Biblical manuscript - Revision history

Nick at 02:12, 14 November 2016

2016-11-14T02:12:00Z

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	[[Caspar René Gregory]] published another cataloging system in 1908 in ''Die griechischen Handschriften des Neuen Testaments'', which is the system still in use today. Gregory divided the manuscripts into 4 groupings: papyri, uncials, minuscules, and [[Lectionary\|lectionaries]]. This division is partially arbitrary. The first grouping is based on the physical material ([[papyrus]]) used in the manuscripts. The second two divisions are based on script: uncial and minuscule. The last grouping is based on content: lectionary. Most of the papyrus manuscripts and the lectionaries before the year 1000 are written in uncial script. However, there is some consistency in that the majority of the papyri are very early because parchment began to replace papyrus in the 4th century (although the latest papyri dates to the 8th century). Similarly, the majority of the uncials date to before the 11th century, and the majority of the minuscules to after.<sup>[]</sup>		[[Caspar René Gregory]] published another cataloging system in 1908 in ''Die griechischen Handschriften des Neuen Testaments'', which is the system still in use today. Gregory divided the manuscripts into 4 groupings: papyri, uncials, minuscules, and [[Lectionary\|lectionaries]]. This division is partially arbitrary. The first grouping is based on the physical material ([[papyrus]]) used in the manuscripts. The second two divisions are based on script: uncial and minuscule. The last grouping is based on content: lectionary. Most of the papyrus manuscripts and the lectionaries before the year 1000 are written in uncial script. However, there is some consistency in that the majority of the papyri are very early because parchment began to replace papyrus in the 4th century (although the latest papyri dates to the 8th century). Similarly, the majority of the uncials date to before the 11th century, and the majority of the minuscules to after.<sup>[]</sup>

	Gregory assigned the papyri a prefix of '''P''', often written in [[blackletter]] script (<~~math~~>~~\mathfrak{P}~~</~~math~~><sup>n</sup>), with a superscript numeral. The uncials were given a prefix of the number 0, and the established letters for the major manuscripts were retained for redundancy (''i.e.'' [[Codex Claromontanus]] is assigned both '''06''' and '''D'''). The minuscules were given plain numbers, and the lectionaries were prefixed with '''''l''''' often written in script ('''ℓ'''). [[Kurt Aland]] continued Gregory's cataloging work through the 1950s and beyond. Because of this, the numbering system is often referred to as "Gregory-Aland numbers". The most recent manuscripts added to each grouping are <~~math~~>~~\mathfrak{P}~~</~~math~~>[[Papyrus 124\|<sup>124</sup>]], [[Uncial 0318\|0318]], [[Minuscule 2882\|2882]], and ''ℓ'' 2281. Due to the cataloging heritage and because some manuscripts which were initially numbered separately were discovered to be from the same codex, there is some redundancy in the list (''i.e.'' the [[Magdalen papyrus]] has both the numbers of <~~math~~>~~\mathfrak{P}~~</~~math~~>[[Papyrus 64\|<sup>64</sup>]] and <~~math~~>~~\mathfrak{P}~~</~~math~~>[[Papyrus 67\|<sup>67</sup>]]).<sup>[]</sup>		Gregory assigned the papyri a prefix of '''P''', often written in [[blackletter]] script (<small>[[Image:C3945eee4633c095c5059f9a67aca5f7.png]]</small><sup>n</sup>), with a superscript numeral. The uncials were given a prefix of the number 0, and the established letters for the major manuscripts were retained for redundancy (''i.e.'' [[Codex Claromontanus]] is assigned both '''06''' and '''D'''). The minuscules were given plain numbers, and the lectionaries were prefixed with '''''l''''' often written in script ('''ℓ'''). [[Kurt Aland]] continued Gregory's cataloging work through the 1950s and beyond. Because of this, the numbering system is often referred to as "Gregory-Aland numbers". The most recent manuscripts added to each grouping are <small>[[Image:C3945eee4633c095c5059f9a67aca5f7.png]]</small>[[Papyrus 124\|<sup>124</sup>]], [[Uncial 0318\|0318]], [[Minuscule 2882\|2882]], and ''ℓ'' 2281. Due to the cataloging heritage and because some manuscripts which were initially numbered separately were discovered to be from the same codex, there is some redundancy in the list (''i.e.'' the [[Magdalen papyrus]] has both the numbers of <small>[[Image:C3945eee4633c095c5059f9a67aca5f7.png]]</small>[[Papyrus 64\|<sup>64</sup>]] and <small>[[Image:C3945eee4633c095c5059f9a67aca5f7.png]]</small>[[Papyrus 67\|<sup>67</sup>]]).<sup>[]</sup>

