TDNT vs TLNT
What is the difference between the Theological Lexicon of the New Testament and the Theological Dictionary of the New Testament? Which one is better? I thought a lexicon and dictionary were the same. Am I incorrect?
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What is the difference between lexicon and dictionary ...
But the names are pretty much interchangeable, especially when another lexicon or dictionary is introduced.
TDNT is somewhat of a classic, in-depth, and much discussed authorship. Spicq's TLNT is more recent, more limited list of entries, but considerably more depth. Normally, you pick up TDNT is a package, and add TLNT on sale. I prefer Spicq.
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The two resources are quite similar in many ways.
TDNT is a ten volume work, originally in German, with extensive articles on words of which the editors thought were theologically important. The volumes came out from 1933 to 1973 and each article is a work of extensive research. For what it covers, there is generally not a more complete treatment. That said, particularly in the earlier volumes there are some concerns.
1. Germany in the 1930's was the time of the German Church struggle in reaction to Hitler. Kittel, the editor was a Nazi apologist, and this perspective does sometimes enter into the text, although some of the article authors like Hermann Sasse were opponents of Nazism.
2. In general the articles seem to suggest that the authors of scripture was aware of the extensive historical background for the words they use, and some of the human authors of some of the books quite frankly do not seem to know Greek that well.
Because off these weaknesses, there have been a few other similar works that have come out since - oddly enough, usually in a three volume format. One of those works is TLNT. It is basically the work of one man, namely Ceslas Spicq. It does not have as much raw information as Kittel, but often it is easier to find USEFUL information, as well as arguably more up to date information.
Other similar works would include EDNT and NIDNTT and its more recent edition, NIDNTTE.
As for what is best? It depends on what all you want to use it for, and quite frankly, how much you want to/are able to read Greek.
The Gospel is not ... a "new law," on the contrary, ... a "new life." - William Julius Mann
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TDNT is older but you can still find some useful information in it. Ceslas Spicq is more recent and in my opinion less theologically bias when defining words and giving their theological meaning. For example Ceslas Spicq is not, what some call, a restorationist but his definition of “forgiveness” in connection with baptism and it’s theological meaning it’s on par with what “Restorationist” believe. Here’s a great review on Spicq’s work and how much work was put into it: https://www.christiancourier.com/articles/1059-book-review-spicqs-theological-lexicon-of-the-new-testament <~~ it mentions other works by Spicq.
The BDAG team and The Journal of the Evangelical Theological Society speak highly of Spicq’s work (😂 Speak, Spicq 😂).
Other worthy options are EDNT, and Brown’s NIDNTT or the newer better version by Silva NIDNTTE. I have all of them and use all the newer ones more than TDNT. Side not the counter part TDOT is another very dated work, but you can still use it with care and if you can afford the Logos version of it. NIDOTT by VanGemeren is a better option.
DAL
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Well sure ... 2 volumes, but then (sorted by date):
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