Maccabees II Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)Well, how can I say this in a nice way? If I had seen a review on this commentary explaining it in detail, I would not have purchased it.
Let me give my perspective, because I'm sure there are some buyers who might be interested in this type of commentary, but I am a pastor who is working on sermons for preaching in a local Church. I look for commentaries that avoid the endless speculations about who might have originally written what part of the text, and how it might have been modified by someone who might have existed a long time ago.
This commentary never seems to leave that subject behind. The author seems endlessly enamored with textual criticism. So if you love TC, buy this commentary. If it seems irrelevant to you, don't get this one.
Let me focus on the martyrdom of Eleazar in II Mac 6. At first I was really excited. I thought, "Wow-he gives a page of original translation of the martyrdom. Then he gives seven pages of notes!!" His translation is at times easy to understand, but at other times it is difficult to comprehend. One phrase was so unclear I had no idea what it meant. In contrast, my other translations of II Macc were able to help me grasp the meaning the first time through. So that wasn't good, but by the time I finished his notes on a section, I felt I discovered something that would be best for a research paper on redaction theories or something.
On Eleazar's martyrdom, this author seems to have a strong grasp of Ancient Near Eastern background to the Old Testament, with speculative theories about Mardukist Martyrdom texts providing illumination to the Jewish martyrdom texts (I found that implausible). His breadth of interaction reaches in every direction, except into the N.T. It's clear to my mind that Eleazar's martyrdom is a spectacular example of what Peter has in mind when he suggests adding 'Aretes' 'Virtue' to ones faith. Since 'aretes' is the key point of the story, setting up the inspiration of the seven martyred brothers in the next chapter, it seems odd to me that the author would find ties to Marduk, but nothing in common with Peter's writings!! And also given that Maccabees is one of keys sources for the study of Jewish backgrounds of the NT, I was disappointed with Goldstein's failure to tie into New Testament material.
Another thing that I found disappointing was that this commentary does not provide life transforming application of any kind, nor does it focus in an organized way on theological implications from the text.
All that aside, it has value. There are grammatical comments sprinkled throughout dealing with Greek issues that may help the reader grasp nuances more clearly. He also has extensive indexes in the back and ten pencil maps of various scenarios related to Maccabees. He has appendixes with titles like:
How the writers counted time. The Petition of the Samaritans and Antiochus IV's reply. Why it is unlikely that epistle 2 was composed between 67 BCE and 73 CE. (I would say between 67 BC and 73 AD)
His scripture index has a few references to the NT, but not much at all.
Basically, for pastors and Bible teachers who have to bring real life inspiration and transformation into peoples lives on a regular basis, you will not want to purchase this book. If you are into research and are looking for interesting theories to round out a paper for a school project, then this commentary might be your ticket.
BTW-the price printed on the back of this book is $35. I really did not appreciate being charged $10 over list by Amazon. I think if anything this commentary should sell for well below list. I would value it at about $19.95

Click Here to see more reviews about: Maccabees II

Click here for more information about Maccabees II

Read More...

An Introduction to the New Testament Manuscripts and their Texts Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)Although entitled 'an introduction' this book appears to be aimed more at the postgraduate Biblical Studies student. It includes an overview of different manuscripts, the various classification systems and how to use them, other witnesses, textual criticism, how to use critical editions and concludes with a brief summary of the various manuscript witnesses for Revelation, the Pauline corpus, Acts and the Catholic epistles and the Gospels.
The author's writing style is clear and scholarly with a vast repository of bibliographic notes which should provide the reader with most of the information they need to find more on a particular subject. The author requires the reader to read Greek, Latin and German to make the most of this book (most citations in those languages are untranslated) and there are particularly large sections of Greek in the final section.
This book served to highlight the importance and complexity of the textual critic's work, of the vast array of different manuscripts and the difficulties in classifying them, of the ways in which textual criticism can influence theology and exegesis and the many areas where further work is required, particularly with regard to postdoctoral research. This was an interesting and helpful book but not for the beginner in textual criticism.

Click Here to see more reviews about: An Introduction to the New Testament Manuscripts and their Texts

Get 8% OFF

Click here for more information about An Introduction to the New Testament Manuscripts and their Texts

Read More...

Preaching Without Contempt: Overcoming Unintended Anti-Judaism (Fortress Resources for Preaching) Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)Marilyn Salmon has done a great service for preachers in laying bare many of the unconscious sources of anti-semitism in Christian preaching. Many who wish to speak respectfully and accurately of the Jews of Jesus'time (and now, for that matter) will find her outline of the context in which the gospels and other New Testament material developed. The book will be particularly helpful for churches that follow the Western liturgical calendar using lectionaries such as the Revised Common Lectionary. Useful for any preacher; vital for beginning preachers.

