Training The Next Generation of Scholars
When Dr. Daniel B. Wallace founded the Center for the Study of New Testament Manuscripts in 2002, he included his academic interns in many aspects of CSNTM’s work. As the Center grew, interns became more involved which led to a finely-tuned CSNTM internship. Beyond making incredible contributions to the work of CSNTM, interns have gone on to produce excellent scholarly work. Under the direction of Dr. Wallace and CSNTM staff, many interns have gone on to receive PhDs from prestigious institutions such as Cambridge, Edinburgh, St Andrews, Baylor, Birmingham, Yale, Exeter, and The Catholic University of America.
The Program
Reading and Interaction with New Testament Textual Criticism Literature
Interns read over 1,000 pages of foundational literature in New Testament textual criticism. Every few weeks, interns take turns leading the other students and CSNTM research staff in a reading seminar, discussing a selection from the broader reading list. After completing the initial reading list, interns will interact with the most recent journal articles, monographs, and other contributions to the field of New Testament textual criticism. With guidance from Dr. Wallace and the research staff, each student is encouraged to read further in areas within New Testament manuscript studies that relate to their personal research project.
Lectures and Meetings
Interns participate in meetings with Dr. Wallace and the CSNTM team. The cohort participates in the Center’s work throughout the year and will participate in all necessary meeting for assigned work. Beyond office meetings, interns will regularly meet with Dr. Wallace for academic guidance and discussion of a selection of topics. Two to three times each semester the group meets with Dr. Wallace for an extended amount of time to discuss special topics.
Personal Research Project
Over the course of the internship year, each student works on a personal project that they will present as a paper at the end of the term. Interns are permitted to choose any topic within the field of New Testament textual criticism and manuscript studies. Dr. Wallace, the intern coordinator, and the research staff will advise students throughout the research process to aid them in producing an excellent final product. CSNTM encourages the interns to aim to produce a paper that they would be able to present at an academic conference after their internship year.
Textual Criticism and Manuscript Research Activities
The CSNTM research team and Dr. Wallace will lead interns in a variety of workshops and activities to give them practical experience in the field of New Testament textual criticism. Research staff members lead workshops on reading minuscule handwriting, using computer tools in working with manuscripts, and using different critical editions of the Greek New Testament. The group also completes and discusses text critical assignments—collation, transcription, and solving textual problems—to grow in proficiency. Finally, Dr. Wallace provides hands-on training on how to examine and collect data on manuscripts.
CSNTM Work
One day a week interns join the CSNTM staff in the office and participate in the work. Along with special training assignments, interns are given work that assists the research team in their work. Interns contribute significantly to Scripture indexing and transcribing manuscript images in the CSNTM digital collection. The cohort also provides support to other departments and helps execute special events.
Program Requirements
CSNTM accepts applicants currently in master’s level graduate programs or who have completed a master’s program in biblical studies and desire (or be open) to pursuing doctoral work. Students must demonstrate strong proficiency in working with New Testament Greek and proven excellence in academic work. While we accept students who major in areas outside of New Testament studies, we prefer that they show interest and experience in the field.
Cohorts begin in May and will work with CSNTM until the following May. During the summer, interns will complete assigned reading and make preparations for the fall at their own pace. Starting in August and until the following May, interns will meet weekly at the CSNTM offices near Dallas, TX. Special meetings with Dr. Wallace will also occur in person at the CSNTM offices or other local meeting spots.
Because many of the activities occur in person at the CSNTM offices, we prefer local students. If a remote student meets the program requirements and can commit to the same workload that the local cohort completes during the year, we will accept them as remote interns. Remote interns, however, must commit to traveling to the Dallas area for special topics meetings and CSNTM events.