I probably should have begun with this.
There are several reasons why it’s helpful for Christians to learn about the origins of the Bible.
1. For teachers, preachers, and any other dedicated student of the Bible, it’s important to understand about codices and uncials and such in order to understand commentaries and even the footnotes in most modern translations. If a question comes up about the last few verses of Mark or the woman taken in adultery, it’s hard to explain to most Christians why these passages were in the KJV and not in a modern translation.
Most commentaries regularly address how the translators chose the text that they did, and they often assume that the readers are familiar with this information.
And knowledge of how the New Testament was transmitted to us is essential when deciding which translation to use. The New King James Version uses the Textus Receptus, as does the KJV, being the Greek text compiled by Erasmus, with some edits. Nearly all other translations use the Alexandrian text, especially the text of Codex Sinaiticus. Which is right? (We’ll consider arguments pro and con later.)
2. More importantly, many Christians find this information helps validate their faith. So many lies and half-truths about Christianity are spread by the media and popular culture that it’s easy to imagine that the Bible might not be as reliable as Christendom claims.
For example, Dan Brown’s Da Vinci Code claims that the church only began to consider Jesus as divine beginning with the Council of Nicea in the early Fourth Century. Given that we have manuscripts of John’s Gospel, which repeatedly asserts Jesus’ divinity, dated to the early Second Century, if not earlier, Brown is clearly misrepresenting the facts.
3. This information demonstrates that there is good warrant for us to believe that the apostles wrote the New Testament that we have. When Muslims, Mormons, and others claim that the New Testament has been so distorted over the years that passages inconvenient to their belief system should be ignored, Christians can be confident that very little of the New Testament text is in doubt. Moreover, we know what we do not know. That is, we know with great confidence which passages are in doubt and which are well established.
4. For unbelievers who are open to the claims of Christianity, it helps for them to know that the New Testament is by far the best attested ancient document in the world, 10 to 1. No other document even comes close.
This is hardly proof of Christianity all by itself, but it’s an important factor for many. In fact, with so much garbage being taught in the media seeking to discredit the New Testament, learning the truth about the authenticity of the New Testament shows how very unreliable the media and popular culture are when it comes to Christian issues — and so should encourage non-believers to have an open mind regarding the claims of Christianity.
I appreciate Jay putting this information into context here. Such information about the Bible does not constitute proof to a skeptic. Or even proof by an objective observer. But looking into the history of scripture certainly CAN encourage the open-minded unbeliever and the believer. The general consistency of the scripture over the centuries is able to help in our believing.
It should be noted here that if we flatly argue “the older, the better” as regards manuscripts, that this rather presumes a perfect original text followed by centuries of ongoing corruption of one sort or another. Taken without faith, that view can leave us in a muddle of discontent, haggling over linguistics, making Greek scholarship the actual measure of Truth. The essential component which must not be neglected: the ongoing presence of the Author Himself his willingness to guide us in our understanding.
Jay,
I’ll add my voice to those who are grateful for these lessons. I’ve studied (and taught) this subject and find your presentation to be very helpful. Keep up the good work!
Keep it up brother, this is good stuff !!