Click Here to see more reviews about: Preaching Without Contempt: Overcoming Unintended Anti-Judaism (Fortress Resources for Preaching)

Marilyn Salmon's persuasive and practical work helps preachers to identify the ways that Christian preachers perpetuate the long tradition of Christian anti-Judaism. She situates the Gospels precisely as Jewish literature then addresses specific thorny issues that arise in preaching: supersessionism; portrayals of the Law; the Pharisees; the relationship between the Testaments; preaching the Passion; and misrepresentations of Judaism. Using examples from many sermons, she shows how to avoid the pitfalls of misportraying the people of Jesus.

Click here for more information about Preaching Without Contempt: Overcoming Unintended Anti-Judaism (Fortress Resources for Preaching)

Read More...

Chasing the Dragon: Into the Heart of the Golden Triangle Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)Cox takes on an ambitious journey to write about his impressions of the Golden Triangle, Khun Sa and the opium trade. While Cox does manage to provide an education regarding the region in terms of history, politics, and society, his writing style is lame. Cox writes in a manner that highlights his lofty opinion of himself; he seems to think he is really cool for taking on a journey which not a lot of others would consider. He likes to address his advertursome life of travel, danger, booze, drugs (Xanax) which seems so self-satisfying. And while his one-liners aren't as pathetic as you'll find in Rambo movies, they're not far behind. Basically, if you think the guys who write for Fielding's Dangerous Places, you may like Cox.

Click Here to see more reviews about: Chasing the Dragon: Into the Heart of the Golden Triangle

Click here for more information about Chasing the Dragon: Into the Heart of the Golden Triangle

Read More...

Causes of Corruption of the New Testament Text Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)A key work on its subject, this book, is one of the best accessible works on the differences between the Textus Receptus documents that underly the King James vs the Critical Text documents that underly all of the other "modern" English language bibles. Author Dean Burgon did extensive research to compare the varying underlying texts visiting the originals to see for himself. Publisher Jay Green SR. of Lafayette Indiana apparently created this summary excerpt of Dean Burgeon's larger works on the subject.
A slow read for those not knowing Greek but it is accessible enough to allow even those not knowing the languages to learn some key differences of these two sources.
What is great about this book is the intellectual weaving by Burgon showing errors by both orthodox and liberal bible text compilers. He admits to a few errors in Textus Receptus while showing the many in the Critical Text.
Examples: Page 30 shows the subtle changes afforded by the critical text that underly feminism and other modern philosophies. Pages 36 & 54 gives lists of old heretics that are quoted as authorities by modern bible scholars. This knowledge helps a person to understand how modern scholars have disassembled the early biblical church beliefs and then created a politically correct secular humanist cartoon church for today's church goers.
Yes, it is possible to find the best originals and translation. After you read this you will see the stupidity of modern day arguments on the subject. Those inserting error are seen as intellectuals in search of a career as they create alternate views throughout history. After Burgon dissects the subject it is seen as no more than a typical argument between those who really want the truth and the hotheads that would rather argue. It is deeply disappointingly to find out the low quality of the critical text that I've been fed much of my life.
Whether you agree with Burgon or not it is irresponsible to not read this if you are a person wanting to know this subject matter - it is that good and important an explanation.

Click Here to see more reviews about: Causes of Corruption of the New Testament Text

Click here for more information about Causes of Corruption of the New Testament Text

Read More...

Gospel of Barnabas (Apocrypha) Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)The Gospel of Barnabas (GB) is a well known late-medieval forgery (most likely 15th or 16th Century Spain) which purports to be a lost or suppressed gospel by the apostle Barnabas. This edition is a re-release of the Ragg's early twentieth century translation amended to incorporate opening comments from an Islamic apologetic perspective. I offer the following thoughts for potential readers.
This book is probably only of interest for serious students of religious apologetics and religious history. Despite the publisher's claim the GB is not, nor has it ever been, recognized as a legitimate historic text by main stream scholars. It does, however, have some appeal for the insight it provides into popular apologetics.
Perhaps the GB's most interesting aspect is its enduring appeal as an apologetic tool. Undoubtably historic texts can make effective evangelizing tools - the GB, however, appears to be poorly suited for this role. It is a clearly an inauthentic document and exposes a message contrary to the religion in professes to support.
With regard to authenticity its challenges are numerous:
-it refers to jubilees occurring every 100 years rather than every fifty as was the case in the early Christian epoch (changed to 100 years intervals in 14th century)
-uses the fourth century Latin vulgate translation of the Bible (challenging for first century author)
-claims that Jesus was born when Pilate was governor (26 or 27 A.D.)
-claims that Nazareth is a seashore or lakeshore village
-despite the editors apparent attempt to confuse GB with the first century Epistle of Barnabus or the fifth century apocryphal Acts of Barnabas there is no reference to this text by either Christian or Islamic writers prior to approximately 1600
Despite it fabricated nature, perhaps what makes its use as an apologetic tool even more surprising is its heretical theology:
-contrary to Quran Mohammad is portrayed as a Christ-like entity
-the world was created for Muhammad
-Muhammad is an intercessor between God and man
-Contradicts Quran claim that Jesus is the Messiah
Overall, GB is an interesting read for students of religious apologetics. I cannot recommend the text for a broader audience - it is replete with misrepresentation and fabrication. Readers seeking a more serious examination of GB can see David Sox's the Gospel of Barnabas. Those interested in a discussion of GB within the genre of religious forgies may find J. Slomp's work helpful (some available for free on net). Those interested in serious comparative apologetics may wish to look at a series of public debates between Shabir Ally and William Craig.