	The majority of New Testament textual criticism deals with Greek manuscripts because scholars believe the original books of the New Testament were written in Greek. However, the text of the New Testament is also found, both translated in manuscripts of many different languages (called ''versions''), and quoted in manuscripts of the writings of the [[Church Fathers]]. In the [[critical apparatus]] of the [[Novum Testamentum Graece]], a series of abbreviations and prefixes designate different language versions (it for Old Latin, lowercase letters for individual Old Latin manuscripts, vg for [[Vulgate]], lat for Latin, sy<sup>s</sup> for [[Sinaitic Palimpsest]], sy<sup>c</sup> for [[Curetonian Gospels]], sy<sup>p</sup> for the [[Peshitta]], co for Coptic, ac for Akhmimic, bo for Bohairic, sa for Sahidic, arm for Armenian, geo for Georgian, got for Gothic, aeth for Ethiopic, and slav for Old Church Slavonic.)<sup>[]</sup>		The majority of New Testament textual criticism deals with Greek manuscripts because scholars believe the original books of the New Testament were written in Greek. However, the text of the New Testament is also found, both translated in manuscripts of many different languages (called ''versions''), and quoted in manuscripts of the writings of the [[Church Fathers]]. In the [[critical apparatus]] of the [[Novum Testamentum Graece]], a series of abbreviations and prefixes designate different language versions (it for Old Latin, lowercase letters for individual Old Latin manuscripts, vg for [[Vulgate]], lat for Latin, sy<sup>s</sup> for [[Sinaitic Palimpsest]], sy<sup>c</sup> for [[Curetonian Gospels]], sy<sup>p</sup> for the [[Peshitta]], co for Coptic, ac for Akhmimic, bo for Bohairic, sa for Sahidic, arm for Armenian, geo for Georgian, got for Gothic, aeth for Ethiopic, and slav for Old Church Slavonic.)<sup>[]</sup>

Nick: /* New Testament manuscripts */

2016-03-08T10:36:00Z

New Testament manuscripts

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	Every year, several New Testament manuscripts handwritten in the original Greek format are discovered. The latest substantial find was in 2008, when 47 new manuscripts were discovered in Albania; at least 17 of them unknown to Western scholars.		Every year, several New Testament manuscripts handwritten in the original Greek format are discovered. The latest substantial find was in 2008, when 47 new manuscripts were discovered in Albania; at least 17 of them unknown to Western scholars.

