AUTHOR: Charles L. Quarles and L. Scott Kellum
PUBLISHER: Grand Rapids, MI: Kregel Academic, 2023, (352 pages).
Quarles kicks off with questions about the transmission of the texts, talking about the meaning of "preservation," and the importance of looking at "alternative texts" from a trained background. This is an important point as many ordinary laypeople often do not have the necessary textual background to interpret or critique the ancient texts. In doing so, they succumb easily to modern skeptics and doubts that do not do justice to ancient contexts. Like ordinary passengers who criticize pilots for their flying decisions, such people behave as if they know everything about flying a plane! He carefully explains the "errors" introduced in the copies, acknowledging that while there are human errors related to poor writing conditions, not only are these "errors" easily spotted, but they also do not change significantly the meaning of the text. On manuscripts, even with over half a million variants, it is remarkable that any differences had no significant impact on the meaning of the text. He explains the art and science of textual criticism, that determining the meaning of the text is not just about scientific accuracy, it is also about the skills and experience to make sense of the passage. Quarles also compares and contrasts the two views: Byzantine Priority Theory (Majority View) and Standard View, before explaining the reasons for favoring the latter. He summarizes the practice of textual criticism by describing the controversial passages (Mark 16:9-20 & John 7:53-8:11) that have been left out in the Standard View. The chief criteria amid the conflict remain the internal evidence of the texts themselves.
In Part Two, Scott Kellum addresses the canon questions. He gives us the important criteria for canonization to show us the meticulous process that plumbs the depths of history and tradition and combs the breadths of knowledge and expertise available. He debunks the common accusation that the early church councils decide what the canon should be. Their purpose then was simply to state or re-state the obvious consensus. He evaluates the Extrinsic, Intrinsic, and Magisterial models before concluding that it is not about council decisions but the community consensus that selects the NT canon. The Church is not the source but the guardian of the canon. He then allocates one chapter to detail the Intrinsic Model, that ultimate authority comes from God. There is a helpful question with regard to believers in the first century: Do they have an OT Canon? He then maintains that there was no such "canon," only a "canon-consciousness" then. Church councils do not decide on the selection of the canon. They recognized the books as canonical. This is evident from the historical fact that out of 104 known council meetings, only 3 of them dealt with reference to the canon. This shows us that canonization was not their business. They simply recognized what was commonly acknowledged and quickly moved on to other matters. Other interesting questions include the theological implications pertaining to and hermeneutical implications of the NT canon. The theological aspect has to do with inspiration, authority, and divine theology. As for the hermeneutical implications, Kellum goes back to the principle of the Intrinsic Model: Interpret using internal evidence by using the Scriptures as a whole, as a unity, of equal value to all parts, and progressively.
My Thoughts
One of the problems of modern minds is the tendency to read and expect ancient texts to rise up to the scrutiny of modern devices and standards. While it is good to develop critical thinking, it is also important to adopt critiques that are fair and rational. Believers ought to be able to look at both perspectives without feeling a need to be too defensive. Understand the questions and the reasons for the critiques. Then read the answers to learn about the background that these questions often do not address. One example is the lack of knowledge about intrinsic evidence. Many modern scientific approaches tend to espouse External evidence over and above anything Internal. This runs contrary to the Intrinsic models that the authors have advocated for. While the book might not persuade the most hardened skeptics about the texts and the canonization process, at least the answers in this book should prompt them to reconsider not only the authenticity of the past processes but to acknowledge the limits of modern inquiry. One example is in Quarles's description of the ancient conditions of the early copyists. In those days, they do not have our modern luxuries of ergonomic furniture, electricity, computing power, and sophisticated technology to do their copying. They had to rely on basic tools that tests the limits of human dedication and perseverance. One might argue that because of the lack of modern essentials, they relied a lot on divine strength even as they deal with the tasks of copying the Holy Scriptures. In fact, I believe that our modern generation has subconsciously projected our own over-reliance on technology onto the ancient copyists. We rely on digital devices so much that we cannot even remember the phone numbers of our loved ones or do our own mental calculations when doing our grocery shopping. I can still remember how in the past, people memorize pages of phone numbers through repeated dialing. The ancient copyists might have perfected the art of memorization of scriptures much better than we! Perhaps, modern suspicions of the transmission of texts are essentially modern problems that reflect us more than the ancients.
