As I am putting off readings and a reflection paper for this afternoon, I started to gaze lustfully at The Greek New Testament over at Amazon.com.
I had the following idea for a neat multi-year project. How fun and instructional it would be to do a chronological translation of the Greek New Testament, the whole while consulting commentaries. By chronological translation, I mean translating the texts as they appear in history. So one would start with Paul’s letters and then move on to the Gospels and ending with the Apocalypse of John. It would be the perfect way to not only read the text, but, if you kept good notes, also to build a good book-by-book Biblical Hermeneutic. It would allow one to get a first hand account of a variety of textual issues, such as the synoptic problem, the issue of the pastorals, 2nd Cor being multiple letters stitched together, etc. In addition, it would allow one to get a feel for how Christian thought was expressed in its early years of its development.
Whaddya think?
Update That Greek New Testament is on its way.
8 Comments
Hi Honzo,
I hadn’t heard that 2nd Corinthians was stitched together. I did a quick google on the subject but wasn’t too keen on the authority of some of the links.
Can you comment a bit more on the subject?
Edgar.
I am actually in the middle of writing a post about it. I hope to have it up before the weekend is over.
well of course the Revelation isn't last… that's more likely the Pastorals and 2 Peter. but it would make for an interesting study nonetheless.
I honestly forget about the probable dating of things like the Johns (gospel, letters, apoc,) and the Peters, James’s. I have the gospels, acts and Paul’s letters down pat and can pretty well discuss the issues surrounding the dating of each, but for the other stuff, I haven’t internalized it yet.
BTW, it is so frustrating not opening the NT with Mark rather than Matthew. I go to look in the first gospel and I get the second (or third one) at the begining.
JR - you back from Vacation?
no, i'll be back on tuesday.
we need to hang!!!
and the mark thing… TELL ME ABOUT IT!
This post will make a great YouTube video!
-Edgar.
I suggest that you look at Frank Viola’s The Untold Story.
Oh man, I thought I was the only one who looked at the beginning of the NT to find Mark. I’m so glad to find others who make the same mistake.