Abilene Christian University College of Biblical Studies
BGRK 628.01
New Testament Textual Criticism
Dr Jeff W. Childers
MWTRF 8:00 – 5:00
BSB 112
16–20 May 2016
I. Personal Stuff
Office: BSB 293
(325) 674-3797
childersj@acu.edu
II. GST Mission
CBS seeks to fulfill ACU’s mission to educate its students for Christian service and
leadership throughout the world by providing leadership preparation and resources
for effective worldwide ministry in the cause of Christ. The purpose of the GST in
particular is to equip men and women for effective missional leadership for ministry
in all its forms, and to provide strong academic foundations for theological inquiry.
III. Class Description
Designed for Graduate students who have a reading knowledge of the Greek New
Testament, this course introduces students to the history, resources, methods, and
present state of the discipline of New Testament textual criticism. Special emphasis is
given to the question of the exegetical and theological significance of Textual
Criticism for scholars and ministers. Prerequisite: Intermediate Greek or comparable
demonstrated reading proficiency.
IV. Textbooks
NA28:
Aland, Barbara and Kurt, eds. Novum testamentum graece. 28th revised ed.,
8th corrected reprint. Stuttgart: Deutsche Bibelgesellschaft, 2012.
Ehrman: Bart D. Ehrman. The Orthodox Corruption of Scripture. The Effect of Early
Christological Controversies on the Text of the New Testament. Repr. New
York: Oxford University Press, 1996.
Ehrman & Holmes: Bart D. Ehrman and Michael W. Holmes. The Text of the New
Testament in Contemporary Research: Essays on the Status Quaestionis.
Second edition. Brill, 2014.
Parker:
D.C. Parker. An Introduction to the New Testament Manuscripts and their
Texts. Cambridge: University Press, 2008
Comm:
Bruce M. Metzger. A Textual Commentary on the Greek New Testament. 2d
Revised edition. United Bible Societies, 2005.
Recommended
Bruce M. Metzger and Bart D. Ehrman. The Text of the New Testament. Its
Transmission, Corruption, and Restoration. 4th edition. New York: Oxford
University Press, 2005.
Center for the Study of New Testament Manuscripts: http://csntm.org
Digital Nestle-Aland Prototype: http://nttranscripts.uni-muenster.de
Evangelical Textual Criticism Blog: evangelicaltextualcriticism.blogspot.com
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Institute for Textual Scholarship & Electronic Editing:
http://www.birmingham.ac.uk/research/activity/itsee/index.aspx
NT Virtual Manuscript Room: http://ntvmr.uni-muenster.de/home
NT Gateway Textual Criticism Resource Pages:
http://www.ntgateway.com/textual-criticism/resource-pages
Patristic Citations (Biblia Patristica): http://www.biblindex.mom.fr
Wieland Willker’s Bible Pages: http://www-user.uni-bremen.de/%7Ewie/ww_tc.html
V. Grading
Assignments and tests will be given scores of 0–100 and weighted as follows:
Class participation
15%
MS transcriptions
25%
Book review & presentation
15%
Case responses
15%
Research paper
30%
At the end, weighted totals will be tabulated and grades assigned as follows:
100–92
A
excellent
91–83
B
good
82–74
C
not so good
73–65
D
poor
<65
F
uh-uh
VI. Attendance Policy
Students are required and expected to attend all class meetings.
VII. Assignments & Tests
1. Reading. Readings should be done prior to the day for which they are assigned;
class discussions will presume close familiarity with the readings. PDFs are made
available on the online course site.
2. Class Participation. Students should prepare for class each day and seek to
engage fully in class discussions and activities.
