The Text of the New Testament
From Manuscript to Modern Edition
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- Format
- E-Book
- ISBN
- 9781441241757
- Pub. Date
- Jun 2008
- SRP
- $18.00
About
"A helpful primer for the uninitiated reader. . . . Readable and affordable for the average parishioner. The presentation will help readers appreciate the NT text with greater depth and nuance."--Seth Ehorn, Ashland Theological Journal
The Text of the New Testament is a brief introduction for the lay person into the process whereby the New Testament came to be. It describes the basics of ancient writing tools, manuscripts, the work of scribes, and how to think about differences in what the various manuscripts say. This is a revised and expanded edition with a completely new chapter on how contemporary English translations fit in with our understanding of the New Testament text. Geared to the lay person who is uninformed or confused about textual criticism, Greenlee begins this volume by explaining the production of ancient manuscripts. He then traces the history of the development of the New Testament text. Readers are next introduced to the basic principles of textual criticism, the concept of variant readings, and how to determine which variant has the greatest likelihood of being the original reading. To illustrate the basic principles, several sample New Testament texts are examined. The book concludes by putting textual criticism in perspective as involving only a minute portion of the entire New Testament text, the bulk of which is indisputably attested by the manuscripts.Endorsements
"'Other ancient authorities read . . . '; 'some manuscripts lack this verse'; 'several later manuscripts add . . . .' So say those teasing, marginal notes in our modern translations of the Bible. But there's a lot they don't tell you--which manuscripts? How old are these manuscripts, and how reliable? Where are they located? What are they made of? What are 'ancient authorities'? How do scholars determine what text to translate? And especially, are there any essential beliefs of Christians that are based on uncertain texts? If you've ever wondered about any of these questions, this book is for you. It's a goldmine of information, written by a bona fide New Testament scholar yet in non-technical language that's easy to follow and enjoyable to read. Greenlee takes the reader on an illustrated journey from the pens of the apostles to the printing press and beyond. It's as rare as it is refreshing to read such a sane book that rises above the cluttered traffic and confusing signals on the information highway."--Daniel B. Wallace, professor of New Testament studies, Dallas Theological Seminary; executive director, Center for the Study of New Testament Manuscripts; author, Greek Grammar Beyond the Basics
"In all of his writings, Harold Greenlee's overriding concern is to show that New Testament textual criticism, far from being a secondary or indifferent matter, is a matter of supreme importance. Once the student has started reading Greenlee, he or she will find that this soft-spoken man has relevance to one of the most crucial areas of biblical studies today. Certainly this revision of Greenlee's classic textbook will be a welcome addition to any pastor or student's library. I thank God that He has given His church such a warm-hearted and capable scholar."--David Alan Black, professor of New Testament and Greek, Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary; author, New Testament Textual Criticism
The Author
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Courtesy of the author’s family J. Harold Greenlee
J. Harold Greenlee (1918-2015) was a professor of New Testament Greek, a missionary with OMS International, and an International Translation Consultant with Wycliffe Bible Translators. He is the author of Introduction to New Testament Textual...
Continue reading about J. Harold Greenlee
Reviews
"This is one of the clearest expositions of the science of textual criticism one is likely to find. A thorough revision of an earlier work entitled Scribes, Scrolls and Scripture, this small volume traces the history of writing, book-making, the various types of materials (papyrus, parchment, paper) and their implications for biblical manuscripts, the work of the scribes and copyists, the art of textual criticism, and the work of translation. Written for a lay audience, it combines sound scholarship with an explanatory style that makes it ideal as a resource for introductory courses on the New Testament or as informative reading for anyone interested in this important aspect of the biblical literature."--The Bible Today
"The name of J. H. Greenlee is well known in connection with New Testament textual criticism. This book is a revision of his Scribes, Scrolls, and Scripture. . . . An obvious advantage of this book is that it is aimed at the general reader, not the trained New Testament scholar. It starts with a discussion of how ancient manuscripts were written, using good diagrams to explain how papyrus manuscripts were made and the difference between scrolls and codices. . . . The Greek manuscripts are discussed with explanations of their characteristics and how the numeration system for them has developed and operates. The history of New Testament criticism is set out in helpful summary form, along with a very clear discussion of general princples upon which textual decisions are made. The various modern translations (NRSV, NLT, NET, ESV, REB, NKJV) are surveyed in regard to their textual base, with good summaries, of their acknowledged textual preferences. . . . The obvious advantage of Greenlee's discussion is that he explains New Testament textual criticism without assuming knowledge of Greek. Anyone can pick up this discussion and find intricate questions relating to textual criticism discussed with simplicity and clarity. The bibliography is brief but good."--Reformed Theological Review
"This book is written by a scholar in plain language, it sets out the history of the manuscript evidence that lies behind the New Testament. Ten chapters introduce important issues. . . . Frequently, this most important aspect of the New Testament is ignored. However, to rightly interpret the New Testament every student should be familiar with the insights presented by Greenlee. . . . Greenlee has taken a very complex issue and presented it in clear straightforward terms. His balanced judgment is evident throughout. This text is excellent for an introduction to the subject, it is scholarly based, soundly balanced, and challenging. Worthwhile, it is an introductory window into a very important subject."--Theological Book Review
"[Greenlee] communicates with admirable clarity and includes details and insights that are likely to be of benefit to NT scholars."--Peter J. Williams, Journal for the Study of the New Testament
"This book certainly whets the appetite of those at the very beginning of developing an interest in New Testament textual criticism. This revised and expanded version . . . successfully engages readers with a compelling mix of ancient scribal practices and the texts they produced, by charting the history of the transmission of the Greek New Testament and various translations, and by discussing 'live' issues especially in evangelical circles relating to claims about inerrancy of scripture and the superiority of the King James Version. This range of topics amply illustrates the 'payoff' that can be gained through a close study of the ancient manuscripts. . . . Greenlee says much that is sane and enlightening in this brief introduction to textual criticism. He is sensitive to the reality that for some readers the issues he discusses will appear controversial. . . . The reality is that [the book's] clear presentation of the facts still sadly needs to be heard in some circles. Greenlee speaks those facts with a still small voice of calm which will hopefully bring greater clarity to some of the claims that are being made in support of certain English versions of the bible."--Paul Foster, Expository Times
"A helpful primer for the uninitiated reader. The concise format and low cost make it both readable and affordable for the average parishioner. The presentation will help readers appreciate the NT text with greater depth and nuance. And ultimately, the idol of false certainty will be challenged as readers are called to appreciate the robust history and tradition of the NT text."--Seth Ehorn, Ashland Theological Journal
"[This] edition has been updated to reflect some of the most recent developments related to the New Testament text and expanded to include important discussions among textual critics since the previous edition was published."--Dan Decker, Bible Review Journal