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Welcome

Welcome to the Library's Reference Section, where you will find dictionaries, encyclopedias, and other compilations to help you research your topic. Items in this collection are considered tertiary sources and provide you with a broad overview of your topic.

Reference Collections

COMMENTARIES IN ELECTRONIC DATABASE FORMAT

Anchor Yale Bible Commentaries This link opens in a new window
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Over 86 volumes and is one of the most trusted and long-running scholarly commentaries series for Biblical Studies scholars. Draws from the wisdom and resources of Protestant, Catholic, and Jewish scholars from around the world. Includes a book-by-book translation and exegesis of the Hebrew Bible, the New Testament, and the Apocrypha to make available all the significant historical and linguistic knowledge which bears on the interpretation of the Bible.
Jerome Biblical Commentary for the Twenty-First Century This link opens in a new window
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Online access available through Theology & Religion Online.

Commentary on the Lectionary: Vol 1: The Old Testament and Acts
Preachers, pastors, ministers and priests know how rapidly Sundays come and go under the pressure of parish life. Protecting time for study and theological reflection is increasingly difficult in the modern world. These three masterly volumes provide tastes of theological exegesis for Sunday’s texts that will stimulate reflection. They are not books of sermons. Each exegetical entry included three elements: engagement with the biblical text, theological reflection and awareness of the context within which the sermon will be spoken and heard.
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Access available through Theology and Religion Online
Commentary on the Lectionary: Vol 2: Acts and the Epistles
Preachers, pastors, ministers and priests know how rapidly Sundays come and go under the pressure of parish life. Protecting time for study and theological reflection is increasingly difficult in the modern world. These three masterly volumes provide tastes of theological exegesis for Sunday's texts that will stimulate reflection. They are not books of sermons. Each exegetical entry included three elements: engagement with the biblical text, theological reflection and awareness of the context within which the sermon will be spoken and heard.
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Access available through Theology and Religion Online
Commentary on the Lectionary: Vol. 3: The Gospels
Preachers, pastors, ministers and priests know how rapidly Sundays come and go under the pressure of parish life. Protecting time for study and theological reflection is increasingly difficult in the modern world. These three masterly volumes provide tastes of theological exegesis for Sunday’s texts that will stimulate reflection. They are not books of sermons. Each exegetical entry included three elements: engagement with the biblical text, theological reflection and awareness of the context within which the sermon will be spoken and heard.
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Access available through Theology and Religion Online

COMMENTARIES IN EBOOK FORMAT

Commentary on the New Testament Use of the Old Testament by G. K. Beale (Editor); D. A. Carson (Editor)
ISBN: 9781441210524
Publication Date: 2007-11-01
Leading evangelical scholars provide comprehensive commentary on every quotation, allusion, and echo of the Old Testament that appears in Matthew through Revelation.
The Gospel of John by Francis J. Moloney; Daniel J. Harrington (Editor)
ISBN: 9780814682623
Publication Date: 2005-10-01
No other book of the New Testament has attracted as much attention from commentators as the Fourth Gospel. It has stirred minds, hearts, and imaginations from Christianity's earliest days.
1 Peter, Jude and 2 Peter (Sacra Pagina) by Donald Senior; Daniel Harrington (Editor)
ISBN: 9780814682609
Publication Date: 2008-11-01
Crisis in the church is not a new phenomenon. In fact, the church has always been - and probably always will be - involved in some kind of crisis. Even in the apostolic period, which is regarded by many as the church's golden age, there were serious crises coming both from the outside, as in 1 Peter, and from the inside, as in Jude and 2 Peter.

