Jewish and Christian Scripture as Artifact and Canon

Jewish and Christian Scripture as Artifact and Canon constitutes a collection of studies that reflect and contribute to the growing scholarly interest in manuscripts as artifacts and witnesses to early stages in Jewish and Christian understanding of sacred scripture. Scholars and textual critics have in recent years rightly recognized the contribution that ancient manuscripts make to our understanding of the development of canon in its broadest and most inclusive sense. The studies included in this volume shed significant light on the most important questions touching the emergence of canon consciousness and written communication in the early centuries of the Christian church. The concern here is not in recovering a theoretical "original text" or early "recognized canon," but in analysis of and appreciation for texts as they actually circulated and were preserved through time. Some of the essays in this collection explore the interface between canon as theological concept, on the one hand, and canon as reflected in the physical/artifactual evidence, on the other. Other essays explore what the artifacts tell us about life and belief in early communities of faith. Still other studies investigate the visual dimension and artistic expressions of faith, including theology and biblical interpretation communicated through the medium of art and icon in manuscripts. The volume also includes scientific studies concerned with the physical properties of particular manuscripts. These studies will stimulate new discussion in this important area of research and will point students and scholars in new directions for future work.

About the author

Craig A. Evans (Ph.D., Claremont) is John Bisagno Distinguished professor of Christian Origins at Houston Baptist University, USA.H. Daniel is a Lecturer at Acadia Divinity College, Nova Scotia, Canada.

Product details

• Authors: Craig A Evans, Craig A. (EDT)/ Zacharias Evans, H Daniel Zacharias, H. Daniel Zacharias
• Assisted by: Craig a. Evans (Editor), Craig A. Evans (Editor), Lester L. Grabbe (Editor), Daniel H. Zacharias (Editor), H. Daniel Zacharias (Editor), Zacharias H. Daniel (Editor)
• Publisher: T. & T. Clark Ltd.
• Languages: English
• Product format: Paperback / Softback
• Released: 27.10.2011
• EAN: 9780567293299
• ISBN: 978-0-567-29329-9
• No. of pages: 338
• Series: Library of Second Temple Studi; Library of Second Temple Studi; The Library of Second Temple Studies
• Subjects: Humanities, art, music > Religion/theology > Christianity; Non-fiction book > Philosophy, religion > Religion: general, reference works; RELIGION / Christianity / General, RELIGION / Biblical Studies / General, Christianity, Criticism and exegesis of sacred texts, Biblical Studies & Exegesis