john stevenson, 2013 revelation. can our copies of the bible be trusted?
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© John Stevenson, 2013
RevelationRevelation
Can our copies of the Bible be Can our copies of the Bible be trusted?trusted?
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Scholarly work with available manuscripts Scholarly work with available manuscripts aimed at the recovery within the limits of aimed at the recovery within the limits of
possibility of the original text.possibility of the original text.
Looks at outside factors of the bookLooks at outside factors of the book
• Who wrote the book?Who wrote the book?• Where was it written?Where was it written?• What outside factors influenced What outside factors influenced
its writing?its writing?• Why was the book written?Why was the book written?
Also known as “Textual Criticism”Also known as “Textual Criticism”
• What does the passage say?What does the passage say?• Examines all available Examines all available
manuscriptsmanuscripts• Origen’s Hexapla did such a Origen’s Hexapla did such a
study of the Old Testament in study of the Old Testament in 250 A.D.250 A.D.
Therefore there is now no condemnation for Therefore there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus (NAS).those who are in Christ Jesus (NAS).
There is There is therefore now no condemnation to therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit (KJV).not after the flesh, but after the Spirit (KJV).
Unintentional Errors
• From Faulty Eyesight
Intentional Changes
God (Qeoj) was manifest in the flesh
He (Oj) was manifest in the flesh
Unintentional Errors
• From Faulty Eyesight• From Faulty Hearing• From the Mind
Intentional Changes
Mark 14:65Mark 14:65• They struck (They struck (elabonelabon))• They received (They received (eballoneballon))
Unintentional Errors
• From Faulty Eyesight• From Faulty Hearing• From the Mind• Additions due to personal
notes
Intentional Changes
Unintentional Errors
• From Faulty Eyesight• From Faulty Hearing• From the Mind• Additions due to personal
notes
Intentional Changes
• Spelling and grammatical updates
• Modernization of names and places
• Attempted harmonization
Original TextOriginal Text
BabylonianBabylonianFamilyFamily
OldOldPalestinianPalestinian
FamilyFamily
EgyptianEgyptianFamilyFamily
RabbinicRabbinicFamilyFamily
MassoreticMassoreticFamilyFamily
LateLatePalestinianPalestinian
FamilyFamily
SeptuagintSeptuagintSamaritanSamaritanTextsTexts
Textual Family Description Dates
Proto AlexandrianProto Alexandrian Siniaticus, Siniaticus, VaticanusVaticanus
22ndnd – 4 – 4thth CenturyCentury
AlexandrianAlexandrian Ephraemi Ephraemi RescriptusRescriptus
33rdrd – 12 – 12thth CenturyCentury
WesternWestern LatinLatin 33rdrd – 13 – 13thth CenturyCentury
ByzantineByzantine Textus Receptus, Textus Receptus, KJVKJV
55thth – 10 – 10thth CenturyCentury
““It thus develops that we do not It thus develops that we do not have an embarrassing welter of have an embarrassing welter of
three thousand manuscripts three thousand manuscripts disagreeing in confusing ways, disagreeing in confusing ways,
but that these manuscripts have but that these manuscripts have been copied with considerable been copied with considerable
care from a few old and care from a few old and standard editions.”standard editions.”
(Dr. Laird Harris, Inspiration and (Dr. Laird Harris, Inspiration and Canonicity of the Bible; Page Canonicity of the Bible; Page
91).91).
• The Early Text is to be Preferred.The Early Text is to be Preferred.• The Shorter Text is to be Preferred.The Shorter Text is to be Preferred.• Diverse Geographical Reading is to Diverse Geographical Reading is to
be Preferred.be Preferred.• The More Difficult Reading is to be The More Difficult Reading is to be
Preferred.Preferred.