DICTIONARIES IN ELECTRONIC DATABASE FORMAT

Anchor Yale Bible Dictionary This link opens in a new window
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A six-volume state-of-the-art dictionary of the Bible offering the most up-to-date and comprehensive treatment of biblical subjects and topics. The Anchor Yale Bible Dictionary covers a wide range of topics, discover the most popular categories, such as people, places and deities.
✦Over 7 million words of authoritative content, the Anchor Yale Bible Dictionary remains the gold standard reference for Biblical Studies. It is an unprecedented interfaith exploration of the Bible that is interdisciplinary in scope
✦The first major Bible dictionary to be published in America in 30 years that includes six volumes of approximately 1,200 pages each
✦More than 6,000 entries, 7,000,000 words, and nearly 1,000 contributors
✦Endpaper maps of the Near Eastern world keyed to text for quick location of archaeological and biblical sites
✦Articles on pseudepigraphic and apocryphal texts, Nag Hammadi tractates, and individual Dead Sea Scrolls, including the most recently published sectarian Dead Sea Scrolls as well as articles illustrating the literary artistry of the biblical text
✦A richness of information unequaled in the history of biblical studies
Oxford Dictionary of the Christian Church This link opens in a new window
The Oxford Dictionary of the Christian Church is the indispensable reference work on all aspects of the Christian Church. It contains over 6,000 A-Z entries, and offers unrivalled coverage of all aspects of this vast and often complex subject, from theology; churches and denominations; patristic scholarship; and the bible; to the church calendar and its organization; popes; archbishops; saints; and mystics.

Catholic Dictionary by Peter M. Strairnskas
Call Number: BX841.0872002eb
ISBN: 9781612782294
Publication Date: 2002-03-01
Easy-to-use pronunciation guide and complete history of Catholic terminology. Has more than 3,000 entries with concise definitions. Includes specialized terms and foreign phrases.

DICTIONARIES IN EBOOK FORMAT

The Baker Compact Bible Dictionary by Tremper Iii Longman (Editor)
ISBN: 9781441245281
Publication Date: 2014-08-19
The Baker Compact Bible Dictionary provides students of the Bible with quick access to the essential information needed to read the Bible with increased understanding and confidence.
The Book of Saints: A Comprehensive Biographical Dictionary by Basil Watkins
ISBN: 9780567664167
Publication Date: 2015-11-19
Now fully revised and updated The Book of Saints is a comprehensive biographical dictionary of saints canonised by the Roman Catholic Church. It contains the names of over 10,000 saints, including all modern ones, with significant information about their lives and achievements.
Concise Dictionary of Theology, a Third Edition by Gerald O'Collins; Edward G. Farrugia
ISBN: 9781587682360
Publication Date: 2013-05-01
This dictionary identifies and clarifies a thousand central terms, providing necessary information about their origin, the history of their usage, and their place in the story of Christianity. Fresh in its language and ecumenical in its style, this dictionary has already proved itself a valuable resource for thousands of students and teachers of theology and religious studies.
Dictionary of Biblical Imagery by Leland Ryken (Editor); James C. Wilhoit (Editor); Tremper Longman (Editor)
ISBN: 9780830814510
Publication Date: 1998-11-02
A Christianity Today 1999 Book of the Year!Every reader of the Bible has encountered the powerful, comforting and sometimes puzzling imagery of Scripture.
A Dictionary of Devotions by Michael Walsh
ISBN: 9780860121794
Publication Date: 1994-01-01
The central act of Christian worship is the Mass or Eucharist. This, however, is a formal public act, and generally a once-in-a-week event, which does not entirely answer the spiritual aspirations of the vast majority of Christians who express these through prayer and “devotional practices”. The cult of relics and of saints in general; banding together into confraternities to foster a special devotion; going on pilgrimages, wearing medals, badges and scapulars - all these are forms of devotion.
Dictionary of Jesus and the Gospels by Joel B. Green; Jeannine K. Brown (Associate Editor); Nicholas Perrin (Associate Editor)
ISBN: 9780830884384
Publication Date: 2013-11-11
The second edition of the Dictionary of Jesus and the Gospels is a thoroughly reconstructed and revised version of the critically acclaimed 1992 first edition. Since that groundbreaking volume was published, a wave of Jesus and Gospel scholarship has crested and broken on the shores of a new century.
Dictionary of New Testament Background by Craig A. Evans (Editor); Stanley E. Porter (Editor)
ISBN: 9781789740479
Publication Date: 2020
The fourth in a landmark series of reference works on the Bible. In a time when our knowledge of the ancient Mediterranean world has grown by leaps and bounds, this volume sets out for readers the wealth of Jewish and Greco-Roman background that should inform our reading and understanding of the New Testament and early Christianity.
The Dictionary of the Bible and Ancient Media by Tom Thatcher (Editor); Chris Keith (Editor); Raymond F. Person (Editor); Elsie R. Stern (Editor)
ISBN: 9780567222497
Publication Date: 2017-10-19
The Dictionary of the Bible and Ancient Media is a convenient and authoritative reference tool, introducing specific terms and concepts helpful to the study of the Bible and related literature in ancient communications culture.
Holman Concise Bible Dictionary by Holman Bible Editorial Staff
ISBN: 9781433674426
Publication Date: 2016-11-01
The Holman Concise Bible Dictionary covers all the traditional Bible dictionary topics-summaries of books in the Bible, major characters, places, animals, plants, etc.-with clarity and convenience. Plus, the volume features more than 2,800 articles on a variety of contemporary topics, including abortion, assisted suicide, child abuse, birth control, credit cards, animal rights, career, and dinosaurs. In all, this book offers more than 4,000 entries.
Holman QuickSource Bible Dictionary by Holman Bible Editorial Staff (Editor)
ISBN: 9781433670282
Publication Date: 2005-04-01
The Holman QuickSource Bible Dictionary is a perfect tool for those who are beginning to study the Bible. It's definitions are both carefully researched and accessible. Definitions are designed to give the user a quick understanding of a term right up front and then, in many cases, go into more detail for those who want this level of description. Clear, concise definitions are enhanced by the large number of colorful maps, photos, and reconstructions of biblical objects.
New Dictionary of Christian Apologetics by Gavin McGrath; W. C. Campbell-Jack (Editor); C. Stephen Evans (Consultant Editor)
ISBN: 9780830898398
Publication Date: 2006-04-18
The New Dictionary of Christian Apologetics is a must-have resource for professors and students, pastors and laypersons--in short, for any Christian who wishes to understand or develop a rational explanation of the Christian faith in the context of today's complex and ever-changing world.
Pocket Dictionary of Christian Spirituality by Don Thorsen
ISBN: 9780830887323
Publication Date: 2018-03-27
The Pocket Dictionary of Christian Spirituality is an A to Z introduction and resource for curious newcomers and novice students of spirituality.
Pocket Dictionary of Church History by Nathan P. Feldmeth
ISBN: 9780830867035
Publication Date: 2008-09-29
This convenient reference work by Nathan Feldmeth offers brief, up-to-date definitions of the terms, events, movements and figures of church history.
Pocket Dictionary of Theological Terms by Stanley J. Grenz; David Guretzki; Cherith Fee Nordling
ISBN: 9780830867073
Publication Date: 1999-04-26
Designed for students and pastors alike, the short and accessible volumes in the IVP Pocket Reference Series will help you tackle the study of biblical languages, church history, apologetics, world religions, Christian spirituality, ethics, theology, and more.

