Thomas Merton led numerous conferences during his decade (1955-1965)as novice master at the Cistercian Abbey of Gethsemani. In A MonasticIntroduction to Sacred Scripture, Patrick F. O''Connell presents one ofthese, a wide-ranging introduction to biblical studies. Drawing on churchtradition, teaching of recent papal documents, and scholarly resources of thetime, Merton reveals the central importance of the Scriptures for the spiritualgrowth of his listeners.
For Merton, at theheart of any meaningful reading of the Scriptures, not only for monks but
