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 Do We Have a Genuine Bible?

By Robert Goodman

Since no original copy of any of the Bible has been discovered, some raise questions or express statements that suggest doubt, if not outright denial of the genuineness of the Bible. We have heard statements like: “Haven’t some books of the Bible been lost?” or “How do we know we have all the books? or “How can we be sure the Bible has not been perverted by scribes or translators?” or “How do we know the books were not written long after they claim to have been written?”

Not all who cast doubt are atheists, infidels or the usual kind of skeptics. Roman Catholicism claims it has given and preserved the Bible. Mormonism claims a great abominable church has taken away from the covenant of the Lord many parts that are plain and most precious. Orson Pratt, an early Mormon leader said, “We do not know that one single verse in the New Testament has come down to us without change.” They say this to open the door to their so-called later “revelations.” It is amazing that the book of Mormon has many verses, paragraphs and even chapters taken from the King James version of the Bible. The Watchtower Society (Jehovah’s Witnesses) undermines faith in all translations except its own garbled and unjustified translation, the New World Translation.

Claims

The Bible claims to be of God. Often we read of statements similar to that in Exodus 33:11 “And the Lord spoke unto Moses…” In the books of the prophets, usually in the opening verses there is a claim that what is being written is the word of God.

The word of God also claims a perfection that would be marred by the additions or subtractions of man. See Deut. 4:2; Rev. 22:18, 19. In view of this, the new law is referred to as the “perfect law of liberty” James 1:25.

Jesus promised “Heaven and earth shall pass away, but my words shall not pass away.” Matt. 24:35. Peter spoke of the word of God “Which lives and abides forever” I Peter 1:23, 25.

The Old Testament

The last book of the Old Testament was completed about 400 B. C. Internal evidence points to this and external evidence from historians verifies it. The Old Testament was translated from its original Hebrew (some Aramaic) into Greek beginning about 285 B.C. - long before the coming of Jesus.

Some have learned that our Hebrew manuscripts, from which our translations were made, date back to about the ninth century. They felt this may have allowed many errors to creep in, but a find several years ago of the an Isaiah manuscript dated about 1000 years earlier than other existing ones was found in a cave near the Dead Sea. Scholars marveled at the accuracy of our existing texts.

We might add that the Jews to whom God’s oracles were entrusted, have the same books we have. By groupings and names they do not have the same number, but the content is the same. The real discussion is over the New Testament scriptures.

New Testament

The oldest manuscripts (MSS) of the New Testament date to about 350 A. D. The three oldest that are also considered the best are the VATICAN, SINAITIC, and the ALEXANDRIAN. These were found in different places. The Sinaitic was found in a Greek Orthodox monastery at Mount Sinai. It must be obvious that the Roman Catholic Church did not tamper with the text for it never had a chance. If it had changed the text, it would have made it favorable to its position in any one of a thousand passages.

The heart of the question is, “What happened to the New Testament between the time the original copies were in existence (say about 100 A.D.) and 350 A.D.?” There are two strong lines of evidences showing the integrity of existing copies:

1. Versions. Translations of the New Testament from its original Greek into other languages began very early. One of the early translations was the Old Syrian or Syriac made around 150 A.D. This was for use in areas around Antioch of Syria. Also the Old Latin translation was made in North Africa. Tertullian (150-220 A.D.) referred to it. Here then are two translations made within a generation or two of the apostles. These translations have been used to check our old Greek manuscripts.

2. Quotations. Early Christians were prolific writers. They wrote sermons, commentaries, harmonies and debates. These writings of the “fathers” of the first three centuries have been preserved and may be read in any large library. These men wrote so extensively that almost the entire New Testament could be reproduced from their quotations alone. One expert claimed he could reproduce the entire New Testament except for about eleven verses. See A General Introduction to the Bible by Geisler and Nix, Moody Press, 1968. These men include Polycarp whose life overlapped that of the apostle John, Justin Martyr (A.D. 100-165), Irenaeus (A.D. 170), Ignatius (A.D. 50-115), Hermas (A.D. 95), and Tatian (A.D. 170). Clement of Alexandria (A.D. 150-212) gave 2,400 quotations from the New Testament, Tertullian (A.D. 160-220) more than 7,000 quotations, and Origin (A.D. 185-254) left over 18,000 quotations. Up until 325 A. D. there have been 32,000 New Testament quotations located verifying both the books and the accuracy of our Greek manuscripts.

Variations

Some have heard that our Greek MSS are filled with errors. There are variations in the approximately 5,000 MSS. Most of these are over variations in spelling through the years, word endings, or order of words, additions or omissions of articles. There is not one doctrine in God’s word that stands in doubt because of manuscript difficulties.

The next time someone indicates uncertainty about our text, ask them if they have studied the subject for themselves. Most of those who raise questions or make accusations, are parroting false charges by the misinformed. There will always be a need for updated translations, but we can have confidence in our texts.

Drawing Near to God