At the end of every semester I take joy in the new knowledge I’ve learned, but more than that I am in awe of all the knowledge I lack! In particular, this semester has left me completely humbled in the area of textual criticism. I’ve studied textual criticism as part of other classes before, but by textual criticism I mean ‘internal evidence’. Never before had I been asked to look at the external evidence, nor had I been given any reason to question UBS or NA27, certainly Dr. Black was not content to let us stay this way. And I was determined not to remain in my ignorance, so the first priority of summer was to read up on the subject. Being as Dr. Black’s class was the means by which I was humbled, I decided on reading his short book on the subject.
Dr. Black makes clear in the introduction that this work is for pastors and lay people who are struggling with issues of textual criticism. It isn’t so very detailed, it isn’t long, it isn’t hard to read, but it is a book that every believer should read. Yes, I said every believer. While there are a few small parts that may fly over the head of some, Black’s clear discussion on the transmission of the text and the difficulties that has caused is something that all believers should be aware of. If we are going to put so much stock into this book no doubt we should know something about how it’s been put together.
Black begins his discussion by showing the need for textual criticism, this is not a difficult case to make and he wastes no more pages than necessary here. He goes on to review the types of material the text was written on. I found this section both informative and interesting. Black employs many visual aids throughout the book, and here he has a particularly helpful one, which shows the periods not only of the material used, but of the writing utensil used as well. Maybe most important to this chapter is Black’s discussion of the different types of manuscripts, this section was of particular help to me as I sort through the issues of external evidence.
Chapter 2, ‘from corruption to restoration’, is probably the most beneficial chapter for those unfamiliar with how we have the NTs we have today. He begins by reviewing the beginning of the printed Greek NT, and then compares that to the modern Greek NT and the developments that lead to their differences. He then reviews the methods of finding the original reading (internal and external), as well as looking at modern approaches to textual criticisms (For those curious I would put Black in the ‘Reasoned Conservative’ camp). Here I found his brief description of the Western, Alexandrian, and Byzantine text types to be particularly helpful.
The final chapter is simply a few examples from the NT that Black works through step by step, in order to put all the book has taught into practice. This is not only informative as to the passages it deals with, but also very usual in figuring out how to partake in the process of textual criticism.
Black also has 3 appendices in which lists and defines the types of textual errors, classifies text symbols into their respective text types, and gives a few worksheets designed to aid in the textual criticism process.
This book could easily be read in a day, or worked through leisurely in 3 days as I did(it’s only 71 pages including the appendices). Though not so neutral in class, Black humbly introduces the subject of textual criticism without giving any substance for bickering or divisions. This is a fair, short, and simple introduction that lays a confidence building foundation for the study of textual criticism. For many this book provides all that you would ever need to know on the subject, while leaving others hungry and eager for a more detailed and in depth study. This read has certainly jump started my exploration into the subject, and I look forward to it.
