ACE Interview Mark Strauss "Reliability of the New Testament Manuscripts"

Summary

In this discussion, Mark Strauss, a professor at Bethel Seminary, addresses skeptics' doubts about the authenticity of the New Testament. He explains that while original manuscripts don't exist, the New Testament has more and earlier manuscript evidence than any other ancient literature. With over 5,000 manuscripts and the use of textual criticism, scholars are confident that we have a version of the New Testament very close to the original authors' writings, often estimated to be around 95% accurate.

Takeaways

• 📝 The original manuscripts of the New Testament, known as autographs, no longer exist, which is common for ancient literature.
• 📝 Despite the lack of autographs, we have more manuscript evidence for the New Testament than for any other ancient work.
• 📝 Over 5,000 manuscripts of the New Testament exist, some dating back to within a few decades of the original writings.
• 📝 The science of textual criticism allows scholars to understand and correct copying errors over time.
• 📝 There is a broad consensus among scholars, regardless of their theological stance, that we have a text close to the original authors' writings.
• 📝 The New Testament's manuscript evidence is more reliable and closer in time to the original writings compared to other ancient literature.
• 📝 The level of agreement with the original texts is estimated to be around 95%, indicating a high degree of accuracy.
• 📝 The abundance of manuscripts provides a solid foundation for confidence in the New Testament's authenticity.
• 📝 Christian scholars encourage further reading and study to understand the reliability of the New Testament documents.
• 📝 Modern Bibles often indicate places of disagreement or different wordings in footnotes, showing transparency in textual variations.

Q & A

Why do skeptics question the authenticity of the New Testament?

Skeptics question the authenticity of the New Testament because the original manuscripts, known as autographs, do not exist. They argue that without these originals, we cannot be certain of the text's accuracy.

What is the significance of not having the autographs of ancient literature?

The absence of autographs is not unusual for ancient literature, including works like Homer's Iliad and Odyssey. Most ancient documents have not survived, but this does not invalidate the reliability of the texts we do have.

How does the number of New Testament manuscripts compare to other ancient works?

The New Testament has more manuscript evidence than any other ancient work of literature, with over 5,000 handwritten copies, some dating back to within a few decades of the original writings.

What is the role of textual criticism in understanding the New Testament?

Textual criticism is the science and art of analyzing and comparing manuscript copies to identify and correct errors in transmission. It helps scholars determine the most accurate version of the text.

What is the consensus among biblical scholars regarding the accuracy of the New Testament text?

There is a broad consensus among biblical scholars, regardless of their ideological stance, that the current New Testament texts are very close to the originals, with estimates suggesting around 95% accuracy.

How does the age of New Testament manuscripts compare to other ancient literature?

New Testament manuscripts are significantly older than those of other ancient works, with some existing within the first few decades of the documents' creation, compared to potentially 1,000 years for Greek literature.

What does the term 'manuscript evidence' refer to in the context of the New Testament?

Manuscript evidence refers to the physical copies of the New Testament that have been preserved and studied, providing scholars with tangible data to assess the text's authenticity.

Why should people not be alarmed by variations in New Testament manuscripts?

Variations in manuscripts are expected and do not undermine the overall reliability of the text. Scholars are aware of these discrepancies and often note them in modern Bible translations.

What resources are available for those interested in learning more about the reliability of the New Testament?

There are numerous resources, including writings by Christian scholars, that argue for the reliability of the New Testament documents and explain the evidence supporting their authenticity.

How do modern Bible translations handle instances where there are different wordings in the manuscripts?

Modern Bible translations often indicate places of disagreement or different wordings in footnotes or marginal notes, allowing readers to be aware of the textual variations.

What advice does Mark Strauss give to those concerned about the authenticity of the New Testament?

Mark Strauss encourages individuals to explore the resources available, read more about the subject, and understand that the scholarly consensus supports the high reliability of the New Testament documents.