Click Here to see more reviews about: Gospel of Barnabas (Apocrypha)

Click here for more information about Gospel of Barnabas (Apocrypha)

Read More...

The Making of the New Testament: Origin, Collection, Text & Canon Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)This book offers some good information for considering different aspects about the new testament literature. However, I'd recommend "Fortress Introduction to the Gospels" by Mark Allan Powell as a place to start, rather than this book.
Patzia sometimes makes incredible statements of fact, which in reality are points of debate among scholars. For example, in one half sentence, Patzia declares (with no backing) that the Gospel of John was written in Ephesus in the late 1st Century. Contrast that with Powell's two page discussion of the when and where questions of that same gospel.
Basically, there is not enough discussion of the reasoning of the scholars on particular points. In one odd twist, the Patzia states that the authorship of some of Paul's letters is questioned. This includes, among others, 2 Thessalonians. A couple of pages later, though, he makes the statement that "Paul himself" gives (in 2 Thessalonians) an explanation about how to tell that the letter is authentic. Of course, if Paul didn't write 2 Thessalonians, then the explanation is bogus, a point that Patzia seems to miss.
I have to admit that I was surprised that the book didn't contain more information about the decision making process for what was considered canon. This work only gives the Council of Carthage of 397 brief treatment.
The book does contain some valuable information, but it wouldn't be my first choice. It's too bad the author (or editor) didn't spend a little extra time refining the material.

Click Here to see more reviews about: The Making of the New Testament: Origin, Collection, Text & Canon

What motivated the early Christians to commit teaching and events and visions to papyrus?How were the stories and sayings of Jesus circulated, handed down and shaped into Gospels?Why were four Gospels included instead of one?What do we know about ancient letter writing, secretaries and "copy shops"?Would a first-century librarian have known how to classify a Gospel, an Acts or an Apocalypse?How were Paul's letters, sent here and there, gathered into a single collection?Are there other documents that almost made it into the New Testament but didn't?The narratives and letters of our New Testament were shaped by worn pens gripped by calloused, ink-stained fingers. Their authors' ears were more likely assaulted by the urban clatter of busy intersections and bustling markets than attuned to a still small voice. Scrolls that bumped across cobbled Roman roads and pitched through rolling Mediterranean seas found their destination in stuffy, dimly lit, crowded Christian house churches in Corinth or Cenchreae. There they were read aloud and reread, handled and copied, forwarded and collected, studied and treasured. Their ordinary story is true to their extraordinary message: the mystery of the Word that became flesh.In The Making of the New Testament Arthur Patzia retells that story. His textbook study of the origin, collection, copying and canonizing of the New Testament documents answers a myriad of questions--cultural, historical, geographical, linguistic and spiritual.

Get 27% OFF

Click here for more information about The Making of the New Testament: Origin, Collection, Text & Canon

Read More...

Textual Commentary on the Greek New Testament Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)This volume provides an insightful commentary on the Greek text of the United Bible Societies' 4th edition Greek New Testament. In producing a copy of the Greek New Testament many variant readings have to be analyzed and decided upon. Metzger has provided in this commentary an answer as to why one reading was chosen over another. In doing so he seeks to highlight the problem(s) involved with each set of alternative readings and also provides an explanation of the Bible Committee's evaluation and resolution of those problems.
A helpful introduction is provided wherein the history and basic rules of textual criticism are canvassed in order to show how the committee made their decisions. Metzger provides a brief introduction to the art and science of textual criticism. He provides an "outline of criteria" which was used by the committee. External evidence evaluates such things as the date of the textual witnesses, the geographical distribution of the manuscripts, the relationship of text families, and the understanding that witnesses should be weighed not counted. Under the internal evidence he highlights that the more difficult and shorter reading is to be preferred and that there needs to be a consideration of the context of each author and what they probably would have written.
The commentary itself follows a verse-by-verse canonical approach and provides a comment on the many textual variants found in the UBS4. About 30% (225 pages) of the commentary is on the book of Acts given the difficulty of the two differing text types in early circulation (Western and Alexandrian). Helpful discussion is also provided on such controversial passages as the ending of Mark's Gospel and 1 John 5:7.
The art and science of textual criticism is an important task for both scholars and preachers in seeking to establish the text of the New Testament. This tool will help aid that task immensely. However it should not be used as a substitute for doing the hard work first. This tool should be used as a check in confirming one's own work. Nevertheless this tool provides the "voice" of many scholars in how they decided one text over another - a gift for the student of the Greek New Testament.

