7. Textual criticism

In this chapter, we will look at the issues of the Greek manuscripts that relay the original writings throughout the centuries, the differences among them, and whether or not those differences are significant.

Download the video

Discussion questions

1. What are some challenges presented by the fact that letters and documents had to be written by scribes?
2. What are variants, and how might they affect our understanding of biblical text?
3. What does it mean that a variant is viable? What does it mean that it is meaningful?
4. What is the difference between external and internal evidence in the work of textual criticism?
5. What is the basic principle of external evidence? Of internal evidence? Do these make sense to you?
6. What are some examples of changes made by scribes that reflect a high view of Scripture? What do you think of the scribes doing this?
7. Why is it important to understand that the majority of variants do not alter the meaning or truth of a passage in the Bible?
8. Do you agree that variants do not call “into question any point of biblical theology”? Why or why not?