Freethought & Rationalism Archive

ideologyhunter · 05-19-2011, 07:50 AM

I am trying to find a book that came out some years ago on the origins of the New Testament. Because this book was recommended to me in the mid 70s, it is at least that old. It was described as one of the better books on how the scripture documents were written and in what form they were preserved, assembled, came down to us. I remembered the title as something like The Coming Forth of the New Testament, but that isn't a title I have found on any of the conventional book search sites. Anyone know what book this might be?? Thank you.

ApostateAbe · 05-19-2011, 08:54 AM

The book may have been of a high quality in the seventies, but it would be most certainly and fatally out of date by now. There would be nothing about the gospel of Q, for example, which is central to modern understanding of the New Testament. Nor would there be anything more than a scant mention of the Gospel of Judas, which has been just recently discovered.

Are you more interested in the authorship of the books of the New Testament, or are you more interested in the subsequent development of the those books and their integration into the New Testament canons? If you are more interested in the latter, I can't help you. If you are more interested in the former, I would recommend The New Testament: A Historical Introduction to the Early Christian Writings (4th edition) (or via: amazon.co.uk). You can also get the third edition for cheaper.

Toto · 05-19-2011, 10:49 AM

I suspect that the title referenced the "Canon" of the New Testament, not the Coming Forth. I also suspect that there is a revised edition that is later than the 70's.

My guess would be that this was a book by

Bruce_Metzger

Quote:

Central to his scholarly contribution to New Testament studies is his trilogy: The Text of the New Testament: Its Transmission, Corruption, and Restoration (or via: amazon.co.uk) (1964; 2nd ed., 1968; 3d enlarged ed., 1992 [2005 4th edition with Bart D. Ehrman]); The Early Versions of the New Testament: Their Origin, Transmission, and Limitations (or via: amazon.co.uk) (1977); The Canon of the New Testament: Its Origin, Development, and Significance (or via: amazon.co.uk) (1987).

stephan huller · 05-19-2011, 11:11 AM

How about von Campenhausen's Formation of the New Testament. A great book (it's German so you know its in a different league und nicht den MüLL VON DEM REST DER Welt). Germans are simply more rational than people of other cultures. Take that to the bank. They might have the capacity to be utterly inhuman but there is an unrecognized flipside which should also be noted. Many cultures have produced good scholarship but the Germans and the Dutch (where would be without Leiden) are consistently superior.

Toto · 05-19-2011, 11:31 AM

This?

The Formation of the Christian Bible (or via: amazon.co.uk)

stephan huller · 05-19-2011, 11:43 AM

I remember it under a different name. I don't know why. It had a green cover. Gosh I'm getting senile. Obviously the non-German half is taking over my brain.

05-19-2011, 07:50 AM	#1
ideologyhunter Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Port Clinton, Ohio Posts: 591	Need a Book Title I am trying to find a book that came out some years ago on the origins of the New Testament. Because this book was recommended to me in the mid 70s, it is at least that old. It was described as one of the better books on how the scripture documents were written and in what form they were preserved, assembled, came down to us. I remembered the title as something like The Coming Forth of the New Testament, but that isn't a title I have found on any of the conventional book search sites. Anyone know what book this might be?? Thank you.

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05-19-2011, 08:54 AM	#2
ApostateAbe Contributor Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: MT Posts: 10,656	The book may have been of a high quality in the seventies, but it would be most certainly and fatally out of date by now. There would be nothing about the gospel of Q, for example, which is central to modern understanding of the New Testament. Nor would there be anything more than a scant mention of the Gospel of Judas, which has been just recently discovered. Are you more interested in the authorship of the books of the New Testament, or are you more interested in the subsequent development of the those books and their integration into the New Testament canons? If you are more interested in the latter, I can't help you. If you are more interested in the former, I would recommend The New Testament: A Historical Introduction to the Early Christian Writings (4th edition) (or via: amazon.co.uk). You can also get the third edition for cheaper.

05-19-2011, 11:11 AM	#4
stephan huller Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: seattle, wa Posts: 9,337	How about von Campenhausen's Formation of the New Testament. A great book (it's German so you know its in a different league und nicht den MüLL VON DEM REST DER Welt). Germans are simply more rational than people of other cultures. Take that to the bank. They might have the capacity to be utterly inhuman but there is an unrecognized flipside which should also be noted. Many cultures have produced good scholarship but the Germans and the Dutch (where would be without Leiden) are consistently superior.

05-19-2011, 11:31 AM	#5
Toto Contributor Join Date: Jun 2000 Location: Los Angeles area Posts: 40,549	This? The Formation of the Christian Bible (or via: amazon.co.uk)

05-19-2011, 11:43 AM	#6
stephan huller Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: seattle, wa Posts: 9,337	I remember it under a different name. I don't know why. It had a green cover. Gosh I'm getting senile. Obviously the non-German half is taking over my brain.

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