Reviewer: Amanda Wagner
Date: 3/25/08
Vaganay, Leon. An Introduction to New Testament Textual Criticism. Revised by Christian-Bernard Amphoux. (Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 1991). 225.48 V171i
Leon Vaganay’s book Initiation a la Critique Textuelle du Nouveau Testament was published in 1934. At the time, this book reflected the most up to date ideas and methods of French textual criticism of the New Testament. In the early 1980s, Jean Duplacy began to work on revising and updating Vaganay’s work. When Duplacy died in 1983, his student Christian-Bernard Amphoux continued Duplacy’s work. The updated second edition was published in 1986. In 1991 the book was translated into English and published in the hopes of reaching many more scholars. It had always been the intention of both Vaganay and Amphoux to make this material easily understandable to the general public. In fact, in 1987 Amphoux published two articles summarizing the book in a way that made the concepts easily understandable to a much wider audience. The book itself is designed as a basic introduction to the field of New Testament textual criticism. The authors do not assume any previous knowledge on the part of the reader. It is written without the academic language that often causes trepidation for people knew to this field of study. This book is also meant to be a starting out point for further study, since the authors made sure to provide references to more advanced books on textual criticism.
The book is divided into four chapters, followed by an extensive bibliography. Chapters 1 and 2 provide a basic overview of the nature of textual criticism. Chapter 1 describes the manuscripts in general, indicating how they were written, what materials were used, and in what style they were written. It also includes a section on dating the manuscripts. Then the chapter focuses specifically on Greek manuscripts, going into detail about some of the more important papyri as well as giving an overview of the uncials, highlighting the most important of these manuscripts. The chapter then discusses the Latin, Syriac, Coptic, and other versions. This is followed by a brief discussion of New Testament quotations found in other ancient writings and the importance of these findings to textual criticism. Chapter 2 discusses four methods of textual criticism: verbal, external, internal, and a combination approach. This chapter is written as a continuation of the first chapter. Now that the readers know what they are looking at, the authors show them how they should look at it. Chapter 3 then outlines the history of written the written text, in order to give the readers a better understanding of how the text was formed and changed in the 1500 years before the invention of the printing press. This textual history is broken down into three periods. The author makes sure to note that very little can be said for certain about the text from any of these periods, though he goes to great effort to support his assertions with common theories about the text. The first section explains the “period of relative freedom,” lasting through 313 CE. This section deals with how the text was initially committed to writing and the first copies of the text, as well as the first collections of these writings. Two important early authors, Marcion and Tatian, and their texts are described in this section. The next section describes the text during the “period of limited control” from 313-850. This period is characterized by a transition to parchment from papyrus, and the beginnings of textual standardization. In this section the author discusses the major versions that were available during this period. The final period discussed is the “period of standardization” from 850 through the 16th century. In this section the author discusses the final changes up through the time of the printing press. Chapter 4 continues the history of the text, focusing on the history of the printed text and further changes that formed the various printed versions. The updated version of this book includes a section on the changes and the rise of documentation that occurred between 1935 and 1990, providing more contemporary bibliographic sources on textual criticism. The author then looks into the future of textual criticism, pointing the readers in the direction that these contemporary sources are taking textual criticism. The final section of the book is both bibliography and index. It includes information on every manuscript which is cited in this book, listing date, number, location and catalogue number. Then there is a listing of the full names of all of the libraries where the manuscripts are stored, followed by information on all printed editions cited in this book. The next two sections outline critical editions of patristic writings and list the manuscripts and quotations. Next is a list of editions and collations of the principal manuscripts. The section ends with a rather comprehensive bibliography of books about manuscripts and New Testament textual criticism. The bibliography is followed by three indices: an index of ancient authors, an index of individual manuscripts cited, and a general index. The bibliography and index proves to be as great a resource as the text of the book itself.
The book provides basic evidence from Greek texts, including a few pictures of papyri shown in normal light and under ultraviolet light. It gives an extensive overview of the history of the text, and also provides a bibliography of other scholarship on manuscripts and New Testament textual criticism. Though there are times when the author’s bias is evident, the book provides enough evidence to allow the readers to draw their own conclusions.
Since the book is meant to be a basic introduction to both manuscripts and textual criticism, it starts by explaining some of the most basic variants, including pictures of the ending of John’s Gospel in the Codex Sinaiticus. The picture of the codex under ultraviolet light shows how the manuscript originally ended at verse 24, but was then corrected to include verse 25.
