Category Archives: Bible
Textual Criticism
- To our knowledge, we do not have any original manuscripts. We only have copies.
- In the copies that we do have, there are many variants, perhaps between 300,000 to 400,000 of them. (Patton)
- There are 643 copies of Homer’s Iliad
- There are 8 copies of Herodotus’ History, the earliest from 900 A.D., 1,350 years after the original
- There are 10 copies of Caesar’s Gallic Wars, the earliest from 900 years, 1000 years after the original
- “The average classical author’s literary remains number no more than twenty copies” (Wallace)
- Spelling and nonsense readings – 75%. Most are from a movable nu
- Changes that can’t be translated; synonyms – word order is different (ex. “Jesus Christ” to “Christ Jesus”)
- Real changes, but not likely to be the original – there is significance to what is being said, but there is really no chance that it could be the original wording (because there are older and more trustworthy text against it)
- Real changes, and possibly the original – less than 1%, with no cardinal belief at stake.
- The largest ones are John 8 and Mark 16
- Christ’s virgin birth, sacrificial death, resurrection, and return are not questioned. We are still sinners, saved by grace alone, through faith alone.
- Date. As a general rule, the earlier the date, the better.
- Geographic Distribution. When there is wide geographic distribution (i.e., the manuscript has representation in multiple areas), this adds to its authenticity since it evidences multiple early attestations through its wide geographic distribution.
- Number of manuscripts.
- The harder reading is usually closer to the original. Scribes would normally smooth out difficulties rather than add them.
- The shorter reading is usually closer to the original.
- “What do you mean by that?” – They probably are repeating someone else’s idea and would struggle to put it in their own words.
- “How did you come to that conclusion?” -They need to give some proof for their conclusions.
- “Can I should you some other evidence?” – If they say no, you haven’t made them angry. If they say yes, they have committed themselves to hear you out.
The Most Precious Treasures Are in the Most Difficult Things by Jon Bloom
Here is an excellent and encouraging post by Jon Bloom:
“Hebrews 11 is there to remind you that God is doing far more than you can see in your agonies, these things that are so, so hard and at times seem unbearable. You plead for God to deliver you from them and you wonder why he just keeps letting them go on.
You are in good company. This is how your brothers and sisters throughout history have also felt, most of who are now in the great cloud of witnesses encouraging you to hold on and not give up (Hebrews 12:1). And what they are encouraging you to do mainly is trust God’s promises for you over your perceptions. Faith is “the conviction of things not seen.” Promises will hold you up; perceptions will likely sink you.”
Read all of here: The Most Precious Treasures Are in the Most Difficult Things
Bible Studies
Four Marks of Fruit-Bearing Christianity « J.C. Ryle Quotes
I read this at Four Marks of Fruit-Bearing Christianity « J.C. Ryle Quotes:
~ J.C. Ryle
How to Backslide in 9 Easy Steps by Tim Challis
How to Backslide in 9 Easy Steps:
A few days ago I shared John Bunyan’s wisdom on why some who profess faith in Christ eventually backslide. Today I want to follow him a little bit farther. Having covered the why, I’ve now drawn from Pilgrim’s Progress instruction on the how. In each case I’ve given my short summary followed by Bunyan’s own words. Here is how to backslide in nine easy steps:
- Stop meditating on the gospel. “They draw off their thoughts, all that they may, from the remembrance of God, death, and judgment to come.”
- Neglect your devotions and stop battling sin. “Then they cast off by degrees private duties, as closet prayer, curbing their lusts, watching, sorrow for sin, and the like.”
- Isolate yourself from Christian fellowship. “Then they shun the company of lively and warm Christians.”
- Stop going to church. “After that, they grow cold to public duty, as hearing, reading, godly conference, and the like.”
- Determine that Christians are hypocrites because they continue to sin. “They then begin to pick holes, as we say, in the coats of some of the godly, and that devilishly, that they may have a seeming color to throw religion (for the sake of some infirmities they have espied in them) behind their backs.”
- Trade Christian community for distinctly unChristian company. “Then they begin to adhere to, and associate themselves with, carnal, loose, and wanton men.”
- Pursue rebellious conversation and fellowship. “Then they give way to carnal and wanton discourses in secret; and glad are they if they can see such things in any that are counted honest, that they may the more boldly do it through their example.”
- Allow yourself to enjoy some small, sinful pleasures. “After this they begin to play with little sins openly.”
- Admit what you are and prepare yourself for everlasting torment. “And then, being hardened, they show themselves as they are. Thus, being launched again into the gulf of misery, unless a miracle of grace prevent it, they everlastingly perish in their own deceivings.”
Justin Taylor: Just How Big Is God and How Small Are We?
Here is an excellent post to challenge our self-focused view of the universe.
I especially appreciated the extended quote from J.B. Phillips’s New Testament Christianity, entitled “The Angels’ Point of View (or, The Visited Planet).”
Ancient Manuscripts
If the words “textual criticism” make you yawn, but you have read a portion of the Bible, you should read this helpful post by Daniel Wallace.
The truth is – there was no version of the Bible which was handed down from heaven in a nice leather binding and with Scofield’s notes (sorry to burst any bubbles).
However – we have an “embarrassing amount of manuscripts” available which allow us to have God’s Word in our hands.
Please take a few minutes to read this article, and then thank God for what he has given to us.
James 1:19-21
I consider looseness with words no less of a defect than looseness of the bowels. —John Calvin
Anger
JAMES 1:19-20
KNOW THIS, MY BELOVED BROTHERS: LET EVERY PERSON BE QUICK TO HEAR, SLOW TO SPEAK, SLOW TO ANGER; FOR THE ANGER OF MAN DOES NOT PRODUCE THE RIGHTEOUSNESS THAT GOD REQUIRES.
Here are two resources available to you for better understanding and handling anger. I would recommend that you read through the overview sheet and a few of the books noted on the back. The principles found in the heart journal ought to be employed after any sin.
Crystal compiled the overview sheet and has added some helpful books on the back. Much of the information was taken from those books.