Scribes and Scripture

Answers to Common Questions about the Writing, Copying, Canonizing, and Translating of the Bible

There are many common questions and misconceptions surrounding the formation and history of the Bible: Why is the Bible composed of the current 66 books instead of others? Why are there so many translations? How are we to understand both the human and divine elements of the Bible? In Scribes and Scripture, scholars John D. Meade and Peter J. Gurry answer these questions and give readers tools to interpret the evidence about God’s word.

Beginning with the history of the Bible―from the invention of the alphabet to the most recent English translations―the book focuses on three main areas: the writing and copying of the Bible, the canonization of the Bible, and the translation of the Bible. Using Old and New Testament scholarship, Meade and Gurry help God’s people better appreciate the story of the Bible as a way to better appreciate the stories in the Bible. 

Collaboration of Old Testament and New Testament Scholarship: Written by experts in both Old Testament (Meade) and New Testament (Gurry) textual scholarship  Answers Common Questions: Specifically regarding textual criticism, the canon, and Bible translations 

1. Opening Credits
2. Dedication
3. Introduction
4. Part 1: Text
5. Chapter 1: Writing the Bible
6. Chapter 2: Copying the Old Testament
7. Chapter 3: Copying the New Testament
8. Part 2: Canon
9. Chapter 4: Canonizing the Old Testament to the Reformation
10. Chapter 5: The Old Testament in the Reformation Period
11. Chapter 6: Canonizing the New Testament
12. Part 3: Translation
13. Chapter 7: Early and Medieval Bible Translation
14. Chapter 8: English Bible Translation to the King James
15. Chapter 9: The English Bible after the King James
16. Conclusion
17. Closing Credits