Rethinking New Testament Textual Criticism

by David Alan Black

New Testament textual criticism is an important but often overlooked field of study. Results drawn from textual studies bear important consequences for interpreting the New Testament and cannot be ignored by serious students of Scripture. This book introduces current issues in New Testament textual criticism and surveys the various methods used to determine the original text among variant readings.

These essays from Eldon Jay Epp, Michael Holmes, J. K. Elliott, Maurice Robinson, and Moisés Silva provide readers with an excellent introduction to the field of New Testament textual criticism.

158 pages, Paperback

First published October 1, 2002

Reviews

[Ben Franks · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a great "next step" in learning more about the field of NT textual criticism. It is in essence the edited presentations of a conference held on the subject at Southeastern Seminary in 2000. Being 20 years old now, there are no doubt some things that have changed in the field (one thinks particularly of the advent of the Coherence Based Genealogical Method which is already being put to use in noted critical texts). However, the chapters (together with their helpful footnotes) chart a course into the world of textual criticism which will be of use to the beginning-intermediate student. The content is not too specialized, but a basic knowledge of Greek and the principles and history of textual criticism are necessary to follow the discussion.

Two comments are in order. First, it should be noted that the net was cast somewhat broadly in assembling presenters. Evangelical readers will note that Eldon Jay Epp and J.K. Elliott are most certainly working within a different tradition with different presuppositions from their own (both authors fawn over the work of Bart Ehrman and welcome the prospect that textual criticism might abandon the prospect of recovering an original text). This does not negate the value of their scholarship, but it will limit the use of this book in evangelical circles. It is certainly not a book I would recommend to the average layperson.

Second, Maurice Robinson's presentation would have been helped by retaining footnotes. He made the choice (presumably with David Alan Black - the editor) to remove them as they are kept in the longer version of his presentation which is found in the appendix to his edition of the majority text (which is, happily, freely available online: https://www.byzantinetext.com/wp-cont...). While one can understand the size constraints of the volume, this choice makes Robinson's case appear weaker and less scholarly than it really is when set next to the other chapters.

Still, this book has real value for the seminarian and Pastor as a gateway into the complex world of NT textual criticism.

[Gregory · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting perspectives on NT Textual Criticism, from some of the leaders in the field. I must admit that this was slow going, partly because of the technical nature of some of the sections. The authors were definitely writing for a scholarly audience, and I do not claim to be an expert. Yet, there was enough clearly explained to discern the different approaches to textual criticism. I wish the contributors had been given space to interact with each other. Perhaps the differences in the various approaches would have become clearer there.

[Daniel Kleven · Rating 5 out of 5]

I agree with Kim Haines-Eitzen's review*:

"There is little in this slim volume that will surprise seasoned New Testament text critics; rather, the collection will be appreciated by introductory and intermediate students of New Testament textual criticism who wish to understand the current state of the discipline as well as some of the needs and tensions within the field."

While I agree with Robinson's "Byzantine Priority" position, I enjoyed Epp's chapter the most. Again, Haines-Eitzen: "Epp's essay is by far the most substantial and important."

*_Journal of Textual Criticism_ 8 (2003): http://jbtc.org/v08/Black-ed2003rev.html

[Thomas Smyly · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fantastic delineation of different approaches to text criticism by proponents of these different approaches. Especially poignant is Moisés Silva’s commendation of the primary goal of text criticism: uncovering the original text. Uncovering the original text is to remain the goal of TC against those like Ehrman and Parker who would turn TC into an exercise in tracing the power struggles concerning doctrine in the early church, of which there is little textual evidence.

[Melissa · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is really helpful in understanding different approaches to biblical textual criticism. One takeaway is that this area is more complex than most Bible footnotes and commentaries would lead us to believe. The Byzantine Priority continues to come across as a highly reasonable approach, and I'm surprised it isn't more widely adopted. At any rate, I'd love to find a more recent summary of the state of the field.

[Andrew Fendrich · Rating 4 out of 5]

Read for seminary -- 3.5 stars that I tipped upward to 4.

A very brief introduction to a few different approaches to textual criticism--highlighting reasoned eclecticism, thoroughgoing eclecticism, and Byzantine priority TC.

It's enough to whet the appetite of someone who is interested in the field of textual criticism. Of course, as a short book, you will walk away with a thousand questions, wondering whether or not you even want to have them answered. ;)

[Anthony Ingram · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good book

[Vanjr · Rating 5 out of 5]

An excellent discussion of four different New Testament textual critics with one response from a 2000 conference at Southeastern Seminary. This is an important topic in Christian thought that is much overlooked in conservative or evangelical groups. The irony of course is the great weight such groups give to the text of the Bible.