Topic: Need a referrence for an in depth text on the formation of the Bible

[AV]

Hello,

I am in need of a work that is a textbook type study on the formation of the Bible that covers the differences between Orthodox, Roman Catholic, and Protestant variants.

Recommendations?

[WPM]

In the back of the bible.

[AV]

Let me rephrase that. This is going to be referred to a Protestant person who want to do an in depth study of the Canon and why things are different, and what is missing from the Protestant version.

[WPM]

I don't know Use the library

[Asteriktos]

I'm afraid I don't know of one in English, and I haven't written my version yet.

[AV]

Why the condescending tone from everyone? What did I do to you? Is this not the conversion issues thread?

Well done helping a new person navigate the waters and with such graciousness no less. "Use the library". That's a contribution? Really? So glad I asked.

[Asteriktos]

That's WPM's style. He'd say the same thing if you were the President of the US or the Ecumenical Patriarch. As for mine, I was being very serious; I find the lack of resources on this from an orthodox perspective a little strange. I have seen Catholic and Protestant books, not textbook style exactly, but maybe something that can be made due with, except that the history is so biased as to be useless.

[Romaios]

I don't know if it's exactly what you need, but I remember reading a good introduction on that in the New Jerome Biblical Commentary.

[AV]

That's WPM's style. He'd say the same thing if you were the President of the US or the Ecumenical Patriarch. As for mine, I was being very serious; I find the lack of resources on this from an orthodox perspective a little strange. I have seen Catholic and Protestant books, not textbook style exactly, but maybe something that can be made due with, except that the history is so biased as to be useless.

Precisely why I posed the question to this group. The content of this forum is markedly more intellectual in nature than other places I could ask...so I assumed there would be a bevy of insightful direction and recommendation, instead of drivel posts. There is an opportunity to have influence on a fellow Christian who is asking the right questions in the wrong places on this particular issue.

As for WPM's remarks...honor means something to me still, even if it is out of fashion.

[AV]

I don't know if it's exactly what you need, but I remember reading a good introduction on that in the New Jerome Biblical Commentary.

Thank you very much.

[Mor Ephrem]

I was thinking of recommending a title by Metzger, but I think it only deals with the NT.  Not sure if he wrote on the OT canon.   

[recent convert]

That's WPM's style. He'd say the same thing if you were the President of the US or the Ecumenical Patriarch. As for mine, I was being very serious; I find the lack of resources on this from an orthodox perspective a little strange. I have seen Catholic and Protestant books, not textbook style exactly, but maybe something that can be made due with, except that the history is so biased as to be useless.

Precisely why I posed the question to this group. The content of this forum is markedly more intellectual in nature than other places I could ask...so I assumed there would be a bevy of insightful direction and recommendation, instead of drivel posts. There is an opportunity to have influence on a fellow Christian who is asking the right questions in the wrong places on this particular issue.

As for WPM's remarks...honor means something to me still, even if it is out of fashion.

I do not even think he knows what he is talking about often.

[TheTrisagion]

Meh, you must excuse him.  He is from Texas.  I would be in a perpetually bad mood if I lived in Texas too. 

[Gamliel]

Try the Canon debate.  It will introduce you to many questions that scholars wrestle with:  http://www.amazon.com/Canon-Debate-Lee-Martin-McDonald/dp/0801047080/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1375124363&sr=1-1&keywords=canon+debate

[WPM]

The church library?...

[ialmisry]

Meh, you must excuse him.  He is from Texas.  I would be in a perpetually bad mood if I lived in Texas too. 

I'd love it every moment.

I once saw a sign "Welcome to Texas.  Whatever made you leave home, don't bring it here."

[Romaios]

I had forgotten about this: Jaroslav Pelikan - Whose Bible Is It? A Short History of the Scriptures.

[Asteriktos]

I had forgotten about this: Jaroslav Pelikan - Whose Bible Is It? A Short History of the Scriptures.

But that isn't at all what he is looking for, at least from what I can tell. That book is aimed at people who have never read a religious or theological book in their entire lives. No disrespect to Pelikan, who wrote some fine stuff that was of a more academic tone.

EDIT--So far as I can tell, he is looking for a textbook style (systematic/exhaustive but not overly specialist) treatment of the subject...?

[Carl Kraeff (Second Chance)]

Wikipedia contains a useful table on the Old Testament that can be used as a starting point: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Biblical_canon#Old_Testament