Thu Jun 6 21:57:41 1996

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Date: Thu, 6 Jun 1996 21:53:40 -0400 (EDT)
From: Maurice Robinson 
To: "Robert B. Waltz" 
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Subject: Re: "Alexandrian" Text
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On Thu, 6 Jun 1996, Robert B. Waltz wrote:

> It is my opinion that the effect of Diocletian's persecution have been
> overrated. 

Waltz and I a probably in close agreement regarding the text-critical
effect of the persecutions of Diocletian, though I think he might
understate the case a bit too much.  The entire Donatist schism was
related to the "traditores" who handed over the scriptures, and the
implication is that this did happen to a degree hitherto unprecedented in
earlier persecutions. 

> As for the coming of Constantine -- this too can be overrated.
> Constantine legalized Christianity, and encouraged it, but did
> not require it. Chances are that more manuscripts were copied in
> Constantine's time, but not massively more; there just weren't
> that many qualified scribes.

I think this last statement is simply incorrect.  There would be many 
scribes within the Roman Empire in any generation who would be qualified, 
and there were clearly financial favors provided to the Christian 
churches throughout the Empire, not only for building, but for vestments 
utensils, and other church-related items, which would surely include 
copies of the scriptures.  An imperial order from Constantine for 50 
copies certainly does not reflect the extent of his indirect influence in 
this regard.


_________________________________________________________________________
Maurice A. Robinson, Ph.D.           Assoc. Prof./Greek and New Testament
Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary     Wake Forest, North Carolina
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