The Cultural World of the Prophets: The First Reading and the Responsorial Psalm, Sunday by Sunday, Year C

I've always been interested in the historical and cultural aspects of the times of the bible as a way to better understand what was written. As a cantor/psalmist for our church, this also helps me better prepare for each Sunday. Via Amazon (both Kindle and paperback) and a few other sites, I was able to get all 9 editions in the set. Cultural World of the Prophets for the old testament and psalms, Cultural World of the Apostles for the epistles and Cultural World of Jesus for the gospels (each having a book for A, B and C cycles).

An eye opening look into the world (external and internal) of the prophets. The writer opens the Mediterranean world up for the reader and brings a deeper understanding to the prophet biblical writings. My personal ignorance of the Mediterranean world was exposed and now I have a better understanding of what I read in Old Testament. The selected readings correspond to the Sunday readings from the Church's liturgical calendar (Years A,B,C). This book is not a in-depth study of the prophets but an overview of the pre-selected Sunday readingsas applied to their audience and the prevailing culture. Their culture was (and still is) a vastly different world than our western culture.

I don't want to sound like a broken record but there are nine books in the series. Each offers a glimpse into the culture of the reading of the Sunday liturgy. It is only a page or two, but it offers insight that one may not have otherwise. I find it very helpful.

The entire "Cultural World" series by John Pilch is great.Each chapter contains insights into the Greco-Roman Mediterranean world and Jewish backgrounds of Scripture so that modern readers can better understand the biblical text, and what it means for today. The book contains 56 chapters, each focusing on a passage of Scripture. The chapters are short and easy to read, and would provide a source for great devotions, Bible studies, or sermon aids.My only complaint is that I wish he had put the Biblical text next to the chapter titles in the Table of Contents.

This book adds insight to the first reading in the Sunday liturgy. It is worth having on hand--maybe two pages of cultural insight and background for each week's first reading.

A succinct commentary on the sociology and cultural anthropology of the time that is written about in the Old Testament epoch that is treated of in the Revised Common Lectionary. Thank you Dr. Pilch. 4-29-11 Dcn. Tim. McAuliffe

This truly helps the catechists I have in the RCIA process. Gives them a beter understanidng of the literature, the time, and how it relates to today.

Wonderful background perspectives for homily prep.