This book is a great introduction to the field of textual criticism. It reinforced areas with which I was already familiar and helped me to better understand other concepts. This book works well as an introduction to textual criticism or as a refresher course for those with more experience.
Reviewer: Pam Nourse
Date: 16 Mar 08
Metzger, Bruce M.: The Text of the New Testament: Its Transmission, Corruption, and Restoration. 3rd edition. (New York: Oxford University Press, 1992). 225.4 M568t
This book was written by Bruce M. Metzger in 1964 and subsequently expanded for the third edition in 1992. The book it intended for students in the field of New Testament textual criticism; it is suitable for beginning students as it does not presume any previous knowledge of the subject.
The book is divided into three broad sections. The first deals with 'The Materials for the Textual Criticism of the New Testament,' and begins with a historical overview of the making of ancient books, styles of writing (uncial vs. minuscule), and scribal additions and 'helps for the reader' such as colophons, chapter divisions and titles, Eusebian canons, glosses, commentaries, etc. The first section then enumerates 'Important Witnesses to the Text of the New Testament,' listing and describing significant manuscripts, including Greek, Syriac, Latin, Coptic, etc., sources, as well as references gleaned from patristic writings. The second section reviews 'The History of New Testament Textual Criticism as Reflected in Printed Editions of the Greek Testament,' dividing this history into the "pre-critical/Textus Receptus" period and the "modern critical" period. This segment provides an overview of the printed Greek texts and the manuscripts from which they were derived, spanning the period from the first printed (1514) and the first published (Erasmus, 1516) versions to the 1966 version put out by an international committee of five Bible societies. The third section deals with 'The Application of Textual Criticism to the Text of the New Testament.' It begins with a historical overview of textual criticism as a scholarly discipline, briefly considering its earliest Greek roots, and then moves on to "modern methods of textual criticism," focusing on the processes of recension and emendation. Leading textual critics and their favored methods are reviewed in some detail. The next subsection deals with "the causes of error in the transmission of the text of the New Testament," considering unintentional and intentional changes which could have been introduced by scribes through the ages. The final subsection considers the actual practice of New Testament textual criticism, setting forth "basic criteria for the evaluation of variant readings" and then considering a number of actual examples. A final section in the 1992 edition consists of an Appendix which reviews advances made in the field between 1964 (the second edition) and 1990. This includes new scholarship on the format of ancient books, newly discovered manuscripts, changes in the classification of manuscripts and text-types, and selected variant readings (specifically those with an anti-feminist bias, and the multiple endings of the Gospel of Mark). There are numerous cross-references listed within the body of the text, for instance when certain manuscripts or Greek text editions are discussed in several different places. This proves helpful as, on first reading, it is difficult to keep the massive amounts of historical information entirely straight!
See above.
Actual demonstrations of Biblical interpretation appear late in the book, near the end of the final section. They range from the relatively simple (e.g. Acts 6:8) to the more complex (e.g. Luke 10:1,17), acknowledging that for some of the more complex variants, "a total appraisal of both external and internal evidence bearing on these variant readings must remain indecisive" (p. 245). For the simpler variants, such as Acts 6:8 for which a conclusion can be reached, the method demonstrated is to list the variant readings ([1] grace, [2] faith, [3] grace and faith, and [4] faith and grace of the Spirit) followed by a listing of the mss. which support each reading. The third and fourth readings are quickly dismissed as secondary, based on both external (limited numbers and later mss.) and internal (combination forms of readings [1] and [2], both presumably known to the scribe) evidence. Of the remaining readings, [1] is supported by a wider variety of early reliable witnesses (Codices Sinaiticus, Alexandrinus, Vaticanus, Bezae as well as multiple other early versions) than is [2]. Also, internal evidence -- comparing the reading to another statement three verses earlier which referred to Stephen as 'full of faith and the Holy Spirit' -- makes it seem more likely that a scribe would have substituted a repeat of 'faith' in place of an original reading of 'grace,' whereas if the original reading was 'faith,' "there is no discernible reason why a scribe should alter it to 'full of grace'." (p. 222). On balance, therefore, a combination of external and internal evidence strongly suggests that the original reading was in fact "full of grace and power" [variant 1] (pp. 221 -- 223).