Click Here to see more reviews about: Textual Commentary on the Greek New Testament

This companion to the Greek New Testament discusses textual variations based on the critical apparatus. It contains a thorough explanation of each textual decision that appears in UBS4.--This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

Get 27% OFF

Click here for more information about Textual Commentary on the Greek New Testament

Read More...

Mark 1-8: A New Translation with Introduction and Commentary (Anchor Yale Bible) Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)Those of us who were familiar with Joel Marcus' monograph, "The Way of The Lord", have long awaited the day he would write a commentary on the Gospel of Mark. It seems fitting that a strong commentary like this one be used to replace the astonishingly lame commentary by C.S. Mann.
The objective of the Anchor Bible commentary series is to make the Bible accessible to the modern reader by providing an exact translation, extended exposition and a reconstruction of the ancient setting. The targeted readership is the general reader with no formal training in biblical studies. Marcus' commentary does an outstanding job in reaching these objectives. His translation is fairly literal but is still readable for those of us whose first language is English. His crisp exposition also goes a long way in helping the general reader follow his arguments.
With regard to some specifics about his interprative decisions Marcus believes that the Second Gospel was written by someone named Mark but probably not the one associated with Peter as the Papian tradition would suggest. He also denies that the gospel was written for a general audience (aka Richard Bauckham) or as an evangelistic tool (aka Robert Gundry) but instead argues the pervasive opinion that Mark is addressing a particular 'Markan' community. Marcus also argues that this community probably resided in Syria. He suggests that the purpose of the Gospel was to address a community under persecution during the Jewish War and that Mark presents Jesus as a paradigm for suffering.
Undoubtedly this commentary is hefty and due serious consideration by students of the Gospel but nonetheless, I suspect, that many readers will find Marcus guilty of over-interpretation and straining to find subtle echoes of the OT where there probably is none to be found. For example, many readers may be bewildered by how Marcus can understand the author of the second Gospel to have felt on one hand the need to explain the OT Jewish custom of handwashing (7:3-4) and then on the other hand expect his readers to pick up on Jonah imagery in a storm on the lake.
Even though some may disagree with various issues of 'Introduction' and may see places where Marcus' interpretations seem strained and overworked, I suspect, it will be found useful to many studying the second Gospel.
If you are intending to study the Gospel of Mark definitly consider purchasing this book.
I would have given the book a three and three quarter stars if possible.

Click Here to see more reviews about: Mark 1-8: A New Translation with Introduction and Commentary (Anchor Yale Bible)

Although it appears second in the New Testament, Mark is generally recognized as the first Gospel to be written. Captivating nonstop narrative characterizes this earliest account of the life and teachings of Jesus. In the first installment of his two-volume commentary on Mark, New Testament scholar Joel Marcus recaptures the power of Mark's enigmatic narrative and capitalizes on its lively pace to lead readers through familiar and not-so-familiar episodes from the ministry of Jesus. As Marcus points out, the Gospel of Mark can be understood only against the backdrop of the apocalyptic atmosphere of the Jewish rebellions of 66-73 c.e., during which the Roman army destroyed the Temple of Jerusalem (70 c.e.). While the Jewish revolutionaries believed that the war was "the beginning of the end" and that a messianic redeemer would soon appear to lead his people to victory over their human enemies (the Romans) and cosmic foes (the demons), for Mark the redeemer had already come in the person of Jesus. Paradoxically, however, Jesus had won the decisive holy-war victory when he was rejected by his own people and executed on a Roman cross. The student of two of this generation's most respected Bible scholars and Anchor Bible authors, Raymond E. Brown and J. Louis Martyn, Marcus helps readers understand the history, social customs, economic realities, religious movements, and spiritual and personal circumstances that made Jesus who he was. The result is a Bible commentary of the quality and originality readers have come to expect of the renowned Anchor Bible series. Challenging to scholars and enlightening to laypeople, Mark 1-8 is an invaluable tool for anyone reading the Gospel story.From the Trade Paperback edition.

Click here for more information about Mark 1-8: A New Translation with Introduction and Commentary (Anchor Yale Bible)

Read More...