One of the problems of modern minds is the tendency to read and expect ancient texts to rise up to the scrutiny of modern devices and standards. While it is good to develop critical thinking, it is also important to adopt critiques that are fair and rational. Believers ought to be able to look at both perspectives without feeling a need to be too defensive. Understand the questions and the reasons for the critiques. Then read the answers to learn about the background that these questions often do not address. One example is the lack of knowledge about intrinsic evidence. Many modern scientific approaches tend to espouse External evidence over and above anything Internal. This runs contrary to the Intrinsic models that the authors have advocated for. While the book might not persuade the most hardened skeptics about the texts and the canonization process, at least the answers in this book should prompt them to reconsider not only the authenticity of the past processes but to acknowledge the limits of modern inquiry. One example is in Quarles's description of the ancient conditions of the early copyists. In those days, they do not have our modern luxuries of ergonomic furniture, electricity, computing power, and sophisticated technology to do their copying. They had to rely on basic tools that tests the limits of human dedication and perseverance. One might argue that because of the lack of modern essentials, they relied a lot on divine strength even as they deal with the tasks of copying the Holy Scriptures. In fact, I believe that our modern generation has subconsciously projected our own over-reliance on technology onto the ancient copyists. We rely on digital devices so much that we cannot even remember the phone numbers of our loved ones or do our own mental calculations when doing our grocery shopping. I can still remember how in the past, people memorize pages of phone numbers through repeated dialing. The ancient copyists might have perfected the art of memorization of scriptures much better than we! Perhaps, modern suspicions of the transmission of texts are essentially modern problems that reflect us more than the ancients.
This book of 40 questions is an important contribution to remind us once again that there is much wisdom to learn and glean from past copyists, councils, and Christian leaders. Rather than begin with critiques and suspicions, why not come with an open appreciation, to look at the evidence laid out for us to study? The authors have given us many facts that should help appease the modern mind. With clear comparing and contrasting, they defend the ancient process with reasonable inquiry and astute arguments. While certain parts of the book can be a bit too academic, I would urge readers not to let these distract them. The question-and-answer format allows one to understand the issue at hand and to consider the answers with an open mind. For the skeptic, perhaps, this book will invite further conversations rather than accusations. For believers, the answers in the book will help them appreciate the authenticity and inspiration of the Bible even more.
Historically, there have been many critiques of the Bible. In modern times, this has only increased, which makes a book of this nature necessary. We should not let critiques and doubts have all the say. We need not just a proper response but a credible one based on research and scholarship. This book provides this very need. This is a recommended resource to have in light of challenges to the authenticity of the text and biblical canon.
Charles L. Quarles (Mid-America Baptist Theological Seminary) serves as research professor of New Testament and Biblical Theology at Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary, and is the author of Matthew in the Evangelical Biblical Theology Commentary series.
L. Scott Kellum (Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary) is currently Senior Professor of New Testament and Greek at SEBTS. He is a co-author of The Cradle, the Cross, and the Crown: An Introduction to the New Testament. He has also written Acts in the Exegetical Guide to the Greek New Testament; and Preaching the Farewell Discourse.
Rating: 4.25 stars of 5.
conrade
This book has been provided courtesy of Kregel Academic without requiring a positive review. All opinions offered above are mine unless otherwise stated or implied.
conrade
This book has been provided courtesy of Kregel Academic without requiring a positive review. All opinions offered above are mine unless otherwise stated or implied.
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