"Western non-interpolations" and related phenomena in the Gospels

This thesis is a critique of the theory of Western non-interpolations' propounded by Westcott and Hort, the famous British scholars in the Introduction to their critical edition of the Greek New Testament, 1881. The theory concerns eight cruces interpretum in the concluding section of Luke's Gospel and one in the last but one chapter of Matthew's Gospel. The eight Lukan passages, though missing from Codex Bezae (D) and its allies ('Western' family), are read by Codex Vaticanus (B) and Codex Sinaiticus (א) as well as by (p⁷⁵ and) the vast majority of the other ancient witnesses. (The pattern of the textual evidence for the Matthaean passage is rather different, although B and א are ranged against the omission shown by D). In these contexts Westcott-Hort decided to apply the principle of brevior lectio potior. This was indeed a radical departure from their low estimation of the 'Western' group in general vis-a-vis the B א (Alexandrian) group which they idealised as 'neutral' and as having a very high degree of purity. Having once rated the latter so high it was too awkward for our editors to admit that their favourite Text had gone corrupt at those crucial points. Hence they devised the face-saving term 'Western non-interpolations to emphasize that while their characterisation of the 'Western' Text as containing numerous 'interpolations' still held good, in the eight cases listed the 'Western' omissions were to be reckoned as real 'non-interpolations'. This 'writer believes that although Westcott-Hort's intuition regarding the eight passages was correct (except in one instance), the premise from which they started needs to be revised. Omissions of NT texts including the above were caused by various factors. They are confined neither to one family, nor to a single Gospel, nor even to one particular area of a Gospel. Westcott-Hort's inclusion of one Matthaean passage in the above 'classic' (the designation is mine)' category speaks for itself. Moreover, they also called attention to eighteen other ‘Western’ ‘omissions’ scattered 'across all the Gospels although they attached only a secondary degree of suspicion to the longer texts. I submit that it was our editors' creation of this subtle distinction between these two categories of readings, as also their exaggerated delineation of the 'purity' of the Alexandrian family as against the 'Western' that has given rise to various other theories regarding the editorial vicissitudes of the Third Gospel. In my first volume I examine the twenty-seven passages in question and conclude that out of the eighteen 'non-classic' ones, at least five in Mt represent genuine omissions. In volume II, seven other passages where Westcott-Hort detected the characteristic tendency of 'Western' witnesses, viz., that of 'expansion', are examined. Of these I recommend two for full reinstatement, two for partial reinstatement arid a fifth one for full reinstatement, though not in its traditional position. If these findings have any credibility, then Westcott-Hort's depiction of the 'Western' Text was indeed a gross exaggeration as far as the Gospels are concerned. The Methdology of this thesis consists in a judicious application of the 'eclectic' principle. Each passage is studied on its own merits under three main heads: 1. External Evidence (Inferences to be drawn from MS data). 2. Internal Evidence: a) Transcriptional Probability (The possible attitude of a scribe in inserting or rejecting a passage as the case may be; also the probabilities of accident behind a reading). b) Intrinsic Probability (Considerations such as vocabulary, style and theological propensity of an author; also his general handling of his sources. In fact the application of the principles of Source Criticism, Form Criticism and Redaction Criticism in deciding whether a reading suits its context or not). 3. Conclusion: It is emphasised that the External Evidence is to be carefully balanced against the Internal Evidence in establishing the authenticity or otherwise of a given text rather than reading one's pre-conceived notions into it. The contributions of outstanding commentators and textual critics over the span of about 90 years since Westcott-Hort's time have been critically examined in drawing the inferences of each section. The concluding chapter which is a summation of the above inference serves to highlight the fallacy of Westcott-Hort's pre-suppositions and of certain subsidiary theories and demonstrates why the theory, of’ Western non-interpolations’ should be discarded as a principle of Textual Criticism

Revelation, truth, canon and interpretation: studies in Justin Martyr's Dialogue with Trypho

