A New Academic Volume on the Origins of the New Testament Canon
It goes without saying that not all academic sub-disciplines (especially in the field of biblical studies) generate the same level of scholarly interest. Some fields are more active; others less so. And it can change from generation to generation.
When I was doing my work with Larry Hurtado years ago at the University of Edinburgh, I always wondered if my sub-discipline of New Testament canon (and sub-sub-disciplines of NT text and apocryphal writings) would continue to generate academic discussion and interest in the years ahead.
Looking back, I can say that I am grateful that field of New Testament canon (and text) has continued to produce a lot of academic … Continue reading...
Want to Understand the Transmission of the NT Text? Here is a Great New Resource
Whenever I teach textual criticism to my seminary students, I usually get two very different responses. For some students, their eyes glaze over and they tune out as soon as they hear the word “paleography” for the first time.
For others, they find themselves fascinated by how texts were transmitted and copied in the ancient world. And they are excited by the fact that we can go to museums and see actual NT manuscripts–the earliest artifacts of Christianity. This archaeological component to textual criticism makes it a very tangible enterprise.
One thing that really helps teach students about this complex subject is finding the right text book. But, admittedly, this … Continue reading...