentor whose lifework continues in the historical, critical, and ecclesial exegesis of those inspired by him." --Thomas Esposito, University of Dallas "Prothro and Morales provide us with a useful collection of essays by English-language exegetes that situate Catholic Scripture studies in relation to the pioneering work of Marie-Joseph Lagrange, OP. The authors represent a helpful variety of perspectives on the Catholic study of Scripture. The essays recognize how Scripture is to be read with both heart and mind and thus offer a helpful antidote to the sterilization of Scripture too often brought on by merely academic approaches in biblical studies. The Future of Catholic Biblical Interpretation: Marie-Joseph Lagrange and Beyond will be useful for Catholic seminarians, graduate students, and all those seeking to understand the twenty-first-century status and trajectories of English-language Catholic exegesis of Scripture." --Mark Reasoner, Marian University "This book of essays is inspired by the life and work of Père Marie-Joseph Lagrange, OP, a very prodigious and faithful Roman Catholic biblical scholar of the twentieth century. This collection particularly holds up Lagrange's ongoing legacy. An absolute scholarly powerhouse (with 1,786 pieces attributed to him!), Lagrange was a model of a historical exegesis that could contribute to the spiritual appreciation of the Scriptures, a stance that would come to shape Vatican teaching and Catholic thinking. Thanks in no small part to the inspiration of Lagrange, the Church has since enjoyed a spiritual revival, a "biblical renewal," aided by the generations of biblical scholars from across the globe who have received superb training at the École biblique et archéologique française de Jérusalem that Lagrange himself founded. Building on this inspiring scholar and his legacy, this volume offers inspiring essays on Scripture, Catholic theology and church teaching--for the life of the church today. Most highly recommended." --Mark S. Smith, Princeton Theological Seminary "This welcome volume is, in many ways, a long-due posthumous Festschrift for Marie-Joseph Lagrange, OP, who was both a faithful cleric and courageous exegete for contemporary Catholic biblical studies. The cross-section of exegetes and their studies contained herein offer both erudite understanding of the past and prophetic hope for the future of studying the timeless truths of Christian scripture both within and beyond their historical and literary contexts into God's salvific plan for all humankind." --Sherri Brown, Creighton University "Père Lagrange's groundbreaking work in biblical interpretation in the service of the church comes alive in this collection of essays by esteemed Catholic scholars. Every chapter engages the tension of biblical inquiry, theology, and faith by employing the method of exegesis developed by Père Lagrange. One who is interested in the future of Catholic biblical studies cannot ignore the wisdom and insights in these pages." --Ferdinand Okorie, Catholic Theological Union "A worthy tribute to the intellectual and religious vision of Lagrange, who walked the narrow path between modernism and fideism. This exciting collection of essays follows his example of intellectual rigor and humble obedience, strengthening my hope that the division between biblical studies and theology is a thing of the past." --Richard Ounsworth, OP, Blackfriars Hall, Oxford University "Is there a specifically Catholic interpretation of the Bible? What are the foundations for such an interpretation? Can the Catholic study of the Bible make its own contribution to biblical studies? On the shoulders of Lagrange's first (and controversial) attempt to combine critical and theological exegesis, this volume brings together the best of Catholic scholarship to answer these questions. A wonderful study of the present and future of Catholic biblical interpretation." --Ignacio Carbajosa, Universidad San Dámaso, Madrid