The Virgin and The Priest Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)I read this book while on a trip to New York a few weeks ago and was quite impressed with Gibbs' scholarship. Mark's work on the life story of Jesus is as well thought out and logical as anything I've read by the Schonfields and Baigents of the world.
The central thesis in this work is that Jesus and John the Baptist were actually brothers. As the pair grew up, the destiny of their birthright forced them into the Messianic mould. This was achieved by the hands of the Essenes shaping the pair into following Old Testament models of heroic brother's roles in Jewish society. John, feeling that he should be the Messiah, forsakes his scripted role and his brother in the process.
The stance is as controversial as Gibb's argument is compelling. Drawing from religious traditions and texts of "heretical" Christian groups, Islam, and present day Christian sects; Gibbs reads between the lines of the Gospel accounts of Jesus' birth and early years to make his argument. The views of the Gospel accounts are that they have sometimes been reworded to make Jesus into the figure many accept him as.
Supporting these assertions, Gibbs sites that Johannite thought has permeated into more modern times. The near veneration of John the Baptist by medieval artists, Freemasonry, and the Knights Templar are used as evidences of Gibbs views of the Gospels.
Much like Schonfield's works, Gibbs brings a sharp distinction between faith and reason. The Virgin and the Priest is not a text for those who unwaveringly incorporate Jesus as divinity into their belief system. However, if you wish to examine the life of Jesus in a more historical and alternative context, you will not be disappointed in what is presented.


Click Here to see more reviews about: The Virgin and The Priest

Click here for more information about The Virgin and The Priest

Read More...

The Aquarian Gospel of Jesus the Christ Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)What I know to be true is this much, the modern versions of the new testament like King James is full of information added by the many transcribers from years past. Then there is a lot of Jesus' life left out to also suit the whole puritain way of thought. Those versions are quite hard to read as well. They suit the whole ritualistic way of spiritual life. Jesus himself said to beware of men in fancy garb who think that by performing rituals that they are holy. I've read the reviews that are disgusted with this book. Those people are holding onto what has been engrained in them. They claim that there is no proof that this is the real words of christ. Have an open mind and I promise you will not be dissappointed. Once you have read it, your own heart will tell you whose version is truth. You don't need any proof. Christ himself said that those who believe without seeing proof are thrice blessed. Don't let someone else make up your mind for you about what's right and what's wrong. I pray you to at least give this book a chance. If you don't, you could be missing out on what just might be the most profound and greatest book you have ever read. Give yourself a chance to decide what version you believe is real.

Click Here to see more reviews about: The Aquarian Gospel of Jesus the Christ

Click here for more information about The Aquarian Gospel of Jesus the Christ

Read More...