Revelation, Truth, Canon, and Interpretation are four fundamental issues in pre-Nicene Christianity. This dissertation seeks to examine these in Justin Martyr's Dialogue with Trypho. The INTRODUCTION indicates the impetus for this investigation and reviews the pertinent secondary sources and their contributions to these issues. A review of Justin's life and his extant writings is also included. CHAPTER ONE examines Justin's concept of Revelation. Justin's conversion to Christianity is placed in the context of his Middle Platonism. From this context we learn that, as a philosopher, Justin's primary goal was knowledge of God. The case Justin builds throughout the Dialogue is that the true philosophy, the incarnate Logos, is witnessed to only in the Prophets and the Apostles. The incarnate Logos is seen as the culmination in God's plan for salvation and is thus revelation. CHAPTER TWO examines Justin's concept of truth. From the genre that Justin chose and his understanding of the attainment of truth as the goal of a philosopher, we see that Justin saw truth as located in the Logos. Justin is differentiated from the Hebrew and the Platonic concepts of truth and continues the line of argument established in the NT writers. Truth is fulfilled and found in Jesus Christ, through his pre-existence and his incarnation. CHAPTER THREE examines Justin's concept of canon. Justin did not conceive of a closed collection of Christian writings. While his references to Memoirs are important, they should not be seen as implying a closed collection of Christian writings. Concerns about this belong to an age later than Justin's. CHAPTER FOUR highlights the foundations upon which Justin interpreted the Hebrew scriptures. The determining factor here is the new Covenant which was Christ himself. Because of Christ, the old Law has become obsolete and a new Law has replaced it. This is why the Jew and the Christian can use the same scripture yet end up with differing interpretations. APPENDIX ONE is a listing of Gospel quotations and allusions in the Dialogue. APPENDIX TWO is a review of the issue of the primary audience of the Dialogue. Here arguments are offered for an audience that is primarily Jewish

Revelation, truth, canon and interpretation: studies in Justin Martyr's Dialogue with Trypho

Revelation, Truth, Canon, and Interpretation are four fundamental issues in pre-Nicene Christianity. This dissertation seeks to examine these in Justin Martyr's Dialogue with Trypho. The INTRODUCTION indicates the impetus for this investigation and reviews the pertinent secondary sources and their contributions to these issues. A review of Justin's life and his extant writings is also included. CHAPTER ONE examines Justin's concept of Revelation. Justin's conversion to Christianity is placed in the context of his Middle Platonism. From this context we learn that, as a philosopher, Justin's primary goal was knowledge of God. The case Justin builds throughout the Dialogue is that the true philosophy, the incarnate Logos, is witnessed to only in the Prophets and the Apostles. The incarnate Logos is seen as the culmination in God's plan for salvation and is thus revelation. CHAPTER TWO examines Justin's concept of truth. From the genre that Justin chose and his understanding of the attainment of truth as the goal of a philosopher, we see that Justin saw truth as located in the Logos. Justin is differentiated from the Hebrew and the Platonic concepts of truth and continues the line of argument established in the NT writers. Truth is fulfilled and found in Jesus Christ, through his pre-existence and his incarnation. CHAPTER THREE examines Justin's concept of canon. Justin did not conceive of a closed collection of Christian writings. While his references to Memoirs are important, they should not be seen as implying a closed collection of Christian writings. Concerns about this belong to an age later than Justin's. CHAPTER FOUR highlights the foundations upon which Justin interpreted the Hebrew scriptures. The determining factor here is the new Covenant which was Christ himself. Because of Christ, the old Law has become obsolete and a new Law has replaced it. This is why the Jew and the Christian can use the same scripture yet end up with differing interpretations. APPENDIX ONE is a listing of Gospel quotations and allusions in the Dialogue. APPENDIX TWO is a review of the issue of the primary audience of the Dialogue. Here arguments are offered for an audience that is primarily Jewish

Typology, Tabernacle and Tradition: A History of Interpretation of Hebrews 9:11-14

The texts of the Bible have been used and interpreted in various ways across different time periods and different cultures, and there is much to be gained by studying these changes. Changing attitudes about and uses of Scripture tell us something about other changes taking place in society. They reflect new ideas about religion, knowledge, and authority. Most of all, they demonstrate the techniques used by pastors, theologians, and other authors to make texts written long ago relevant to contemporary problems. The purpose of my study is to use Hebrews 9:11-14 to look at the ways in which the interpretation of Scripture and the uses of Scripture change across time and geographic locations. By analyzing the text itself in its first century context, as well as documents citing this passage from the Early Church, the Middle Ages, the Reformation, and the present day, I am able study both the ways that the interpretation of this particular passage has changed, and how methods of biblical interpretation themselves have changed

An evaluation of Romans 11:25-26 as the result of impromptu prayer in Romans 9-11

https://place.asburyseminary.edu/ecommonsatsdissertations/2032/thumbnail.jp

Ecclesiological Docetism : in early and medieval dissent and heresy in eastern and western Christianity

