Honest Inquiry RE: Text Criticism Resources

Hey folks.

I have recently become very much interested in learning and educating myself with regards to textual criticism. I am looking for resources (hopefully within Logos, of course) that present a BALANCED/NEUTRAL introduction to textual criticism. I am not looking for resources that try to convince one way or another (at least at this point). But I would like it to be a fair treatment, preferably by an 'expert' and trusted resource in the field.

Find more posts tagged with

Comments

MJ. Smith

I haven't a clue as to what you mean by "balanced" as text criticism is text criticism across written languages across editions and times. Some basic resources:

A New Approach to Textual Criticism: An Introduction to the Coherence-Based Genealogical Method | Logos Bible Software (computer oriented)
Introduction to the Textual Criticism of the Greek New Testament | Logos Bible Software a solid German philological introduction
Understanding Biblical Criticism | Logos Bible Software somewhere in the middle of the above

DMB

https://www.logos.com/product/7449/encountering-the-manuscripts-an-introduction-to-new-testament-paleography-and-textual-criticism

I really like Philip Comfort's work (above).

But there's so many TC introductions ... take your pick. If I were new, I start with one of the inros .. inexpenive ... maybe a Lexham one. After you get your feet wet, then see what area you want more depth.

https://www.logos.com/search?query=textual%20criticism&sortBy=Relevance&limit=60&page=1&ownership=all&geographicAvailability=availableToMe

Daniel Yoder

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/1236388#Comment_1236388

https://www.logos.com/product/2971/a-students-guide-to-textual-criticism-of-the-bible

T Gerold Castle

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/1236388#Comment_1236388

I haven't a clue as to what you mean by "balanced" as text criticism is text criticism across written languages across editions and times.

Essentially, I meant that I wasn't looking for a defense of one position vs the other... Moreso an introduction to the 'science' of textual criticism to build a foundation. I apologize for not being clearer in my request.

T Gerold Castle

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/1236390#Comment_1236390

...

Thank you!

T Gerold Castle

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/1236391#Comment_1236391

...

Thank you!

mab

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/1236396#Comment_1236396

I'd add something like this to your reading list

https://www.logos.com/product/175039/myths-and-mistakes-in-new-testament-textual-criticism

Not everything about even the best of intentions when we study is going to prove upright.

mab

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/1236396#Comment_1236396

I'd add something like this to your reading list

https://www.logos.com/product/175039/myths-and-mistakes-in-new-testament-textual-criticism

Not everything about even the best of intentions when we study is going to prove upright.

Rosie Perera

Studies in the Theory and Method of New Testament Textual Criticism is a classic text by Eldon Jay Epp and Gordon D. Fee, two top level scholars. I studied (Exegesis, Biblical Theology, and the Book of Revelation) under Gordon Fee at Regent College, and can attest to his excellent mind, though I haven't read this particular book.

Veli Voipio

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/1236391#Comment_1236391

I found this book good to get me into this subject.

Sam Henderson

Hey folks.

I have recently become very much interested in learning and educating myself with regards to textual criticism. I am looking for resources (hopefully within Logos, of course) that present a BALANCED/NEUTRAL introduction to textual criticism. I am not looking for resources that try to convince one way or another (at least at this point). But I would like it to be a fair treatment, preferably by an 'expert' and trusted resource in the field.

This is a long shot - so disregard if I've got it wrong, but I'm wondering if what you have in mind is historical criticism rather than textual criticism, in which case I can recommend this recently released Logos book as a balanced but challenging discussion from an Evangelical position:

https://www.logos.com/product/41616/evangelical-faith-and-the-challenge-of-historical-criticism

Gregory Lawhorn

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/1236441#Comment_1236441

Michael Kruger has done some fantastic work re: textual criticism: https://www.michaeljkruger.com/.

AOMin.org has some good suggestions: https://www.aomin.org/aoblog/store/how-we-got-the-bible/

T Gerold Castle

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/1236391#Comment_1236391

...

Thank you!

T Gerold Castle

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/1236430#Comment_1236430

I'd add something like this to your reading list

https://www.logos.com/product/175039/myths-and-mistakes-in-new-testament-textual-criticism

Not everything about even the best of intentions when we study is going to prove upright.

Thank you!

T Gerold Castle

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/1236434#Comment_1236434

Studies in the Theory and Method of New Testament Textual Criticism is a classic text by Eldon Jay Epp and Gordon D. Fee, two top level scholars. I studied (Exegesis, Biblical Theology, and the Book of Revelation) under Gordon Fee at Regent College, and can attest to his excellent mind, though I haven't read this particular book.

Thanks, Rosie.

T Gerold Castle

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/1236440#Comment_1236440

I found this book good to get me into this subject.

