Seeking Recommendation for Resource Explaining How Original Manuscripts were Accurately Copied

To strengthen my own belief and as an aid in witnessing to skeptics, I'm looking for a book in Logos which is dedicated entirely to explaining how the original inspired manuscripts were accurately copied, then canonized, and eventually translated into English. I'm especially interested in learning more about the steps that were taken to ensure the text of the original manuscripts was accurately transmitted to the earliest copies and subsequent efforts taken to ensure the text within the earliest copies was transmitted accurately to later copies. Could anyone please recommend a book in logos which would meet this description?

I am aware of one book titled, "From God to Us: How We Got Our Bible" by Norman Geisler and William Nix, which based on its description, table of contents, and respected authors, appears to be exactly what I am needing; however, unfortunately I don't think it is available in Logos. (It's a Moody Publishers item) With that said, if someone strongly recommends this book as the best resource for my specific need, I may have to go ahead and purchase the hard copy.

Thank you

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MJ. Smith

I would suggest something like The Rise and Fall of the Bible by Timothy Beal as a prelude to any books suggestions that meet your criteria..

Willie

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/755897#Comment_755897

Thanks a lot MJ! I will check this one out.

Matthew

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/755898#Comment_755898

Geisler and Nix used to have their A General Introduction to the Bible available for Logos, but I am not seeing it now. It has information on it that would match what you are looking for, but seems to be missing in action...

MJ. Smith

The Text of the New Testament: From Manuscript to Modern Edition by J. Harold Greenlee covers how the manuscripts were copied and how little variation there is between manuscripts.

The Making of the New Testament: Origin, Collection, Text & Canon by Arthur G. Patzia has the development of the canon as well as something about copying etc. ....

William Gabriel

I have not read his books, but Daniel Wallace is an excellent scholar in that field and I've enjoyed his lectures.

This book of his looks fitting: https://www.logos.com/product/47205/revisiting-the-corruption-of-the-new-testament

Willie

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/755908#Comment_755908

Thanks Matthew

Willie

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/755909#Comment_755909

MJ. Smith wrote the following post at Today 4:17 PM:

The Text of the New Testament: From Manuscript to Modern Edition by J. Harold Greenlee covers how the manuscripts were copied and how little variation there is between manuscripts.

The Making of the New Testament: Origin, Collection, Text & Canon by Arthur G. Patzia has the development of the canon as well as something about copying etc. ....

These resources look very helpful MJ. Thanks!

Willie

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/755911#Comment_755911

I have not read his books, but Daniel Wallace is an excellent scholar in that field and I've enjoyed his lectures.

This book of his looks fitting: https://www.logos.com/product/47205/revisiting-the-corruption-of-the-new-testament

I agree William. This one looks helpful.

Anon

This is found in Logos:

Nestle, Eberhard. Introduction to the Textual Criticism of the Greek New Testament. Edited by Allan Menzies. Translated by William Edie. London; New York; Edinburgh; Oxford: Williams and Norgate, 1901.

Willie

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/755925#Comment_755925

Thanks Anon

Dave Palmer

You might also consider F.F. Bruce's book "The Canon of Scripture".

https://www.logos.com/product/2979/the-canon-of-scripture

Willie

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/755969#Comment_755969

Thanks Dave. I'll consider this one as well.

Mark Barnes

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/755975#Comment_755975

The very best book for this purpose (in my opinion) is Paul Wegners The Journey from Text to Translation, but unfortunately it's not in Logos it's academically sound, superbly illustrated, well written, and easy to follow. It covers everything you're looking for and I'm sure you wouldn't be disappointed with it.

http://www.amazon.com/The-Journey-Texts-Translations-Development/dp/0801027993

Wegner has also written "A students guide to textual criticism" which is in Logos, but that's probably a little too technical for your needs and doesn't cover Englis translations.

Willie

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/755990#Comment_755990

The very best book for this purpose (in my opinion) is Paul Wegners The Journey from Text to Translation, but unfortunately it's not in Logos it's academically sound, superbly illustrated, well written, and easy to follow. It covers everything you're looking for and I'm sure you wouldn't be disappointed with it.