I very much enjoyed this book. I found the first sections to provide a useful expansion of information provided in abbreviated form in the Nestle-Aland Greek-English New Testament (for instance, I now understand a great deal more about the various manuscript versions such as Syriac, Sahidic, Bohairic, etc. which are mentioned in the apparatus). The historical accounts of the discovery of manuscripts (particularly the Codex Sinaiticus) are fascinating, and realizing how many and varied the published Greek texts have been was quite a revelation. Which some aspects of textual criticism still leave me very confused (specifically sorting the manuscripts into "types of text"), I feel I now have a much better grasp of how the editors arrived at the text we now use in class. I would recommend this book to anyone beginning to study the origin and transmission of the New Testament (and I would STRONGLY recommend it as well to those who believe the entire text was dictated verbatim by God in the King James Version).
Reviewer: Charlie Nichols
Date: 3/10/2008
Hayes, John H & Holladay, Carl R. Biblical Exegesis: A Beginner’s Handbook, Revised Edition (Atlanta: John Knox Press, 1987) 220.6 H327b [Charlie Nichols]
In 1987, John Hayes served as Professor of Old Testament, Candler School of Theology, at Atlanta’s Emory University while Carl Holladay was Professor of New Testament, also at Candler. Professor Hayes retired in 2007 while Professor Holladay still teaches at Candler. Both authors are well published. This book’s audience is anyone who requires an introduction to the discipline of biblical exegesis and does not want to feel weighted down by excessive methodology and technical terms.
The text is 159 pages, divided into twelve chapters. Chapter 1 titled “Introducing Exegesis” begins by unpacking the word “exegesis” and illustrates how we engage in exegesis each time we interpret written or oral statements. Chapters 2-10 examine each of the types of criticism: textual, historical, grammatical, literary, form, tradition, redaction, structuralist, and canonical. The final two chapters tie all the previous material together. Chapter 11 looks at integrating the various procedures while chapter 12, “Employing the Fruits” looks at areas for application of exegesis. These areas include historical and archaeological reconstruction, doing theology, proclamation, and personal appropriation. Each chapter concludes with an extensive bibliography, with notation of those entries especially helpful for beginning exegetes.
The authors present an abundance of evidence, depending on the subject of the chapter. In chapter 4 – Grammatical Criticism: The Language of the Text – the authors suggest tools to use for this task. In this case, they speak of the biblical concordance, define characteristics of different types of concordances, and illustrate when each type might best be used. In chapter 10 – Canonical Criticism – the authors highlight a tension between a canonical reading and the author’s original intent and provide an example of this tension cited by St. Augustine in his Confessions.
Chapter 8 speaks to redaction criticism as the form of interpretation whose focus is the stage or stages that resulted in the final form of a passage. That is, how has the editor – or redactor – molded and shaped the text. Hayes and Holladay analyze chapters 8-12 of 1 Samuel to show two attitudes and/or sources related to the basis of the monarchy. They cite verses from these chapters which support either a pro-monarchy or anti-monarchy attitude and follow with questions pertinent to redaction criticism. The authors state the anti-monarchy materials dominated so as a result, the final form of 1 Samuel 8-12 “has been redacted to place qualifications on the historical institution of the monarchy.”
This is a succinct yet thorough handbook for any or all students engaged in beginning exegesis. It is reasonably easy to read and the chapters are concise enough with a minimum of technical terms so as not to be overwhelming. The third edition of this book – now at 236 pages - was released in 2007 by Westminster John Knox Press and includes updated bibliographies, scripture references from the NRSV, discussions of emerging methods of interpretation and uses of computer technology. This new edition should be in each student’s library.
Reviewer: Kathleen M. Batchelder
Date: 4 March 2008
Powell, Mark Allan. What Is Narrative Criticism? Guides to Biblical Scholarship Series. (Minneapolis: Fortress Press, 1990). 220.6 P871w [Kathleen M. Batchelder].
Mark Allan Powell is the Robert and Phyllis Leatherman Professor of New Testament at Trinity Lutheran Seminary in Columbus, Ohio. He has authored more than twenty texts on subjects from stewardship to church music to the New Testament. Powell writes this text to continue a conversation with colleagues and students, one which he believes is pertinent for all readers of the New Testament. His purpose is to introduce narrative criticism as a tool which readers can add to literary criticism and historical criticism.
