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Scribes and Scripture

The Amazing Story of How We Got the Bible

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Scribes and Scripture

By: John D. Meade, Peter J. Gurry
Narrated by: Tim H. Dixon
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Christian Book Award - Finalist 2023 (print)!!

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 listeners 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

©2022 John D. Meade and Peter J. Gurry (P)2023 One Audiobooks Bible Study Bibles & Bible Study Christianity
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The authors did an incredible job explaining how we got our Bible. In my opinion, this is one of the most important books for Christians to read.

Scribes and Scripture

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This book is a good introduction, especially ripe for modern readers.
Some criticisms: The ubiquitous overlooking of the Armenian (also Aghuan, Georgian, and, to a lesser degree, the Ethiopian) Church and early translation(s) within the scope of the greater narrative of Church History and Biblical manuscript tradition is disappointing, although — as intimated by the word, “ubiquitous” — not surprising. That being said, this book is, of course, a book written in English for an English speaking “lay” audience. It comes as no surprise, then, that English translation history is at the fore. However, I do think that a small chapter on the development of, at a minimum, the next two or three most widespread modern language translations would lend greater credibility — not to mention applicability(!) — for an English speaking, *multicultural audience. While I realize that the authors of this book did not intend what follows, an overly Anglo-focused description of Biblical transmission history, which I believe this book leans toward, can seem to appear consistent with the distorted claim that Christianity in the West is something of a “white man’s religion.” Christianity is, of course, not the stereotypical white man’s religion. History is clear on this. However, there is a critical danger in failing to observe the fact that many readers of this book will be either the children of immigrants or students who have otherwise learned to speak English in other countries. Many readers will likely come away feeling that they are underrepresented. This will almost certainly be the case for all Orthodox readers of this book.
Also, and perhaps as a more direct criticism, in discussions of the Canon, the liturgies of the ancient, apostolic churches, while sometimes acknowledged/intimated, are routinely glossed over (in this book and others published with similar aims) in a way seeming to indicate that the authors have not, in their studies, given much attention to the text and development of these liturgies, which are usually full of quotations from the Scriptures. Of course, these criticisms do not detract from the general usefulness of this book. I only offer them as a helpful supplement to the profit that one will receive from carefully reading this book and investigating its claims. A final note: one would do well to supplement the reading of this book with a similarly aimed work as published from the perspective of respected Orthodox and Catholic authors.

4.5 Stars. Thorough < Concise

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Good but fairly technical this is a great book for somebody who has known the Lord for a while I would not give this to someone who is questioning whether the scriptures are real. 

It’s a very good book. It is more technical than I thought it would be.

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I think this is a book every Christian should read! I love how they covered so many angles from scribes to canonizing the Bible to modern translations.

Very helpful

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I absolutely loved this book! I couldn't stop listening to this riviting, yet true story of how God providentially gave us His Word. This book is not only a scholarly overview of how we got our Bible through the history of transmission, cannonization, and translation, but it is also a captivating and well-written story.

This book helps clear up misconceptions and myths such as Dan Brown's idea that a church counsel arbitrarily determined the canon of Scripture. Instead Meade and Gurry give us a picture much more truthful and at times more organic than most conservative Christians are used to hearing. This is an honest look at the Bible's history that neither falls into skepticism, nor sugar coats the human element in the transmission, cannonization, and translation of the Sacred Text. It concludes with hopeful and helpful theological insights into God's providential care of His innerant Word from the time of Moses to the advent of mega churches.

I highly recommend this book for those wanting to delve into the world of how we got the Bible we hold in our hands today.

The Incredible History of the Bible

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wonderful and simple explanation of the topic, from a sound, biblical perspective. Well documented facts presented in a manner that are easy to understand, with the intention of increasing the faith and learning of the listeners

easy to understand, biblically sound

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That is honors Scripture as The Word of God. As I have always known it was. Confirming the truth of Scripture which is more marginalized more than ever.

The quality of logical discourse.

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