The teachings of Philip G. Roets & Lois Roets
Answers by Philip G. Roets; Questions by Lois Roets
These columns were proposed as a book or weekly publication. This document has 3 parts: Questions & Answers 1–11; Questions 12–52; Letters.
The Bible has been read by many people over many centuries. It is filled with stories of people, events, ideas, hopes, fears and dreams. What needs in people does the Bible provide and satisfy?
The Bible is a collection of short writings about people's reactions to the events of daily life. This collection spans a period of about twelve centuries. It is not a mere collection of cold, statistical facts. Rather, it is a description of deep feelings stirred up by an almost unlimited variety of events. One thread ties all the individual writings together. This thread is the shared faith in God.
The whole gamut of human emotion is displayed in the Bible. Human vulnerability in the face of deep stress gives way to heroic courage built by faith in God and his people. Almost every type of person and feeling is there to help the perceptive reader.
The Bible has been a favorite through the centuries because of its depth of human understanding, its variety of interests, and its respect for the individual conscience. Always it implies: "The choice is yours."
I read and hear different prophets quoted on different topics. It seems that Isaiah was optimistic and encouraging while Amos was pessimistic and grumpy. Comment on the role of the prophet and some of the personality characteristics and historical background of some of the major prophets.
The role of the prophet in the Old Testament can be understood from the two basic names used for prophet. Sometimes the Hebrew word used means "Ambassador" or the "official spokesperson." At other times, the word "seer" is used. As Spokesperson, the prophet is the one who knows the viewpoint of Yahweh so well that he speaks confidently in the name of Yahweh. He expresses Yahweh's judgment of a person or action or nation or event. He is a man who can keep a balanced viewpoint in troubled times or disturbing situations. He is the one who is not swayed by false sentiment or shaky friendships. He cannot be bought or bribed. He speaks confidently and openly in the name of Yahweh. If his openness causes him to be persecuted or even killed, he willingly suffers for his convictions.
The Seer, on the other hand, follows the same line of conduct. He is just as honest and critical. However, his method is a bit different. He tends to speak more in visions and dreams. He interprets these to show what the plan of Yahweh will be. Their symbolic descriptions or actions may seem overdone from our viewpoint.
The prophet is a man of his times. We are not too sure at times whether his personality is forged by the circumstances in which he lives, or whether he reacts to the conditions around him because of the personality that is already his. Probably, it is a combination of both. His personality leads him to choose his role, and then the people around him and their reactions lead to a deeper development of his basic personality.
Isaiah I, or the original Isaiah, lived about 738 B.C. The reigning king of Juda was Ahaz. He was a weak wavering sort of person. Isaiah was a strong forceful leader. Isaiah knew the political issues of the day. Isaiah realized that the one hope of salvaging their small kingdom was to make sure they did not become involved with or dependent on any of the pagan nations and their gods. But Ahaz was on the verge of running directly to the Assyrians. The prophet Isaiah is vehement in his denunciation of this conduct which puts the faith of Yahweh in doubt. He is condemnatory and yet also encouraging as he talks. The Northern Kingdom of Israel had not yet been destroyed and so his optimism remained.
Jeremiah comes into the picture about a century later. The Northern Kingdom had fallen in 721 B.C. Only Judah remained. Jeremiah, unlike Isaiah, was frightened by his call to be a prophet. He was driven by an inner urgency to speak against the idolatrous conduct of the leaders. Yet he knew they would not listen and he would be made to suffer. He wanted to keep quiet but his sense of duty to Yahweh drove him to speak. Jeremiah is a victim of his own conscientiousness. Time and again he is made the scapegoat or pawn of the leaders. Yet he, more than all the prophets, could speak of the tenderness of the love of Yahweh for the repentant sinner.
