Thematically, he covers references in the texts collectively known as the apostolic fathers, outside influences on the development of the canon gnosticism and heretical movements such as marcionism, separate developments in the east and the west, apocryphal works on the fringe of the canon and. Its origin, development, and significance new ed by metzger, bruce m. He was a scholar of greek, new testament, and new testament textual criticism, and wrote prolifically on these subjects. During one of our triennial translation workshops a few years ago, the translation officers of the united bible societies expressed the need for a revision of metzgers textual commentary, one which would assist trans. It is a transliteration of the classical greek word kanwn, which denoted a straight rod or plumbline, and is related to kanna or kanh both of which meant. This is the most copied book by far in this survey. Frederick henry ambrose scrivener, a plain introduction to the criticism of the. Bruce metzger s the cannon of the new testament is an introductorylevel overview of the development of the new testament. Bruce metzger 19142007 was a wellknown biblical scholar and textual critic who taught new testament at princeton theological seminary for 46 years. The circulation of two collectionsthe fourfold gospel and the pauline corpusdid not constitute a nt, but it marked a stage toward that goal. Bruce, the canon of scripture, intervarsity autumn 1954. The second edition of this companion to the greek new testament discusses textual variations based on the critical apparatus. The story of the storytellers the emergence of the canon.
Any word of introduction to professor bruce manning metzger will be superfluous. Canon and text of the new testament by caspar rene gregory. Metzger, patristic evidence and the textual criticism of the new. The new testament canon developed, or evolved, over the course of the first 250300 years of christian history. The new testament, published in christian bibles used around the world, contains 27 manuscripts or texts. The canon of the new testament its origin, development, and. This text is a classic by one of americas most widely respected new testament scholars. Lexical aids for students of new testament greek 1955. The formation of the new testament canon richard carrier.
Its origin, development, and significance 9780198269540. Metzger is easy to read and the book is packed with small and interesting details. Bruce metzgers the cannon of the new testament is an introductorylevel overview of the development of the new testament. It provides a clear and comprehensive introduction to the new testament. The canon of the new testament by bruce m metzger and a great selection of related books, art and collectibles available now at. Its origin, development, and significance by bruce m. The text of the new testament confessional bibliology. Metzger is one of the bestknown and mostrespected contemporary writers in this area. Bruce manning metzger 19142007 was an american biblical scholar, bible translator and. Haykin the canon of the new testament introduction the term canon, widely used in theological discourse, is a loanword.
Lexical aids for students of new testament greek by bruce. The canon of the new testament by metzger, bruce m. Pastor steve waldron, new life of albany albany, ga. F all the early versions of the new testament, those in syriac have raised more problems and provoked more controversies among modern scholars than any of the others. There is a detailed history behind the christian writings that were acknowledged as authoritative and that eventually came to be part of the new testament. Completing his new testament trilogy, eminent theologian bruce metzger provides information from church history concerning the recognition of the canonical status of the several books of the new testament. Bruce metzger, one of americas most widely respected new testament scholars, provides a clear and comprehensive introduction to the new testament. He also considers differences as to the sequence of the books in the new testament.
It continues to stand, however, because it is supported by weighty evidence, as is shown in bruce metzgers. A textual commentary on the greek new testament logos. View in pdf format pdf this material is in the public domain. Its origin, development, and significance paperback march 1 1997 by bruce m.
Bruce manning metzger february 9, 1914 february, 2007 was an american biblical scholar and textual critic who was a longtime professor at princeton theological seminary and bible editor who served on the board of the. Bruce manning metzger 19142007 was an american biblical scholar, bible translator and textual critic who was a longtime professor at princeton theological seminary and bible editor who served on the board of the american bible society and united bible societies. Metzger the canon of the new testament, its origin. The integrity of the biblical canon in light of its. Review of bruce metzgers the canon of the new testament. Metzgers classic work is the most uptodate manual available for the textual criticism of the new testament. The new testament canon in the lutheran dogmaticians 11 synod of trent pronounced the anathema on any and all who rejected the 39 canonical books of the old testament, the apocrypha of the old testament, and the 27 books of the new testament canon. Pdf according to 2004, the word canon is used to describe those. Looking at these lists, we can group the new testament books and other early christian writings into four basic categories. The most prominent of these are the four gospels known as matthew, mark, luke and john. The new testament canon in the lutheran dogmaticians.