	When comparing one manuscript to another, with the exception of the smallest fragments, no two copies agree completely throughout. Note, however, that a single difference prevents agreement. There has been an estimate of between 400,000 variations among all these manuscripts (from the 2nd to 15th century) which is more than there are words in the New Testament. This figure is pronounced by [[Bart ~~Erhman~~]] and others who attack the scriptures as a shock statement to make people instantly think there are no trustworthy words in scripture. This is much less significant than it appears since it is a comparison across linguistic boundaries, and dealing with a massive 30,000 manuscripts. More important estimates focus on comparing texts within languages. Those variations are considerably fewer. The vast majority of these are accidental errors made by [[scribe]]s, and are easily identified as such: [[haplography\|an omitted word]], [[homoioteleuton\|a duplicate line]], a misspelling, a rearrangement of words. Some variations involve apparently intentional changes, which often make more difficult a determination of whether they were corrections from better [[exemplars]], [[harmonization]]s between readings, or ideologically motivated. [[Palaeography]] is the study of ancient writing, and [[textual criticism]] is the study of manuscripts in order to reconstruct a probable original text.		When comparing one manuscript to another, with the exception of the smallest fragments, no two copies agree completely throughout. Note, however, that a single difference prevents agreement. There has been an estimate of between 400,000 variations among all these manuscripts (from the 2nd to 15th century) which is more than there are words in the New Testament. This figure is pronounced by [[Bart Ehrman]] and others who attack the scriptures as a shock statement to make people instantly think there are no trustworthy words in scripture. This is much less significant than it appears since it is a comparison across linguistic boundaries, and dealing with a massive 30,000 manuscripts. More important estimates focus on comparing texts within languages. Those variations are considerably fewer. The vast majority of these are accidental errors made by [[scribe]]s, and are easily identified as such: [[haplography\|an omitted word]], [[homoioteleuton\|a duplicate line]], a misspelling, a rearrangement of words. Some variations involve apparently intentional changes, which often make more difficult a determination of whether they were corrections from better [[exemplars]], [[harmonization]]s between readings, or ideologically motivated. [[Palaeography]] is the study of ancient writing, and [[textual criticism]] is the study of manuscripts in order to reconstruct a probable original text.

	At times variations in Greek spellings occur three times in the same chapter. This also happened in English texts before printing was made more uniform. Many variations are concerning the final nu, which is mostly non translatable. With all of these factors taken into account, we can attest that less than 1% of the 400,000 variations have any effect upon translation.		At times variations in Greek spellings occur three times in the same chapter. This also happened in English texts before printing was made more uniform. Many variations are concerning the final nu, which is mostly non translatable. With all of these factors taken into account, we can attest that less than 1% of the 400,000 variations have any effect upon translation.

Beza 1598 at 08:35, 5 March 2016

2016-03-05T08:35:29Z

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	* [http://alpha.reltech.org/BibleMSS.html Biblical Manuscripts Project]		* [http://alpha.reltech.org/BibleMSS.html Biblical Manuscripts Project]
	* [http://www.rzuser.uni-heidelberg.de/~gv0/Papyri/VBP_V/130/VBP_V_130_R_(150).html Fragment of Psalms] at the Heidelberger Papyrus-Sammlung		* [http://www.rzuser.uni-heidelberg.de/~gv0/Papyri/VBP_V/130/VBP_V_130_R_(150).html Fragment of Psalms] at the Heidelberger Papyrus-Sammlung



	{{DEFAULTSORT:Biblical Manuscript}}		{{DEFAULTSORT:Biblical Manuscript}}
	[[Category:Biblical manuscripts\|*]]		[[Category:Biblical manuscripts\|*]]
	[[Category:Scribes]]		[[Category:Scribes]]

			{{Donate}}

Nick: /* Manuscript construction */

2016-02-08T10:25:05Z

Manuscript construction

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	===Manuscript construction===		===Manuscript construction===
			An important issue with manuscripts is preservation. The earliest New Testament manuscripts were written on [[papyrus]], made from a reed that grew abundantly in the [[Egypt]]ian [[Nile Delta]]. This tradition continued as late as the 8th century. Papyrus eventually becomes brittle and deteriorates with age. The dry climate of Egypt allowed some papyrus manuscripts to be partially preserved, but, with the exception of P<sup>77</sup>, no New Testament papyrus manuscript is complete; many consist only of a single fragmented page. However, beginning in the 4th century, [[parchment]] (also called [[vellum]]) began to be a common medium for New Testament manuscripts. It wasn't until the 12th century that [[paper]] (made from cotton or plant fibers), which was invented in 1st century China, began to gain popularity in biblical manuscripts.

