Fr. Raymond F. Collins, S.T.D., is a renowned expert on the New Testament, an award-winning professor, and a visiting scholar in the Department of Religious Studies at Brown University. The former dean of the School of Religious Studies and professor of New Testament at The Catholic University of America, he has also served as a member of the faculty of theology at the Katholieke Universiteit Leuven in Belgium, where he was chair of the Programs in English, long-time editor of Louvain Studies, and rector of the American College. He is a member of the Rome-based Ecumenical Pauline Colloquium. Fr. Collins earned his licentiate and doctoral degrees in sacred theology from the Katholieke Universiteit Leuven.
He is the author and/or editor of twenty books on the New Testament, including An Introduction to the New Testament (1983) and major commentaries on First Corinthians (Sacra Pagina, 1999), 1 & 2 Timothy and Titus (New Testament Library, 2002), and Second Corinthians (Paideia, 2013). An associate editor of The Catholic Biblical Quarterly, Fr. Collins has contributed to The Encyclopedia of Religion, The New Jerome Biblical Commentary, The Encyclopedia of Religion, The Encyclopedia of Catholicism, The Anchor Bible Dictionary, and The New Interpreters’ Dictionary of the Bible. He has written more than two hundred articles for scholarly and pastoral journals in the United States and abroad.
Praise for Raymond Collins
“Fr. Ray Collins is one of the finest New Testament scholars in the English-speaking world. . . . Fr. Collins uses an easy and understandable style.”
– Fr. John Ludwig
“Father Collins’ superb scholarship shines through his accessible, lively and engaging lectures. As a parish director of adult education, I find them extremely helpful. They bring to life the New Testament writings in the context of the early Christian communities, allowing the viewer to better appreciate the relevance of these writings for today.”
– Fátima Lee, Ph.D., Lay Pastoral Associate
“Not only a world class New Testament scholar and a prolific author of over fifteen books and three hundred articles, Fr. Raymond F. Collins is also a dynamic educator who makes complex ideas interesting and accessible to the non-expert. For good reason, he has been invited to conduct seminars, workshops and retreats around the world. If you are interested in solid, sound and erudite Biblical interpretation, look no further.”
– Edward Sirois, Chair, Religious Studies, La Salle Academy
Rev Denis M., SD –
2015 Spring Survey
I am chaplain for a monastery of sisters. I used his course for Bible study with them.
Br. David –
A wonderful way to do classes without sitting in a classroom.
The course I have had the privilege to view was precise and informative. It was simple to understand and information was clear. A wonderful way to do classes without sitting in a classroom.
Leland –
Paul’s letters have been the most influential in my belief in my Savior Jesus Christ.
Paul’s letters have been the most influential in my belief in my Savior Jesus Christ.
Shelley –
I loved it!
I loved it. I learned a great deal about Paul and his letters, including which were definitely written by him and which were written in his name. That was very helpful to my faith.
Br. Kieran –
interesting and engaging
Paul is not the easiest part of the New Testament but the presentation by Fr. Collins is both interesting and engaging. This great pastor, both Paul and Fr. Ray, come across as great salesmen of Christianity.
Marlene –
Fr. Collins speaks clearly and he is well organized in presenting his thoughts.
While Fr. Collins is not the most dynamic speaker I have ever heard, I learned so much from his course. He speaks clearly and he is well organized in presenting his thoughts. The DVD provides a study guide which may be printed out onto which I took many notes, and the used the information to write papers for a Loyola University Extension class on the New Testament. The content was intellectual enough to be of help in a graduate course, but spoken simply enough for the average person to understand. I will purchase another of Fr. Collins’ works with confidence.
Paul –
Wonderful delivery
High level overview of Paul’s developing thoughts and teaching. Wonderful delivery by Fr. Collins, relating many of the issues to modern everyday life, often with a touch of humour.
Kieran –
Intelligible
The clear manner in which Fr. Ray Collins presented the letters; his scholarship is intelligible to those who are not over scholarly themselves.
M. A. M., AZ –
Winter Survey: January 2017
I appreciate the cultural background that is presented. This is extremely helpful in understanding the Scripture.
Brother Kieran F. FMS., New Zealand –
Winter Survey: January 2017
The scholarship and easy manner of presenting. Excellent recapitulation and reflection of the best of contemporary understanding of Pauline authorship with the added advantage of further DVDs that explore other areas of the Pauline corpus.
Michael W. H., AZ –
Winter Survey: January 2017
Fr. Collins is one of most respected Biblical scholars on the writings of Paul. I highly recommend this course for personal use or shared with a Bible study group.
John R., PA –
Winter Survey: January 2017
This course gave me a much better insight into the various aspects of the actual writings attributed to Saint Paul, their development, his approach to the writings and how others may have used his name as author of New Testament writings attributed to him but were not actually his works.
Anita R., MO –
Winter Survey: January 2017
This course was an excellent explanation of Paul’s letters. It also provided insight into the writing of the time and interesting comments about letter writing in general. It brought these letters “to life” in a new way for me.
Al T., TX –
Spring Survey: April 2017
Letters of Paul were most enjoyable to listen to and gather important and pertinent information.
Michael H., Australia –
Spring Survey: April 2017
St Paul’s Epistles is an excellent introduction and overview to Paul the theologian, to his journeys and concerns, Fr Raymond Collins is a master at delivering excellence at the academic level in a way that is clearly manageable and enjoyable by the novice.
M. A. M., AZ –
Spring Survey: April 2017
This course gave me better insight into the life of St. Paul and his teaching style. The presenter, Fr. Collins, speaks in a manner that is understandable. He does not rush through his material.
Brother Kieran F. FMS., New Zealand –
2018 Spring Survey
Recommended to Waikato Diocese for Teachers of The Letters of Paul. They purchased it.
Tom E., GA –
Summer 2018 Survey
Collins blends expert knowledge with a down-to-earth speaking/teaching style. It is almost like being in the room.