NT scholarship

From an interview with Larry Hurtado (U/Edinburgh) by “Matt” on his “Broadcast Depth” blog:

Q: “If there is one piece of advice you could give to someone entering New Testament scholarship, what would it be?”

A: “Yet again, how to choose one?? I’ll ignore that and offer a few that come to mind! Languages: work on Greek of course (reading, reading, reading, both NT texts and more widely, such as Apostolic Fathers), and other primary-text languages (especially Hebrew, but also Latin if possible), and key languages of modern scholarship (German especially, and French). Context and perspective: aim to familiarize yourself with texts, figures, movements, issues, developments ca. 200 BCE to at least 200 CE! It’s in this slightly wider historical horizon that one sees the remarkable features of the NT texts. Commit yourself also to fair and self-critical engagement with scholarship. My PhD supervisor (E. J. Epp) insisted on one rule above all others, and I re-affirm it: Make sure that you accurately represent the views of others, especially those with whom you disagree. Cheap polemics are of no value to anyone. The NT texts and the scholarship on them will require the most conscientious self-discipline of mind and spirit, and the honing of critical and expressive abilities. But I think these texts are worth the effort!”

This is good advice not only for PhD students (and PhD grads!), but also for master’s and bach’s level students, particularly the advice about reading Greek and fairly representing opposing positions. (The second is harder than the first! )

HT: Mike Aubrey