Rating: 
Summary: Biblical Studies Major
Review: Metzger, a master of both Koine Greek and textual criticism, takes the stand as a "critical", who sees more weight in the older codices than in the majority text. For this reason, this work is an excellent resource. The book's scope includes an overview of the major papyri, uncials and minuscules. True, he is partial to the critical point of view, but who could blame him? Those who place more weight on the majority text are placing more weight on those codices that are much more recent, and are consequently further from the original. Compare Metzger's work with the pamphlet of Van Bruggen's lecture for both sides of the coin.
Rating:
Summary: Biblical Studies Major
Review: Metzger, a master of both Koine Greek and textual criticism, takes the stand as a "critical", who sees more weight in the older codices than in the majority text. For this reason, this work is an excellent resource. The book's scope includes an overview of the major papyri, uncials and minuscules. True, he is partial to the critical point of view, but who could blame him? Those who place more weight on the majority text are placing more weight on those codices that are much more recent, and are consequently further from the original. Compare Metzger's work with the pamphlet of Van Bruggen's lecture for both sides of the coin.
Rating: 
Summary: Scholarly, but biased.
Review: Mr. Metzger does impressive work and has a tremendous knowledge base. He therefore provides a great deal of useful reference information in this book, which should be accepted with the understanding that he is heavily biased.The reader should know that he is one of the five primaries working with the United Bible Society, in establishing their Greek Text Publications (UBS4 or GNT4). Mr. Metzger (writing name for George Collord), is fully sold on the Alexandrian Text-Type (primarily the Vaticanus Codex B and the Sinaiticus Codex Aleph). He discounts the Byzantine Text-Type. He also totally disregards the notion of Providential Preservation of God's Word, since that eventuality would negate his premise of "Lost then recovered by eminent scholars". God says He will preserve His Word to all generations (not permit It to be lost then recovered 1400 years later): "The Words of the LORD [are] Pure Words: as silver tried in a furnace of earth, purified seven times. Thou shalt keep them, O LORD, THOU SHALT PRESERVE THEM FROM THIS GENERATION FOR EVER." -- Ps.12:6&7 (empasis added).
Rating:
Summary: The most important book on this subject
Review: This book is a vital tool to use in rebutting the Ex Cathedra heresies of the King James Onlyists. Virtually every page contains important information that the KJOs would rather not discuss. (Or discuss out of context, if they acknowledge it at all.) And while this book isn't devoted to KJVOism per se, it is a great resource for the anyone who actually wants to examine the evidence for himself, rather than relying on the words of Ruckman, Riplinger, Cloud, Waite, Grady, etc... For example, while Westcott-Hort are condemned by the KJVO crowd, Erasmus is practically placed on a throne and his own heresies are ignored. His tampering with the text is overlooked while Westcott-Hort are branded as every sort of apostate and heretic imaginable. One standard is applied to Westcott-Hort, another is applied to Erasmus. Was the text perserved? Of course it was. Just not in the manner that some would have you believe. There was no additional "moving" of the Spirit over Erasmus, the KJV translators, or Benjamin Blayney to prevent them from making errors. Let Rome have it's Ex Cathedra doctrine. A word of warning: This book is deep. It goes into a lot of detail regarding various Greek and Latin manuscripts, as well as early versions and Patristic quotations. It takes time to absorb everything this book contains. But don't give up! To truly understand the implications and details of the whole Bible version controversy, one needs a working knowledge of just how the Bible itself was transmitted down through history.
Rating:
Summary: The most important book on this subject
Review: This book is a vital tool to use in rebutting the Ex Cathedra heresies of the King James Onlyists. Virtually every page contains important information that the KJOs would rather not discuss. (Or discuss out of context, if they acknowledge it at all.) And while this book isn't devoted to KJVOism per se, it is a great resource for the anyone who actually wants to examine the evidence for himself, rather than relying on the words of Ruckman, Riplinger, Cloud, Waite, Grady, etc... For example, while Westcott-Hort are condemned by the KJVO crowd, Erasmus is practically placed on a throne and his own heresies are ignored. His tampering with the text is overlooked while Westcott-Hort are branded as every sort of apostate and heretic imaginable. One standard is applied to Westcott-Hort, another is applied to Erasmus. Was the text perserved? Of course it was. Just not in the manner that some would have you believe. There was no additional "moving" of the Spirit over Erasmus, the KJV translators, or Benjamin Blayney to prevent them from making errors. Let Rome have it's Ex Cathedra doctrine. A word of warning: This book is deep. It goes into a lot of detail regarding various Greek and Latin manuscripts, as well as early versions and Patristic quotations. It takes time to absorb everything this book contains. But don't give up! To truly understand the implications and details of the whole Bible version controversy, one needs a working knowledge of just how the Bible itself was transmitted down through history.
Rating:
Summary: A must
Review: This is a difficult read. It was one of my texts for a seminary Greek exegesis class. Worth reading--in fact, every Christian should be familar with the information presented in this book. The difficulty should not scare you away... it is a worth the time spent reading. I found that summarizing each chapter of this great work is the best way to experience it. This is no book for casual reading; it demands care.
Rating:
Summary: Metzger, A job well done!!
Review: This is a great book by Metzger, a must for any serious bible student. Goes to show why the KJV, or the Textus Receptus should be avoided when studying the New Testament Greek it is to modern of a text to be used. It is riddled with flaws so I would recomend the 27th addition of the New Testament Greek by Nestle & Aland witch used the most ancient munuscipts and Texts. The restoration part of this book is also very good, proving that the prophet mohommud of Isam was never even mentioned in the Bible the way Islamic's claim proving that he was a fraud. I would seriously recomend a book called Christians and Muslims at the tabled to prove Islam is not legit according to Islam scholars. Metzger book is a great study guide and proves to be very useful in better understanding the NTG.
Rating:
Summary: Excellent Treatment, but...
Review: This is the classic work on New Testament textual criticism. It is thorough, clear, and actually entertaining. However, it does need rewriting. The text of the book has not been changed since 1968. The author has just added appendices as new evidence comes to light. This makes the book a little cumbersome at times to read. Rewriting the appendices into the body of the text would make this book even more useful.
Rating:
Summary: Excellent Treatment, but...
Review: This is the classic work on New Testament textual criticism. It is thorough, clear, and actually entertaining. However, it does need rewriting. The text of the book has not been changed since 1968. The author has just added appendices as new evidence comes to light. This makes the book a little cumbersome at times to read. Rewriting the appendices into the body of the text would make this book even more useful.
Rating:
Summary: Excellent Introduction
Review: This text provides and excellent introduction to the history of the development of the text of the New Testament. In doing so, Metzger makes am implicit argument for the value of textual criticism. At the same time, one senses a real passion for New Testament scholarship. This is a good companion to anyone learning Koine Greek and wanting to understand the history behing the study of New Testament texts
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