Chapters in the history of new testament textual criticism. Dunn also discusses the notion of a canon within the canon, albeit in a different sense the living word philadelphia. The reasons lie partly in the multiplicity of translations and revisions of the syriac scriptures, and partly in the ambiguity of evidence concerning their mutual relationship. The debt of both the scholarly world and the church to bruce m. How we got the new testament baker publishing group.
In a straightforward and understandable stylewithout distortion. Attacks have been made on the consensus on the new testament canonnamely, that its main structure was substantially fixed by the end of the second century. This work is a companion volume to the fourth edition of the united bible societies greek new testament ubs4, published by the german bible society on behalf of the united bible societies early in 1993. A textual commentary on the greek received text of the new testament being the greek text used in the authorized version also known as the authorized king james version also known as the king james bible also known as the saint james version by gavin basil mcgrath b. Ehrmanauthor of numerous bestselling books on the new testamentas a coauthor. Canon of the new testament by bruce metzger abebooks. If the new testament had been delivered by an angel, or unearthed as a complete unit it would not be as believable. The development of the canon of the new testament cross. Canonization was a long and gradual process of sifting through scores of gospels, epistles, and other books that enjoyed local and temporary authoritysome of which have only recently come. By now the evangelist has merged his own words so thoroughly with the.
Acadia studies in bible and theology includes bibliographical references and index. Statistics of greek manuscripts of the new testament 47. For the purposes, then, of the inquiring scholar the canon of the new testament is the book or the collection of the books of the new testament, and that of the new testament precisely in the extent and within the limits of the one that we use today. For most, it is an agreedupon list of twentyseven books that includes the canonical gospels, acts, letters attributed to various apostles, and revelation. Griffith thomas lectures at dallas the ological seminary, february 47, 1992.
Bruce manning metzger, the text of the new testament. Metzger the canon of the new testament, its origin, development, and significance. Marcions canon does not mark the first attempt to draw up a christian list, but it did stimulate the orthodox church leaders to define more explicitly the canon as they acknowledged it. It was especially designed for translators who have not received formal training in textual criticism. Its origin, development, and significance, the late professor bruce metzger of princeton theological seminary wrestled with a series of complex and difficult issues concerning the canonicity of scripture. Its origin, development and significance 9780198269540 by bruce m. Flack, the text, canon, and principal versions of the bible. Metzger the canon of the new testament, its origin, development, and significance see other formats.
The books of the canon of the new testament were written before 120 ad. Bruce metzger s, the canon of the new testament, is an examination of the development of the new testament canon from the first century to the twentieth century. The new testament in the second century larry hurtados blog. Yet, this book is more than a historical treatise on the canon. Besides considering differences as to the sequence of the books in the new testament, dr metzger takes up such questions as which form of text is to be regarded as canonical. Bruce metzgers, the canon of the new testament, is an examination of the development of the new testament canon from the first century to the twentieth century. The recognition of the canonical status of the several books of the new testament was the result of a long and gradual process, in the course of which certain. Metzger is professor of new testament language and literature, emeri tus, princeton theological seminary, princeton, new jersey.
Thematically, he covers references in the texts collectively known. The text of the new testament, fourth edition, has been invigorated by the addition of bart d. The formation of the new testament canon 4 ments for the existence of a lost sourcetext called q which was used by matthew and luke to supplement their borrowing from mark, and this has been speculatively dated as early as the ad 50es. It enables them, and other people interested in the initial text of the greek new. Societies the greek new testament 4th revised edition, 8th printing 2004 ubs4. Completing his new testament trilogy, eminent theologian bruce metzger. See all 9 formats and editions hide other formats and editions.
It also anathematized those who rejected the latin vulgate as the true and proper translation. Variations in the sequence of the books of the new testament 295 ill. It contains a thorough explanation of each textual decision that appears in ubs4. Description of the book the text of the new testament. Testament canon of the new testament church andjohn bartons oracles of god. From this startingpoint it has been the custom to enter upon the history of the canon. This is article three in the fourpart series, translating the bible. The canon of the new testament its origin, development. Metzger says, nowhere in the nt is there a direct quotation from the canonical books of. The canon of the new testament is the set of books many christians regard as divinely inspired and constituting the new testament of the christian bible.
913 854 750 65 1107 145 1405 1129 1243 352 863 149 1450 772 1429 421 349 1436 1325 1222 126 639 619 947 748 30 655 80