	An important issue with manuscripts is preservation. The earliest New Testament manuscripts were written on [[papyrus]], made from a reed that grew abundantly in the [[Egypt]]ian [[Nile Delta]]. This tradition continued as late as the 8th century.<sup>[]</sup> Papyrus eventually becomes brittle and deteriorates with age. The dry climate of Egypt allowed some papyrus manuscripts to be partially preserved, but, with the exception of P<sup>77</sup>, no New Testament papyrus manuscript is complete; many consist only of a single fragmented page.<sup>[]</sup> However, beginning in the 4th century, [[parchment]] (also called [[vellum]]) began to be a common medium for New Testament manuscripts.<sup>[]</sup> It wasn't until the 12th century that [[paper]] (made from cotton or plant fibers), which was invented in 1st century China, began to gain popularity in biblical manuscripts.<sup>[]</sup>		Of the 476 non-Christian manuscripts dated to the 2nd century, 97% of the manuscripts are in the form of [[scrolls]]; however, the 8 Christian manuscripts are [[codex\|codices]]. In fact, most New Testament manuscripts are codices. The adaptation of the codex form in non-Christian text did not become dominant until the 4th and 5th centuries, showing a preference for that form amongst early Christians. The considerable length of some New Testament books (such as the [[Pauline epistles]]), and the New Testament itself, was not suited to the limited space available on a single scroll; in contrast a codex could be expanded to hundreds of pages.

	Of the 476 non-Christian manuscripts dated to the 2nd century, 97% of the manuscripts are in the form of [[scrolls]]; however, the 8 Christian manuscripts are [[codex\|codices]]. In fact, most New Testament manuscripts are codices. The adaptation of the codex form in non-Christian text did not become dominant until the 4th and 5th centuries, showing a preference for that form amongst early Christians.~~<sup>[]</sup>~~ The considerable length of some New Testament books (such as the [[Pauline epistles]]), and the New Testament itself, was not suited to the limited space available on a single scroll; in contrast a codex could be expanded to hundreds of pages.

	[[Image:BookOfDurrowBeginMarkGospel.jpg\|thumb\|left\|The beginning of the [[Gospel of Mark]] from the [[Book of Durrow]].]]		[[Image:BookOfDurrowBeginMarkGospel.jpg\|thumb\|left\|The beginning of the [[Gospel of Mark]] from the [[Book of Durrow]].]]

Nick: /* Transmission */

2016-02-08T09:49:05Z

Transmission

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	===Transmission===		===Transmission===
	The task of copying manuscripts was generally done by [[scribe]]s who were trained professionals in the arts of writing and bookmaking. But one must never discount that many untrained scribes would have also written certain scripts, knowing the importance of the document. Some manuscripts were also proofread, and scholars closely examining a text can sometimes find the original and corrections found in certain manuscripts. In the 6th century, a special room devoted to the practice of manuscript writing and [[illuminated manuscript\|illumination]] called the [[scriptorium]] came into use, typically inside medieval European monasteries. Sometimes a group of scribes would make copies at the same time as one individual read from the text. At times errors can be seen which are most probably [[homophones\|similar sounding words]]. An example in [[John 1:18]] with the similar sound of theos (God) and hweos (Son) could account for that reading which creates a heresy of God being begotten.		The task of copying manuscripts was generally done by [[scribe]]s who were trained professionals in the arts of writing and bookmaking. But one must never discount that many untrained scribes would have also written certain scripts, knowing the importance of the document. Some manuscripts were also proofread, and scholars closely examining a text can sometimes find the original and corrections found in certain manuscripts. In the 6th century, a special room devoted to the practice of manuscript writing and [[illuminated manuscript\|illumination]] called the [[scriptorium]] came into use, typically inside medieval European monasteries. Sometimes a group of scribes would make copies at the same time as one individual read from the text. At times errors can be seen which are most probably [[homophones\|similar sounding words]]. An example in [[John 1:18]] with the similar sound of theos (God) and hweos (Son) could account for that corrupted reading in [[Codex Vaticanus]], [[Papyrus 66\|P66]] and [[Papyrus 75\|P75]] which creates a heresy of God being begotten.

