Prayer Books suited for the Daily Offices

One challenge I face is reading (praying) my Daily Offices.  I do not easily form new habits, and the less convenient this habit is, the less likely my success.  Reading the Anglican Office involves a copy of the 1928 Book of Common Prayer, the King James Version of the Holy Bible, and the Apocrypha.  Until recently, the essentials (my copies) were in three volumes.

Reasoning that if the Offices were in a single book I would be more likely to perform my duty, I began searching for alternatives. Some help from some learned friends on a Yahoo group, some help from my Rector, and finally some technological help have left me with no excuses!

Details to follow....

The 1550 Book of Common Prayer Noted

This link is to a Google Books scan of the 1550 BCP, noted by Merbecke, and reprinted in 1840 by Marbeck. This is not Google's best scan, but it is worth a look. The Book of Common Prayer is remarkable in its richness; singing the prayers and psalms adds a lot to the experience. Not many churches hold sung services like Morning Prayer any longer. Not enough time in the day for most folks, I suppose. Still, I would like to see some effort made to revive the practice.

Fulton Sheen

I've known of Archbishop Sheen for many years. I recall seeing some of his broadcasts when I was young, and was re-introduced to him recently. My Rector gave me a copy of "The Priest is Not His Own" to aid me in understanding the shift in thinking that accompanies a call to Holy Orders. It is an excellent book, but somewhat unsettling for a fellow somewhat set in his ways, anticipating retirement, and, frankly, who had never before considered this type of life.

At any rate, a good book, and it led me to research a bit more. Here, then, is a fantastic library of talks by Sheen; some free, some available for purchase. Well worth a look.

The Interpreter's Bible

Following the advice of the clergy on the Commission on Ministry, I recently found an old (1955) set of The Interpreter's Bible. I have been using Father Raymond Brown's Introduction to the New Testament and The New Jerome Biblical Commentary for some foundational studies. They are very good, but are heavily focused on exegesis and criticism. I am finding the Interpreter's Bible to be a very detailed read, focused on history, exegesis, and criticism to an extent, but I think it will be much more suited to my immediate needs, namely, an in-depth introduction to scripture as a whole, and a valuable resource for preaching.

The Interpreter's Bible - A Commentary in Twelve Volumes (Complete Set)

Too Busy

Been too busy with other stuff to post regularly. Shame, because much is happening in the world.

Listening to some lectures on the Gospel according to St. John from Reformed Theological Seminary. These are available on-line through i-Tunes, and are a good series of lectures. Being a Calvinist institution, I have perhaps a differing viewpoint regarding some small points, but as I have yet been able to attend seminary, this is as close as I can get to the seminary experience.

The presenter of these lectures, Dr. Knox Chamblin, refers his students to an author of some excellent commentaries. He asks his students not to be put off by the fact that Fr. Raymond Brown is a Catholic. It strikes me as funny in a way, that this is a negative in their eyes, but I went to Amazon straightaway to order. I will report on the book when it arrives.

I did finish The Great Heresies by Belloc - a very interesting book. Lacking in some detail, and showing a strong Rome-ish bias, but interesting nonetheless. He was prescient to a degree, as many of his warnings seem particularly suited for today, even if he did not entirely anticipate the degree or the exact direction in which the world has changed.

The Petrine Claims by Richard Frederick Littledale

Recommended through a post at The Continuum, this book is available through Google books as a PDF download. It has taken a top place on my reading list. When I am done with Staley's The Catholic Religion (also available through Google books) and Scupoli's Unseen Warfare I will dig in.

Special on iPods at Calumet

Yes, a blatant plug. Full disclosure - I (through my company, Camera Collectors, Inc.) am an affiliate of Calumet Photographic. A new relationship, I hope they can supply items my customers may want, but that I cannot supply. With luck, I may make a buck or two as well. Enough to pay for seminary? Well....

That said, they are offering free shipping on iPods. My older daughter loves hers, and I was sufficiently impressed I may replace my MP3 player with an iPod (I have some Scot blood in me, so I won't do it until the MP3 player breathes it's last breath).

How does this apply to the deaconate? Please, if you haven't already, check out iTunes University. My MP3 player does not have any music. I have iTunes U college lectures on the Epistles, I have lessons on Biblical Greek (these lectures are downloaded free of charge), and a few audio books from Audible.com. I load Jack Benny's radio programs to listen to while traveling - driving at night, kids and wife asleep, and I'm laughing out loud.

Anyway - here is the link. If it looks like a good deal, try them out. I buy hard-to-find photographic gear from Calumet, and have always been pleased by their prices and service.

Free Shipping on ALL iPods at Calumet Photographic! while supplies last. no code necessary

The Bible on-line

I recently found a very nice parallel bible on-line, with multi-lingual translations as well. I expect this will be a ready resource for my studies.