Amos is another prophet with a completely different aspect of his office of prophet. He was a shepherd — rough, direct and proud. He lived during the reign of Jeroboam II, 783–743 B.C. He lived in a little village near the desert of Judah. Word reached him of the injustices toward the poor and the innocent in the Northern kingdom. He felt compelled or driven to go to Bethel and speak his piece. And go he did. And speak he did. His language is among the most vivid of the whole Bible. He said exactly what he thought. He was condemnatory. He was not trying to convert. He wanted these unjust leaders to know that soon vengeance would be wrecked on their sins by the very pagans whom they imitated.
Each of the prophets should be read in light of the circumstances of time and place in which he lived.
Many statements are made using the word "love." What is the Biblical notion of love? Did the concept of love change from the Old to the New Testament?
I'll answer the second question first. There is definitely a progression forward in the key concepts of the Bible. In the earliest days of the Bible, we read of the Law of Talion, the law of limited revenge (Exodus 21:25). Gradually this was changed to the law of restricted love (Leviticus 19:18). But with the coming of Jesus, the law of revenge was replaced by the law of real and sincere forgiveness (Matthew 5:38–42). The restriction was removed from love and everyone was to be loved sincerely (Matthew 23:34–40).
Now, if you accept the standards of Jesus, you are to hold the ideal of universal love. Yet, in practice, the prime concern of Christian love is the person whom you do see and know. John clearly points this out. In 1 John 4:20, we read: "Anyone who says 'I love God,' and yet hates his brother is a liar. For a man who does not love the brother whom he can see, cannot love God whom he has never seen." So this is the commandment that has been given us. Anyone who loves God must also love his brother. The object of your love and the manner of expressing this love are pointed out to you by the circumstances of people in our daily life.
St. Paul is seldom encouraging. He gives a lot of rules that seem inflexible. He was not an immediate follower of Jesus and yet he speaks as if there is no opinion other than his. Who was St. Paul and how did the Epistles of Paul come to be written and be included in the New Testament writing?
Of all the writers of the New Testament, Paul is certainly the most complex. There are many reasons for this. Paul was a Jew, educated as a Pharisee, in the school of Gamaliel. Therefore, he was taught from little on to be a strict interpreter of the Law. He was very probably a full-fledged rabbi and therefore had been married and was a widower. He had been born a full Roman citizen because of Tarsus, the place of his birth. Tarsus had been the meeting ground of many celebrities of the Roman and Greek world. Greek was a native language to him just as much as Aramaic. He was quite well educated in the Greek writings and particularly influenced by the Alexandrian version of the Jewish Faith.
By temperament, Paul seems to have been a man of extremes. He could become very angry and then his harsh commands and critiques come flooding out. Or, he could mull over the idyllic beauty of ideal Christian living and become as gentle and understanding as a mother. Many of his writings were penned in the heat of anger and his harshness stands out. Often, when he is quoted, only his angry retorts are used without recourse to his later calm statements on the same subject.
For example, Paul wrote Galatians in the heat of anger and then followed later with Romans. He wrote Colossians when quite upset and then countered with Ephesians. He wrote First and Second Corinthians, touched topic after topic, laid down rules and laws, and then left a beautiful well-developed treatise like Ephesians.
So, the first caution in reading Paul is to read all he has to say on a given topic. Make sure that you know the particular aspect of the question he is answering. Keep in mind the mood he is in when he is penning his thoughts.
I do not think that Paul's letters came from his pen in the form they are today. We hear much about the anacoluths or interrupted sentences and ideas that appear. I would think these are evidence of the hand of the editor who tried to stay as close to the original as possible and yet dropped ideas that were not pertinent to the general public.
Paul's writings were chosen because there were so many; because he did have a strong influence on early Christian life; because they were very helpful in answering attacks from the rabbinical schools, and because they do give a more rounded picture of the relevancy of the Christian ideals and the problems of the day. Even though his statements are so absolute at times, the reader must remember he is only one teacher of the New Way. He is entitled to his opinions.
