What Is Nihil Obstat and Imprimatur in Roman Catholic Books?

Nihil Obstat & Imprimatur in Roman Catholic Books
blogpost by Mary Katherine May of QualityMusicandBooks.com

The nihil obstat and imprimatur are official declarations that a book or pamphlet is free of doctrinal or moral error. No implication is contained therein that those who have granted the nihil obstat and imprimatur agree with the contents, opinions or statements expressed. 
(Statement taken from the book, The Cross in the West by Mark Boesch.)

Literal Translations
Nihil Obstat: Nothing hinders, or nothing stands in the way.

Imprimatur: Let it be printed.
Imprimi Potest: May it be printed.

What Is the Roman Catholic Teaching?
Roman Catholic Canon Law 823

The Teaching Function of the Church: Instruments of Social Communication and Books in Particular

1. In order to preserve the integrity of the truths of faith and morals, the pastors of the Church have the duty and right to be watchful so that no harm is done to the faith or morals of the Christian faithful through writings or the use of instruments of social communication. 

They also have the duty and right to demand that writings to be published by the Christian faithful which touch upon faith or morals be submitted to their judgment and have the duty and right to condemn writings which harm correct faith or good morals. (Link: Canon Law 823)

THE PROPHETIC ENSIGN Vol 24 No 3 1964 Arthur E Bloomfield

The Prophetic Ensign, edited and published by Arthur E. Bloomfield
Volume 24, No. 3. July - August - September 1964.

The Prophetic Ensign

Volume 24 Number 3 (July – September 1964)
Arthur E. Bloomfield, editor & publisher

This article prepared by Mary Katherine May of QualityMusicandBooks.com.

 

   Previous to our present time when so much information is now generated and transferred around the world electronically, the best and most inexpensive way to get one’s subject matter out was through mailed media and if local via the telephone.  Postcards, fliers and pamphlets to which one subscribed were sent out to interested parties and read, then passed around to others of like mind who often would then subscribe themselves.

   In 1964, a subscription to The Prophetic Ensign cost one dollar annually, or 25 cents a copy.  Now even in 1964, publisher Arthur Bloomfield could not have been making much of a profit or any at all on his quarter compensation. 

 

   This writing is negative with commentary that includes blatant racism.  Without condoning the author's beliefs, especially when exhibited within a Christian context, such racism was not all that uncommon in the 1960s.  That our country has progressed in respecting the rights of all citizens is due in part to the great efforts put forth during this decade.  

 

Mr. Bloomfield, however misdirected we think his opinions to be, felt a duty, a higher calling, a passion for his serious subject matter.  Though not mentioned as much in this issue and other topics, it is obvious that the author was pressing others to realize how short time was before Christ’s return.  He also shows distress over the issue of false teachers who promoted wrong teaching, and for Christians with little real biblical knowledge. 

The information is dated in relation to Bloomfield’s examples:  Presidents John F. Kennedy and Lyndon B. Johnson, Nikita Krushchev, Vietnam.  According our prophetic editor’s writing in this issue, there is not much positive about, or in the world in 1964. He would not consider himself a voice of doom and gloom, however, but rather a voice of warning which urges that there is little time left to get right with God.  Arthur Bloomfield was definitely not a prophet who brought good tidings.  

1964 is now just shy of being 50 years ago.  Almost a half century has passed since Mr. Bloomfield’s prophetic message went out to readers. 

 

His topics include the following:

The problem alike in liberal ministers and many evangelical churches who teach nothing about Scripture, hold ineffective adult Bible classes, or just plain teach what is not biblically true.

The parable of the ten virgins, focusing on the five virgins with no oil for their lamps.

The lack of teaching of Scripture in relation to current events, or the fulfilling of Bible prophecy.

His forthcoming study written for Bible research groups which will be so difficult but true, and not many will want to complete the course.

Space Travel and Satan: “The modern movement that connects most closely with prophecy is the race to dominate the world.  This connects directly with Satan whose overriding ambition is to the god of this world.  It also connects with Satan’s realm, because it involves the control of the space above the earth.  Who controls the sky controls the earth.”

Bloomfield’s dislike of President Kennedy’s policies and like of President Johnson’s policies.

Vietnam, China, Cyprus and Russia (Soviet Union); Control of the world: “…but the Chinese are not content with that.  They are working on the Africans to unite them in a drive to overcome the white race and make the colored people supreme.”

Building of Israel and Palestine

The Greek Orthodox Church, the Pope, and misconceptions about the Rapture: “The so-called tribulation will not come until after the Rapture…”

SEVEN WORDS TO THE CROSS Robert F Jones Christian Book Review

Seven Words to the Cross

Babamarusia's Christian Book Review
by Mary Katherine May of QualityMusicandBooks.com

Robert F. Jones (1911-1980), author
John Knox Press, 1961

It may seem odd to review a book that was published 51 years ago in 1961 and definitely out of print, yet with the internet books are available to buy that were more difficult to find in the past, and both church and public libraries may have this book available for checkout.  This book is good reading.

Seven Words to the Cross by Rev. Robert F. Jones is a publication of seven meditations delivered by Dr. Jones as part of a Lenten vesper series in the First Congregational church of Forth Worth, Texas.  The meditations are, however, not only for the season of Lent preceeding Easter.  They are worthy reading any time of the year.

My Criteria for Choosing Christian Books to Read:
The reading that I like to do for my Christian growth--after the Holy Bible, of course--is going to do one of two things, or both.  The books I appreciate reading will (1) aid in my spiritual growth and/or (2) make me think and desire to know more about what was said.  These may seem to be the same but they are not--similar, maybe, but not the same.

The book is not a large work and can, if desired, easily be read in one sitting lasting just a few hours.  Or, you might want to read a portion and think about it before moving on. 

From the dustjacket endflap:
Through these quiet, powerful meditations, Robert F. Jones makes us a part of the crowd at Calvary.  The passers-by, the soldiers, the penitent theif, the centurion--we stand with them all.  At the cross we become aware once again of the call of Christ and his profound forgiveness.

The Meditations:
1.   The  Word of Those Who Wanted Religion Without a Cross
2.   The Word That Snowed the Power of Negative Thinking
3.   The Word of Those Who Expected Religion to Be Dramatic
4.   The Word of a Man Who Got Life for a Look
5.   The Word of Those Who Failed to Recognize True Religion
6.   The Word of the Man Who Could Have Done So Much but Did So Little
7.   The Word We Speak to the Cross

Should you decided to get a copy of Seven Words to the Cross, be sure that the title has the word TO in it, that the author is Robert F. Jones (this is NOT Bob Jones as in Bob Jones University), and that it was published by John Knox Press in 1961.  There has been only one printing and it was in 1961.

Sample Excerpt from Meditation 7, page 86:
"...Jesus picked up not five stones but five scars, any one of which would have been enough to redeem the world, and with them He slew the Goliath of evil.  If He, our Leader, wore five scars, then we His soldiers must be prepared, on the great day of review when He comes to judge the living and the dead, to show Him the scars we have won in His cause and in His name.  To each of us He will say: 'Show me your hands and side.'  Woe unto us who come from Calvary with hands unscarred and white."

Copies of Seven Words to the Cross on Amazon.com.
Copies on Alibris.com