The Orthodox Corruption of Scripture: The Effect of Early Christological Controversies on the Text of the New Testament Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)This book is about one group of Christians in the 2nd and 3rd centuries who, writing before the canon had been set, fought heatedly against sects of Christians it considered heretical. This group - the 'proto-orthodox' - modified its scriptures to avoid alternative interpretations of Jesus, and in so doing, ironically corrupted its own sacred texts.
'Corruption' sounds negative, but it's a technical term. It just means that the original text has been modified. Ehrman is not trying to make swiss cheese out of the New Testament. He states that "by far the vast majority of [textual variants] are 'accidental'." But some of them have too much relevance to the intense theological disputes of the pre-canonical period to be random error.
The 4 heretical positions discussed are 1) adoptionism, 2) separationism, 3) doceticism, and 4) Patripassianism.
Adoptionism is the belief that Jesus was a man who was 'adopted' by God to carry out one of his plans. When God adopted a man, the man became a 'Son' only at that moment to the Father. When an adult David was crowned king, he was adopted by God. When Jesus is declared 'Son of God' at his baptism - it did NOT mean he was himself divine, although he certainly had a special relationship to God. Jesus was not divine- just a great man in God's eyes, chosen for a task.
Separationism is a Gnostic view that Jesus was a man, and the Christ was a divine spirit - and that at Jesus' baptism (again!) the Christ entered him, empowered him to accomplish miracles, and then left him on the cross (helps make sense of Mark 15:34). Jesus the man was thus separable from the Christ, a divine spirit.
Docetism is the view that Jesus only appeared to have a real, fleshly human body, but being God, really did not. Jesus' body is more like a phantom or temporary body, a rental. This sounds strange - but surely Jesus couldn't have an erection, or defecate? The discomfort we might feel here shows the docetic in all of us. Gnostics were VERY big on docetism - since they thought that the material realm was tainted and evil.
Patripassianism is the belief that the trinity is false, that there is only ONE god. So this entails that Yahweh HIMSELF was crucified, arrested, beaten, etc.
Most of the corruptions are surprisingly subtle and minor in appearance - most of them are a change in one or two words in a single passage. For example, changing a reference from reading 'Jesus' to 'Jesus Christ' was born in a manger affirms that Jesus was divine from BIRTH, that he was UNIFIED in his being as well. This one corruption could be used by orthodoxy to maintain an interpretation that resists adoptionist or separationist attack. .
But the four heresies are, after all, pretty simple to grasp. For a book that can be meticulous and involved in its argument, the basic ideas are straightorward. In fact, there are only 6 chapters - an intro, a chapter for each heresy, and a conclusion. Very simple organization. Each chapter has substantial footnotes that can be very interesting to read themselves, as well as sources for further information.
Ehrman's book is not dry, but it is detailed and involved in parts. I don't know New Testament Greek, but he frequently quotes Greek phrases with a translation. However, there are numerous cases where he does NOT translate, and that gets a bit rough. I had to reread perhaps 5 of his passages several times to get the flow of his argument. Once he sets it up, most of the corruptions are easy to see coming. In fact, sometimes it gets a little tedious. He presents an argument for each corruption, some of them truly fascinating, though. Many of them are speculative in nature, and he acknowledges that.
The most crucial class of corruptions are the ones that Ehrman thinks have made it into the canon. These he argues very carefully, and the context he provides is terrific. Some examples are 1) the adoptionist hints in Luke 3:22 (baptism again!), Jesus' bloody sweat (Luke 22:43-44), Luke's version of the Last Supper (22:19-20), Peter's visit to the tomb in Luke 24:12, and the title 'Son of God' in Mark 1:1.
The vast majority, however, of the corruptions he lists have NOT made their way into the modern bible, at least not the NSRV Oxford bible that I own. He gives his reasons for each of these in full.
Importantly, none of the corruptions themselves were carried out in a systematic way - the orthodox church never seemed to have a policy of corruption. Ehrman is careful not to attribute any malicious intention to the orthodox scribes, as well. Rather, it comes off that a scribe here and there would see the potential misreading, and then insert his own modification to 'clarify' what (he) thought was obviously already there in the text.
Interestingly, some of the corruptions themselves cause further problems! A corruption that helps emphasize Jesus' humanity, and thereby removes a docetic threat - can also open the text up to adoptionist readings. One can't help see the tighrope walk involved for the orthodox - and Ehrman hints that this refusal to yield to either side's heresy forced the orthodox sect to embrace that paradoxical understanding of Jesus' nature - all God AND all human, one god BUT three 'aspects.' (This helped explain to me, at least, the bizarre Trinity. It's always seemed like a construct - trying to have one's theological cake and eat it too.)Learning to spot those ancient heresies helped me read the bible more carefully. Far from being a unified, flawless block of dead doctrine, the New Testament now brims with the tensions and questions of its overlapping and also competing Christological perspectives. The bible is a complex collection of writings - Ehrman's book helped the New Testament become much more of a living book to me.

Click Here to see more reviews about: The Orthodox Corruption of Scripture: The Effect of Early Christological Controversies on the Text of the New Testament

Victors not only write history: they also reproduce the texts. Bart Ehrman explores the close relationship between the social history of early Christianity and the textual tradition of the emerging New Testament, examining how early struggles between Christian "heresy" and "orthodoxy" affected the transmission of the documents over which many of the debates were waged. He makes a crucial contribution to our understanding of the social and intellectual history of early Christianity and raises intriguing questions about the relationship of readers to their texts, especially in an age when scribes could transform the documents they reproduced. This edition includes a new afterword surveying research in biblical interpretation over the past twenty years.

Get 4% OFF

Click here for more information about The Orthodox Corruption of Scripture: The Effect of Early Christological Controversies on the Text of the New Testament

Read More...

The Existential Jesus Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)This book really caught me off guard. I am not a fan of existentialism, and at first picked up the book expecting to be annoyed. I am glad I still am able to be pleasantly surprised.
This book takes a deep look at who Jesus is in the Gospel of Mark, a Gospel that, in many ways, is bare bones. This bare bones, however, as the author shows, betrays a masterful portrait of the mysterious humanity of Jesus. This he highlights with comparisons to John's Gospel, which he sees as being in many ways the antithesis and perfect, masterful compliment to Mark. I really enjoyed the different perspective this author takes, and one can tell he has really striven and wrestled with the text, whether he is a "believer" or not. I am a Christian, and yet find his, perhaps unconventional, insights most welcome and engaging. I think you will too, even if you do not agree with all he says.