In the first chapter, Powell reviews the tools of literary criticism and historical criticism, and in the second chapter he places narrative criticism (analyzing writing as story) among other approaches to Bible study such as structuralism, rhetorical criticism, and reader-response theory. In the third chapter, the author presents specific aspects of narrative criticism such as point of view, narration style, symbolism, irony, and narrative or rhetorical devices(as comparison, interrogation, repetition, and pivot/shift). Powell then turns in the fourth chapter to detailed examination of the elements of story or narrative when he explores events in the life of Jesus as recorded in the New Testament gospels. The fifth and sixth chapters present Powell’s discussion of characters and settings as part of narrative criticism. Finally, the seventh chapter acknowledges and responds to questions and challenges concerning narrative criticism. Powell defends narrative criticism as a valuable addition to other exegetical methods. The appendix poses questions in everyday language which will lead readers (students, pastors, laity) to deeper understanding of the stories of Jesus.
Powell blends authoritative voices (examples from the gospels and statements from biblical and literary commentators) into his discussions of narrative criticism in the New Testament. Three chapters have “case study” sections, each with a well developed example from the Bible. Each of these three examples (the plot of Matthew’s gospel in Chapter 4 about events, the religious leaders of Jesus’ time in Chapter 5 about character development, and the use of place in Mark’s gospel in Chapter 6 about setting) is a combination of details from the scriptures and of comments by theologians and experts on story grammar and unity. Powell supports his position by incorporating expert voices within his own belief that narrative criticism is valid methodology.
Powell gives strong points for including narrative criticism among valid interpretive tools, and one example of his authoritative position is in Chapter 5 about analyzing characters of the Bible. Beginning on page 51 with statements by Laurence Perrine and Henry James (the noted literary analyst and the author), Powell discusses such aspects of character traits and character development as static/dynamic and flat/round. He then focuses on the Pharisees, Sadducees, chief priests, and elders as they are presented in familiar details and quotations from the gospel accounts. By blending the wisdom of narrative experts with the biblical examples, Powell creates a firm foundation for affirming narrative criticism.
I see the world as never ending examples of story, so I wholeheartedly agree with Powell’s belief in narrative criticism as a valuable tool for biblical study. I recently retired from teaching literature and writing; and Powell’s terminology, his use of experts whom I recognize, and his main points mesh with my belief in the power of story. He takes his reader through the “lenses” of literary criticism and historical criticism, and he introduces the crucial aspects of story (point of view, plot, character development, setting) while he builds his case. Powell never suggests the superiority of narrative criticism—he simply promotes including it in the reader’s array of tools. Jesus was a master storyteller, and the people in the pews understand the power of a well-told story. Therefore, I applaud Powell’s clearly written argument for narrative criticism as a helpful “lens” for Bible study.
Reviewer: Josh Cook
Date: 02/22/08
Bibliographic Information Fee, Gordon D, New Testament Exegesis: A Handbook for Students and Pastors (Louisville London: Westminster John Knox Press) 2002, 225.6 F32n 2002, Josh Cook
Author and Audience Gorden D. Fee is a Professor of New Testament Regent College, Vancouver, B.C. This is the third revised edition. The author found the need to update because of the enormous mount of new literature and Internet resources since first publication. This book was designed to show pastors and pastors to-be give a systematic way of exegesis.
Structure The book is set up as step-by-step how-to guide. Chapter 1 introduces a generalized approach to all the works of the New Testament. It goes on to provide outlines that are tailored to each of the books of the NT. Chapter 2 provides tools for good grammar, sentence, and paragraph structure of Greek-English translation. Diagrams are used to illustrate. Chapter 3 provides and outline for exegesis for a sermon. Chapter 4 Provides additional sundry tools and resources.
Evidence In writing this book Gordon sought to provide a systematic approach to the exegetical method that he found lacking in the libraries of scholarly research.
Example What follows is a brief and general outline of the exegetical process: 1. Survey the historical content in general. 2. Confirm the limits of the passage. 3. Become thoroughly acquainted with the passage. 4. Analyze the sentence structures and syntactical relationships. 5. Establish the Text. 6. Analyze the grammar. 7. Analyze significant words. 8. Research the historical-cultural background. 9. Determine the formal character of the book or letter the passage is found in. 10. Determine the literary context. 11. Consider the broader biblical and theological contexts. 12. Consult secondary literature. 13. Provide a finished translation. 14. Write the paper.
Response This would be my primary reference book for exegesis. The book has step by step simple instructions. It is Exegesis for Dummies.