	===Manuscript construction===		===Manuscript construction===

Nick: /* Transmission */

2016-02-08T09:41:51Z

Transmission

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	===Transmission===		===Transmission===
	The task of copying manuscripts was generally done by [[scribe]]s who were trained professionals in the arts of writing and bookmaking. Some manuscripts were also proofread, and scholars closely examining a text can sometimes find the original and corrections found in certain manuscripts. In the 6th century, a special room devoted to the practice of manuscript writing and [[illuminated manuscript\|illumination]] called the [[scriptorium]] came into use, typically inside medieval European monasteries. Sometimes a group of scribes would make copies at the same time as one individual read from the text.~~<sup>~~[]~~</sup>~~		The task of copying manuscripts was generally done by [[scribe]]s who were trained professionals in the arts of writing and bookmaking. But one must never discount that many untrained scribes would have also written certain scripts, knowing the importance of the document. Some manuscripts were also proofread, and scholars closely examining a text can sometimes find the original and corrections found in certain manuscripts. In the 6th century, a special room devoted to the practice of manuscript writing and [[illuminated manuscript\|illumination]] called the [[scriptorium]] came into use, typically inside medieval European monasteries. Sometimes a group of scribes would make copies at the same time as one individual read from the text. At times errors can be seen which are most probably [[homophones\|similar sounding words]]. An example in [[John 1:18]] with the similar sound of theos (God) and hweos (Son) could account for that reading which creates a heresy of God being begotten.

	===Manuscript construction===		===Manuscript construction===

Nick: /* New Testament manuscripts */

2016-02-08T09:19:00Z

New Testament manuscripts

← Older revision		Revision as of 09:19, 8 February 2016
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	==New Testament manuscripts==		==New Testament manuscripts==
	[[Image:CodeAlexandrinusFol65vExplLuke.jpg\|100px\|thumb\|right\|Folio 65v from [[Codex Alexandrinus]] contains the [[Gospel of Luke]] with decorative tailpiece.]]		[[Image:CodeAlexandrinusFol65vExplLuke.jpg\|100px\|thumb\|right\|Folio 65v from [[Codex Alexandrinus]] contains the [[Gospel of Luke]] with decorative tailpiece.]]
	The [[New Testament]] has been preserved in more manuscripts than any other ancient work, having over 5,800 complete or fragmented [[Greek language\|Greek]] manuscripts, 10,000 [[Latin]] manuscripts and 9,300 manuscripts in various other ancient languages including [[Syriac language\|Syriac]], [[Slavic languages\|Slavic]], [[Gothic language\|Gothic]], [[Ge'ez language\|Ethiopic]], [[Coptic language\|Coptic]] and [[Armenian language\|Armenian]]. The dates of these manuscripts range from circa 125 (the [[Rylands Library Papyrus P52\|John Ryland's manuscript, '''P<sup>52</sup>''']]; oldest copy of John fragments) to the introduction of printing in Germany in the 15th century. The vast majority of these manuscripts date after the 10th century. Because there are more New Testament manuscripts than any other ancient writing (e.g., we only have 10 copies of Julius Caesar's 'The Gallic Wars'), Christian apologists ~~such as [[Josh Mcdowell]] and [[Norman Geisler]]~~ assert that by literary standards, the New Testament is a reliable witness to ~~the~~ original text.		The [[New Testament]] has been preserved in more manuscripts than any other ancient work, having over 5,800 complete or fragmented [[Greek language\|Greek]] manuscripts, 10,000 [[Latin]] manuscripts and 9,300 manuscripts in various other ancient languages including [[Syriac language\|Syriac]], [[Slavic languages\|Slavic]], [[Gothic language\|Gothic]], [[Ge'ez language\|Ethiopic]], [[Coptic language\|Coptic]] and [[Armenian language\|Armenian]]. The dates of these manuscripts range from circa 125 (the [[Rylands Library Papyrus P52\|John Ryland's manuscript, '''P<sup>52</sup>''']]; oldest copy of John fragments) to the introduction of printing in Germany in the 15th century. The vast majority of these manuscripts date after the 10th century. Because there are more New Testament manuscripts than any other ancient writing (e.g., we only have 10 copies of Julius Caesar's 'The Gallic Wars'), Christian apologists assert that by literary standards, the New Testament is the most reliable witness to any original ancient text.