ENCYCLOPEDIAS IN ELECTRONIC DATABASE FORMAT

New Catholic Encyclopedia This link opens in a new window
Access all 15 volumes and the latest supplement. This revised edition incorporates content from the five supplementary volumes to the first edition of the New Catholic Encyclopedia and features contributions from hundreds of scholars from all over the world.

Christianity: The Complete Guide
The Complete Guide is quite unlike any other book about Christianity. Rather like a travel guide, it approaches Christianity as a foreign land, which it remains for many people. Written at the level of a serious daily newspaper, this reference work introduces the very different forms of Christianity as they are to be found on all continents.

ENCYCLOPEDIAS IN EBOOK FORMAT

Encyclopedia of Christianity in the Global South by Mark A. Lamport (Editor); Philip Jenkins (Introduction by); Katalina Tahaafe-Williams (Foreword by); Justin Welby (Afterword by); Dana L. Robert (Afterword by); David Maxwell (Afterword by); Paul Freston (Afterword by); Fenggang Yang (Afterword by); Graham Kings (Afterword by)
ISBN: 9781442271579
Publication Date: 2018-06-01
The rapid growth of Christianity in the global south is not just a demographic shift-it is transforming the faith itself. The Encyclopedia of Christianity in the Global South traces both the history and the contemporary themes of Christianity in more than 150 countries and regions. It includes maps, images, and a detailed timeline of key events.
Encyclopedia of Christianity in the United States by George Thomas Kurian (Editor); Mark A. Lamport (Editor); Martin E. Marty (Foreword by)
ISBN: 9781442244320
Publication Date: 2016-11-10
From the Founding Fathers through the present, Christianity has exercised powerful influence in the United States--from its role in shaping politics and social institutions to its hand in inspiring art and culture. The Encyclopedia of Christianity in the United States outlines the myriad roles Christianity has played and continues to play. Five volume set.
Gale Contextual Encyclopedia of American Literature by Anne Marie Hacht (Editor); Dwayne D. Hayes (Editor)
ISBN: 9781410337610
Publication Date: 2009-07-03
This four-volume set covers American authors from many periods and genres, building a broad understanding of the various contexts - from the biographical to the literary to the historical - in which literature can be viewed.

