Guide to Beginning Research in Theology & Religion
This research guide lists core resources beginners and others may find helpful as starting points. If you have questions or would like to consult the Theology Reference Librarian at Ireland Library, contact j9malcheski@stthomas.edu
Books
CLICnet
WorldCat
E-books
Google Books
Articles
ATLA Religion Database with ATLAS Serials
Our primary theology and religion index, with 50 plus titles in full-text out of over 400 total indexed, primarily academic journal articles, books, reviews, and essays in collection; international scope. Watch a short video on how to search ATLA: xxx. Scriptures search: find articles about passages by citation; browse by Book title, carefully look for applicable verse ranges.
Catholic Periodical & Literature Index
Index to about 150 Catholic interest publications, including journals, newspapers, books, reviews, and church documents (Vatican pronouncements and bishops' official statements). This online index begins in 1981. The print version (Ireland Library Reference) began back in 1930.
Academic Search Premier
The world's largest academic multi-disciplinary database, Academic Search Premier provides full text for nearly 4,600 scholarly publications, including full text for more than 3,500 peer-reviewed journals.
Google Scholar
CentralSearch
Virtual Peridoicals
Backgrounds
ONLINE
Electronic Reference Sources
Virtual Reference
New Catholic Encyclopedia
This 15-vol. work on every aspect of Catholicism has been a mainstay since its 1967 publication. This 2003 version updated many articles but the majority of entries retained in the new edition were unchanged. The 1967 print edition remains invaluable (IRL Ref BX841 .N44 15 vols)
Ency of Early Christianity
Routledge Religion
Blackwell Religion
Ency of Religion
Ency Judaica
Ency of Philosophy
Oxford Reference Online Premium
The Oxford Reference Online contains dictionaries, encyclopedias, and Oxford Companions on art, biology, business, classics, computing, environmental science, economics, history, language, law, literature, medicine, physical science, political science, quotations, religion and philosophy, and science.
Origins Plus
Origins is the official newsletter and documentary service of the United States Bishops. This online version goes back to 1994. The print edition (at OSF and Ireland Reference) began in 1976.
PRINT
Reference Sources
Westminster Dictionary Of Theological Terms
IRL Ref BR 95 .M378 1996
Very useful for checking unfamiliar terms. Succinct definitions.
HarperCollins Encyclopedia Of Catholicism
IRL & OSF Ref BX 841.H37 1995
An modern one volume work on Catholic subjects, from a contemporary, reform perspective.
New Dictionary Of Theology
IRL Ref BR 95 .N3 1987
A standard, modern resource for background research.
Anchor Bible Dictionary
IRL & OSF Ref BS 440.A54 6 vols.
Now the standard full-scale, multi-volume Bible encyclopedia (not to be confused with the Anchor Bible series), this resources is great for finding background information and sometimes detailed overviews. Look up your best guess as to the subject or topic you need. For more help with "topical" research, ask your instructor or consult the librarian.
New Interpreter's Bible
IRL Ref BS 491.2.B7 1990
This 12-volume commentary goes into considerable detail but is still quite accessible. Update to the original 1960's Interpreter's Bible.
New Jerome Biblical Commentary
IRL & OSF Ref BS 491.2.B7 1990
One of the best one-volume commentaries, provding brief, expert interpretation of entire Bible, book by book, chapter by chapter. Intoductory essays and apppendices are good for background, too.
MORE REFERENCE BOOKS
HISTORY
Oxford Dictionary of the Christian Church.
IRL Ref BR 95.O8
Updated classic-- first stop for brief overviews on unfamiliar subjects. Good bibliographies at end of entries.
Butler's Lives of the Saints. 12 vols.
IRL Ref BX 4654.B8 1995
The classic standard for Catholic saints. Arranged by saint's day. New edition completed in 1999 but previous ones still useful.
Penguin Dictionary of Saints.
IRL Ref BX 4655.8 .A8 1995
Up to date edition giving brief, good lives, with sources.