Thanks a lot Mark! I just finished reading all the reviews and table of contents for Wegner's book and it's impressive. It seems to utilize a lot more photos and illustrations than other similar resources which of course would help in visualizing what is being described. All the recommendations I've received in this thread have been good, but I agree this book might meet my needs the best.

Are you familiar with "How We Got the Bible" by Neil Lightfoot? It's available in Logos. https://www.logos.com/product/43264/how-we-got-the-bible The table of contents seems to cover nearly the same thing as Wegner's book, but in a more concise manner since it's nearly half the size. I'm wondering if it might be a good strategy to read Lightfoot's first as an overview and then read Wegner's for a deeper dive into the same topics.

Ronald Quick

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/756076#Comment_756076

I second "How We Got the Bible" by Lightfoot. I have read this several times. I didn't know it was available in Logos - somehow I missed it's release.

Rick Brannan (Logos)

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/755990#Comment_755990

I'll second Mark's recommendation of Wegner.

MJ's recommendations are good too. Note Greenlee's is an excellent and concise basic introduction to this material. If I was teaching a "how we got the NT" class in the context of a local church with laypeople attending, I'd use Greenlee as the text. That's the level it is written to.

Willie

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/756116#Comment_756116

I second "How We Got the Bible" by Lightfoot. I have read this several times. I didn't know it was available in Logos - somehow I missed it's release.

Thanks Ronald. Your positive review helps. I received the tip to look for that resource from John Fallahee at LearnLogos.com who always gives great training and advice.

Mark Smith

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/755990#Comment_755990

The very best book for this purpose (in my opinion) is Paul Wegners The Journey from Text to Translation, but unfortunately it's not in Logos it's academically sound, superbly illustrated, well written, and easy to follow. It covers everything you're looking for and I'm sure you wouldn't be disappointed with it.

http://www.amazon.com/The-Journey-Texts-Translations-Development/dp/0801027993

This is a Baker Academic title. I wonder why it is not in Logos?

Mark, have you ever make the suggestion that FL publish this? If not, I think it is a good idea.

Willie

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/756125#Comment_756125

I'll second Mark's recommendation of Wegner.

MJ's recommendations are good too. Note Greenlee's is an excellent and concise basic introduction to this material. If I was teaching a "how we got the NT" class in the context of a local church with laypeople attending, I'd use Greenlee as the text. That's the level it is written to.

Thanks Rick. Wow! I didn't expect to get a reply from one of the Faithlife folks! I was already leaning heavily toward getting Wegner's book but your additional recommendation convinces me it's a must have hard copy purchase (since unfortunately it's not currently available in Logos).

I strongly considered MJ's great recommendations as well, but I thought I would first get Lightfoot's concise resource in Logos since it covers both OT and NT. I may still end up getting the Greenlee resource at a later date.

This is awesome. I've gone from having hardly any options to having so many I have to prioritize my purchases. [:)]

David Ames

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/755897#Comment_755897

I would suggest something like The Rise and Fall of the Bible by Timothy Beal as a prelude to any books suggestions that meet your criteria..

Different approach on the subject but kept my interest till the end. Now on to the others that you suggested.

Joseph

I'm looking for a book in Logos which is dedicated entirely to explaining how the original inspired manuscripts were accurately copied, then canonized, and eventually translated into English.

In addition to the books suggested here, look at the Logos Reverse Interlinears. They are based on the OT or NT manuscript (SBL, NA editions,Tischendorf, etc.) which were used in the process of the translation. Reverse Interlinears allow you to see how a translation was made from the original Greek & Hebrew into the vernacular translation.

Willie

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/758022#Comment_758022

In addition to the books suggested here, look at the Logos Reverse Interlinears.

Hi Joseph. I appreciate your reply and I agree that interlinears play a key role in the Bible study process; however, the main emphasis of my current search has been on finding a book or books that explain the early history of the process, especially the steps taken by scribes to accurately transmit text from the original autographs to early manuscript copies and then subsequent steps taken to accurately transmit text from those early manuscripts to later copies. I just finished reading "How We Got Our Bible" by Lightfoot in Logos which was helpful in succinctly explaining this historical process for both the OT and NT. I've ordered a hard copy of the more comprehensive resource "The Journey from Texts to Translations" by Wegner which will hopefully meet all my needs for now. Thanks!