Click Here to see more reviews about: The Existential Jesus

Upending Christianity's popular notion of Jesus the comforter, the good shepherd, the Lord and Savior, this forceful document reexamines the Christ image of the New Testament gospels—the mysterious stranger, the singular, abandoned, and solitary figure—and rethinks the current role of Western culture throughthis altered view of Christianity. The existential Jesus has no interest in sin, and his focus is not onan afterlife. He gestures enigmatically from within his own torturous experience, inviting the reader to walk in his shoes and ask the question, Who am I?—establishing Jesus as the West's great teacher on the nature of being. Incorporating a new and original translation of the Gospel of Mark from its original Greek, this radical reinterpretation identifiesthe philosophical and cultural significance of the gospels in the modern world, based on the life and actions—rather than the word—of Jesus Christ.

Click here for more information about The Existential Jesus

Read More...

The Text of the New Testament: Its Transmission, Corruption, and Restoration Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)Dr. Metzger has given the reader an invaluable resource for the study of the text of the New Testament. The book is divided into three major parts. Part one begins with a detailed description of the ancient method of bookmaking. Next, Metzger lists the major Greek manuscripts and codices as well as a basic description of each. He also lists the major non-Greek witnesses (e.g. Syriac, Coptic, Latin, etc.) and discusses the role of quotations from the early church Fathers. Part two is devoted to the history of the printed editions of the Greek New Testament from the time of the Complutensian Polyglot and the Textus Receptus (the text used for the KJV) through Westcott and Hort until the present day. Part three is an instruction manual for textual criticism, including the many theories of criticism and the method of conjectural emendation. In this section, Metzger also discusses the many types of errors and deliberate changes made by the scribes. He then gives an analysis of several textually difficult passages (e.g. Mark 16 and Acts 20:28). The book also includes 16 photo plates that show selected manuscripts. A working knowledge of Greek is helpful because Metzger often cites Greek words in the text and footnotes without an English translation. If one wishes to learn the basics (and more) about textual criticism, then this is the book to buy.

Click Here to see more reviews about: The Text of the New Testament: Its Transmission, Corruption, and Restoration

This comprehensive work on the text of the New Testament provides information about ancient and newly discovered manuscripts, and offers various interpretations of the significance of manuscript evidence. It contains references to more than one hundred and fifty additional books and articles dealing with Greek manuscripts, early versions and critical studies of witnesses to the text of the New Testament. Designed for the student, the author discusses a variety of textual problems, simple and complex. He also gives an objective account of the several schools of textual methodology, while indicating what in his view is the most satisfactory procedure for beginners to practice. For this third (and first paperback edition), the author has added an appendix describing recent advances in the textual criticism of the New Testament since 1964.

Click here for more information about The Text of the New Testament: Its Transmission, Corruption, and Restoration

Read More...

Whose Word is it?: The Story Behind Who Changed The New Testament and Why Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)I should declare an interest as a militant atheist but having said that, the author of this book certainly started off as a devout christian. This therefore is no Dawkins/Hitchens/Harris-type rant but rather a well laid out historical account of how the new testament came to take its present form.
Haven't you ever wondered how you could be sure that the NT was an accurate history of anything given how many times it must have been copied - by hand, remember - and also translated from one language to another to another to another.... etc etc. Most of us after all will be reading it in translation into languages that effectively didn't even exist at the time e.g. English.
Ehrmann shows well how the texts have been altered over time, sometimes accidentally and often quite intentionally in some quite substantial ways to present a particular picture of jesus and his beliefs.
It would appear arguments began to rage very soon after the death of jesus even about who he was - was he entirely divine, was he entirely human, was he both - and also about the "true" meaning of his teachings so that the texts of the gospels began to change to reflect an emerging orthodoxy and to counter opposing views of which there seem to have been several.
I came away from this book even more strongly of the view that as an accurate history of jesus, his family and companions, and his beliefs and teachings, the new testament is absolutely worthless. We have absolutely no way now of knowing who this man really was - leaving aside the vexed question of whether he even existed , at least as the person most christians imagine him to have been - nor what his teachings were.
The new testament simply represents the outcome of what might best be seen as propaganda wars in which various factions sought to have their version of history prevail over the others.
I strongly recommend this book to believers and non-believers alike.

Click Here to see more reviews about: Whose Word is it: The Story Behind Who Changed The New Testament and Why

With the advent of the printing press and the subsequent publishing culture that reproduces exact copies of texts en masse, most people who read the Bible today assume that they are reading the very words that Jesus spoke or St. Paul wrote. And yet, for almost 1, 500 years manuscripts were copied by hand by scribes many of them untrained, especially in the early centuries of Christendom who were deeply influenced by the theological and political disputes of their day. Mistakes and intentional changes abound in the competing manuscript versions that continue to plague biblical scholars who determine which words, phrases, or stories are the most reliable and, therefore, merit publication in modern Bibles. Whose Word Is It? is the fascinating history of the words themselves. Biblical scholar Bart Ehrman shows us where and why changes were made in our earliest surviving manuscripts, changes that continue to have a dramatic impact on widely-held beliefs concerning the divinity of Jesus, the Trinity, and the divine origins of the Bible itself. Many books have been written about why some books made it into the New Testament and why - others didn't (canonization) or about how the meaning of words change when translated from Aramaic to Greek to English. But this is the first time that a leading biblical scholar reveals for the general reader the many challenging even disturbing early variations of our cherished biblical stories and why only certain versions of those stories qualify for publication in the Bibles we read today.

