Editio Critica Maior
The Editio Critica Maior (ECM ) is a critical edition of the Greek New Testament, which is created by the Institute for New Testament Textual Research (to which Kurt Aland already for decades the Novum Testamentum Grace was developed ( Nestle -Aland ), which the world is placed translations of the New Testament are based ).
The ' ECM ' documents the Greek text history of the first millennium reference to the traditio-historically important Greek manuscripts, ancient translations and New Testament quotations in ancient Christian literature. On the basis of genealogical studies of the first treated with this material completeness of the source text of the Greek New Testament is reconstructed.
By 2030, Editio Critica Maior, the project, which is funded by the Union of German Academies of Sciences, is to be completely.
The beginnings
At the Institute for New Testament Textual Research ( INTF ) have so far been made since its founding in 1959 by Kurt Aland, to partially adventurous expeditions unknown and lost manuscripts found and photographed and collected all known manuscripts and cataloged. The INTF thus came into the possession of more than 90 % of the known material on microfilm or photo.
First evaluation
First mid-1980s, a program was implemented passages. It retired from the uniform texts that are known in the tradition of the Middle Ages formed the main part. After the elimination of these texts is now the primarily of the first millennium relevant to the history of the text material available: in addition to the manuscripts of this period the many of the later, which reflect the older text history. The actual editorial work could begin. The still very high number text historically relevant manuscripts is gradually transcribed and a complete text comparison subject ( Vollkollation ). The results are recorded in databases. This allows for the first time a computer-aided study of the total material. This is in particular the production of genealogical data of importance brighten the text history and especially its beginnings. The specific problems that exist in this tradition, now stand out clearly.
The digitization
The Institute focuses on all levels of his philological work digital methods: manuscripts are recorded in the highest possible quality as digital photos. These photos are the basis for the transcriptions to be created on the computer. With the software Collate the creation of a critical apparatus is then prepared. In addition to the published edition in book form a digital platform is developed that allows online access to all data that are collected while working on the ECM. These mainly include the diplomatic transcripts of all manuscripts used in the ECM and the databases on which the Editio Critica Maior based. In cooperation with the Center for Information Processing at the University of Münster and the University Library, the output data are stored so that a constant availability is guaranteed.
The result
In 1997, the first delivery of this edition was published. Meanwhile, are the " Catholic Epistles " ( Epistle of James, Peter, letters, letters of John, Jude ). At present, the Acts and - in cooperation with the International Greek New Testament Project - the Gospel of John in preparation. In addition to the published edition in book form (with the partial volumes of text, accompanying materials and examinations) is developing a digital platform that allows online access to all data that are collected while working on the ECM. These mainly include the diplomatic transcripts of all manuscripts used in the ECM and the databases on which the ECM is based. But the link to the photos in the virtual manuscript reading room should be successively possible. Part of the digital platform will also be programs that tap the material and allow the user 's own application of coherence -based genealogical method. With the band Catholic Epistles, the ECM takes its beginning. The partial volumes of text and accompanying materials have now been released. The newer editions of the Nestle -Aland 28th edition and in the 5th edition of the Greek New Testament of the United Bible Societies depend on the text for the ECM, as far as she's been published.