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40 Questions
40 Questions About the Text and Canon of the New Testament
How did the New Testament come to be?
The ancient writings that comprise the New Testament are critical for understanding the life, teachings, and impact of Jesus of Nazareth, all of which are central to Christianity. But how were these texts circulated, collected, and given their canonical status? Is the New Testament a trustworthy source for learning about Jesus and the early church?
New Testament scholars Charles L. Quarles and L. Scott Kellum address the most pressing questions regarding the study of New Testament texts, their transmission, and their collection into the canon, such as
40 Questions About the Text and Canon of the New Testament uses a question-and-answer format so readers can pursue the issues that interest them most.
The ancient writings that comprise the New Testament are critical for understanding the life, teachings, and impact of Jesus of Nazareth, all of which are central to Christianity. But how were these texts circulated, collected, and given their canonical status? Is the New Testament a trustworthy source for learning about Jesus and the early church?
New Testament scholars Charles L. Quarles and L. Scott Kellum address the most pressing questions regarding the study of New Testament texts, their transmission, and their collection into the canon, such as
40 Questions About the Text and Canon of the New Testament uses a question-and-answer format so readers can pursue the issues that interest them most.
352 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2023
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Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
December 7, 2023
I have read a number of the “40 Questions” series, and, at this point, I can say that 40 Questions About the Text and Canon of the New Testament by Charles L. Quarles and L. Scott Kellum is my favorite.
As always in this series, the book is divided into headings with x number of questions under each heading. The authors divide the questions into “the text of the New Testament,” and “the Canon of the New Testament.”
They begin by considering where we get the text of the canon and how we can consider it reliable. From there, they question how the canon came to trust certain manuscripts over others. Finally, in this heading, they consider the arguments for debated texts in the canon, such as the woman caught in adultery and the ending of the book of Mark.
I found it impressive and helpful that they presented (at least) the major views on each of the items in questions. That way, the reader can come to his own conclusion within the presentation and arguments the authors provide.
In the second heading, the authors begin by explaining what a canon is, and how the Church in varying ages saw what the canon was – including differences on the acceptance of some books.
Next, they consider whether the who canon was travelling as a single volume in the early Church – if not, were the Gospels, Luke-Acts, and Paul’s letters available as bound sets?
Finally, they ask if the Apostles considered contemporaneous texts to themselves to be Scripture, how the Scripture is to be used in the Church, and what the theological meaning of having the canon is.
If you are interested in how the text of the New Testament became the canon, or the differing views on controversial issues, this book is excellent. It is readable and covers a wide ground on the topic. This is a book I will recommend for anyone having an interest or question about the Text and Canon of the New Testament.
As always in this series, the book is divided into headings with x number of questions under each heading. The authors divide the questions into “the text of the New Testament,” and “the Canon of the New Testament.”
They begin by considering where we get the text of the canon and how we can consider it reliable. From there, they question how the canon came to trust certain manuscripts over others. Finally, in this heading, they consider the arguments for debated texts in the canon, such as the woman caught in adultery and the ending of the book of Mark.
I found it impressive and helpful that they presented (at least) the major views on each of the items in questions. That way, the reader can come to his own conclusion within the presentation and arguments the authors provide.
In the second heading, the authors begin by explaining what a canon is, and how the Church in varying ages saw what the canon was – including differences on the acceptance of some books.
Next, they consider whether the who canon was travelling as a single volume in the early Church – if not, were the Gospels, Luke-Acts, and Paul’s letters available as bound sets?
Finally, they ask if the Apostles considered contemporaneous texts to themselves to be Scripture, how the Scripture is to be used in the Church, and what the theological meaning of having the canon is.
If you are interested in how the text of the New Testament became the canon, or the differing views on controversial issues, this book is excellent. It is readable and covers a wide ground on the topic. This is a book I will recommend for anyone having an interest or question about the Text and Canon of the New Testament.
June 15, 2023
40 Questions About the Text and Canon of the New Testament
If you've ever asked yourself, "What is the New Testament and can I trust it," then you will find this book to be most helpful. Quarles and Kellum demonstrate that we can both know what the NT is and trust it as well (the books and the words). They give excellent summaries of both Textual Criticism and Canon Studies and get into the finer details of both fields.
Who Should Read This?
A scholar could use this volume for a quick review, and a novice (like myself) will ponder the truths of these pages for hours. A pastor would do well to loan this volume out for a specific question a layperson has. The title is quite misleading, seeing far more than 40 questions are answered within this book.
Recommendation
I highly recommend this volume for both the saint and the skeptic, the knowledgeable and the novice, the pastor and the pew.
B. Grizenko
If you've ever asked yourself, "What is the New Testament and can I trust it," then you will find this book to be most helpful. Quarles and Kellum demonstrate that we can both know what the NT is and trust it as well (the books and the words). They give excellent summaries of both Textual Criticism and Canon Studies and get into the finer details of both fields.
Who Should Read This?
A scholar could use this volume for a quick review, and a novice (like myself) will ponder the truths of these pages for hours. A pastor would do well to loan this volume out for a specific question a layperson has. The title is quite misleading, seeing far more than 40 questions are answered within this book.
Recommendation
I highly recommend this volume for both the saint and the skeptic, the knowledgeable and the novice, the pastor and the pew.
B. Grizenko
July 24, 2023
Another useful contribution to Kregel's "40 Questions" series. Although I disagreed with elements here and there, this is a faithful orthodox treatment of the issues related to the New Testament text and canon. It is thoroughly up-to-date and conversant with the debates. This would be a useful introduction for students or a review for pastors who haven't dealt with the questions in a while. Highly recommended.
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews