Constantine Tischendorf: The Life and Work of a 19th Century Bible Hunter

Description

Constantin von Tischendorf was a pioneer. He existed in an age when biblical studies as we know it was being formed, when the quest for forgotten manuscripts and lost treasures was being undertaken with no less zeal and intrigue than it is today. It was Tischendorf who found, and preserved, the oldest extant version of the complete bible that we know of, the so-called Codex Sinaiticus, which he discovered in poor condition at St Catherine's Monastery at the foot of Mount Sinai, in 1846. With the discovery of the Codex Tischendorf, and others, was to take the study of biblical texts further than ever before, through linguistic methods, and attention to the most ancient sources available. In many ways Tischendorf was a father figure of the modern Historical Critical Method. In this short biography, Stanley E. Porter, himself one of the most respected scholars of the New Testament and Koine Greek currently writing, gives a portrait of Tischendorf's life and work, together with an annotated republication of Tischendorf's influential work on the Gospels. Published to celebrate Tischendorf's bicentenary, in 2015, this volume will be a must for those seeking to understand how the study of biblical manuscripts began, and to understand the man who discovered the oldest version of the bible as we know it.

Stanley E. Porter is Professor of New Testament at McMaster Divinity College, Canada.

A fascinating account [of Tischendorf's life] that combines erudition with a crisp and accessible style. The result is a book that is not only informative but also hard to put down. -- Paul Foster, Faculty of Divinity, University of Edinburgh, UK * The Expository Times * One senses that Porter's biography of Tischendorf serves to present a role model of serious academic work which is motivated by genuine Christian faith. In his rigorous pursuit of the evidence, his high degree of competence in amassing his impressive publication record, and his desire to establish the reliability of the Bible, Tischendorf's life work stands as an abiding monument of industry, sacrifice, and commitment to technical biblical research. * Books at a Glance * [T]his volume offers an engaging and accessible introduction, and is heartily recommended. * Theological Book Review * The best way to honour a great scholar is to study his work. Porters book not only provides one of Tischendorf's most popular writings around his 200th birthday in January 2015, but also a learned introduction into its historical context as well as its biographical setting. Readers will discover textual criticism again for what it is - an adventure. * Prof. Christfried Boettrich, University of Greifswald, Germany * There are very few books that really do something fresh and innovative. But, Stanley Porter's volume on Constantine Tischendorf is one of them. Rather than offering just another book on textual criticism, Porter introduces the reader to the world of manuscripts by studying the life of one of the discipline's greatest pioneers. This book opens up a whole new perspective on the study of the New Testament text. * Michael J. Kruger, Reformed Theological Seminary, USA *