Patrology. 4 vols.
IRL Ref BR 67.Q3
Known as Quasten. Now dated but still oen of the best finding aids for the writings of the Church Fathers. Seek new editions in library catalogs, or ask for help.
Encyclopedia of Early Christianity. 2 vols.
IRL Ref BR 162.2.E53
Good resource for the early church, covering major figures, doctrinal controversies and late antique culture.
Dictionary of the Middle Ages. 13 vols.
IRL Ref D 114.D5 1982
The encyclopedia for medieval subjects--generous coverage, good bibliographies.
Encyclopedia of Protestantism. 4 vols.
IRL Ref BX 4811.3.E53
Important new resource ? a single compendium on the history and movements of the Protestant Churches.
Encyclopedia of American Catholic History.
IRL Ref BX 1406.2 E53 1997
Survey of the United States Church, mostly biographies and institutional histories. Brief articles include bibliographies.
BACKGROUNDS
Encyclopedia of Catholic Literature. 2 vols.
IRL Ref PN 485 .E53 2004
Essays include a biography of the author and discussion with emphasis on Catholic themes and content.
New Dictionary of Christian Worship.
IRL Ref BV 173 .N485 1990
Basic resource reflecting the Church's liturgical reform and current understandings of worship.
Handbook of Catholic Theology.
IRL Ref BX 1745.5 .L4915
Compendium of essays on a variety of important themes with a modern perspective -- includes brief bibliographies.
DOCUMENTS OF THE MAGISTERIUM
The Christian Faith in the Doctrinal Documents of the Catholic Church.
IRL Ref BX 1747.N42
Classified doctrinal collection by topic of important documents and doctrinal writings from church history.
Decrees of the Ecumenical Councils. 2 vols.
IRL Ref BX 825 .A1990
All major councils, including Trent and Vatican I and II.
Papal Encyclicals: 1740-1981. 4 vols.
IRL Ref BX 860.A3
Note dates of coverage, to 1981. See below for John Paul II. Some encyclicals online at the Vatican.
Encyclicals of John Paul II.
IRL Ref BX 860.1978 .A213 1996
All major pronouncements except _Fides et Ratio_ (1998). See Vatican site for web versions.
Documents of Vatican II.
IRL Ref BX 830.1962.A3G3
Primary documents, available in several editions and versions. See Vatican site for web versions.
DIRECTORIES
Official Catholic Directory.
IRL Ref BX 845 .C5
Catholic Almanac.
IRL Ref BX 845 .N213
Official Minnesota Catholic Directory.
IRL Ref BX 1417 .S3 O3
BASIC SERVICE BOOKS
The Sacramentary (The Roman Missal).
IRL Ref BX 2037.A4 1985
The Rites I and II. 2 vols.
IRL Ref BX 2035 .A4 1990
The Roman Pontifical.
IRL Ref BX 2030 .I3
Ceremonial of Bishops.
IRL Ref BX 1971 .A25 E5 1989
Liturgy of the Hours. 4 vols.
IRL Ref BX 2000.A4 1975
Lectionary for Masses.
IRL Ref BX 2003 .A4 1998
OTHER REFERENCE SOURCES
New Commentary on the Code of Canon Law.
IRL Ref KBU 2212 .N49 2000
Exegetical Commentary on the Code of Canon Law. 8 vols.
IRL Ref KBU 2212 .C65513 2004
The Theology of the Church: a Bibliography.
IRL Ref BX 1746 .D84 1999
The Church Visible: Ceremonial Life and Protocol.
IRL Ref BX 1969 .N66 1996
Days of the Lord: the Liturgical Year. 7 vols.
IRL Ref BX 1970 .J67313 1991
Ordo [Order of Prayer for the Archdiocese].
IRL Ref BX 1999 .A3 S3
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Above are just a few of the voluminous resources for Biblical studies available at the Libraries. For in depth study, please consult the research guides with special emphasis on Scripture: see
Basic Bible Resources
