Modern Textual Criticism:
Modern textual criticism is a scholarly discipline that involves the analysis and comparison of different manuscript copies of ancient texts, particularly those of the Bible. This discipline has become increasingly skeptical in nature since the acceptance of the Westcott and Hort theories of “reconstruction”. Its primary goal has evolved into a stated objective of reconstructing the original wording of a text by identifying variations and errors that may have occurred during the process of transmission. Presupposing the doctrine of divine preservation to be false and holding the skeptical view that we do not have in the traditional text God’s Preserved Word. They accomplish this by significantly overstating the importance of two older manuscripts over the majority of texts the church has always considered “received”. Modern textual critics attempt to utilize a range of methodologies, including the examination of manuscript evidence, linguistic analysis, and historical context, to theoretically determine the most accurate representation of the original text.
The science of attempting to reconstruct the text of documents -Don Stewart, BlueLetterBible
Textual criticism is the study of these manuscripts in an attempt to determine what the original reading actually was. -S. Michael Houdmann, GotQuestions.org
Textual criticism is the discipline that, it’s both a science and an art that has as it’s fundamental goal to reconstruct the wording of an original document whose manuscripts no longer exist, or we don’t know where they are. –Don Wallace, Zondervan Academic
Textual criticism is an amazingly difficult and complicated science… which seeks to reconstruct the original readings of the biblical manuscripts. – Bill Mounce, BillMounce.com JANUARY 25, 2021
“Did God Really Say…?”
In Genesis 3:1, the serpent approaches Eve in the Garden of Eden and questions the veracity of God’s command concerning the fruit of the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil. The serpent’s insidious inquiry, “Has God really said?” is the opening salvo in the temptation narrative, subtly sowing doubt about the clarity and reliability of God’s communication.
Say What?
At first glance, modern textual criticism and the serpent’s question may seem unrelated. However, a deeper exploration reveals an intriguing parallel. Just as the serpent’s question sought to undermine Eve’s confidence in the authoritative word of God, modern textual criticism engages in a similar quest, albeit for scholarly purposes.
- Doubt and Inquiry: The serpent’s question aimed to create doubt about God’s word, planting the seeds of skepticism. In a similar vein, modern textual criticism acknowledges that variations and discrepancies have entered the biblical text over time, prompting scholars to critically examine and question the accuracy of transmitted manuscripts.
- Integrity of the Word: While the serpent’s question was intended to cast doubt on the integrity of God’s command, modern textual criticism seeks to ensure the integrity of the biblical text. By meticulously studying manuscript evidence and linguistic features, textual critics strive to restore the most faithful representation of the original wording, enhancing the reliability of the text for scholarly and faith-based purposes.
- Navigating Uncertainty: Both situations involve navigating uncertainty. Eve faced uncertainty about God’s intentions, and modern textual critics grapple with uncertainties about which textual variant represents the original reading. In both cases, the quest for truth and understanding is central.
- Faith and Scholarship: Just as Eve was required to exercise discernment and make choices in response to the serpent’s challenge, believers and scholars engage with textual criticism as an exercise in responsible scholarship and faith. The goal is to uncover the most accurate representation of God’s inspired Word, even in the face of challenges and uncertainties.
- Ignoring the Obvious: Eve had no need to defend the command God had given to Adam, which had been passed down to her. Her attempt to do so resulted in deception, leading to sin and death. Similarly, textual critics are not required to undertake the task of reconstructing the Word of God. Instead, they should rely on the assurance that God has upheld His promise to preserve His Word, just as He declared.
In essence, the serpent’s question in Genesis 3:1 raises broader questions about the nature of trust, doubt, and the reliability of communication. Similarly, modern textual criticism engages with these themes as it seeks to ascertain the genuine words of Scripture amidst the complexities of textual transmission. While their motivations and contexts differ, both the serpent’s question and modern textual criticism highlight the importance of discernment and faithful pursuit of truth.
Doctrine of Preservation
Must we reconstruct that which has been preserved? If God has preserved his word as he promised he would then our only role is to receive and deliver (1 Corinthians 15:3-4). With reflective contemplation consider the following scriptures. Please look them up and examine their context and then with the prayerful reliance of the Holy Spirit renew your mind to the truth within them. Do they teach that textual criticism is something we should be engaged in? Instead we should see if the Bible we have today is the same bible the reformers trusted , is it the same bible that the remnant church trusted, is it the same bible the early church fathers quoted? This will rule out the Mormon books, the Apocrypha, the New World Translation, the Passion Translation along with the ESV, NIV, NET, etc.
“Know now that there shall fall unto the earth nothing of the word of the LORD” (2 Kings 10:10).
“The words of the LORD are pure words: as silver tried in a furnace of earth, purified seven times. Thou shalt keep them, O LORD; thou shalt preserve them from this generation for ever” (Psa. 12:6,7).
“The law of the LORD is perfect converting the soul: the testimony of the LORD is sure, making wise the simple” (Psa. 19:7).
“The counsel of the Lord standeth for ever, the thoughts of his heart to all generations” (Psa. 33:11).
“For the LORD is good, his mercy is everlasting; and his truth endureth to all generations” (Psa. 100:5).
“For ever, O LORD, thy word is settled in heaven” (Psa. 119:39).
“Thy word is very pure: therefore thy servant loveth it” (Psa. 119:140).
“Concerning thy testimonies, I have known of old that thou hast founded them for ever” (Psa. 119:152).
“Thy word is true from the beginning: and every one of thy righteous “Every judgments endureth for ever” (Psa. 119:160).
“Every word of God is pure…” (Prov. 30:5).
“The grass withereth, the flower fadeth: but the word of our God shall stand for ever” (Isa. 40:8).
“So shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it” (Isa. 55:11).
“For verily I say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled” (Matt. 5:18).
“Heaven and earth shall pass away, but my words shall not pass away” (Matt. 24:35).
“And it is easier for heaven and earth to pass, than one tittle of the law to fail” (Luke 16:17).
“The scripture cannot be broken” (John 10:35).
“Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which liveth and abideth for ever” (1 Pet. 1:23).
“But the word of the Lord endureth for ever” (1 Pet. 1:25).
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