Web-based Encyclopedias

Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy
The Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy organizes scholars from around the world in philosophy and related disciplines to create and maintain an up-to-date reference work.
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The Offices of the Provost, the Dean of Humanities and Sciences, and the Dean of Research, Stanford University
The SEP Library Fund: containing contributions from the National Endowment for the Humanities and the membership dues of academic and research libraries that have joined SEPIA.
The John Perry Fund and The SEP Fund: containing contributions from individual donors.
The Friends of the SEP Society Fund: containing membership dues from individuals who have joined to obtain such member benefits as nicely formatted PDF versions of SEP entries.
The SEP gratefully acknowledges founding support from the National Endowment for the Humanities, the National Science Foundation, The American Philosophical Association/Pacific Division, The Canadian Philosophical Association, and the Philosophy Documentation Center. Fundraising efforts were supported by a grant from The William and Flora Hewlett Foundation.

ANTE-NICENE CHRISTIAN LIBRARY:
TRANSLATIONS OF THE WRITINGS OF THE FATHERS DOWN TO A.D. 325

Digital access to all 10 volumes of the Ante-Nicene Fathers, edited by Alexander Roberts and James Donaldson, courtesey of Theology and Religion Online. All content is cross-searchable, downloadable, and printable.

Volume I: The Apostolic Volume I: The Apostolic Fathers with Justin Martyr and Irenaeus
Volume 1 of a 10 volume compilation of dozens of lesser known religious works from the early centuries of the Christian church, this volume explores the Apostolic Fathers, Justin Martyr and Irenaeus. Included as Clement of Rome, Polycarp, the numerous epistles of Ignatius, the Epistle of Barnabas and the Fragments of Papias.
Volume II: The Writings of Justin Martyr and Athenagoras
Volume 2 of a 10 volume compilation of dozens of lesser known religious works from the early centuries of the Christian church, this volume explores the Fathers of the Second Centuryx. Included are the Pastor of Hermas, Tatian, Theophilus, Athenagoras and Clement of Alexandria.
Volume III: Latin Christianity: Its Founder, Tertullian
Volume 3 of a 10 volume compilation of dozens of lesser known religious works from the early centuries of the Christian church, this volume explores Latin Christianity and its founder, Tertullian, and his apologetic, anti-Marcion and ethical writings. The contents range from Tertullian’s Apology and discussion of the soul to his Five Books against Marcion and his writings on repentance, baptism, prayer, patience and martyrdom.
Volume IV: Fathers of the Third Century: Tertullian, Part Fourth: Minicius Felix, Commodian, Origen, Parts First and Second
Volume 4 of a 10 volume compilation of dozens of lesser known religious works from the early centuries of the Christian church, this volume explores the Fathers of the Third Century, including further writings of Tertullian, Minucius Felix, Commodian and Origen.
Volume V: Fathers of the Third Century: Hippolytus, Cyprian, Caius, Novatian, Appendix
Volume 5 of a 10 volume compilation of dozens of lesser known religious works from the early centuries of the Christian church, this volume explores several Fathers of the Third Century. Included are Hippolytus, Cyprian, Caius and Novatian.
Volume VI: Fathers of the Third Century: Gregory Thaumaturgus, Dionysius the Great, Julius Africanus, Anatolius and Minor Writers, Methodius, Arnobius
Volume 6 of a 10 volume compilation of dozens of lesser known religious works from the early centuries of the Christian church, this volume explores writings that were heavily influential on the early Church. Included are the Fathers of the Third Century: Gregory Thaumaturgus, Dionysius, Julius Africanus, Anatolius and Minor Writers, Archelaus, Alexander of Lycopolis, Peter of Alexandria, Alexander of Alexandria, Methodius and Arnobius.
Volume VII: The Five Books of Quintus Sept. Flor. Tertullianus against Marcion
Volume 7 of a 10 volume compilation of dozens of lesser known religious works from the early centuries of the Christian church, this volume explores the Fathers of the Third and Fourth Century, Lactantius, Venantius, Asterius, Victorinus, Dionysius; as well as Apostolic Teaching and Constitutions, Homily and Liturgies.
Volume VIII: Fathers of the Third and Fourth Centuries: The Twelve Patriarchs, Excerpts and Epistles, the Clementina, Apocrypha, Decretals, Memoirs of Edessa and Syriac Documents, Remains of First Ages
Volume 8 of a 10 volume compilation of dozens of lesser known religious works from the early centuries of the Christian church, this volume explores The Twelve Patriarchs, Excerpts and Epistles, The Clementia, Apocrypha, Decretals, Memoirs of Edessa and Syriac Documents and Remains of the First Ages
Volume IX: Biographical Synopsis
Volume 9 of a 10 volume compilation of dozens of lesser known religious works from the early centuries of the Christian church, this volume explores recently discovered additions to Early Christian literature. These include the Gospel and Apocalypse of Peter; the Diatessaron of Tatian; the Vision of Paul; the Apocalypses of the Virgin and Sedrach; the Testament of Abraham; the Acts of Xanthippe and Polyxena; the Narrative of Zosimus; the Epistles of Clement; the Apology of Aristides; the Passion of the Sicilian Martyrs and the Commentaries of Origen.
Volume X: Allan Mezies, ed.
Volume 10 of a 10 volume compilation of dozens of lesser known religious works from the early centuries of the Christian church, this volume contains the bibliographies and indices for the entire series.

