Testing the Text€¦ · Codex Vaticanus ~325AD Codex ALexandrinus ~325AD Chester Beatty Papyri...

transcript

Testing the Text -

The Bible is True

Testing the Text -

The Bible is True

Txt Messaging

Familiar with texting Normally not very important Unfamiliar language No capitals, little punctuation Example:-

Hi cant w8 2 c u :-)

Txt Messaging

Familiar with texting Normally not very important Unfamiliar language No capitals, little punctuation Example:-

Hi cant w8 2 c u :-)

When the text does matter

Modern Challenge

“The Bible is 1000s of years old written by unknown authors with their own agendas. It has many errors introduced by copying and translation and it simply can’t be trusted.”

Counter this challenge

Modern Challenge

“The Bible is 1000s of years old written by unknown authors with their own agendas. It has many errors introduced by copying and translation and it simply can’t be trusted.”

Counter this challenge

What does the Bible claim?

The Bible Claim . . .

God is the author

The Bible Claim . . .

God is the author 2 Timothy 3:16-17

The Bible is inspired by God

God Caused Men to Speak

“Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation. For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Spirit.”

2 Peter 1:20-21

Important Point

2 Timothy 3:15 Holy scriptures make us wise unto salvation

through faith

Bible should be read as a whole It has repetitions - emphasize its teaching Context is essential for understanding Shouldn’t accept any doctrine based on just

one passage

Important Point

2 Timothy 3:15 Holy scriptures make us wise unto salvation

through faith

Bible should be read as a whole It has repetitions - emphasize its teaching Context is essential for understanding Shouldn’t accept any doctrine based on just

one passage

Don’t rely on 1 word or passage

Alleged Mistakes?

First accusation:- Errors introduced during copying:-

Intentional (to change meaning) Accidental (but errors nonetheless)

Old Testament Timeline

0 500AD 1000AD500BC1000BC

Old Testament completed

0 500AD 1000AD500BC1000BC

650BC Book of Isaiah

completed

0 500AD 1000AD500BC1000BC

completed

900AD Oldest Hebrew

manuscript

0 500AD 1000AD500BC1000BC

completed

900AD Oldest Hebrew

manuscript

1300 yearsOpportunity for errors to

creep in

0 500AD 1000AD500BC1000BC

completed

900AD Oldest Hebrew

manuscript

1300 yearsOpportunity for errors to

creep in

Answer to this problem?

Hebrew Scribes

“Masorite” from “MASORAH” = "tradition" Guardians of Jewish tradition 7th-11th century scribes

Passionate concern with their special statistics E.g. 1st letter on any line of any page of any scroll In all 24 books of the Hebrew Bible

Masorites systemised vowel pointing Hebrew contains no written vowels Helped fix the pronunciation of Hebrew words

Hebrew Scribes

“Masorite” from “MASORAH” = "tradition" Guardians of Jewish tradition 7th-11th century scribes

Passionate concern with their special statistics E.g. 1st letter on any line of any page of any scroll In all 24 books of the Hebrew Bible

Masorites systemised vowel pointing Hebrew contains no written vowels Helped fix the pronunciation of Hebrew words

What about before the Masorites?

Copying the Old Testament

Rules in Talmud for copying text:- Written on the skin of a clean animal Prepared by a Jew Fastened together with strings taken from clean

animals

The copyist must... Wash his whole body & sit in full Jewish dress Not begin name of God with a pen newly dipped in

ink If a king speaks to him while writing God’s name

he must take no notice

Copying the Old Testament

Rules in Talmud for copying text:- Written on the skin of a clean animal Prepared by a Jew Fastened together with strings taken from clean

animals

The copyist must... Wash his whole body & sit in full Jewish dress Not begin name of God with a pen newly dipped in

ink If a king speaks to him while writing God’s name

he must take no notice

If mistake made, not allowed to erase it or cross it out, but ruined page thrown away & started anew

Copy Requirements...

Each volume 48-60 lines & breadth =30 letters Whole copy must be lined No deviation from the original No word or letter to be written from memory Space of hair must intervene between every consonant Breadth of 9 consonants must intervene between every

new paragraph or section Between every book, 3 line spaces 5th book of Moses must end exactly on a line

Copy Requirements...

Each volume 48-60 lines & breadth =30 letters Whole copy must be lined No deviation from the original No word or letter to be written from memory Space of hair must intervene between every consonant Breadth of 9 consonants must intervene between every

new paragraph or section Between every book, 3 line spaces 5th book of Moses must end exactly on a line

Scribes took every care to ensure copy was perfect - as authoritative as original

A Discovery at Qumran

0 500AD 1000AD500BC1000BC

~650BC Book of Isaiah

completed

900AD Oldest Hebrew

manuscriptPrevious gap

Isaiah>1500 years

0 500AD 1000AD500BC1000BC

completed

900AD Oldest Hebrew

manuscript

0 500AD 1000AD500BC1000BC

completed

900AD Oldest Hebrew

manuscript

Dead Sea scrolls Isaiah

Manuscript200BC

0 500AD 1000AD500BC1000BC

completed

900AD Oldest Hebrew

manuscript

Dead Sea scrolls Isaiah

Manuscript200BC

Much closer to original

Reliability of OT Texts

“Astounding” correspondence between Isaiah 53 in MT & scroll of Qumran 166 words in Isaiah 53 Only 17 letters different to Hebrew Bible 10 letters changes in spelling 4 letters minor stylistic changes 3 letters extra - “light” (v11)

Supported by LXX “After the travail of his soul he shall see light

and be satisfied”

No change in meaning

and be satisfied”Old Testament text is reliable

No change in meaning

What about NT Texts?