He does push his opinions often because he feels threatened. He was a very sensitive man and could easily give way to brooding and self-pity.
What is the Biblical notion of peace? Is this idea constant or does the notion need adapting to different eras of history and different cultures?
Negatively, in our world today, we think of peace as a condition in which there is no fighting. This is the notion contained in the Pax Romana or Roman Peace in the time of Jesus. There was no fighting or war because no one was strong enough to fight back. This restricted negative notion is not the meaning of peace in the Bible — Old or New Testament.
The Greek word "irene" is a translation of the Hebrew "Shalom" and has the same fullness of meaning. Shalom in the Old Testament meant completeness, a condition in which nothing was lacking. It was seen as a gift from Yahweh. Peace meant there was perfect and assured communion with Yahweh. The elements of peace could vary according to the culture in which one lived. For the farming community of Palestine it meant: plenty of rain at the right time, abundant crops in all fields, security from all enemies, no beasts of prey to endanger or destroy the farm animals. (Lev. 26:3–16).
However, peace is not only the material prosperity and emotional calm. There must be a deep sense of righteousness or justice with this prosperity. Jeremiah, the prophet, is quite vehement about this point. In his time, people pointed to the temple and were quite sure they had nothing to worry about. Clearly Yahweh was in their midst. But Jeremiah says in the name of Yahweh: "My house is a house of prayer, you have made it a den of thieves." (Jer. 7:1–15.)
Ezekiel, a few years later, stresses the same point. He compares the establishing of peace to the building of a wall. A strong wall means that the stones are well fitted, firmly set and well grounded. Such a wall is like true peace. But if the stones are tossed together haphazardly and then covered over with plaster and whitewashed, the wall will collapse at the first strong blow. Such is the prosperity without justice. It is not peace.
Jesus and the first Christians made much use of this word peace and stressed that their peace was something special. At the last supper, Jesus says, "Peace I leave you; my peace I give you, a peace the world cannot give, I give to you." The Peace that Jesus offers removed all fear (John 14:27). When this peace is really well-established in a group of people, there will be a sense of deep joy and happiness. There will be an urgency of mission, a feeling of wanting to share this joy with others as members of the human family. This joy and this sharing will give rise to a truly holy spirit or esprit de corps that will engender an even deeper peace. (John 20:19, 21, 26).
Thus the basic idea of wholeness or completeness is always the same. Shalom or peace is the sum total of all that is good for a person here and now.
The application will differ according to time, place and culture. Again, this constant adaptation with a solid foundation is the evidence of the viability of the Christian ethic. It may never become static or structured to the point that it is not an active, living part of the world in which it exists.
Maturity is a balance between dependence and independence. From the Gospel stories, was Jesus both independent and dependent?
Jesus reached a balance between his spirit of dependence and independence. In Matthew 5:21–48, Jesus says, "You have heard that it was said to our ancestors..." Then he adds: "But now I say to you..." With this verbal contrast, Jesus shows himself independent of all the rabbinical schools of interpretation of the Law prevalent at that time. Yet at the same time, he shows his respect for and his dependence on the Law itself (Mat 5:17–21). In this manner he sets himself up as independent of his contemporaries and yet sets his roots firmly in the Law.
However, the Gospel writers point out that this balance did not come easily and all at once. At the beginning of his public life, Jesus states his independence of the people and the things around him, and his firm commitment to the work of the Father. Yet, at the end of his life in the Garden of Olives, Jesus is torn with anxiety over the choice he has made. In fact, on the cross, Jesus cried out in the words of complete terror — lest his whole life had been one big mistake. And then, finally, he could repose his confidence completely in the hands of the Father (Luke 23:46).
There are many references to light in the Bible. What is the Biblical significance of light?
The theme of light runs through the whole of Biblical revelation. Light and darkness confront each other as opposite poles as do life and death. Light is not a god as in the mythologies but light is a creature of God (Gen 1:2–3). Light is a symbol used to bring out the dazzling brilliance of God and the sense of awe and respect a man should feel in God's presence. (Ps 104:2).
