Review of Parker's Introduction

In the latest Review of Biblical Literature we find a review of David Parker's An Introduction to the New Testament Manuscripts and Their Texts by Matteo Grosso. Recently, I met Matteo at the SBL in Rome, where he presented a paper. He is very appreciative of Parker's approach, although, like most other reviewers, he points out that this is not an actual handbook to NT TC:

[T]he most original features of this work pertain to its content. Certainly, this is not a handbook of New Testament textual criticism as such a genre has been traditionally conceived. Being rather An Introduction to the New Testament Manuscripts and Their Texts from a certain point of view, it offers much more: it starts from the specific treatment of the actual tradents of the New Testament text (the manuscripts), then covers the principal problems of the discipline. It is not just a matter of internal organization: the priority bestowed by the author to the manuscripts is palpable all through the book. Coherent with Westcott and Hort’s golden rule, according to which “Knowledge of documents should precede final judgment upon readings,” which Parker states in capital letters as early as page 2, his approach grants a special focus on the artifacts that carry the New Testament texts and the many ways to deal with them. In doing so, he effectively avoids the always impending danger of overlooking the fact that the text of the New Testament, as reconstructed in the various critical editions in use, is an abstract entity, while it existed (and exists) concretely in many different forms.

Read the whole review here.

In the same issue of RBL a review of Reuben J. Swanson's, Reflections on Biblical Themes by an Octogenarian, by Peter Penner may be of interest. There is an essay by Swanson that deals with textual criticism. Penner writes:

Textual Criticism”: The essay on text criticism is another helpful tool that the author has used with students and ministers interested in the topic of textual criticism. A helpful introduction, illustrations that challenge the reader, and solid work with Greek texts offer much help to the reader who looks for a good initiation to the area. The content demonstrates deep knowledge and years of Swanson’s experience in this field of New Testament scholarly work, even when one could disagree on the interpretation and the outcomes of the argument.

Following up Reuben Swanson's work

The post about distribution and obtaining Reuben Swanson's extremely useful NTGM raises a separate question:
Who is continuing his work and what is the time schedule proposed?

It would be wonderful if those books had generated enough revenue to fund the ongoing project. Does anyone know how the project stands? Several on this list are connected to grad students and institutions that might be able to lend a hand.

Reuben Swanson's Books Now Available From SBL

Recently we reported the sad news that Reuben Swanson had passed away. Several noted in the comment section that the distribution of his books has always been a bit of a problem. For example, I think my seminary, Örebro Theological Seminary, is the only library in Sweden that owns a complete set of his New Testament Greek Manuscripts.

However, we can now announce (being tipped by an anonymous commenter) that Dr. Swanson's New Testament Greek Manuscripts can now be purchased from SBL, here.

Some of his other works, including the NTGM are available at www.missionbooks.org. Also, his upcoming Synopsis of the Gospels from Codex Vaticanus will soon appear.

Update: James Spinti points out that Swanson's books have always been available at Eisenbrauns.

Bird reviews Swanson

A new review by our co-blogger Michael Bird has just been published in Review of Biblical Literature (here).

Bird reviews Reuben Swanson’s New Testament Greek Manuscripts: Variant Readings Arranged in Horizontal Lines against Codex Vaticanus: 2 Corinthians. The review ends with the following lines:

“The vast amount of work and detail that has gone into this book on the text of 2 Corinthians is quite breathtaking. Swanson’s New Testament Greek Manuscripts have been around for quite some time and are a resource that benefit scholars and students who are interested in the textual history of the New Testament and the sociology of that textual history as well. His volume on 2 Corinthians is a commendable addition to that series.”