Commentaries

St. Thomas Aquinas' Works in English
These texts were originally compiled by Fr. Joseph Kenny, O.P. (1936-2013).
Super Boethium de Trinitate
Questions 1-4, translated by Rose E. Brennan, S.H.N. (Herder, 1946)
Questions 5-6, translated by Armand Mauer (Toronto, 1953)

Summa Theologiae from New Advent

The Summa Theologiæ of St. Thomas Aquinas
Second and Revised Edition, 1920
Literally translated by Fathers of the English Dominican Province
Online Edition Copyright © 2017 by Kevin Knight
Nihil Obstat. F. Innocentius Apap, O.P., S.T.M., Censor. Theol.
Imprimatur. Edus. Canonicus Surmont, Vicarius Generalis. Westmonasterii.
APPROBATIO ORDINIS
Nihil Obstat. F. Raphael Moss, O.P., S.T.L. and F. Leo Moore, O.P., S.T.L.
Imprimatur. F. Beda Jarrett, O.P., S.T.L., A.M., Prior Provincialis Angliæ

Prima Pars (First Part)
Sacred Doctrine. The One God. The Blessed Trinity. Creation. The Angels. The Six Days. Man. The Government of Creatures.
Prima Secundae Partis (First Part of the Second Part)
Man's Last End. Human Acts. Passions. Habits. Vice and Sin. Law. Grace.
Secunda Secundae Partis (Second Part of the Second Part)
Faith. Hope. Charity. Prudence. Justice. Fortitude. Temperance. Acts Which Pertain to Certain Men.
Tertia Pars (Third Part)
The Incarnation. The Life of Christ. Sacraments. Baptism. Confirmation. The Holy Eucharist. Penance.
Supplementum Tertiae Partis (Supplement to the Third Part)
Penance (continued). Extreme Unction. Holy Orders. Matrimony. The Resurrection. Appendices.

Bible Hub
featuring topical, Greek and Hebrew Study Tools, plus concordances, commentaries, dictionaries, sermons, and devotionals
Online-Bibles
Featuring Biblia Hebraica Stuttgartensia, Novum Testamentum Graece (ed. Nestle-Aland), 28th Edition, Septuagint (ed. Rahlfs/Hanhar), and Vulgate (ed. Weber/Gryson).
Semantic Dictionary of Old Testament Greek | The Greek Old Testament
Online resources provided by United Bible Socieites.
Semantic Dictionary of New Testament Greek | Greek New Testament
Online resource provided by United Bible Societies.

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The Christian Faith: Doctrinal Documents of the Catholic Church
7th Edition
This classic compendium of the documents which define the Christian faith as understood by Catholics includes the creeds of the Church from the earliest times, along with major extracts from all the important decrees of councils, popes and Vatican congregations touching on matters of faith, now fully updated through to 2000.

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