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Essential Guide to Bible Versions

Discussion in 'Bible Versions & Translations' started by Pastor_Bob, Nov 25, 2006.

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  1. Pastor_Bob

    Pastor_Bob Well-Known Member

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    I just purchased the book Essential Guide to Bible Versions by Philip W. Comfort. As I began reading this book, I noticed right away that the author has a very clear bias for the Alexandrian Text. As he refers to various extant manuscripts, he frequently makes statements such as:

    Can a book with such an obvious bias be considered reliable? Is it disingenuous to use such vague terms in describing the agreement in the above listed evidence and the Alexandrian Text? So far, the author makes no mention of any agreement with the Byzantine Text.
     
  2. Deacon

    Deacon Well-Known Member
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    Why would you consider this a bias?

    Philip Comfort was one of the editors of The Text of the Earliest New Testament Greek Manuscripts, the complete text of the earliest New Testament manuscripts which lists, describes, classifies and provides the text for all the currently known papyri dated before A.D.300.

    ALL the papyrus and each of the documents cited in your opening post are considered of Alexandrian decent.

    Unfortunately there are NO good examples of Byzantine decent until at least the late 6th century, and probably more like the 8th century.

    This is one reason why there is such a debate between those who prefer versions using the Textus Receptus and those who use the modern versions that use the earliest known manuscripts.

    Rob
     
    #2 Deacon, Nov 25, 2006
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  3. LeBuick

    LeBuick New Member

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    In my view, there is no book without bias. In every book you can see a bit of the authors worldview etc... So I read it as just that, a book. Someones opinion who is claiming to have studied the area in question and here is their findings but it is from their perspective.

    I was reading a book called the Bible and noticed how it is very biased against sin.
     
  4. Deacon

    Deacon Well-Known Member
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    Short of listing each particular difference between the manuscripts, (which would be mind-numbing and tedious), what other way would you use to describe documents of common decent?

    This may be a poor example but how would you describe the various editions of the KJV except to say that they basically, largely or generally agree with one another.

    Not having read the book all I can say is; "What were you expecting reading a textual criticism book by Philip Comfort?"
    He does have a "modern" text viewpoint so of course there will be some bias.

    In his book, "Encountering the Manuscripts" there is a short chapter called "Historical Overview of Textual Variation in the Greek New Testament" where he provides some examples but basically propounds the "modern" view of textual development, without contrasting the Byzantine view.

    If you are looking for a Byzantine viewpoint try looking for articles by Maurice Robinson, who edited the New Testament in the Original Greek: According to the Byzantine-Majority Textform.

    Here is an excellent blog site with two interviews of Dr. Robinson.
    Interview with Maurice Robinson [LINK]

    He will also be attending the session at SEBTS concerning the Ending of Mark.

    Rob
     
  5. Pastor_Bob

    Pastor_Bob Well-Known Member

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    I would personally prefer a description that is more accurate, such as, "This papyrus rarely departs from the ...," or "This papyrus is 95% reflective of ..."

    I would say that the various editions contain no disagreements except the following, and then list the few instances.
     
  6. Logos1560

    Logos1560 Well-Known Member
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    How many is a few? Is that less than twenty-five, less than one hundred, several hundred, or over one thousand?
     
  7. Deacon

    Deacon Well-Known Member
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    I think that would be beyond the scope of the book.

    Descriptions of that type would be more likely in books dealing with papyri or early manuscripts.

    Examining Metzger’s “The Text of the NT”, he even uses similar generalities (e.g. “P32 shows agreement with [aleph] [FONT=&quot]א[/FONT] and with F and G.[FONT=&quot]"[/FONT]).

    I think the discriptions of the type you want would only be found in obscure journals dealing with textual criticism.

    Even so, it probably wouldn’t be to all too hard:

    P20 (P. Oxy. 1171) contains James 2:19–3:9
    P23 (P. Oxy. 1229) contains only James 1:10–12, 15–18
    P24 (P. Oxy. 1230) contains only Revelation 5:5–8; 6:5–8
    P32 (P. Rylands 5) contains Titus 1:11–15; 2:3–8

    Sorry, I didn't bring up the KJV issue to malign it.

    FYI, Libronix software give you the ability to compare statistically how versions vary.

    In Matthew 1:1-17 (chosen only for a comparison), the NKJV shows a 47.2% varant from the KJV.

    Obviously such percentage comparisons don't add much information without even further comment.

    Rob
     
    #7 Deacon, Nov 25, 2006
    Last edited by a moderator: Nov 25, 2006
  8. Keith M

    Keith M New Member

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    It is, isn't it? In fact, I would say it is extremely biased against sin!
     
  9. Ransom

    Ransom Active Member

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    Pastor_Bob said:

    As I began reading this book, I noticed right away that the author has a very clear bias for the Alexandrian Text.

    If he shared your bias, of course, that would be OK. :)
     
  10. EdSutton

    EdSutton New Member

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    Most of this forum, thread after thread, seems to be "My bias can whup yo' bias, anyday, anytime, anywhere!"

    That's how it sounds to me, anyway.

    Ed
     
  11. Ed Edwards

    Ed Edwards <img src=/Ed.gif>

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    My bias is based on my Logical Assumptions.
    Your bias is based on your Logical Assumptions.
    My Assumption can beat your Assumption :tonofbricks:
     
  12. robycop3

    robycop3 Well-Known Member
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    When I read Riplinger's NABV, I immediately noticed bias against every belief except HERS.

    IS there any UNbiased versions comparison literature? Even Dean Burgon showed some bias, mainly becausa his dislike of the RV.
     
  13. Anti-Alexandrian

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    Those of the Alexandrian slant would say YES. I say hear both sides,and THEN do the reasearch.A study into church history and the history of the English Bible will show that Alexandrianism(the unscriptural doctrine pushed by liberal Christians) is a bum steer.
     
  14. robycop3

    robycop3 Well-Known Member
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    Sorry, A_A, but speaking of bias...you cannot show any valid reason for yours.
     
  15. franklinmonroe

    franklinmonroe Active Member

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    Short of viewing a dry, boring catalogue, this is as good as its gonna get. A book or thesis needs propose theories, explain evidences, and eventually arrive at a conclusion to be satisfying. Every good author must have a point of view to do this.

    I noticed right away your prejudice by your use of the word "bias". Of course, you are entitled to your preconceived notions. But why then are you reading? Only to bolster your previously held beliefs, or with a rational mind to obtain new facts, and to really understand and carefully consider other viable opinions?
     
    #15 franklinmonroe, Nov 27, 2006
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