The Earliest Christian Artifacts: Manuscripts and Christian OriginsMuch attention has been paid to the words of the earliest Christian canonical and extracanonical texts, yet Larry Hurtado points out that an even more telling story is being overlooked -- the story of the physical texts themselves. Widely recognized for his outstanding scholarship, Hurtado combines his comprehensive knowledge of Christian origins with an archivist's eye to make sense of these earliest objects of the faith. He introduces readers to the staurogram, possibly the first representation of the cross, the nomina sacra, a textual abbreviation system, and the puzzling Christian preference for book-like texts over scrolls. Drawing on studies by papyrologists and palaeographers as well as New Testament scholars -- and including photographic plates of selected manuscripts -- The Earliest Christian Artifacts astutely introduces the distinctive physical features of early Christian manuscripts, illustrating their relevance for wider inquiry into the complex origins of Christianity. |
Contents
The Texts | 15 |
The Early Christian Preference for the Codex | 43 |
The Nomina Sacra | 95 |
The Staurogram | 135 |
Other Scribal Features | 155 |
Common terms and phrases
abbreviated Acts ancient appears appendix appropriation biblical CE3 pap chapter Chris Christian manuscripts Christian preference circles cite clear codex codices collection comparatively concern consider containing contracted copies corrections dated device discussion earlier earliest early Christian especially evidence example extant four fourth fragment further given gives Gospel Greek hand historical identified important indicate instance interesting Jesus Jewish John judged larger later LDAB least letters lines literary Luke margins Mark material matter Matthew means nomina sacra noted original P.Chester Beatty P.Oxy papyrus parchment particular perhaps period portions Press probably proposal Psalms question Rahlfs readers reading reason refer reflect regarded represent Roberts roll scholars scribal practice scribes second century seems sheet significance simply single Skeat space suggest tau-rho Testament texts textual third century tion treated Tuckett Turner University usage widely writing written