The development of lower criticism

Abstract EN

The history of the Christian canon may need to be rewritten in light of recent research on the bibliographic and textual realities of early Christian literature.

As a result of a new perspective on the history of the canon.

The newly discovered papyrus MMs provide insights on the practises and norms of early Christian text creation (the codex format, the nomina sacra) and add depth to our understanding of the texts’ circulation, reception, and impact.

Scholars, and researchers as well, are realising the growing importance of fields like palaeography, codicology, and textual criticism to the study of canons.

Because of the information and literary traditions contained in manuscripts, the actual usage of books and the attitudes of early people toward them have become the most crucial factors to investigate when tracing the development of the canon.

New study into early Christian literature’s bibliographical and textual realia may change our view of the canon’s history.

Due to a fresh viewpoint on the canon’s history, scholars have gained much fresh information from the discovery of various old manuscripts.

On the other hand, this material provides crucial information regarding early Christian book production, including copying, transfer, circulation, usage, and accumulation.

The papyrus MMs that are now available both highlight early Christian methods and conventions in text production (the codex format, the nomina sacra), and provide new insight into the dissemination, provenances, and uses of those texts.

This is because canon historians have always had a legitimate interest in MMs, especially their contents, arrangements, and any lists, prologues, tables, or other aids.

These additional manuscripts are also helping reconcile textual criticism and canonical history.

‘Lower criticism’ used to house experts of canon and text history.

However, textual criticism’s technical specialization has isolated these two fields.

Palaeography, codicology, and textual criticism are increasingly essential disciplines in canon studies, as scholars are discovering.

Due to the material available in manuscripts and the literary traditions they preserve, the actual use of books and early people’s attitudes toward them have become the most important aspects to study when tracing the canon’s history.