BS 1901 - BS 2970

Bibliographer: New Testament

Date Revised: September 14, 1998

General Purpose:

The New Testament (NT) collection contributes to the strength of the Biblical Studies holdings of the Vanderbilt Divinity Library. It is intended to support the teaching and research for (I) the Religious Studies undergraduate program, (ii) the Divinity School M.Div., M.T.S., and D.Min. programs, and (iii) the Graduate Department of Religion M.A. and Ph.D. programs in NT Studies. Additionally, the NT collection policy aims at providing resources for the continuing research needs of faculty, visiting scholars, and the Kesler membership (continuing studies for clergy and church professionals).

Languages:

English-language materials predominate. There are over 1400 German volumes which represent roughly 20% of the NT collection. Merely 5% (325 titles) of collection are in French. (This low count might be a reflection of the earlier collection emphasis on Protestant materials, which were less likely to be in French.) In both these foreign languages collection emphasis has been on commentaries and scholarly monographs on interpretation and criticism.

Chronological Limits:

None. Over 85% of the NT collection date from the twentieth century: specifically, 25% from 1901-1950, and 60% from 1951 onward. This breakdown could be attributed to the dramatic shift in NT studies with the work of such 20th century scholars as Wrede, Schweitzer, Bultmann, etc. The remaining 15% of the collection are volumes mainly from the nineteenth century. We note that in a few sections the titles from the latter part of the nineteenth century and the first part of the twentieth century predominate. These sections are BS 1901-2261 (NT Texts and Versions), BS 2400-2429 (Teachings of Jesus--Parables and Sermon on Mt.), and BS2430-2520 (Biography).

Types of Material Collected:

There are over 6,000 titles in the NT collection. The policy is to acquire all kinds of materials relevant to NT study and research. The bulk of the collection is printed matter, including microtext material. Monographs, serials, Festschriften, seminar papers, published proceedings of learned societies, published dissertations, and learned periodicals are given priority. The collection is particularly strong in a significant number of NT serials (mostly in English and German). All the major periodicals relevant to NT are acquired. Of particular importance is the high quality of the large number of monographs that deal with Criticism and Interpretation, Gospels, and Epistles. There is also a good collection monographs and dissertations in microfiche; a slide collection on NT Archaeology complements the microtext material.

Types of Material Excluded:

Since this is primarily a research library, NT collection practice tends to exclude popular material that does not contribute to serious scholarship and reflection on contemporary issues.

Other Factors:

A fine collection of Nag Hammadi and Coptic material related to NT Studies can be found in the BT 1390 schedule. We note also that a more accurate picture of the NT collection in the sections on Parables and Sermon of the Mount is to be found in BT (Life of Christ)