3. Manuscript Transcription-Collation. Students will receive transcriptioncollation assignments. Assignments are due in hardcopy the day after they are
assigned. Students will also conduct collations on select manuscripts for the
IGNTP, using the New Testament Virtual Manuscript Room interface. Collation
assignments will take place during the week of the class and must be complete by
30 June 2016. Further instructions will be given in class.
Students must create a NT.VMR account prior to the class:
 go to: ntvmr.uni-muenster.de
 click on Create Account (upper right of screen)
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


fill out and submit account information
click on the "email verification" button. When you receive an email asking you
to click on a weblink or enter a verification code into a box on the ntvmr site,
do so. If you don't see the email quickly, check your spam folder.
some restricted MSS require expert access, so you should also do the following:
o Send email to expertaccess@uni-muenster.de
o In the email, state your userid, that you are an IGNTP volunteer, and
that you request access to restricted manuscripts. State that you
understand access is for research purposes only, and that you will not
make further use of the manuscript images without the permission of the
holding institution. Within a day or two, you should receive an email
that your access has been granted.
4. Book Review & Oral Presentation. Students will write an academic review of
one of the books listed below, utilizing their own critical thinking along with other
published reviews and treatments. The book will be chosen in consultation with
the teacher. The review should be 1000–1300 words. Students will present a 20minute summary of their review book during the week of class, at which time
they will distribute copies of their review to the class. Presentation days will
depend on book selection. First come, first served.
Eldon Epp. The Theological Tendency of Codex Bezae Cantabrigiensis in Acts. SNTSMS 3;
Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 1966.
Kim Haines-Eitzen. Guardians of Letters: Literacy, Power, and the Transmitters of Early
Christian Literature. Oxford: University Press, 2000.
Larry Hurtado. The Earliest Christian Artifacts: Manuscripts and Christian Origins. Grand
Rapids: Eerdmans, 2006.
Wayne C. Kannaday. Apologetic Discourse and the Scribal Tradition: Evidence of the
Influence of Apologetic Interests on the Text of the Canonical Gospels. TCS 5. Atlanta,
GA: SBL, 2004.
James Royse. Scribal Habits in Early Christian Greek Papyri. NTTSD, 36. Leiden: E. J.
Brill, 2007.
Günther Zuntz. Text of the Epistles: A Disquisition on the Corpus Paulinum. London:
Oxford University Press, 1953.
5. Case Responses. Students will write pastoral responses to text critical issues
posed in selected congregational cases, utilizing knowledge and perspectives
gained in class. 750–1250 words. The case responses are due electronically 10
June 2016.
6. Research paper. In consultation with the teacher, students will choose a
significant textual variant on which to write a research paper. The paper should
demonstrate awareness of and facility with the history, methods, and resources of
New Testament textual criticism. It should attempt to resolve the textual problem
in a well-argued fashion. It should draw fully upon relevant primary and secondary
sources. It should indicate the student’s reasoned opinion regarding the exegetical
and theological significance of the variant. Page numbers will vary as appropriate.
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Use footnotes and Works Cited list. Papers are due electronically by 25 July
2016.
7. Academic Integrity. Violations of academic integrity and other forms of
cheating, as defined in ACU’s Academic Integrity Policy, involve the intention to
deceive or mislead or misrepresent, and therefore are a form of lying and
represent actions contrary to the behavioral norms that flow from the nature of
God. Violations will be addressed as described in the Policy. While the university
enforces the Policy, the most powerful motive for integrity and truthfulness comes
from one’s desire to imitate God’s nature in our lives. Every member of the
faculty, staff and student body is responsible for protecting the integrity of
learning, scholarship and research. The full Policy is available for review at the
Provost’s office web site (http://www.acu.edu/campusoffices/provost) and the
following offices: provost, college deans, dean of campus life, director of student
judicial affairs, director of residential life education and academic departments.