Reviewer: Phyllis Merritt
Date: 2-22-08
Beardslee, William A. Literary Criticism of the New Testament (Philadelphia: Fortress Press, 1970) 225.6 B381
At the time of publication, William A. Beardslee was Professor of Religion at Emory University and Associate Editor of the Journal of the American Academy of Religion. When this book was written, traditional literary criticism tended to cover such matters as authorship, “the possible composite nature of a given work,” and its sources. (iii) Going beyond those traditional issues, this particular book was meant to address questions “such as the relationship of content to form, the significance of structure or form to meaning, and the capacity of language to direct thought and to mold existence itself.” (iv) The purpose of the book is to draw some lines of connection between concerns arising in contemporary interpretation of literature on one hand and New Testament patterns on the other. The series of three books is meant for interested laymen.
The book has an editor’s forward, a preface, seven chapters, a glossary, and an annotated bibliography. The chapters are: 1.) What Is Literary Criticism?, 2.) The Form of the Gospel, 3.) The Proverb, 4.) History As A Form, 5.) The Apocalypse, 6.) The Literary History of the Synoptic Gospels, and 7.) Literary Criticism and Theological Understanding. Each chapter is divided into either four or five sections. Although he briefly mentions parable, dialogue as it functions in parable, and narrative, most of the discussion involves three of what Beardslee calls large forms of whole books (Gospel, history, and apocalypse) and one brief form (proverb).
Beardslee uses mostly historical background and scholarly research as evidence in this book. He uses Aristotle’s Rhetoric to advance the idea that the form of a piece of writing is a means for effectively communicating the content. He assumes that there is a theological view that can be extracted from the form, but that the form makes the point of view persuasive. He also uses Aristotle’s Poetics to open a new understanding of New Testament study. Traditional forms that describe the plot structure, for example, or categories such as tragedy in the Greek model may not work with New Testament writings. It is up to the modern scholar to work on developing proper classifications for them. In each of the “form” chapters, Beardslee uses either historical background or scholarly research to anchor his arguments for a new way of literary criticism. In chapter 4, for example, he discusses both Hellenistic and Hebraic methods of writing history. The author of the Book of Acts took basic perspectives from Hebraic historiography as shaping tools, but used Greek models in the details. The introduction is shaped on a Hellenistic model, but the book itself is shaped on Hebraic models. Foremost, it is the story of a community of faith. The over-arching power of God rather than human decision is the central focus. Ordinary men, who are in the world but are motivated by a power beyond the world, are the central characters. In order to discuss New Testament writing as “history,” one would have to incorporate elements from at least two historical traditions. That could be done. The challenge lies in incorporating elements from a third organizing pattern…the history of salvation, the story of the outworking of God’s purpose. Every history is a story, and that part of the story must be told as well.
Chapter 3, Proverbs, shows how specific passages of the New Testament may be interpreted through literary criticism. Beardslee traces the use of the proverb in folk literature before explaining its use in the Gospels. In his final analysis, he determines that the proverb form is flexible. It can be a statement (declarative or imperative) or a question. Most usually, it is rooted in concrete experience, makes use of paradox, is kind of a primitive generalization, is a source of discursive thought, and shows an intensified faith insight which includes far more than just proverbial wisdom. He uses the following as illustrations: A prophet is not without honor, except in his own country. –Mark 6:4 Do not throw your pearls before swine, lest they trample them underfoot and turn to attack you. –Matt. 7:6 Which of you by being anxious can add one cubit to his span of life? –Matt. 6:27
I took pages of notes on this book in order for it to make sense to me. I struggled with the opening chapter, but found chapters 2, 3, and 4 more readable with information that would be useful to me as a theology student. I thought chapter 5 was difficult until I got to chapters 6 and 7. I found this book to be very scholarly, and I had to read passages several times to understand them. Many sentences are unbelievably long. While it may have been “intended for interested laymen”, I think most laypeople would set this aside.
Reviewer: Izzie Radford-Nash
Date: 2/21/08
Hayes, John H & Holladay, Carl R. Bible Exegesis: A Beginners Handbook, Revised Edition (Atlanta: John Knox Press, 1987) 220.6 H327b [Izzie Radford-Nash]
At the time of publication, John Hayes was noted as being a Professor of Old Testament, Candler School of Theology, Emory University. Carl Holladay was an Associate Professor of New Testament and Associate Dean at Candler School of Theology. Both authors are mentioned as having written numerous works/studies of the Bible. This book is intended as an ‘introductory tool for students doing Old and New Testament exegesis.
