Text and Translations of the New Testament

Course Objective 

This course introduces the student to the history of the Greek text of the New Testament (NT), its manuscripts and printed editions, to the development of the methods of textual criticism (TC) of the NT, and to the practice of TC. 

Course Content 

In this course you will gain knowledge of the transmission process of the NT writings, the history and modern state of the art in the field of Textual Criticism, and develop working skills for judging textual variation in the writings of the NT. 

Each week in this course forms a module: 

1. Manuscripts of the NT: types and relevance 
2. The Prime Witnesses to the Text 
3. A Brief History of the Printed Text 
4. Methodological Matters 
5. The Text of the Book of Revelation 
6. Test Cases 

After this course, the student will: 

• have a good working knowledge of the manuscript evidence of the NT 
• be able to judge the highlights of the history of printed editions of the NT 
• be able to work with modern TC tools 
• be familiar with the most important methodological issues in TC, and 
• be able to give a scholarly analysis of textual problems in the NT. 

Additional Information Teaching Methods 

Forms of Tuition 

Each week in this course forms a module (cf above). 

1a) Modules 1-5 each begin with a lecture in which the tutor will address its main topics. 

1b) This lecture is followed by a discussion of the questions raised by the students in the discussion board, in preparation of the module. 

2a) During the second class of a module, students will present their summaries and questions concerning the assigned literature, which is followed by a group discussion. 

2b) The tutor will briefly introduce the next module by instructing the students with regard to their reading and the assignments related to that module. 

3) In module 6 students will give presentations on particular textual problems indicating the various options, the manuscript support, and the internal evidence in support of the reading of their favour. 

Assignments 

• In preparation of every first class of modules 1-5 students have to upload one question and one observation with regard to the subject of that module. 
• For the second class of these modules students prepare a short presentation (max 10 minutes, depending on the number of participants) in which they answer a specific question with regard to the literature read in advance, assigned to them at the end of the first class. 
• For the two classes of module 6 students have to prepare a number of passages in the Greek text of NA28, which they will present during the class sessions. Instructions on this will be given in the final class of module 5.