The Bible has been on a long historical journey since its original composition. Its texts have been copied and recopied. And despite the most careful and painstaking efforts of scribes and publishers down through the centuries, errors of one sort or another have crept in and have been reproduced. Sorting out the errors and determining the original wording is the task of textual criticism. In fact, the task of textual criticism is so daunting and detailed that it is divided between Old Testament textual critics and New Testament textual critics. That is why nearly every book on the subject focuses on the textual criticism of either the Old or New Testament. But if you are one of those interested in a general understanding of textual criticism, this book introduces you to textual criticism of the whole Bible--the Hebrew Old Testament and the Greek New Testament. In plain language and with ample illustration, Paul D. Wegner gives you an overview of the history and methods, aims and results of textual criticism. In the process you will gain an appreciation for the vast work that has been accomplished in preserving the text of Scripture and find a renewed confidence in its reliability.
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"No introductory textbook to textual criticism of the Bible measures up to A Student's Guide to Textual Criticism of the Bible. It uniquely combines Old Testament and New Testament textual criticism into one handy, delightfully illustrated volume. Paul Wegner writes for students, successfully guiding them through the text's long and complex journey by his clear style, objectivity and arresting photographs. General readers of the Bible will appreciate this introduction to the textual notes in their Bibles." (Bruce K. Waltke, Professor of Old Testament, Reformed Theological Seminary, and Emeritus Professor of Old Testament, Regent College)
"Here, at last, is a well-written, succinctly stated, wisely selected history and wonderfully illustrated textual criticism guide that covers both testaments in one volume. Where others have often made this science sound arcane and obtuse, Paul Wegner has skillfully described textual criticism in plain but ample and interesting ways. I highly recommend it to all serious Bible students, but especially to seminary faculty who must juggle book budgets and who up to now have had to order a separate text in this area for each testament." (Walter C. Kaiser Jr., President and Colman M. Mockler Distinguished Professor of Old Testament, Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary)
"Here, at last, is a well-written, succinctly stated, wisely selected history and wonderfully illustrated textual criticism guide that covers both testaments in one volume. Where others have often made this science sound arcane and obtuse, Paul Wegner has skillfully described textual criticism in plain but ample and interesting ways. I highly recommend it to all serious Bible students, but especially to seminary faculty who must juggle book budgets and who up to now have had to order a separate text in this area for each testament." (Walter C. Kaiser Jr., President and Colman M. Mockler Distinguished Professor of Old Testament, Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary)
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21 of 21 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
A wonderful starting point for the novice in the complex and constantly-shifting field of textual criticism. Wegner brings a workman bluecollar approach to the subject helping to give handles to the concepts involved. He provides examples from both testaments with explanations for the reasoning involved. Two strong features for classroom use are the excurses Wegner provides on how to read the Biblia Hebraica Stuttgartensia (Hebrew OT) and the UBS 4th Ed (Greek NT). The best feature, however, is the glossary of textual critical terms. The only reason I didn't give it 5 stars is a perceived favoritism toward the OT that slanted some of it in my reading.
15 of 15 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
We are accustomed to read NT introduction to textual criticism. But this book is far more complete and easy to read, than the others. With numerous biblical examples, clear explanations, and large bibliographical data, the Student's Guide inoculate the passion of the textual criticism field.
For a firt approach, I warmly commend this book, more than Green, Metzger or Tov. Surely, as a professor of Old Testament, P.D. Wegner put a little more emphasis on Old Testament textual criticism. But in view of the plethore of titles consacred to NT, this not a lacune, on the contrary.
So I found the book easy, quite complete, well illustrated, and definitely worthing more than a reading !!!
For a firt approach, I warmly commend this book, more than Green, Metzger or Tov. Surely, as a professor of Old Testament, P.D. Wegner put a little more emphasis on Old Testament textual criticism. But in view of the plethore of titles consacred to NT, this not a lacune, on the contrary.
So I found the book easy, quite complete, well illustrated, and definitely worthing more than a reading !!!
10 of 10 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
I've read books on textual criticism before and seeing this refers to itself as a student's guide, I figured I'd get just the basics. Not at all! Wegner goes into several issues in textual criticism with not just how its done, but the history of textual criticism, great people in that history, and important manuscripts. It is hard to believe that so much can be packed into around 300 pages worth of information, but the reader wanting to learn about textual criticism will not be disappointed with this book.
I highly recommend it as a current Seminary student. I read this book of my own free-will and not as a class requirement, but if I saw that Seminaries and Bible Colleges were having this book be read for classes on the textual criticism of Scripture, I would have to applaud their wisdom.
I highly recommend it as a current Seminary student. I read this book of my own free-will and not as a class requirement, but if I saw that Seminaries and Bible Colleges were having this book be read for classes on the textual criticism of Scripture, I would have to applaud their wisdom.
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
By SciTheoAppo
Format:Paperback
This work is on its way to becoming a standard beginning text in this field, and for good reason. I would highly recommend this book to anyone who wants to learn more about the important subject of textual criticism. This book offers sections dealing with the importance of textual criticism, textual criticism of the Old Testament, and the textual criticism of the New Testament. This work defines the terms along the way and is therefore accessible to nearly anyone. It can offer a great introduction to someone new to the field and can also serve as a great resource finder. That is, it has very good references and tries to point you in the right direction on nearly every topic it deals with. It is a very fair work and doesn't get bogged down in different controversies. This book also introduces important sources of textual criticism and gives you an idea of the importance of each. You will get a great overview of textual criticism and a good feel for how it works and what the major sources are. The author provides great background and also helps you to understand textual variation and what to make of it. You will leave feeling secure in the biblical text. You can get more information out of this book than many other introductory books on this subject. I would assign this book at the number one book to read on the subject of textual criticism. Highly recommended!
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
I found Paul Wegner's book extraordinarily helpful in understanding the Textual Criticism process. As an amateur in Apologetics I have read many generic descriptions of Textual Criticism in various books. Yet, I was always curious about the art and science of this process. I was especially delighted that Paul Wegner gave such a thorough overview of Old Testament textual criticism as I already had a reasonable grasp of how the New Testament process worked.
Of a special note, it is not necessary to know Hebrew or Greek to read and understand this book.
Of a special note, it is not necessary to know Hebrew or Greek to read and understand this book.
8 of 21 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
I do not recommend this book if you are looking for an objective commentary on textual criticism. This book clearly is written with the inerrancy of the Bible in mind. It spends a paragraphs trying to convince the reader of how accurate textual variants are, and seems to spend no time exploring the differences in them. I felt like it was preaching to me as I read it.
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