Light is a gift of God. Man is asked to think often of the sheer terror of his existence without this gift. This light should be a constant reminder of the Law of God which is to serve as a light to reveal man's path through life (Ps 119).
Jesus presents himself as the Light of the World. In the scene of the Transfiguration, Jesus is presented as a brilliant light talking with Moses and Elias. The apostles fall to the ground and hide their faces in fear. Then they look up and see only Jesus. Matthew and John clearly explain the meaning of this event. Moses represents the Law and Elias the prophets. Jesus is the fulfillment of both Law and Prophets, but a fulfillment that goes far beyond anything that could be expected (Mt 17; John 8:12).
Finally, the followers of Jesus are reminded that they in turn are the "Light of the World." The deeds of their daily lives are to be so performed that the people who see them come to recognize and accept God as Father. The brotherhood of man is to be established in the fatherhood of God.
A wide variety of people claim to be moved by the spirit of the Lord to perform an even wider variety of deeds. According to the Bible, what is the Spirit of the Lord?
There is no simple answer to this question. The phrase is used in hundreds of passages in both the Old and New Testament. The only sure way to know what the Spirit of the Lord means is to read it in context and see what the writer means to tell you. This process will show you that the Spirit of the Lord is a reality with many complementary facets.
In Isaiah 11:2, we read: "The Spirit of the Lord is: a spirit of wisdom and insight, a spirit of prudence and strength, a spirit of appreciation and loyalty, a spirit of due respect."
In keeping with just this one text, if I say that I am moved by the Spirit of the Lord or have received the Spirit of the Lord, I mean: In my daily life I am a wise leader, looking carefully and seeing clearly into each event and person. I am decisive and resolute in my actions. I have the strength to carry out my resolutions. I can go beyond external appearances and see the intrinsic value in myself and others. There is a sense of family loyalty or human brotherhood growing in me. And I show each person and each event the respect that is due.
This is a mammoth challenge and this is the Spirit of the Lord.
The Gospel according to Matthew is easily read. It reads like a simple narration. Who was Matthew? What are the characteristics of the Gospel according to Matthew? What does it mean to say a Gospel is "according to" Matthew?
Matthew was a Roman tax collector. This meant that he was a social outcast among the Jews. The Romans sold the tax collecting to the highest bidder. Rome determined how much they expected from a given district. How much the tax collector actually took in was his business as long as he paid his quota to Rome. Inevitably, tax collecting was changed into a system of extortion. Hence the Gospels portray the tax collector as despised and hated by all.
Matthew's gospel reflects this mentality. He was a bookkeeper. He had to be accurate in order to balance the books. Emotion and feeling do not play a part in the figures of the account book. In many ways this is a description of Matthew's writing. Matthew's gospel gives an orderly and logical presentation. Matthew's whole presentation of Jesus is to show that all the expectations of the Jews and all mankind have been fulfilled in Jesus.
To say that the gospel is "according to" Matthew means that the writers vouch for the fact that the source of this gospel is to be found in Matthew, one of the twelve original apostles. It means that this gospel takes its origin in an eyewitness.
The Bible is written by God through the hands of men. Is this true or not true?
This is most certainly true. In 2 Timothy 3:16 we read: "All scripture is inspired by God and is of great advantage for teaching, for refuting error, for self-improvement, and for guidance in true development. Thus the man who belongs to God is fully equipped and ready for every good work."
The same idea is developed in 2 Peter 1:20: "We must also take great care to remember that the interpretation of scriptural prophecy is never a matter for the individual. The reason is clear. The prophecy did not come about simply through the initiative of man. Rather these men, carried along by the holy spirit (spirit of the community), spoke in the name of God."
