Can I Trust the Bible - Episode 2: The Right Text | @WesHuff

Summary

The video explores the history, reliability, and authenticity of the Bible, focusing on its manuscript tradition and archaeological evidence. Experts discuss how the Bible, consisting of 66 books written over 1600 years, has been meticulously copied and translated, with discoveries like the Dead Sea Scrolls and Oxyrhynchus papyri providing confidence in its preservation. The video also addresses common concerns, such as textual variations and missing verses, explaining that these differences are generally inconsequential. Ultimately, it affirms the Bible’s historical accuracy and its faithful transmission over millennia, reinforcing trust in its message and reliability.

Takeaways

• 😀 The Bible is not just one book, but a collection of 66 books written over 1,600 years by about 40 authors in three languages: Hebrew, Greek, and Aramaic.
• 😀 The reliability of the Bible's text is supported by archaeological discoveries, particularly the ancient manuscripts found in Egypt, such as the Oxyrhynchus papyri.
• 😀 Even though the Bible was translated and copied over centuries, the manuscript evidence suggests that modern translations are surprisingly close to the original texts.
• 😀 The early translations of the Bible, like the Septuagint (Greek Old Testament), played a crucial role in the preservation and spread of biblical texts.
• 😀 Discoveries of ancient papyri, like those in Oxyrhynchus, have confirmed that the Bible has been accurately preserved over time.
• 😀 The Bible's text has been faithfully copied and translated for centuries without significant changes to the core message, despite minor differences like spelling errors or word order.
• 😀 Scribal errors, such as misspelled words, are common in ancient manuscripts, but they don’t change the meaning of the text or affect major doctrines.
• 😀 Variants or missing verses (e.g., John 5:4) are often due to later scribal additions or mistakes, and the modern Bible provides footnotes to explain these discrepancies.
• 😀 The gospel writers, like Luke, carefully place their narratives within verifiable historical contexts, citing known figures and locations to demonstrate their accuracy.
• 😀 Archaeological findings, such as the Pontius Pilate stone, verify key historical details mentioned in the Bible, confirming its authenticity and accuracy in historical context.

Q & A

Why did the speaker initially feel the need to engage with critics who question the reliability of the Bible?

The speaker was engaging with Muslims, Mormons, Jehovah's Witnesses, and skeptics who criticized the Bible, especially pointing out issues like translations of translations and errors in copies. This motivated the speaker to ensure the reliability of the Bible, as it forms the foundation of their faith in Jesus.

What makes the Bible different from how we typically view it in modern times?

The Bible is not a single book but 66 books written over 1,600 years by approximately 40 different authors across three continents in three languages (Greek, Hebrew, and Aramaic). It was later compiled into the bound book we have today.

Why are Egypt and ancient manuscripts important when discussing the reliability of the Bible?

Many of the earliest manuscripts of the Bible were discovered in Egypt, specifically around the city of Oxyrhynchus, which was a major center for papyrus production. These discoveries have helped scholars confirm the accuracy and transmission of biblical texts over time.

How did the discovery of manuscripts in Oxyrhynchus affect our understanding of the Bible?

The discovery of these ancient manuscripts in the late 19th century, including early fragments of the Gospel of Matthew, showed that the Bible's textual transmission had been remarkably accurate. It confirmed that the text of the Bible we have today closely matches what was written in antiquity.

What is the significance of the Septuagint in biblical history?

The Septuagint is a Greek translation of the Hebrew Old Testament, commissioned around 200 years before Jesus. This translation played a key role in the spread of biblical texts, particularly for Greek-speaking Jews and early Christians.

What is the impact of the differences found in ancient biblical manuscripts?

The differences found in ancient manuscripts, such as variations in wording or spelling, generally do not alter the core message of the Bible. These differences are often minor and do not affect key Christian doctrines. In fact, they help clarify the text rather than confuse it.

Why do some Bible verses appear to be 'missing' or have notes about their authenticity?

Some verses, such as John 5:4, appear to be 'missing' because later scribes may have added them, but modern scholars recognize these additions through manuscript evidence. These differences are noted in modern translations to ensure transparency and historical accuracy.

How do scholars handle textual variants and discrepancies in biblical manuscripts?

Scholars examine textual variants by comparing different manuscripts and identifying when and where changes were made. They use footnotes or citations to indicate where discrepancies exist, providing a clearer understanding of the Bible's textual history.

How does archaeology support the historical reliability of the Bible?

Archaeological discoveries, such as inscriptions and artifacts, corroborate historical events and figures mentioned in the Bible. For example, the discovery of the Pontius Pilate stone confirmed the correct title for Pilate, supporting the Gospel's accuracy over other ancient sources.

What role does Luke's Gospel play in establishing the historical reliability of the Bible?

Luke's Gospel is notable for its detailed historical context, providing names, locations, and events that have been verified through archaeology and other ancient sources. This approach assures readers that the Gospel is not merely a narrative but a reliable historical account.