The Gospel of Tatian: Exploring the Nature and Text of the Diatessaron

(Hardback)

Available Formats

Publishing Details

Classifications

Physical Properties

Description

This volume combines some of the leading voices on the composition and collection of early Christian gospels in order to analyze Tatians Diatessaron. The rapid rise and sudden suppression of the Diatessaron has raised numerous questions about the nature and intent of this second-century composition. It has been claimed as both a vindication of the fourfold gospels early canonical status and as an argument for the canons on-going fluidity; it has been touted as both a premiere witness to the earliest recoverable gospel text and as an early corrupting influence on that text. Collectively, these essays provide the greatest advance in Diatessaronic scholarship in a quarter of a century. The contributors explore numerous questions: did Tatian intend to supplement or supplant the fourfold gospel How many were his sources and how free was he with their text How do we identify a Diatessaronic witness Is it legitimate to use Tatians Diatessaron as a source in New Testament textual criticism Is a reconstruction of the Diatessaron still possible These queries in turn contribute to the question of what the Diatessaron signifies with respect to the broader context of gospel writing, and what this can tell us about how the writing, rewriting and reception of gospel material functioned in the first and second centuries and beyond.

Author Bio

Matthew R. Crawford is Associate Professor and Director of the Program in Biblical and Early Christian Studies at the Institute for Religion and Critical Inquiry at Australian Catholic University, Melbourne, Australia. Nicholas J. Zola is Associate Professor of Religion in Seaver College at Pepperdine University, Malibu, USA.