Methods of Textual Criticism (3) The Bible Versions Study

Main points Wealth of Material Wealth of Material Types of Evidence Types of Evidence Working with External Evidence Working with External Evidence Working with Internal Evidence Working with Internal Evidence History of Textual Criticism* History of Textual Criticism* Concluding observations Concluding observations * Points covered in this lesson

Definitions

A Brief History of Textual Criticism Printing press, 1450s Printing press, 1450s Complutensian Polyglot NT printed 1514, publication delayed Complutensian Polyglot NT printed 1514, publication delayed Erasmus published New Testament 1516 – first to publish (Latin and Greek) Erasmus published New Testament 1516 – first to publish (Latin and Greek) Desiderius Erasmus, 1523

Erasmus and the Greek NT First love was the Latin NT First love was the Latin NT Published the Greek NT with the Latin so readers could verify his Latin Published the Greek NT with the Latin so readers could verify his Latin Edited the Latin to fit the Greek; edited the Greek to fit the Latin Edited the Latin to fit the Greek; edited the Greek to fit the Latin “Rushed into print rather than edited” – Erasmus “Rushed into print rather than edited” – Erasmus Had no complete NT manuscript in Greek Had no complete NT manuscript in Greek Most of his manuscripts were not old — of the Byzantine (majority) text family Most of his manuscripts were not old — of the Byzantine (majority) text family

Erasmus’ Editions: Publication history First Edition – 1516 – called Novum Instrumentum omne First Edition – 1516 – called Novum Instrumentum omne Second Edition – 1519 – called Novum Testamentum omne (used by Luther) Second Edition – 1519 – called Novum Testamentum omne (used by Luther) Third Edition – 1522 – first to include 1 Jn (used by Tyndale) Third Edition – 1522 – first to include 1 Jn (used by Tyndale) Fourth Edition – 1527 – definitive edition Fourth Edition – 1527 – definitive edition Fifth Edition – 1535 – identical to fourth without Vulgate Fifth Edition – 1535 – identical to fourth without Vulgate

The Greek behind the King James Version Robert Estienne, known as Stephanus, a printer from Paris Robert Estienne, known as Stephanus, a printer from Paris Published Greek NT in 1546, 1549, 1550, and 1551 Published Greek NT in 1546, 1549, 1550, and 1551 Used Erasmus’ third edition as his base Used Erasmus’ third edition as his base Consulted 15 different Greek manuscripts Consulted 15 different Greek manuscripts The 1550 edition was used for the Geneva Bible and the KJV The 1550 edition was used for the Geneva Bible and the KJV The 1551 edition was the first to introduce verse divisions The 1551 edition was the first to introduce verse divisions

Continuing work in the Greek NT 1550 Stephanus edited by Theodore Beza 1550 Stephanus edited by Theodore Beza Between 1565 and 1604 Beza published nine editions Between 1565 and 1604 Beza published nine editions Bonaventure and Elzevir, 1633, preface: Textum ergo habes, nunc ab omnibus receptum: in quo nihil immutatum aut corruptum damus “so you hold the text, now received by all, in which (is) nothing corrupt” Bonaventure and Elzevir, 1633, preface: Textum ergo habes, nunc ab omnibus receptum: in quo nihil immutatum aut corruptum damus “so you hold the text, now received by all, in which (is) nothing corrupt” From this phrase we get Textus Receptus From this phrase we get Textus Receptus Term used retroactively for the work of Erasmus Term used retroactively for the work of Erasmus

The contribution of Tischendorf German scholar, , became a vigorous student of ancient manuscripts German scholar, , became a vigorous student of ancient manuscripts Primary motivation: To cast down the claims of liberal Bible deniers who were casting doubts upon the Scriptures in the universities of Germany. Primary motivation: To cast down the claims of liberal Bible deniers who were casting doubts upon the Scriptures in the universities of Germany. Set out to examine and discover all available ancient manuscripts in order to find “the pure text”. Set out to examine and discover all available ancient manuscripts in order to find “the pure text”.

more Tischendorf Exceptional eyesight, when he studied the Codex Ephraemi Rescriptus in Paris, he became the first to decipher the underlying erased text. Exceptional eyesight, when he studied the Codex Ephraemi Rescriptus in Paris, he became the first to decipher the underlying erased text. Visited many remote monasteries etc. where ancient manuscripts might be likely to be found. Visited many remote monasteries etc. where ancient manuscripts might be likely to be found. Discovered Sinaiticus in the monastery of St. Catherine on Mt. Sinai. Discovered Sinaiticus in the monastery of St. Catherine on Mt. Sinai. Published several editions of the Greek New Testament based on his work and discoveries. (Followed Sinaiticus pretty closely.) Published several editions of the Greek New Testament based on his work and discoveries. (Followed Sinaiticus pretty closely.)