VIII. Student Learning Outcomes and Course Competencies:
STUDENT LEARNING OUTCOMES
COMPETENCIES
1) knowledge of content and
1) basic competency in the use of
theological shape of Christian
the NA27 apparatus
Scriptures (GST 1);
critical facility with the most
important primary sources and
issues of scholarly discussion in
biblical studies (MA 1); ability
to use the best current
methods of research in biblical
studies (MA 2); facility in
critical thinking, analysis, and
in oral and written
communication (GST 5)
2) See 1
2) critical proficiency in the
history and methods of NT
textual criticism
3) See 1
3) assess current trends in NT
textual criticism and the use of
ancient manuscript evidence
4) See 1
4) acquire elementary proficiency
in NT manuscript paleography
5) capacity to exercise care of
5) integrate the skills and insights
souls in fitting and
of textual criticism in
compassionate ways (MDiv 4);
application to pastoral and
ability to integrate theological
theological issues related to
and theoretical concepts with
the use of the biblical text in
concrete ministry situations
communities of faith
(MACM 3)
EVALUATION
1) Class discussions; research
paper
2) Class discussions; research
paper
3) Book review
4) Manuscript transcriptioncollation
5) Case responses
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Classroom Virtues
The GST invites students to participate in a process of theological and spiritual formation. Knowing
how to think theologically comes by habit and by imitation, not simply by acquiring isolated facts. The
assumption here is that books alone are insufficient for addressing difficulties of life and forming
people into the image and likeness of God. Ultimately, we strive to form communities of inquiry,
inviting you to inhabit a shared world of learning. Within such an environment, the goal is to cultivate
critical skills of reflection, spiritual disciplines, interact authentically with one another, and learn to
function as a community of inquiry. A large part of this involves connecting areas of life rather than
pitting them against one another. Prayer, study, and other dimensions of life are all integral to the
process of formation. Consequently, we invite you to participate in a set of practices; nurtured within
this context, you pursue “intellectual, moral, spiritual excellence” the result of which is the formation
of the whole person.
I.
Desire for truth in the context of love—the aptitude to discern whether belief-forming processes,
practices, and people yield true beliefs over false ones. People motivated by this desire will be
more likely to conduct thorough inquiries, scrutinize evidence carefully, investigate numerous
fields of study, consider alternative explanations, while respecting and caring for others.
II. Humility—the capacity to recognize reliable sources of informed judgment while recognizing the
limits of our knowledge and the fallibility of our judgments. This is not created in isolation but
takes into account feedback and correction from other sources of informed judgment.
III. Honesty—the capacity to tackle difficult questions without seeking simple answers. Ignoring
complex and difficult questions only solidifies vices such as intellectual dishonesty, closemindedness, and rash judgments. These vices preclude the possibility of refining our thinking and
of participating in conversations with others.
IV. Openness—the desire to engage in an open-ended search for knowledge of God, including
receptivity to different ideas, experiences, and people. Listening becomes a discipline that
acknowledges the other and respects diversity. The art of being a student and a teacher is an
ongoing process that necessitates hospitality, patience, and love.
V. Courage—the ability to articulate one’s position while considering other perspectives. The
aptitude to express convictions involves risk yet fosters opportunities for meaningful dialog.
Responding to objections entails tenacity but should not be confused with close-mindedness.
VI. Wisdom—the capacity to offer a synthetic discernment of knowledge on behalf of the community.
The aim is not merely the dissemination of information but a pastoral implementation of faith for
the building up of the community. It solidifies various pieces of data, practices, and experiences
and aptly applies knowledge and faith to particular situations.
VII. Stewardship—the commitment to one’s accountability to the gifts and responsibilities that one
brings to the classroom. Classroom engagement includes proactively participating in the course
goals, seeking mastery of course competencies, and collaborating with faculty and fellow students
in the developing of a learning environment. Committing oneself to spiritual and intellectual wellbeing and growth is a faithful response to the opportunities graduate education affords.
VIII. Hopefulness—the receptivity to the future possibilities of God. The cultivation of thankfulness for
our heritages and expectation for our future ministries engenders a guard against cynicism and a
spirit of perseverance during times of stress and disorientation.
IX. Prayerfulness—the making of space to commune with God. The task of learning and teaching so
that we are formed into the image of Christ through the Spirit involves our consistent reliance on
God’s sanctifying work.
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X. Class Schedule
Monday 16 May
Topics
Lectio divina in Mark 16: A Panoply of Endings
Introduction: The Problem with Reading a Bible that Never Existed
Tripping through the Apparatus
Texts in Hand: Working with Manuscripts
A Few Verses That Don’t Agree
The Story of the Art 1
Readings
Parker, 1.1–3, 7; 1.8.1–4, 1.8.7–9, 1.9; 4; 5; Ehrman & Holmes, 1–4, 16–17
Ehrman, Bart D. “The Neglect of the Firstborn in New Testament Studies.”
http://rosetta.reltech.org/TC/extras/ehrman-pres.html
Stanley E. Porter, “What Do We Know and How Do We Know It? Reconstructing Early Christianity
from Its Manuscripts,” in Stanley E. Porter and Andrew W. Pitts, ed., Christian Origins and
Greco-Roman Culture (Texts and Editions for New Testament Studies 9; Leiden: Brill, 2013),
41–70.
