Vigiliae Christianae, Supplements, Tatian's Diatessaron

A gospel harmony composed circa 172 AD, the Diatessaron is one of the earliest witnesses to the gospels. Regarded as the first version of the gospels in Latin, Syriac and Armenian, the Diatessaron was used by Encratites, Judaic-Christians and Great Church Christians alike. This study is a comprehensive treatment of the Diatessaron . After sketching the 2nd-century setting and Tatian's biography, it describes virtually every Diatessaronic witness and provides a scholar-by-scholar summary of research from 546 to the present. Criteria for reconstructing Diatessaronic readings are developed and numerous examples offer the reader first-hand experience with the witnesses. The text also contains a bibliography of research on the Diatessaron (over 600 titles) and a Catalogue of Manuscripts of Diatessaronic Witnesses and Related Works .

Review:

'This is a masterly treatment comprehensively setting out all the problems and issues relating to this famous second century harmony, and is to be warmly recommended.' J.K. Elliott, The Expository Times, 1995. 'The book is richly furnished with meticulous footnotes and a bibliography of over 700 titles.' J.K. Elliott, Novum Testamentum, 1995. '...un tres beau volume...magnifique ouvrage...' Jean-Daniel Dubois Archives des Sciences Sociales des Religions, 1995. 'This careful and demanding work is highly recommended for research libraries.' Gary A. Anderson Religious Studies Review, 1996. 'It is beautifully produced and will be an indispensible reference for students in this field.' E. Earle Ellis, Southwestern Journal of Theology, 1996. 'Both the author and the publisher are to be congratulated on the production of a significant volume, for which many will be grateful.' Bruce M. Metzger, Journal of Biblical Literature, 1996. '...a magnificent book that ought to be on the shelves of every library.' T. Baarda, Biblica, 1996. 'Ohne sein Buch ist fortan keine Weiterarbeit am Diatessaron zu denken.' Walter Beltz, Zeitschrift fur Religions- und Geistesgeschichte, 1998.