	Agnostic textual scholar [[Bart Ehrman]] disagrees:		Agnostic textual scholar [[Bart Ehrman]] disagrees with this logic:
	:"''It is true, of course, that the New Testament is abundantly attested in the manuscripts produced through the ages, but most of these manuscripts are many centuries removed from the originals, and none of them perfectly accurate. They all contain mistakes - altogether many thousands of mistakes. It is not an easy task to reconstruct the original words of the New Testament...''"		:"''It is true, of course, that the New Testament is abundantly attested in the manuscripts produced through the ages, but most of these manuscripts are many centuries removed from the originals, and none of them perfectly accurate. They all contain mistakes - altogether many thousands of mistakes. It is not an easy task to reconstruct the original words of the New Testament...''"

Nick: /* Hebrew Bible (or Tanakh) manuscripts */

2016-02-08T07:32:05Z

Hebrew Bible (or Tanakh) manuscripts

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	The [[Aleppo Codex]] (''c.'' 920 CE) and [[Leningrad Codex]] (''c.'' 1008 CE) are the oldest [[Hebrew language]] manuscripts of the [[Tanakh]]. The [[1947 AD\|1947]] find at [[Qumran]] of the [[Dead Sea scrolls]] pushed the manuscript history of the [[Tanakh]] back a millennium from the two earliest complete codices (see [[Tanakh at Qumran]]). Before this discovery, the earliest extant manuscripts of the [[Old Testament]] were claimed to be in [[Greek]] in manuscripts such as [[Codex Vaticanus Graecus 1209\|Codex Vaticanus]] and [[Codex Sinaiticus]]. Out of the roughly 800 manuscripts found at [[Qumran]], 220 are from the [[Tanakh]]. Every book of the [[Tanakh]] is represented except for the [[Book of Esther]]; however, most are [[fragmentary]]. Notably, there are two [[scroll]]s of the [[Book of Isaiah]], one complete ([[1QIs-a\|1QIs<sup>a</sup>]]), and one around 75% complete ([[1QIs-b\|1QIs<sup>b</sup>]]). These manuscripts generally date between [[150 BC]] to [[70 AD]].		The [[Aleppo Codex]] (''c.'' 920 CE) and [[Leningrad Codex]] (''c.'' 1008 CE) are the oldest [[Hebrew language]] manuscripts of the [[Tanakh]]. The [[1947 AD\|1947]] find at [[Qumran]] of the [[Dead Sea scrolls]] pushed the manuscript history of the [[Tanakh]] back a millennium from the two earliest complete codices (see [[Tanakh at Qumran]]). Before this discovery, the earliest extant manuscripts of the [[Old Testament]] were claimed to be in [[Greek]] in manuscripts such as [[Codex Vaticanus Graecus 1209\|Codex Vaticanus]] and [[Codex Sinaiticus]]. Out of the roughly 800 manuscripts found at [[Qumran]], 220 are from the [[Tanakh]]. Every book of the [[Tanakh]] is represented except for the [[Book of Esther]]; however, most are [[fragmentary]]. Notably, there are two [[scroll]]s of the [[Book of Isaiah]], one complete ([[1QIs-a\|1QIs<sup>a</sup>]]), and one around 75% complete ([[1QIs-b\|1QIs<sup>b</sup>]]). These manuscripts generally date between [[150 BC]] to [[70 AD]].