Peruse the images of MS 2427: http://goodspeed.lib.uchicago.edu/ms/index.php?doc=0972
Margaret M. Mitchell, Joseph G. Barabeb, and Abigail B. Quandt. “Chicago’s ‘Archaic Mark’ (ms
2427) II Microscopic, Chemical and Codicological Analyses.” Novum Testamentum 52 (2010):
101–33. [PDF available]
View the following brief video:
http://mindonline.uchicago.edu/media/communications/news/archaic_mark_10262009_512k.
mov
Variants to consider: John 7:1; Mark 15:27–(28); 1 John 5:7–8; 1 Thessalonians 2:7
Collation Assignments—Following the instructions in Parker, 2.4, use paper to collate
the following Greek texts against the collation bases given in class, to the best of your
ability. Refrain from looking at online transcriptions (that’s cheating!):
• Codex Sinaiticus ( - 01), 4th century; folio 202b from column a, line 26 through col. b, line 21 (Mt
6:7-15). Navigate to the following site in order to see the manuscript, zooming in as you use the image
window.
http://codexsinaiticus.org/en/manuscript.aspx?book=33&chapter=6&lid=en&side=r&verse=7
46 (P.Mich.inv. 20r), ca. 200. Collate first 10 lines (Rom 15:29ff.). Search for INTF No. 10046 on
NT.VMR, go to folio 20r, i.e. no. 210, Rom. 15:29ff.
http://ntvmr.uni-muenster.de/manuscript-workspace
Tuesday 17 May
Topics
Lectio divina in Mark 16: a Panoply of Readings
The Story of the Art 2
Dueling Text-forms
Tripping through the Apparatus
Methods & Techniques
Texts in Hand: Working with Manuscripts
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Readings
Parker, 6; Ehrman & Holmes, 21–22, 24–25
D.C. Parker. “The Development of the Critical Text of the Epistle of James: From Lachmann to the
Editio Critica Maior” In A. Denaux, ed. New Testament Textual Criticism and Exegesis:
Festschrift J. Delobel. Leuven University Press, Sertling, VA, 2002. pp. 317–30.
Peter Williams. “The NA28 Edition is Here. But Don’t Scrap Your 27th Just Yet.” The Marginalia
Review of Books (January 29, 2013). Cited 2 April 2016. Online:
http://marginalia.lareviewofbooks.org/peter-williams-on-the-nestle-aland-novumtestamentum-graece.
Jeff Kloha. “A New Edition of the Greek New Testament.” Concordia Theology (October 31, 2012).
Cited 2 April 2016. Online: http://concordiatheology.org/2012/10/a-new-edition-of-the-greeknew-testament.
H.A.G. Houghton. “Recent Developments in New Testament Textual Criticism.” Early Christianity 2
(2011) 245–58.
AnneMarie Luijendijk. “Sacred Scriptures as Trash: Biblical Papyri from Oxyrynchus.” Vigiliae
Christianae 64 (2010): 217–54.
Cloud, David. “Textual Criticism Drawn from the Wells of Infidelity.” Way of Life Literature, Inc.
(updated; November 4, 2009). Cited 2 April 2016. Online:
http://www.wayoflife.org/database/wellsofinfidelity.html
Variants to consider: John 7:37–39; Mark 15:34; 1 Corinthians 15:51; Romans 16:25–27; Colossians
4:15
Collation Assignment
Begin the Transcribing Greek Minuscules tutorials 1–6, located in three (3) documents in the Files
area of our myacu. Submit material to the teacher (not Rachel!).
For help recognizing some common Greek minuscule abbreviations and ligatures, consult the online
list: http://www.fordham.edu/halsall/ikon/greekligs.html
Wednesday 18 May
Topics
Lectio divina in Mark 16: a Panoply of Readings
Methods & Techniques
What’s the Point and Does it Matter?