The first text speaks specifically about the Bible as written. The second text is stressing the oral expression that preceded the written account of the Bible. Both texts stress the interplay of God and man in the end product, the Bible.
Comment on some of the personality characteristics of some of the prophets.
Hosea is the picture of a man deeply in love with a girl who takes all he has to give and then runs off with another man. Yet in spite of the rejection, he went after the girl and brought her back. And you hear the girl say, "I will go back to my first husband (Hosea). I was happier there than I am today." Hosea 2:7.
At the same time we meet the blunt gruff spokesman of Yahweh who is farmer and shepherd — Amos. He heard of all the public scandal in the Northern Kingdom. He was so filled with anger at the public sinning and the public approval that he felt compelled to try to stop it. The people involved laughed at him — the ignorant country bumpkin. But it does not bother Amos at all. There is none of the delicacy of Isaiah and no appeal for consideration as in Jeremiah. For Amos "Yahweh roars" like the lion and his heated breath makes the snow on Mt. Carmel melt. "The crown of Carmel withers." The pampered wives of the rulers oppressing the poor are the "Fat cows of Bashan."
On and on through the pages of the Old Testament the reader can go. There are the heroes and heroines, the cowards and sniveling crooks, the "good and bad guys." Always the reader is to choose. Whom will you follow?
The above 11 Questions and Responses were developed as prototype for newspaper series in 1970s. These columns were not published because the agent who represented the "Bible Corner" series died before successfully selling the column. No further agent was sought because we had contacted many agents before finding one who was interested.
Who decided which writings were to be included in the Bible?
Did these writings undergo editings?
Do all editions of the Bible include the same books?
What is a Covenant? What was the Old Covenant spoken of in the Old Testament compared to the New Covenant spoken of at the Last Supper?
Mary and Joseph were the parents of Jesus. Comment on the role Mary as Jewish mother and Joseph as Jewish father played in the life of Jesus.
St. Luke was a physician. Did his profession have any influence in collection of material for the Gospel according to Luke?
From the gospel accounts, Jesus has woman friends. Who were they?
In what circumstances are these relationships described?
Genesis tells the story of creation. But there are several accounts of creation. Comment upon the several accounts of creation as found in Book of Genesis.
Who is God? Or, is the question, "What is God?"
"The blind shall see, the lame shall leap as a deer...." These and other promises of good things to come are scattered throughout the Bible. When and how will these good things happen?
Suffering has been the lot of mankind for as long as mankind has been aware of itself. Some religious teachings tried to make suffering a holy thing. Is suffering a good thing to be joyfully embraced or an evil to be endured or eliminated?
Who were the Chosen people? Who first gave them this title? Is the term still used today?
John Doe. Jesus Christ. Was "Jesus" a given name and "Christ" his surname?
The Scribes and Pharisees are spoken of in the Gospels — usually with no great love. Who were these groups of people and what function did they perform for the Jewish community?
Is the brotherhood of man a possible goal or is it an impossible dream? What does the Bible say about this?
The New Testament has been translated many times. The Old Testament was translated even more often. In what languages were the different parts of the Bible written? Does translating change the meaning of the Biblical message?
Literary forms are common in all literature. The Bible is one of the oldest collections of literary ideas and accounts. Does the Bible have different literary forms?
Jesus was born in a cave. What is the weather like in Palestine? Was a cave an unusual dwelling for a traveling couple?
When Jesus was born, we are told angels sang "Glory to God." Who sang this song? Was it a song commonly used for such occasions?
What is the Kingdom of God? Is it the same as the Kingdom of Men? Does the term have a special literary meaning?
Was motherhood, child bearing and rearing a profession of dignity at the time Jesus lived? For the Romans? For the Jews?
The New Testament tells us we are Sons of God and heirs of heaven. What does this sonship add to our identity? What do we inherit?
When I sneeze, someone may say, "God bless you." What is a blessing?