“Biblical Exegesis: A Beginners Handbook” is 159 pages long. It is divided into twelve chapters as follows: 1)Introducing Exegesis...2) Textual Criticism: The Quest for the Original Wording...3) Historical Criticism: The Setting in Time and Space...4) Grammatical Criticism: The Language of the Text...5) Literary Criticism: The Composition and Rhetorical Style of the Text...6) Form Criticism: The Genre and Life Setting of the Text...7) Tradition Criticism: The Stages Behind the Text...8) Redaction Criticism: The Final Viewpoint and Theology...9) Structuralist Criticism: The Universals of the Text...10) Canonical Criticism: The Sacred Text of Synagogue and Church...11) Integrating Exegetical Procedures...12) Employing the Fruits of Biblical Exegesis Each chapter covers a different area of exegesis, although Chapter 1 does include a comprehensive overview of the entire book. At the end of each chapter, there is a full Bibliography of cited works. Within the bibliography, there are certain articles/books marked with an asterix...these are ‘especially recommended for beginning students’. In addition, each bibliography is subdivided into specific areas of interest. For example, in Chapter 4, the divisions are ‘Old Testament Lexicons and Aids’; ‘New Testament Lexicons and Aids’; ‘Hebrew and Aramaic Grammars’; ‘Greek Grammars’; ‘Concordances and Workbooks’; ‘Interlinears’ and, ‘Semantics and Linguistics’. Within each chapter, the authors explain clearly what is involved in each form of criticism. The chapters start with a brief description of the chapter heading, then move on to explain in greater depth what is meant by ‘text criticism’, or ‘form criticism’, etc.
Depending on the chapter being read, numerous types of evidence are presented in this book. Within Chapter 2 (Textual Criticism), for instance, the authors give an overview of how, and why, different wording can be found for a single passage, and then go on to explain variants and footnotes. The authors also mention that archaeological discoveries such as the discovery of the Qumran (Dead Sea Scrolls) have ‘provided valuable information for text criticism’. Chapter 10 (Canonical Criticism) describes how ‘canonical texts are read and understood in believing communities in a manner different from other texts’. This chapter uses examples of variations in the ways different believing communities interpret things, and suggests that ‘canonization separated the meaning of the texts from their dependence on their historical or original use’.
Chapter 6 (Form Criticism) suggests that there are two dimensions of form criticism: a) the classification of biblical material into various genres and, b) the association of these genres with sociological realities in the life of Israel and the early church. The healing of the Gerasenes demoniac in Mark 5:1-20, from a form-critical standpoint, would first identify the literary genre as a ‘miracle story’ (exorcism). Further analysis shows the following literary structure: demon possessed man (v 2-5); encounter with Jesus (v. 6-10); healing (v. 11-13) and, the aftermath including the impact on the crowd and description of the healed man (v. 14-20). The authors suggest that by analyzing the structure of similar miracle stories, it is possible to see how the parallel accounts in Matthew 8:28-34 and Luke 8:26-39 have expanded, or compressed, some features.
This is an excellent book! I would highly recommend it to all students who are required to do exegesis. It is relatively easy to read...concise...appropriate...and provides excellent information regarding the exegetical process. Although this copy of the book was published in 1987, a search on Amazon.com shows that a newer edition is now available in paperback (Westminster John Knox Press; 3rd edition [April 19, 2007] ISBN-10: 0664227759 ISBN-13: 978-0664227753).
Reviewer: David Gardiner
Date: 21 Feb 2008
Aland, Kurt and Barbara Aland. The Text Of The New Testament: An Introduction to the Critical Editions and to the Theory and Practice of Modern Textual Criticism. (Grand Rapids: William B. Eerdmans, 1989). 225.48 Al11t 1989 [David Gardiner]
Kurt Aland (1915-1994) was a German scholar who since the 1940’s was one of the world’s most renowned textual critics founding the Institute for New Testament Textual Research and holding the position of Professor of History of the Ancient Church and New Testament Textual Studies at the University of Münster, Germany. In the 1950’s he commenced work on revising the Novum Testamentum Graece and served on the editorial committee of The Greek New Testament. He was instrumental in these two publications coming to share the same Greek text. He also wrote a number of books about the New Testament, the Early Church and the Reformation. Barbara Aland is the wife of Kurt and is also a New Testament Scholar. She was Director of the Institute for New Testament Textual Research from 1983 until 2004. Barbara and Kurt Aland co-edited the Nestle-Aland Greek-English NewTestament which we use in class. The authors’ purpose for the book is for it to be used as a college text or home study manual for students using the modern text of the Greek New Testament, i.e. people like us! The book is in its 2nd edition which was published in 1989.