Tripping through the Apparatus
Are We Victims of a Grand Early Christian Conspiracy?
Readings
Ehrman; Ehrman & Holmes, 18–20, 26–28
“Interview with Bart Ehrman.”
http://evangelicaltextualcriticism.blogspot.com/2006/09/interview-with-bart-ehrman.html
Colbert Report
http://www.colbertnation.com/the-colbert-report-videos/70912/june-20-2006/bart-ehrman
Bart Ehrman vs Peter Williams: Textual Reliability Of The Bible
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wjx_OwN-Ldo
Hurtado, Larry W. “The New Testament in the Second Century: Text, Collections and Canon,” in
J.W. Childers and D.C. Parker, Transmission and Reception: New Testament Text-Critical and
Exegetical Studies (Texts and Studies 3.4; Piscataway, NJ: Gorgias, 2006). PDF available.
Read the following two posts on the blog, Evangelical Textual Criticism:
http://evangelicaltextualcriticism.blogspot.com/2009/11/sbl-new-orleans-2009-i-peterhead.html
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http://evangelicaltextualcriticism.blogspot.com/2009/11/sbl-new-orleans-2009-i-peterhead_22.html
Philip Payne. “Critique of ‘The Marginalia of Codex Vaticanus: Putting the Distigmai in Their Place’
presented by Peter M. Head to the NT Textual Criticism Seminar Nov. 21, 2009 in New
Orleans.” Read the full, updated PDF, posted 16 March 2010 (see 2nd paragraph of blog post)
http://evangelicaltextualcriticism.blogspot.com/2010/03/distigmai-in-vaticanus-new-versionof.html
Variants to consider: Mark 1:1; Luke 22:43-44; Hebrews 2:9; 1 John 4:3
Collation Assignment:
Complete the Transcribing Greek Minuscules tutorials.
Research Paper spade-work
Thursday 19 May
Topics
Lectio divina in Mark 16: a Panoply of Readings
Lost in Translation? Ancient Versions of the New Testament
The Fathers Speak Up: Patristic Citations and the New Testament
Tripping through the Apparatus
Some Troubled Passages—The Beast’s Number, a Female Apostle, and Providence
Texts in Hand: Working with Manuscripts
Readings
Parker, 1.4–6; 1.8.5–9; 3; Ehrman & Holmes, 6–8, 13–15; choose two of the following: 5, 9–12
William L. Petersen. “What Text Can New Testament Textual Criticism Ultimately Reach?” In
Barbara Aland & Joel Delobel eds. New Testament Textual Criticism, Exegesis, and Early
Church History. Kok Pharos Publishing House: Kampen, The Netherlands, 1994. pp. 136–52.
Carroll D. Osburn. “Methodology in Identifying Patristic Citations in NT Textual Criticism.” Novum
Testamentum 47 (2005), 313–43.
J.W. Childers. “The Syriac Evidence for the ‘Pre-Johannine Text of the Gospel:’ A Study in
Method.” In D. C. Parker & D. G. K. Taylor eds. Studies in the Early Text of the Gospels and
Acts (Texts and Studies 3/1; Birmingham: University of Birmingham Press, 1999), 49–85.
Eldon J. Epp “Text-Critical, Exegetical, and Socio-Cultural factors Affecting the Junia/Junias
Variation in Romans 16:7.” In A. Denaux, ed. New Testament Textual Criticism and Exegesis:
Festschrift J. Delobel. Leuven University Press, Sertling, VA, 2002. pp. 227–91.
J.N. Birdsall. “Irenaeus and the Number of the Beast: Revelation 13,18.” In A. Denaux, ed. New
Testament Textual Criticism and Exegesis: Festschrift J. Delobel. Leuven University Press,
Sertling, VA, 2002. pp. 349–60.
“The Other Number of the Beast: 616 (P.Oxy. LVI 4499).” Available at:
http://www.csad.ox.ac.uk/POxy/beast616.htm
Baarda, T. “‘The Flying Jesus.’ Luke 4:29-30 in the Syriac Diatessaron.” Vigiliae Christianae 40
(1986): 313–41.
