Today, a large parcels with the author's copies have arrived at my desk - and I am glad to announce that the books is now available in bookshops and online shops.
The book opens with the following lines: 'Out of "decent respect for the opinion of others", my monograph Christ's Resurrection in Early Christianity (2011), and its then preliminary hypothesis of the Making of the New Testament (a lately added subtitle), put me "under the obligation to do more"' (a quote from William R. Farmer, 1977), and I add: 'Neither then nor now do I intend to provide "the solution to every problem", "the answer to the question of the universe" or try to chase "a particular ghost in the shadows ... with almost paranoid insistence"', but all I am trying to do is 'to shed some more rational liht on a still dark period of the beginnings of Christianity'.
I have just learned that Matthias Klinghardt (Dresden) is going to present a two volume edition (with introduction) of Marcion's Gospel where he has come to one same conclusion (although there are still nuances and differences in detail) that this Gospel is the oldest of its kind and the inspiration and source for other gospels, especially the later canonical ones which have been directly dependent on this one.
Unfortunately I have got to know his manuscript (which is not published yet) to late to engage with it in this book, but it is comforting that two different minds have independently come to very similar conclusions.
Looking forward to his and other's critical comments - as the learning journey is always only a start.
Don't worry about it. Humility is the beginning of wisdom. The point isn't to be right as much as it is not to make glaring errors which I am sure isn't the case with you. You're too smart for that. You can always write a follow up article incorporating or examining Klinghardt's work. Besides the fact that his is written in German means virtually no one outside of Germany is going to read it. Sad but true.
ReplyDeleteWill this come out in a version cheaper than the $120 I see listed on the online site?
ReplyDeleteDear Neil,
ReplyDeleteI don't think it will, but if you have detailed questions, don't hesitate to write to me,
yours Markus
Dear Markus,
ReplyDeleteThis need to come out in some cheaper form especially if it is going to stretch to 5 volumes of commentary (that would be $600 for all). I mean your theories have the potential to completely rewrite Early Christian history as we know it and open up tons of new avenues. I am currently reading through every post and comment on your blog and have read your "Resurrection" book twice. A Kindle version perhaps?
Hi Markus, we can't get hold of your book. Amazon etc says it is unavailable. Is the first edition sold out in just three months? Ho many did the publisher print? Thanks
ReplyDeleteDear Frederik, I know from the Publisher that they had some problems with Amazon deliveries - but they are working on it. In the meantime, you can also go to Peeters' website and order the book directly from there: http://www.peeters-leuven.be/boekoverz.asp?nr=9383
ReplyDeleteHope that this works,
yours Markus