As we continue in chapter 4 of "More Than A Carpenter", we will look at the "bibliographical test". Josh defines this as, "...an examination of the textual transmission by which documents reach us. In other words, not having the original documents, how reliable are the copies we have in regard to the number of manuscripts (MSS) and extant copies?"(the copies we have today)
The writings of secular authors aren't questioned nearly as harshly as the Bible is. The earliest MSS can be up to 1400 yrs after the original, but they are thought to be good copies. Added to that, there may be only a few copies, but their authenticity isn't questioned.
There is a super abundance of copies of the New Testament. There are over 20,000 copies! They are from only 130-155 AD. No secular work has copies so close to the original that I know of.
Josh quoted Sir Frederic Kenyon, "Who was the director and principal librarian at the British Museum and second to none in authority in issuing statements about manuscripts, concludes: "The interval then between the dates of original composition and the earliest extant evidence becomes so small as to be in fact negligible, and the last foundation for any doubt that the Scriptures have come down to us substantially as they were written has now been removed. Both the authenticity and the general integrity of the books of the New Testament may be regarded as finally established."
Josh closed this "test" with, "The application of the bibliographical test to the New Testament assures us that it has more manuscript authority than any piece of literature from antiquity. Adding to that authority the more than 100 years of intensive New Testament textual criticism, one can conclude that an authentic New Testament text has been established."
I believe the evidence that we have the same text that was originally written is overwhelming. We have a Bible that we absolutely CAN BELIEVE!
Very Sincerely,
Rick
The writings of secular authors aren't questioned nearly as harshly as the Bible is. The earliest MSS can be up to 1400 yrs after the original, but they are thought to be good copies. Added to that, there may be only a few copies, but their authenticity isn't questioned.
There is a super abundance of copies of the New Testament. There are over 20,000 copies! They are from only 130-155 AD. No secular work has copies so close to the original that I know of.
Josh quoted Sir Frederic Kenyon, "Who was the director and principal librarian at the British Museum and second to none in authority in issuing statements about manuscripts, concludes: "The interval then between the dates of original composition and the earliest extant evidence becomes so small as to be in fact negligible, and the last foundation for any doubt that the Scriptures have come down to us substantially as they were written has now been removed. Both the authenticity and the general integrity of the books of the New Testament may be regarded as finally established."
Josh closed this "test" with, "The application of the bibliographical test to the New Testament assures us that it has more manuscript authority than any piece of literature from antiquity. Adding to that authority the more than 100 years of intensive New Testament textual criticism, one can conclude that an authentic New Testament text has been established."
I believe the evidence that we have the same text that was originally written is overwhelming. We have a Bible that we absolutely CAN BELIEVE!
Very Sincerely,
Rick
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