Osburn, C. D. “The Interpretation of Romans 8:28.” WTJ 44 (1982) 99–109.
Peruse the following pages from the Sacred Texts Exhibition. Zoom in on the images.
http://www.bl.uk/onlinegallery/sacredtexts/vulgategosp.html
http://www.bl.uk/onlinegallery/sacredtexts/syriacbib.html
http://www.bl.uk/onlinegallery/sacredtexts/arabicgosp.html
Variants to consider: Mark 16:9–20; John 7:53–8:11; Luke 22:19–20
Collation Assignment:
Begin transcribing assigned MS.
Research Paper spade-work
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Friday 20 May
Topics
What’s the Difference? Textual criticism, exegesis, history, and theology
Textual Criticism and Pastoral Care: reflection on cases
Planning Your Summer: Preliminary Reports on Research Papers
Readings
Ehrman & Holmes, 23
Illuminated Biblical Manuscripts. Peruse the online BL Catalogue of Illuminated Manuscripts. Read
the brief summaries in the Introductory Overview and for each of the five periods described.
Look at some of the plates:
http://www.bl.uk/catalogues/illuminatedmanuscripts/TourBibGen.asp
http://www.bl.uk/onlinegallery/sacredtexts/constantinople.html
Peruse the following pages from the Sacred Texts Exhibition. Zoom in on the images.
http://www.bl.uk/onlinegallery/sacredtexts/lindisfarne.html
http://www.bl.uk/onlinegallery/sacredtexts/awaggosp.html
http://www.bl.uk/onlinegallery/sacredtexts/syriaclect.html
http://www.bl.uk/onlinegallery/sacredtexts/silos.html
S. E. Porter, “The Use of Hermeneia and Johannine Papyrus Manuscripts,” in Akten des 23.
Internationalen Papyrologenkongresses, Wien, 22.-28. Juli 2001 (Vienna, 2007), 573-580.
W. V. Cirafesi, “The Bilingual Character and Liturgical Function of ‘Hermeneia’ in Johannine
Papyrus Manuscripts: A New Proposal,” Novum Testamentum 56 (2014): 45–57.
Kevin W. Wilkinson. “Hermêneiai in Manuscripts of John’s Gospel: An Aid to Bibliomancy.”
Read one of the following:
J.W. Childers. “‘You Will Find what You Seek:’ the Form and Function of a Sixth-Century
Divinatory Bible in Syriac.” In Snapshots of Evolving Traditions: Textual Fluidity,
Manuscript Culture and New Philology, ed. Liv Ingeborg Lied and Hugo Lundhaug (Texte
und Untersuchungen zur Geschichte der altchristlichen Literatur; Berlin: de Gruyter, 2016).
J.W. Childers. “Divining Gospel: Classifying Manuscripts of John Used in Sortilege.” In Bible as
Notepad. Liv Ingeborg Lied and Marilena Maniaci, ed. (Manuscripta Biblica ; Berlin: de
Gruyter, 2016)
Holger Szesnat. “’Some Witnesses Have… ’: The Representation of the New Testament Text in
English Bible Versions.” TC 12 (2007). Available at:
http://rosetta.reltech.org/TC/vol12/vol12.html
J. Lust “Textual Criticism of the Old and New Testaments: Stepbrothers?” In A. Denaux, ed. New
Testament Textual Criticism and Exegesis: Festschrift J. Delobel. Leuven University Press,
Sertling, VA, 2002. pp. 15–32.
Joel Delobel. “Textual Criticism and Exegesis: Siamese Twins?” In Barbara Aland & Joel Delobel,
eds. New Testament Textual Criticism, Exegesis, and Early Church History. Kok Pharos
Publishing House: Kampen, The Netherlands, 1994. pp. 98–117.
K. D. Clarke and K. Bales. “The Construction of Biblical Certainty: Textual Optimism and the United
Bible Societies.” D. C. Parker & D. G. K. Taylor eds, Studies in the Early Text of the Gospels
and Acts. Texts and Studies 3/1. University of Birmingham Press: Birmingham U.K., 1999. pp.
86–93.