The Text of the New Testament: An Introduction to the Critical Editions and to the Theory and Practice of Modern Textual Criticism

This book in non-fiction, so the accompanying Amazon.com queries about sexual content, violence, and how the story is narrated -- are irrelevant to any review done of the book.I got the book originally through my local library's Interlibrary Loan program. It became quite clear, within days, that this book -- by Kurt and Barbara Aland -- is so packed with information that you will not get everything you could from it just by checking it out of the library for two or three weeks. It's a serious book for serious people -- even if not students or intending to be one. You will refer back to it again and again.The subtitle describes the book's focus as an introduction "to the critical editions and to the theory and practice of modern textual criticism." The Alands (Kurt passed on in 1994) have a long history with this subject, and she was, until 2004, the director of the Institute for New Testament Textual Research in Munster, Germany. It has been great having it to read "when and wherever I like," and it will be a great addition to my library of books regarding history, ANE, and biblical commentaries and related works. I dare say that the Alands' work goes pretty deep into the subjects, provides photos and charts -- and I think it behooves everyone who has an interest in this area to read more than one writer, consider their sources, their qualifications, the context of their remarks, how they conflict or agree with others of like specialty. Just as a means of comparison, I (just today) requested Metzger's book of the same name (nearly) from my Interlibrary Loan program. It costs more than the Aland book, so I will not likely buy it but compare his remarks on certain things to theirs.I got the idea to look for this book after reading another book last December (2015). That was The Search for Jesus by Robert L. Hutchinson. That was also interesting but, as introductory books of that sort go, it covered some ground that I have seen covered before (though with updated info and some interesting additions). I just decided to make great use of that book's bibliography and have been introduced, that way, to an amazing range of new books -- from Levine to Crossan to more of Ehrman to more Evans to Hurtado and Shafer and way beyond. It has been an education. At this point, a book like the Aland's excellent text is quite fitting for me to have and to read.I do recommend it.

If your looking for the "bottom line" when it comes to manuscripts (mss) of the New Testament, this book is it! They provide not opinion, but detailed facts, even down to the average number of variants for each NT books. Graphs showing the number of known extant mss vs the century when they came out. A detailed chart listing all known papyri and Uncial mss for each NT book chapter by chapter! It is also easy to read even for the beginner. I consider it THE sourcebook on the subject. Highly recommended!

I don't know Greek. Always wondered how the Bible came to be. This book is excellent. I have a much better appreciation now of the work that goes into truly revealing "the Word" by scholars. While the book is inclusive regarding the tools and techniques used by scholars it was still understandable to me a beginner. Thank you Kurt and Barbara Aland for your wonderful book!

An indispensable source to accompany Aland, et. al. Greek New Testament. This volume should be in the library of every serious student of the Greek New Testament.

This book is great for and serious Textual Criticism student. Its very detailed and a powerful resource to have at our disposal. Everyone who wants a deeper understanding of our new testament manuscripts needs to check this out for sure!

What a valuable resource!

Gives man's wisdom to much credibility over God

Would you get married if your partner committed to being true only 62.9% of the time, no way, well that is the assumption these writers put on manuscripts, since they included corrupt Greek texts, even though many who have studied Codex Vaticanus first on record in 1475 say it was written over, even rejected by Erasmus due to the many errors in the Codex Vaticanus, again Vaticanus was never on record before 1475 thus most likely corrupted by the Vatican who has a earned reputation for forgeries. Codex Sinaiticus which most likely was written in the 1830's by Costandine Simonides who claimed he was the author, he even publicly challenged Tischendorf paleographer, yet these authors repeat the Vatican mantra that the Sinaiticus is an ancient manuscript just as they claim their 1475 Vaticanus is. Most important fact on new textiment greek is the Majority Text also called Textus Receptus, the received text agree over 99% of the time which shows much greater continuity then the corrupted greek texts agreeing 62.9%. In short the Vatican has never stopped their counter reformation including their attack on the Bibles based on the Majority text with people like these authors is evidence of that, the fact is the Bible is a death sentence to the man made faith of Catholicism which departs from Bible based Christianity as much as other well known cults such as Later day saints, and Jehovah Witnesses. No doubt the Vatican compromised Tischendorf and used him for their own means to prop up a newly written manuscript so it could be promoted it as a ancient writings since it supported much of the corrupt text in the Vaticanus, most likely they warned him not to let Costandine Simonides prove he was the author of Codex Sinaiticus. No wonder God's word asked the question, "Nevertheless when the Son of man cometh, shall he find faith on the earth?"

Very helpful addition to my biblical research tools