On Peter Head's request, here is a final reminder to submit your proposal of paper for the SBL International Meeting in Rome 30 June - 4 July, 2009,(call for papers closes Jan 31).
For more information how to submit a proposal for the "Working with Biblical Manuscripts" unit, see here.
Thus far, we have nine papers on a variety of topics in textual criticism relating to both the Old and New Testaments. Interestingly, there is also a paper that compares the textual transmission of the Qur'an with that of the NT.
So, go ahead and submit your proposal!
Friday, January 30, 2009
Thursday, January 29, 2009
"How Did Christianity Begin" - Bird vs. Crossley, pt. 2
Just a remainder about the second part of the radio show Unbelievable broadcasted a few days ago on Premier Christian Radio featuring Michael F Bird And James G Crossley who debate on the topic "How Did Christianity begin? A believer and non-believer examine the evidence" (also the title of their co-written book published recently by SPCK).
In this second part of the show they debate whether Paul believed Jesus was God and whether we can trust the Gospel portrayals of him. Listen to the program here.
In this second part of the show they debate whether Paul believed Jesus was God and whether we can trust the Gospel portrayals of him. Listen to the program here.
Wednesday, January 28, 2009
David Parker, 2009 Kenneth W. Clark Lecturer at Duke
Mark Goodacre reports that his former colleague Dr. David Parker (Edward Cadbury Professor of Theology and Director of the Institute for Textual Scholarship, University of Birmingham) will deliver the 2009 Kenneth Clark Lectures at Duke.
The theme is Textual Scholarship and New Testament Studies including two lectures "New Testament Textual Scholarship Today" (Feb. 10) and "Using Textual Research" (Feb. 11). These are free public lectures held at Westbrook 0016.
Audio files from last year's lectures by Dale Allison are available on-line here. Hopefully, Parker's lectures will also be made available so that those of us who cannot make it to Duke can enjoy them too.
BTW, this reminds me of Goodacre's background in Birmingham. I remember once, when I visited Birmingham in 2006, a year after he had moved to Duke, his picture was still up on the faculty list in the entrance hall of the theological faculty! Apparently, it was a hard loss for Birmingham!
The theme is Textual Scholarship and New Testament Studies including two lectures "New Testament Textual Scholarship Today" (Feb. 10) and "Using Textual Research" (Feb. 11). These are free public lectures held at Westbrook 0016.
Audio files from last year's lectures by Dale Allison are available on-line here. Hopefully, Parker's lectures will also be made available so that those of us who cannot make it to Duke can enjoy them too.
BTW, this reminds me of Goodacre's background in Birmingham. I remember once, when I visited Birmingham in 2006, a year after he had moved to Duke, his picture was still up on the faculty list in the entrance hall of the theological faculty! Apparently, it was a hard loss for Birmingham!
TC books on latest RBL
Over at RBL are two book reviews pertaining to textual criticism matters:
U. B. Schmid, with W. J. Elliott and D. C. Parker, The New Testament in Greek IV: The Gospel according to St. John: Volume 2: The Majuscules
Reviewed by Marcus Sigismund J. Harold Greenlee, The Text of the New Testament: From Manuscript to Modern Edition
Reviewed by J. K. Elliott
Tuesday, January 27, 2009
Phil 1.11: 'for the glory of God and approval for me'
The other day in house group we studied Phil 1.1-11. One thing we didn't touch on was the interesting variant in v11: EIS DOXAN QEOU KAI EPAINON EMOI (P46; it/ar). Here is a picture of P46 at this point:
Considering this is the earliest manuscript (by far), and the most difficult reading, I wonder whether this could make sense as the original/Pauline reading. On this basis EPAINON here would refer to approval or recognition received from God (as generally in Rom 2.29; and specifically in connection with apostolic ministry in 1 Cor 4.5, BDAG has other refs). The general thought would reflect Paul's conviction that his own eschatological reward is connected with the perseverance of his churches (as e.g. 1 Thess 2.19f: 'For what is our hope or joy or crown of boasting before our Lord Jesus at his coming? Is it not you? For you are our gory and joy.'). The same idea (with quite different language) is present in Phil 2.16. So on this basis it seems possible to conceive of this reading as Pauline - not egotistical but eschatological. The righteousness of the Philippians comes through Jesus Christ, it brings glory to God, and it results (also) in eschatological reward for Paul. Silva pretty much accepts this view of things, but is rather cautious about adopting a reading on the basis of a single witness.
Considering this is the earliest manuscript (by far), and the most difficult reading, I wonder whether this could make sense as the original/Pauline reading. On this basis EPAINON here would refer to approval or recognition received from God (as generally in Rom 2.29; and specifically in connection with apostolic ministry in 1 Cor 4.5, BDAG has other refs). The general thought would reflect Paul's conviction that his own eschatological reward is connected with the perseverance of his churches (as e.g. 1 Thess 2.19f: 'For what is our hope or joy or crown of boasting before our Lord Jesus at his coming? Is it not you? For you are our gory and joy.'). The same idea (with quite different language) is present in Phil 2.16. So on this basis it seems possible to conceive of this reading as Pauline - not egotistical but eschatological. The righteousness of the Philippians comes through Jesus Christ, it brings glory to God, and it results (also) in eschatological reward for Paul. Silva pretty much accepts this view of things, but is rather cautious about adopting a reading on the basis of a single witness.
Sunday, January 25, 2009
Named Letter-Carriers among the Oxyrhynchus Papyri
In the recent issue of JSNT 31.3(2009): 279-299, Peter Head has an article on named letter-carriers among the Oxyrhynchus papyri.
Abstract:
"This paper analyses the role played by named letter-carriers among Greek personal letters in the Oxyrhynchus papyri as possible background for Pauline practice, and within the context of recent proposals concerning the role of the letter-carriers within Pauline practice. Around forty letters are discussed, with three examples analysed in more depth (P.Oxy. 113; P.Oxy. 3313; P.Oxy. 3505). It is seen that, when named and identified within the letter, the letter-carrier frequently supplements the written communication with some oral supplement. Against some recent proposals no evidence is found in support of the view that the letter-carrier ever read the letter itself to the recipient."
Abstract:
"This paper analyses the role played by named letter-carriers among Greek personal letters in the Oxyrhynchus papyri as possible background for Pauline practice, and within the context of recent proposals concerning the role of the letter-carriers within Pauline practice. Around forty letters are discussed, with three examples analysed in more depth (P.Oxy. 113; P.Oxy. 3313; P.Oxy. 3505). It is seen that, when named and identified within the letter, the letter-carrier frequently supplements the written communication with some oral supplement. Against some recent proposals no evidence is found in support of the view that the letter-carrier ever read the letter itself to the recipient."
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