VARIOUS PROBLEMS CONNECTED WITH VERBAL INSPIRATION - 6

The Problem of Manuscript Transmission - (Preservation)

Copied by hand.

Many variations in New Testament manuscripts.
Objection: If God gave the original verbally exact, how does it happen that He allowed errors to creep in.
Trousers may come from the tailor perfect, but if now they reveal holes, it may not be a concern of the owner, it falls on the back of the tailor.
A perfect record of the original manuscript was a concern of the Lord.

Answer:

• Inspiration of Bible and its preservation are two separate matters, and should not be confused. Each one should be settled on its own merits.
• The character of God is involved in our contention for original inspiration. God is concerned.
• The whole problem is like the death of Mark Twain --"My death was greatly exagerated."

Each Variation is Counted Every Time it Occurs in Every Manuscript

150,000 - 200,000 Practically no MSS of the 0.T.
Nearly all variants come in the N.T.

Critics Fail to Report that no Doctrines are Involved

Variations are of little importance.

Approximately 4,000 MSS. in whole or in part.
Improbable that such a large number of copyists would make same mistake.
But by comparison we can get the original account.

Critics Fail to State Opinion of Competent Textual Critics

Only one word out of each 1000 open to question (Bengel).
No fundamental doctrine involved.

Problem of Contradictory Statements

Challenge: Let the critic prove it.

He must demonstrate:

• Show that passage was in the original text.
• Show that translation he uses is absolutely correct.
• Show his interpretation is the only possible one.
• Show that the present state of our scientific knowledge is final.
• Show that the task of reconciliation is impossible.