A wonderful feature throughout the book is the numerous pictures of the ancient manuscripts which help bring to life visually the issues involved with establishing the Greek text. The initial chapter of the book deals with the history of the editions of the Greek New Testament from Erasmus’ edition in the 16th century to the text of the Nestle-Aland edition available today. A chapter on how the various texts and their variants are thought to have developed during the early centuries of the church is followed by the largest chapter of the book, which deals in detail with the different types of Greek manuscripts, how they were made and their relative importance. Descriptive lists giving information on each manuscript are good reference tools. This leads into a similar section dealing with manuscripts in other languages such as the Latin, Syriac and Coptic versions. Chapter V explains the layout and critical apparatus for the modern editions but of particular interest is the detailed explanation of the critical apparatus for the Nestle-Aland edition. A short chapter on other tools used in text criticism, such as concordances and dictionaries, is followed by a chapter containing many examples of how text criticism is used in practice in the New Testament. The final chapter relates the methods used to categorize manuscripts into different groups and to determine the textual quality of these manuscripts.
The authors’ concern in the book is to show how the modern text of the Greek New Testament has been derived from the original manuscripts. The book details the different types of early manuscripts that exist, how they interrelate to each other and the probable ways the manuscripts were formed and transmitted during the early centuries of the Christian Church. The weightings that they have given to particular manuscripts or groups of manuscripts in establishing the original text is also explained. This together with a set of 12 basic rules for textual criticism is aimed at giving the readers the tools to enable them to not only understand how the modern text has been established, but also to allow them to critically assess the variants of the Greek text for themselves. Particularly useful are numerous examples in Chapter VII of how the rules, and the different manuscripts, are used to practical effect in determining which variant of the Greek text to include in the Greek New Testament.
The authors explain why certain verses, which were formally included in the text of the New Testament, have been omitted from the latest versions of the Greek New Testament and consequently the English translations we now use. One of the omitted verses is Acts 15:34 ‘But it seemed good to Silas to remain there.’ The authors’ explanation follows: ‘The insertion of Acts 15:34 appears in a variety of forms. The form in C and others represents what we may call the first stage. It states only that Silas remained in Antioch (this seemed necessary because in 15:40 it says that Paul chose Silas to accompany him, and according to 15:33 he had already departed); D and others attempt to deal with the inconsistency more directly by explaining that Silas remained (in Antioch), and only Judas had departed. The origin of this text (and accordingly its secondary character) is therefore clear. Only the omission of Acts 15:34 (attested by even the Majority text!) can qualify as the original form of the text, quite apart from the unambiguous voice of the external attestation (cf. p. 281, Rule 8; only the omission can explain the alternative readings).’
The book is not an easy read but it is well worth persevering as by the end I had gained a much greater appreciation of the various different kinds of manuscripts available, their groupings and relative importance. The information on how scribes wrote out the manuscripts, the materials they used and how the text circulated in the early centuries was fascinating. In addition the book’s detailed explanation of the critical apparatus in the Nestle-Aland edition is very helpful in not only technically being able to understand it better, but also to comprehend why specific manuscripts or groups of manuscripts are listed in the apparatus and others are not. Another very helpful section to me was the chapter giving examples of textual criticism in the New Testament. This shows how the rules given in the book are actually used in practice and explains how many of the different types of variants came about. Overall combining all these aspects has made the variants in the Nestle-Aland edition come more alive. On the critical side to get the full benefit of the examples of textual criticism the book presupposes a knowledge of Greek but it is inconsistent in this regard. Some examples are fully explained with English translations but then the next one will use only the Greek words. A few chapters are overly technical for the beginner and should be skipped until a basic knowledge of the manuscripts and their characteristics is understood. Unfortunately the first chapter is one of these which may put the reader off from delving deeper into the book. Overall though the positive factors far outweigh the negative ones and this book gave me a great appreciation of the foundations of our New Testament.