	Ancient [[Judaism\|Jewish]] scribes developed many practices to protect copies of their [[scripture]]s from error. Their methods resulted in insignificant variations among texts arising at an average rate of just under one [[consonant]] in every 1,500.~~<sup>[]</sup>~~		Ancient [[Judaism\|Jewish]] scribes developed many practices to protect copies of their [[scripture]]s from error. Their methods resulted in insignificant variations among texts arising at an average rate of just under one [[consonant]] in every 1,500.

	==New Testament manuscripts==		==New Testament manuscripts==

Nick: /* New Testament manuscripts */

2016-02-08T07:06:54Z

New Testament manuscripts

← Older revision		Revision as of 07:06, 8 February 2016
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	Although an enemy of the [[Textus Receptus]], in reference to the textual evidence for the New Testament, [[Bruce Metzger]] correctly wrote concerning these variants:		Although an enemy of the [[Textus Receptus]], in reference to the textual evidence for the New Testament, [[Bruce Metzger]] correctly wrote concerning these variants:
	"''In evaluating the significance of these statistics...one should consider, by way of contrast, the number of manuscripts which preserve the text of the ancient classics. Homer's Iliad...is preserved by 457 papyri, 2 uncial manuscripts, and 188 minuscule manuscripts. Among the tragedians the witnesses to Euripides are the most abundant; his extant works are preserved in 54 papyri and 276 parchment manuscripts, almost all of the later dating from the Byzantine period...the time between the composition of the books of the New Testament and the earliest extant copies is relatively brief. Instead of the lapse of a millennium or more, as is the case of not a few classical authors, several papyrus manuscripts of portions of the New Testament are extant which were copies within a century or so after the composition of the original documents.''"		:"''In evaluating the significance of these statistics...one should consider, by way of contrast, the number of manuscripts which preserve the text of the ancient classics. Homer's Iliad...is preserved by 457 papyri, 2 uncial manuscripts, and 188 minuscule manuscripts. Among the tragedians the witnesses to Euripides are the most abundant; his extant works are preserved in 54 papyri and 276 parchment manuscripts, almost all of the later dating from the Byzantine period...the time between the composition of the books of the New Testament and the earliest extant copies is relatively brief. Instead of the lapse of a millennium or more, as is the case of not a few classical authors, several papyrus manuscripts of portions of the New Testament are extant which were copies within a century or so after the composition of the original documents.''"

			[[Bart Ehrman\|Ehrman]] fails to admit that if he rejects the validity of the transmission of scripture, with such an overwhelming amount of evidence, then he must by default, reject every written document of the ancient world, which in comparison to the bible pale into insignificance.

	Every year, several New Testament manuscripts handwritten in the original Greek format are discovered. The latest substantial find was in 2008, when 47 new manuscripts were discovered in Albania; at least 17 of them unknown to Western scholars.		Every year, several New Testament manuscripts handwritten in the original Greek format are discovered. The latest substantial find was in 2008, when 47 new manuscripts were discovered in Albania; at least 17 of them unknown to Western scholars.