Hi, Veli? Which book?

T Gerold Castle

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/1236441#Comment_1236441

Hey folks.

I have recently become very much interested in learning and educating myself with regards to textual criticism. I am looking for resources (hopefully within Logos, of course) that present a BALANCED/NEUTRAL introduction to textual criticism. I am not looking for resources that try to convince one way or another (at least at this point). But I would like it to be a fair treatment, preferably by an 'expert' and trusted resource in the field.

This is a long shot - so disregard if I've got it wrong, but I'm wondering if what you have in mind is historical criticism rather than textual criticism, in which case I can recommend this recently released Logos book as a balanced but challenging discussion from an Evangelical position:

https://www.logos.com/product/41616/evangelical-faith-and-the-challenge-of-historical-criticism

Hi there... Thanks for this. I do find this interesting and will have a look at it. However, no, I'm definitely talking about getting the fundamentals and basics of the 'science' of textual criticism.

T Gerold Castle

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/1236453#Comment_1236453

Michael Kruger has done some fantastic work re: textual criticism: https://www.michaeljkruger.com/.

AOMin.org has some good suggestions: https://www.aomin.org/aoblog/store/how-we-got-the-bible/

Thank you for these recommendations. I appreciate it.

Dave Palmer

I found Lexham's book Textual Criticism of the Bible by Amy Anderson and Wendy Widder to be an excellent introduction.

Doc B

This is an area where I do quite a bit of work. I think I understand what you mean by 'Balanced/Neutral.'

I've attached a bibliography generated in Logos of the resources I've found helpful. They are divided into three sections: one section is resources *about TC, one section is resources you'll use *doing TC, and there is one other section with a resource I find useful but own as a hardback and not a Logos resource. I've tried to order each section from most used to least used (by me, of course).

There are dozens more available by simply putting "Textual Criticism" in the searchbar at Logos.com. I'm not recommending any of those because I don't own them; that doesn't mean they aren't good tools. I don't want to recommend something I haven't used.

Hopefully this is helpful.

7140.TC Biblio Nov 22.docx

Doc B

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/1236453#Comment_1236453

Michael Kruger

Kruger focuses more on canon than text, but there's a lot of overlap and all his material helpful and he's a good writer...very readable. A couple of his books are in Logos as resources.

AOMin.org

I agree there's lots of stuff helpful at that site. IIRC, he has a collection with most of his works in Logos.

I'll also add Mark Ward's name...he has a Youtube page that has dozens of videos that are all very useful. His book "Authorized: Use and misuse of the KJV" is focused on one aspect of TC but is an excellent resource that I should have mentioned in my bibliography posted on this thread. Here is the link to his Youtube page.

The OP mentioned 'balanced'...I don't know of anyone more balanced/gracious with this topic than Mark Ward.

T Gerold Castle

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/1236479#Comment_1236479

The OP mentioned 'balanced'...I don't know of anyone more balanced/gracious with this topic than Mark Ward.

Thank you for the links and the doc. I really appreciate it.

Mattillo

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/1236484#Comment_1236484

Both of these have been already suggested but I thought they were good. With that said, this field isn't my expertise by any means.

https://www.logos.com/product/166355/textual-criticism-of-the-bible-revised-edition

https://www.logos.com/product/175039/myths-and-mistakes-in-new-testament-textual-criticism

Not so much but in the general area and interesting: https://www.logos.com/product/222472/scribes-and-scripture-the-amazing-story-of-how-we-got-the-bible

RHC

There’s also these 2 introductory essays:

Bruce Waltke, “Textual Criticism of the Old Testament”
Gordon Fee, “Textual Criticism of the New Testament”

in The Expositor’s Bible Commentary: Introductory Articles (ed. Frank E. Gaebelein; vol. 1; Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan Publishing House, 1979)

https://www.logos.com/product/54548/the-expositors-bible-commentary-volume-1-introductory-articles

T Gerold Castle

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/1236510#Comment_1236510

With that said, this field isn't my expertise by any means.

Thank you for the suggestions... It definitely is not an area of expertise for me either (I'm no expert on anything). But I would like to know enough to have an understanding of how it all works so I can flesh out for myself some of the 'horror stories' some of my constituents tell me.

T Gerold Castle

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/1236526#Comment_1236526

There’s also these 2 introductory essays:

Bruce Waltke, “Textual Criticism of the Old Testament”
Gordon Fee, “Textual Criticism of the New Testament”

in The Expositor’s Bible Commentary: Introductory Articles (ed. Frank E. Gaebelein; vol. 1; Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan Publishing House, 1979)

https://www.logos.com/product/54548/the-expositors-bible-commentary-volume-1-introductory-articles

Thank you for these.. Be blessed.