The Hebrew language in which much of the Old Testament was written has a numeration system. The numbers 3 and 7 are often used. Is there a connection between numeration system and the literary presentation using numbers?
Hospitality was the cornerstone of many groups of people. Comment why this is so. Is there a corollary for today's civilization?
What was the importance of salt to the Roman and Jewish world? Explain the Biblical passages using salt.
Jesus was baptized by John the Baptist. Jesus' followers in turn baptized others. What is the meaning of a baptism? Does baptism have to be accompanied by an external ritual?
Did Jesus know he was the Messiah? Or did Jesus simply come to realize he had a message to give? Or did Jesus doubt his vocation?
It appears that John the Baptist was a member of the Qumran sect that lived in the desert. Was this a monastic group? What were their goals and ambitions?
Athletic teams and schools have standing rivalries. It seems that rivalry and hostility existed between Jerusalem or Judea and Galilee. What was this rivalry about? What effect did the rivalry have on the life of Jesus?
Paul wrote several letters to the Corinthians, or citizens of Corinth. They were noted for their inability to get along with one another. What was the Corinthians' problem? What were the main commands and advice Paul gave to the Corinthians?
Describe the temple of worship at Jerusalem. What kind of services and worship were held there?
The dream is to make money and have financial security in old age with enough money to satisfy needs and wants. But the Bible message tells us that happiness is gained by being "poor in spirit." What does it mean to be poor in spirit? Can a financially secure or wealthy person be poor in spirit?
Were the 10 Commandments presented in one dramatic moment of history or were they slowly learned by the collective consciousness of the people of God? Regardless of the origin, they still seem good guidelines for behavior. Comment on the origin and value of the 10 Commandments.
"In the beginning, Yahweh, God, created the heavens..." So begins the book of Genesis, the first book of the Bible. It tells the accounts of creation. What other commonly known Bible stories are in Genesis?
If I want to be a "good Samaritan" today, what must I do?
Why is there evil in the world? Does God send evil as punishment?
Both terms, God and Yahweh, denote a belief in God. Are the names the same? What are other names for God?
What are the positive hopeful ideas in Letter to Ephesians?
"I went, I washed, I see." Explain the story of the blind man in John 9:1–41.
What is the "Breath of God," the "Spirit of God," and "Holy Spirit?"
Sin is selfishness. Sin is a negation of goodness. If sin is selfishness, how can sins be forgiven?
The suffering and death of Jesus was a foregone conclusion from the beginning of his public appearance. Why?
Book Proposal: Biblical Questions and Answers: Press Conference on the Bible
by Philip G. Roets, 5305 Queensbridge Road, Madison, Wisconsin 53714
I am interested in writing a book of questions and answers on the Bible. The need for information of this kind is now present. I think people would like a short bit of information about the Bible. If the questions and answer format does not meet your editorial guidelines, then I am open to other suggestions.
The enclosed are sample questions with responses that show what can be done in a brief idea from the Bible. A devotional thought, or thought for the day, could be added at the end. I have chosen the questions and answer format because I feel the reader can best be informed by such a format. The question is asked in "press conference" style. That is, the question gives some information and prepares the reader for the answer, as well as asks the question. The answer can then zero in on the response alone without giving too much background information. This enables the topic to be handled in a short response.
Readers of such a book would be all Christians, clergy and discussion groups. It would be of interest to teenagers, mothers and fathers, nursing homes, radio stations, and anyone who might like a short reading or thought from the Bible.
The length of the proposed book or booklet could be any length suggested by an editorial staff. It could be as many as 365 for each day of the year. Any lesser or greater number would also be agreeable.
If you would like more samples before marketing the book, let me know.
Thank you for your considerations.
Philip G. Roets STL, SSL
5305 Queensbridge Road, Madison, Wisconsin 53714
March 17, 1978
Author's and Publisher's Services, 146-47 29th Avenue, Flushing, New York 11354
Dear Miriam Gilbert:
Thank you for your letter of October 31, 1977, indicating a genuine interest in a syndicated column on the Bible. You requested that I state that there would be no reading charge for the column. I have also included a biographical sheet and academic/experience qualification sheet — as you requested.
