Tregelles, Tischendorf, Simonides and Sinaiticus

[Steven Avery]

The Life and Times of Samuel Prideaux Tregelles: A Forgotten Scholar (2020)
By Timothy C. F. Stunt
https://books.google.com/books?id=GZvBDwAAQBAJ&pg=PA158

The case in favour of Tischendorf was strongly argued by Erhard Lauch, ‘Nichts gegen Tischendorf’ in E.H. Amberg, U. Kühn [eds.], Bekenntnis zur Kirche: Festgabe für Ernst Sommerlath zum 70. Geburtstag (Berlin, 1960), 15–24. Subsequently, the late Harvard Professor, Ihor Ševˇcenko, cast serious doubts on Tischendorf’s claims in ‘New Documents on Constantine Tischendorf and the Codex Sinaiticus,’ Scriptorium 18 (1964): 55–80. The subject has recently been revisited by C. Böttrich’s ‘Constantin von Tischendorf und der Transfer des Codex Sinaiticus nach St Petersburg’ in A. Gössner [ed.], Die Theologische Fakultät der Universität Leipzig (Leipzig, 2005), 253–75 and in a cautious restatement of the question by M.D. Peterson, ‘Tischendorf and the Codex Sinaiticus: The Saga Continues,’ Greek Orthodox Theological Review 53:1–4 (2008): 125–39. See most recently D.C. Parker, Codex Sinaiticus: The Story of the World’s Oldest Bible (London: British Library, 2010).

p. 157

 

[Steven Avery]

p. 157-161

 

[Steven Avery]

162

T. C. F. STUNT

spectacular. The goal for which he strove was demanding, and any appreciation of his work was confined to a very limited number of spectators. Particularly ironic was the fact that many, who shared something of his devout piety and his faith in the plenary inspiration of scripture, had little time for textual criticism—an activity, which they were inclined to dismiss as unspiritual and intellectual. To have incurred the enmity of a scholar, who lived for the applause of approval, made the predicament of a modest and retiring scholar all the more undeserved. Dr. James Bentley whose account of the finding of the Codex Sinaiticus gives full recognition to the remarkable achievement and scholarship of Tischendorf, nevertheless observes that ‘even at the height of his fame, [Tischendorf] displayed a quite extraordinary viciousness towards any scholar whose reputation might diminish his own standing in the eyes of the world … anyone who studied in Tischendorf’s field was liable to come under the German’s lash’. It was Tregelles’s misfortune to find himself working in that particular field and ‘Tischendorf responded to his views on the Codex Sinaiticus with an astonishing viciousness’.48 In contrast, we may conclude this chapter with Tregelles published eirenicon when, in 1861, he reckoned that he had reassured Tischendorf of his honourable intentions: All may make mistakes; but such mistakes need not be supposed to spring from any wrong motives: those who charge others may perhaps be themselves in the wrong; but let us always be ready to receive candid explanations so as if possible to remove causes of dissension, and maintain that Christian spirit which should be connected with Christian studies.49

48 Bentley, Secrets, 88, 125, 123. 49 Tregelles, Codex Zacynthius, xxvi.

END OF CHAPTER 10

 

[Steven Avery]

Most important extract from p. 160-161

https://www.brethrenarchive.org/manuscripts/letters-of-jn-darby

 

[Steven Avery]

See the private section for more *** extracts

Then Emily Russell publisher for contact attempt.

And a Facebook attempt.