In the context of the continuity of Christology into ecclesiology, this thesis investigates the implications of a Docetic Christology and its consequences in the life of the church. Against the background of the development of orthodoxy and heresy in earliest Christianity it indicates a docetic Christological/ecclesiological parallel found in the Gnostic dualist tradition, countered by the catholic one of a growing orthodoxy, and the continuing influences and implications in Alexandrian theology. It notes in this setting the implicit docetic tendency in 'heretical' thought to undermine salvation history (t'eilsgeschichte), as well as the element of timeliness which could separate orthodoxy from heresy. It proceeds by looking at the exegesis of the New Testament and the Fathers of the church which indicates a Christological/ecclesiological continuity. From this context it examines the understanding of Christ as tradition and Christ as corporate which continues into the Middle Ages. It illustrates further, how concepts such as martyrdom and suffering bear an implicit relationship to Christology and ecclesiology. In considering the views of medieval movements in the context of more orthodox understandings of their age, it explores the continuity of themes found in them from early heresy, particularly dualism and its effects. It notes in particular the role of Platonism in theological interpretation, and considers the place of the establishment of the church in the legitimising of a Christological/ ecclesiological view. These themes and concepts combine to demonstrate the implications of dokesis within an alternative understanding of the church, with the rejection of an incarnational theology, and the development of new criteria for Christian life. In this respect it questions how the immediacy of mystical and spiritual experience relates to ecclesiology. Taking into account the appeal to primitivism as a motive for reform which undermined the medieval synthesis and its doctrine of society, it reviews the late medieval concept of the invisible church, which prepared the way for the Reformation. In this setting it examines the recurring themes which appear, and concludes by outlining the implications of ecclesiological docesis for the church of today

Canonizing Paul: Ancient Editorial Practice and the Corpus Paulinum

This dissertation investigates the use of the Corpus Paulinum as a vehicle for transmitting interpretation of Paul's letters. By utilizing practices developed in antiquity for the preparation of an author's corpus, such interpretation was conveyed via three main channels: the text and contents of a corpus along with ancillary materials to this corpus. Among the three iterations of Paul's corpus studied here, one (Marcion's edition) derives from the second century and two from the late fourth to sixth century (the edition created by a certain Euthalius and the Vulgate revision of the Latin versions, codified respectively in the sixth century manuscripts Codex Coislinianus and Codex Fuldensis). These collections illustrate the ways in which interpretations of what constituted authentic Pauline doctrine affected, on multiple levels, the shape of the corpus itself. This issue of authenticity structured activities from textual correction or emendation to the selection and arrangement of Paul's letters included in his corpus. In addition to framing the text and contents of his corpus in light of their hermeneutic, Marcion, Euthalius, and numerous editors of Latin editions of Paul's letters also deployed ancillary materials before and around the text (e.g. prologues, introductions, chapter headings, and biographies of Paul), through which their interpretations were explicitly transmitted. While ancillary materials became increasingly deployed for shaping interpretation, textual alteration for the same purpose diminished. This deployment of ancillary materials underscores a shift away from textual manipulation in earlier editions of Paul's letters to introduction as a mode of shaping interpretation in the later editions investigated in this study. Not merely transmitters of the text, editions of Paul's writings incorporated interpretations that were codified both in the text and in paratexts situated before and alongside the text. This dissertation thus opens up new avenues for exploring the role of manuscripts in transmitting interpretation beyond textual corruption to other facets such as the selection, arrangement, and introduction of Paul's letters

Persuasuve conflict: an hermeneutical model for interpreting Galatians in the context of the South African church

This study looks at how to interpret Paul's letter to the Galatians in the contemporary South African church. It aims to provide a Bible study method for doing this which accounts both for the context in which interpretation takes place and for the requirements of exegesis. To this end, use is made of a combination of contextual Bible study methods and a recent multidimensional exegetical model, all of which are currently employed in South Africa. Initially, the study surveys a range of recent critical approaches to the Pauline epistles, particularly as these are employed by South African scholars working on Galatians. The fact that different exegetical approaches focus on different dimensions of the text, reveals the usefulness of a multidimensional exegetical model. The multidimensional exegetical model of Rousseau, which functions within a communication paradigm, is then introduced as an exegetical guide. To meet the second requirement of this study, the question of contextual exegesis is examined. Particular use is made of the hermeneutical approach of liberation theology, with its three mediations of social analysis, theological reflection and practical implementation. The central part of this study explores the implications of contextual interpretation and multidimensional exegesis of Galatians. The pre-canonical, canonical and contemporary contexts which affect the understanding of Galatians are discussed, and the multidimensional exegetical model is used to introduce the Galatian letter as a whole. The last part deals with the practical questions of group Bible study. The exegetical and hermeneutical theory developed earlier is simplified to provide a contextual Bible study method and this method is applied to three pericopes from Galatians. The task of bridging the gap between the university and the church is not an easy one, nor one which is solved by a single Bible study method. The exegetical and hermeneutical questions raised here point to the need for ongoing interaction between South African community of biblical scholars and those involved in the everyday life of the South African churc