Are the ancient Greek texts reliable? Yes they are and there are a lot of them! 5300 ancient manuscripts Compare with writing of Julius Caesar

10 manuscripts

New Testament Timeline

1500AD 2000AD500AD0

AD90 New

Testament completed

34 complete

Greek manuscripts

9th-15th Century

1000AD

1500AD 2000AD500AD0

AD90 New

Testament completed

34 complete

Greek manuscripts

9th-15th Century

Codex Sinaiticus~340AD

1000AD

1500AD 2000AD500AD0

AD90 New

Testament completed

34 complete

Greek manuscripts

9th-15th Century

1000AD

Codex Vaticanus~325AD

1500AD 2000AD500AD0

AD90 New

Testament completed

34 complete

Greek manuscripts

9th-15th Century

1000AD

Codex ALexandrinus

~325AD

1500AD 2000AD500AD0

AD90 New

Testament completed

34 complete

Greek manuscripts

9th-15th Century

1000AD

Codex ALexandrinus

~325AD

Chester Beatty Papyri ~250

1500AD 2000AD500AD0

AD90 New

Testament completed

34 complete

Greek manuscripts

9th-15th Century

1000AD

Codex ALexandrinus

~325AD

ADBodmer Papyri II ~200 AD

1500AD 2000AD500AD0

AD90 New

Testament completed

34 complete

Greek manuscripts

9th-15th Century

1000AD

Codex ALexandrinus

~325AD

ADBodmer Papyri II ~200 AD John

Rylands Papyri

117-138 AD

Uncial Codices

Codex Siniaticus

Uncial Codices

Codex SiniaticusHow it might look in English

FORTHEGRACEOFGDBRINGING

SALVATIONHATHAPPEAREDTOALLMNTEACHINGUSTHATDENYINGUNGODLINESSANDWORDLYLUSTWESHOULDLIVESOBERLYANDGODLYINTHISPRESENT

EVILWORLDLOOKINGFORTHAT(Titus 2:11,12)

Reliability of NT Texts

Most of papyri fragmentary Only about 50 manuscripts contain entire NT ~300,000 individual variations of NT text

Number is very misleading Most differences completely inconsequential

Spelling errors Inverted phrases

Scholars confident they can identify original text

Most of papyri fragmentary Only about 50 manuscripts contain entire NT ~300,000 individual variations of NT text

Number is very misleading Most differences completely inconsequential

Spelling errors Inverted phrases

Scholars confident they can identify original text

Aunt Sally’s Recipe

99.5% is absolutely accurate Text of 20,000 lines, only 40 lines in doubt (400

words) None affects any significant doctrine

Examples:- Mark 16:9-20 John 8:1-11

99.5% is absolutely accurate Text of 20,000 lines, only 40 lines in doubt (400

words) None affects any significant doctrine

Examples:- Mark 16:9-20 John 8:1-11

NT Greek text is reliable

Next Question?

What about translations? Are they reliable representations of original

Hebrew & Greek?

Yes! Lots of scholars quick to point out errors

Different translations tested & compared Literal translations

Attempt to translate word for word Paraphrases can be useful

Next Question?

What about translations? Are they reliable representations of original

Hebrew & Greek?

Yes! Lots of scholars quick to point out errors

Different translations tested & compared Literal translations

Attempt to translate word for word Paraphrases can be useful

Translational errors are not a problem

Remember

“You have known the Holy scriptures, which are able to make you wise unto salvation through faith”

Bible should be read as a whole It has repetitions - emphasize its teaching Context is essential for understanding Do not accept any doctrine based on just

one passage

Remember

“You have known the Holy scriptures, which are able to make you wise unto salvation through faith”

Bible should be read as a whole It has repetitions - emphasize its teaching Context is essential for understanding Do not accept any doctrine based on just

one passage

Read the whole of the Bible

Tips on Reading

Prepare time to read the Bible A reading plan helps

Listen for echoes Ask questions during your reading session When you don’t understand

Be patient Use another translation Find out the historical setting Ask someone experienced

Tips on Reading

Prepare time to read the Bible A reading plan helps

Listen for echoes Ask questions during your reading session When you don’t understand

Be patient Use another translation Find out the historical setting Ask someone experienced

Your answers are in the Bible!

What’s stopping you?

Testing the Text€¦ · Codex Vaticanus ~325AD Codex ALexandrinus ~325AD Chester Beatty Papyri...

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