Click here for more information about Whose Word is it: The Story Behind Who Changed The New Testament and Why

Read More...

Memoirs of Pontius Pilate: A Novel (Ballantine Reader's Circle) Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)Although it is a work of fiction, "Memoirs of Pontius Pilate" comes close to deserving a place in the history section. Much of this well-researched book is devoted to Pilate's own biography of Jesus; nevertheless, there is enough supplementary material here to leave the reader a bit more knowledgeable on the history of Roman Palestine.
Mills' Pilate begins with an introductory discussion about the Jewish people (written from a perspective that feels authentically Roman). The rest of the book traces the life of Jesus from the Nativity to the Crucifixion, after which the exiled former procurator adds his own views on the events that he had just described. Throughout the work Pilate remains sufficiently sceptical of the miracles and odd "coincidences" that his spies report to him, but the reader soon realises that this Roman is at least open to the possibility that the "strange carpenter" may actually be who he says he is.
A word of caution, though: readers who insist on seeing a cruel, heartless tyrant of a governor in this book will be sorely disappointed. Though the historical Pontius Pilatus may have been a man who truly deserves the wicked reputation he is cursed with today, would he have written about himself that way? In all certainty he would have described actions we now see as barbaric within the context of his own culture and upbringing; that is, he would have said that he was simply "doing his job" when he mowed down the Samartians on Mount Gerizim and threatened to hack a crown of Jews to death in Caesarea. Out of his love for Rome, his loyalty to Caesar and perhaps even his own strange form of concern for the well-being of the Jewish people, he did what he felt he had to do.
I am no relativist. From the very little that we know about Pilate, there is no doubt that he was -- to put it bluntly -- a very bad man. But it would be ridiculous to assume that he would have seen himself as anything other than a devoted public servant who tried to do his duty well.

Click Here to see more reviews about: Memoirs of Pontius Pilate: A Novel (Ballantine Reader's Circle)

Click here for more information about Memoirs of Pontius Pilate: A Novel (Ballantine Reader's Circle)

Read More...

What's in the Word: Rethinking the Socio-Rhetorical Character of the New Testament Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)Anyone interested in biblical studies and ancient history would find these essays fascinating reading.
Witherington insists it is time for a "paradigm shift" in NT studies. Various disciplines have shown that "ancient texts are not really texts in the modern sense at all--they are surrogates for oral communication" (p 3). All documents in antiquity were expected to be read aloud. Ambrose famously was regarded as singular in that he actually read without moving his lips.
Witherington also points out forcefully that it is long past time to reassess the social background of the NT writers. Their very literacy argues that they were part of the social elite, not the poor. The documents they left behind "reflect a considerable knowledge of Greek, rhetoric, and general Greco-Roman culture" (p 9). Among the types of rhetoric employed by the NT writers were "rhetorical questions, dramatic hyperbole, personification, amplification, irony, enthymemes, and the like...for example...the chereia" (p 13).
In his essay on 'Canonical Pseudepigrapha' he points out that by the second and third century we see that the early Christians had clear objections to any sort of forging or misnaming documents. "Furthermore, we find evidence that when falsification was discovered, there were moves to correct the problem" (p 19).
I also found Witherington's essay on the Beloved Disciple, whom he identifies with Lazarus, to be well thought out and interesting, even though, ultimately, I find Hengel and Bauchkham's arguments more persuasive.

Witherington is at his best on his essay on porneia. He points out that "neither Mark nor Paul think that Jesus allowed any exceptions to his prohibition of divorce" and if Jesus had meant adultery he would have used the word moixeia. Divorce was allowed for Second Temple Jews, although those following Shammaite teachers allowed divorce only for adultery. Witherington concludes that "the social context strongly favors the idea that porneia in Mattthew 5 and 19, as in 1 Corinthians 5:1, refers to incest and thus...not divinely sanctioned relationship" (p 111).
A rich, thoughtful collection.


Click Here to see more reviews about: What's in the Word: Rethinking the Socio-Rhetorical Character of the New Testament

Get 24% OFF

Click here for more information about What's in the Word: Rethinking the Socio-Rhetorical Character of the New Testament

Read More...