This is the first major English-language introduction to the earliest manuscripts of the New Testament to appear for over 40 years. An essential handbook for scholars and students, it provides a thorough grounding in the study and editing of the New Testament text combined with an emphasis on the dramatic current developments in the field. Covering ancient sources in Greek, Syriac, Latin and Coptic, it • describes the manuscripts and other ancient textual evidence, and the tools needed to study them • deals with textual criticism and textual editing, describing modern approaches and techniques, with guidance on the use of editions • introduces the witnesses and textual study of each of the main sections of the New Testament, discussing typical variants and their significance. A companion website with full-colour images provides generous amounts of illustrative material, bringing the subject alive for the reader.
• Will provide an excellent guide for those approaching New Testament textual criticism for the first time • Includes practical advice on research resources and techniques • Accompanied by a website with colour images and guidance to selected features
Contents
Introduction; Part I. The Documents: 1. The study of the manuscripts; 2. Practical skills in the study of manuscripts; 3. Other types of witness; Part II. Textual Criticism and Editions: 4. Manuscripts as tradents of the text; 5. Textual criticism; 6. Editions and how to use them; Part III. The Sections of the New Testament: 7. Revelation; 8. Paul; 9. Acts and the Catholic Epistles; 10. The gospels; 11. Final thoughts; Glossary; Indexes.
Review
‘… anyone interested in the subject should drop whatever else they are doing and go and buy it … Brilliant, lucid, learned, nuanced, and able to look at things from lots of different angles. Also provocative, stimulating, informative and interesting.’ Peter M. Head, Lecturer in New Testament, Faculty of Divinity, University of Cambridge and Tyndale House
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