I have been working on such Biblical columns and have finally determined a format and writing style that is brief, precise, interesting and suitable to be read over the morning or evening newspaper or cup of coffee. The format for the column would be question and response form. The question gives some information and limits the question. Then the question is very specific. The response is also specific. The whole Bible is immensely interesting and interrelated. But I feel I have finally improved the writing style to be brief as well as precise. The questions are now being written by my wife, a scholar in her own right. After some time, I would be open to answering questions from the public at large, if that was determined to be best. The wording of the question narrows the field and prepares for the response.
As to the frequency of the column, I feel I could write a daily column. If you thought a weekly was better, then I shall accept your advice, as well as advice on the column in general. I have suggested a column name and column length. Both are open to your suggestions.
Reader appeal is the average reader who has some knowledge of the Bible or wants information about it. It should be noted that I am not affiliated with any specific church nor is my immediate family. My background is Roman Catholic. As of 1969, I have not been an active member of an organized church. I have continued lecturing to groups interested in Biblical themes.
I am most anxious to see these columns published in a manner you deem best.
I look forward to working with you.
Sincerely, Philip G. Roets
Enclosure: Biographical information
Education:
St. Joseph College, Kirkwood, Missouri, 1939–1941.
Mt. St. Clement College, DeSoto, Missouri. 1941–1942.
Immaculate Concept College, Oconomowoc, Wisconsin. 1942–1948.
1944: Completed college with B.A. in Philosophy.
1948: Completed 4 years of undergraduate theology. B.A. in Theology.
1949: Licentiate degree in Graduate Theology S.T.L. — Catholic University of America, Washington D.C.
1952: Licentiate in Sacred Scripture S.S.L. — Pontifical Biblical Institute, Rome, Italy.
1971: Certification as Elementary School teacher in Wisconsin. Lifetime certification in 1975.
Teaching Career:
1952–1969: Professor of Sacred Scripture and related studies. Immaculate Conception College, Oconomowoc, Wisconsin.
1964–1969: Visiting professor of Biblical Studies: St. Norbert College, DePere, Wisconsin.
1964–1969: Visiting professor of Biblical Studies: Alverno College, Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
1964–1969: Visiting professor of Biblical Studies: Viterbo College, LaCrosse, Wisconsin.
1964–1969: Visiting professor of Biblical Studies: Holy Name College, Madison, Wisconsin.
1969: Sixth grade teacher, Pardeeville, Wisconsin.
Publications:
The New Testament, Always News. E. Charpentier. pp. 311. Translated by Philip G. Roets. St. Norbert Abbey Press.
Commentaries on Liturgical Readings: Volume I. 1970 and Volume II, 1971. by Philip G. and Lois F. Roets.
Organizations:
American Academy of Religion; American Educational Research Association; American Mensa Society; Catholic Biblical Association; Educational Organizations: National, Wisconsin, Pardeeville; Society of Biblical Literature.
The Estate of Miriam Gilbert, 146-47 29th Avenue, Flushing, New York, 11354
August 28, 1978
Mr. Philip G. Roets, 5305 Queensbridge Road, Madison, WI 53714
Re: Columns on Biblical Topics
Dear Mr. Roets:
We regret to inform you of the recent death of Ms. Miriam Gilbert, and the termination of the operation of Author's and Publishers' Service.
We are therefore returning your manuscript(s) to you in this package.
We have also enclosed a check in the amount of $150 which represented the money received from you shortly before Ms. Gilbert's death, less -0- for postage and handling.
We wish you the best in the continued pursuit of publication of your work.
Again, we regret to bring you this news and hope that you will find success.
Sincerely, The Estate of Miriam Gilbert, by executor.