Nick: /* New Testament manuscripts */

2016-02-08T07:02:24Z

New Testament manuscripts

← Older revision		Revision as of 07:02, 8 February 2016
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	The [[New Testament]] has been preserved in more manuscripts than any other ancient work, having over 5,800 complete or fragmented [[Greek language\|Greek]] manuscripts, 10,000 [[Latin]] manuscripts and 9,300 manuscripts in various other ancient languages including [[Syriac language\|Syriac]], [[Slavic languages\|Slavic]], [[Gothic language\|Gothic]], [[Ge'ez language\|Ethiopic]], [[Coptic language\|Coptic]] and [[Armenian language\|Armenian]]. The dates of these manuscripts range from circa 125 (the [[Rylands Library Papyrus P52\|John Ryland's manuscript, '''P<sup>52</sup>''']]; oldest copy of John fragments) to the introduction of printing in Germany in the 15th century. The vast majority of these manuscripts date after the 10th century. Because there are more New Testament manuscripts than any other ancient writing (e.g., we only have 10 copies of Julius Caesar's 'The Gallic Wars'), Christian apologists such as [[Josh Mcdowell]] and [[Norman Geisler]] assert that by literary standards, the New Testament is a reliable witness to the original text.		The [[New Testament]] has been preserved in more manuscripts than any other ancient work, having over 5,800 complete or fragmented [[Greek language\|Greek]] manuscripts, 10,000 [[Latin]] manuscripts and 9,300 manuscripts in various other ancient languages including [[Syriac language\|Syriac]], [[Slavic languages\|Slavic]], [[Gothic language\|Gothic]], [[Ge'ez language\|Ethiopic]], [[Coptic language\|Coptic]] and [[Armenian language\|Armenian]]. The dates of these manuscripts range from circa 125 (the [[Rylands Library Papyrus P52\|John Ryland's manuscript, '''P<sup>52</sup>''']]; oldest copy of John fragments) to the introduction of printing in Germany in the 15th century. The vast majority of these manuscripts date after the 10th century. Because there are more New Testament manuscripts than any other ancient writing (e.g., we only have 10 copies of Julius Caesar's 'The Gallic Wars'), Christian apologists such as [[Josh Mcdowell]] and [[Norman Geisler]] assert that by literary standards, the New Testament is a reliable witness to the original text.

	Agnostic textual scholar [[Bart Ehrman]] disagrees: "''It is true, of course, that the New Testament is abundantly attested in the manuscripts produced through the ages, but most of these manuscripts are many centuries removed from the originals, and none of them perfectly accurate. They all contain mistakes - altogether many thousands of mistakes. It is not an easy task to reconstruct the original words of the New Testament...''"		Agnostic textual scholar [[Bart Ehrman]] disagrees:
			:"''It is true, of course, that the New Testament is abundantly attested in the manuscripts produced through the ages, but most of these manuscripts are many centuries removed from the originals, and none of them perfectly accurate. They all contain mistakes - altogether many thousands of mistakes. It is not an easy task to reconstruct the original words of the New Testament...''"

	Although an enemy of the [[Textus Receptus]], in reference to the textual evidence for the New Testament, [[Bruce Metzger]] correctly wrote "''In evaluating the significance of these statistics...one should consider, by way of contrast, the number of manuscripts which preserve the text of the ancient classics. Homer's Iliad...is preserved by 457 papyri, 2 uncial manuscripts, and 188 minuscule manuscripts. Among the tragedians the witnesses to Euripides are the most abundant; his extant works are preserved in 54 papyri and 276 parchment manuscripts, almost all of the later dating from the Byzantine period...the time between the composition of the books of the New Testament and the earliest extant copies is relatively brief. Instead of the lapse of a millennium or more, as is the case of not a few classical authors, several papyrus manuscripts of portions of the New Testament are extant which were copies within a century or so after the composition of the original documents.''"		Although an enemy of the [[Textus Receptus]], in reference to the textual evidence for the New Testament, [[Bruce Metzger]] correctly wrote concerning these variants:
			"''In evaluating the significance of these statistics...one should consider, by way of contrast, the number of manuscripts which preserve the text of the ancient classics. Homer's Iliad...is preserved by 457 papyri, 2 uncial manuscripts, and 188 minuscule manuscripts. Among the tragedians the witnesses to Euripides are the most abundant; his extant works are preserved in 54 papyri and 276 parchment manuscripts, almost all of the later dating from the Byzantine period...the time between the composition of the books of the New Testament and the earliest extant copies is relatively brief. Instead of the lapse of a millennium or more, as is the case of not a few classical authors, several papyrus manuscripts of portions of the New Testament are extant which were copies within a century or so after the composition of the original documents.''"

	Every year, several New Testament manuscripts handwritten in the original Greek format are discovered. The latest substantial find was in 2008, when 47 new manuscripts were discovered in Albania; at least 17 of them unknown to Western scholars.		Every year, several New Testament manuscripts handwritten in the original Greek format are discovered. The latest substantial find was in 2008, when 47 new manuscripts were discovered in Albania; at least 17 of them unknown to Western scholars.