An introduction to Textual Criticism. Honors for Bibliology and Hermeneutics

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Product Description

The Bible has been on a long historical journey since its original composition. Its texts have been copied and recopied. And despite the most careful and painstaking efforts of scribes and publishers down through the centuries, errors of one sort or another have crept in and have been reproduced. Sorting out the errors and determining the original wording is the task of textual criticism. In fact, the task of textual criticism is so daunting and detailed that it is divided between Old Testament textual critics and New Testament textual critics. That is why nearly every book on the subject focuses on the textual criticism of either the Old or New Testament. But if you are one of those interested in a general understanding of textual criticism, this book introduces you to textual criticism of the whole Bible--the Hebrew Old Testament and the Greek New Testament. In plain language and with ample illustration, Paul D. Wegner gives you an overview of the history and methods, aims and results of textual criticism. In the process you will gain an appreciation for the vast work that has been accomplished in preserving the text of Scripture and find a renewed confidence in its reliability.

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Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #166336 in Books
• Published on: 2006-04-30
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 334 pages

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Customer Reviews

An exceptional entry point
A wonderful starting point for the novice in the complex and constantly-shifting field of textual criticism. Wegner brings a workman bluecollar approach to the subject helping to give handles to the concepts involved. He provides examples from both testaments with explanations for the reasoning involved. Two strong features for classroom use are the excurses Wegner provides on how to read the Biblia Hebraica Stuttgartensia (Hebrew OT) and the UBS 4th Ed (Greek NT). The best feature, however, is the glossary of textual critical terms. The only reason I didn't give it 5 stars is a perceived favoritism toward the OT that slanted some of it in my reading.

Best introduction ever
We are accustomed to read NT introduction to textual criticism. But this book is far more complete and easy to read, than the others. With numerous biblical examples, clear explanations, and large bibliographical data, the Student's Guide inoculate the passion of the textual criticism field.

For a firt approach, I warmly commend this book, more than Green, Metzger or Tov. Surely, as a professor of Old Testament, P.D. Wegner put a little more emphasis on Old Testament textual criticism. But in view of the plethore of titles consacred to NT, this not a lacune, on the contrary.

So I found the book easy, quite complete, well illustrated, and definitely worthing more than a reading !!!

An Excellent Resource on Textual Criticism
I've read books on textual criticism before and seeing this refers to itself as a student's guide, I figured I'd get just the basics. Not at all! Wegner goes into several issues in textual criticism with not just how its done, but the history of textual criticism, great people in that history, and important manuscripts. It is hard to believe that so much can be packed into around 300 pages worth of information, but the reader wanting to learn about textual criticism will not be disappointed with this book.

I highly recommend it as a current Seminary student. I read this book of my own free-will and not as a class requirement, but if I saw that Seminaries and Bible Colleges were having this book be read for classes on the textual criticism of Scripture, I would have to applaud their wisdom.