Can We Trust The Text of the New Testament?
Can We Trust The Text of the New Testament? DVD VIDEO DEBATE manuscript evidence
Movie
DVD
CSNTM
2011
DVD
$10.99
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CAN WE TRUST THE TEXT OF THE NEW TESTAMENT?
Do we have enough evidence to reconstruct the New Testament text?
— or —
Did the early scribes corrupt it beyond repair?
On October 1, 2011, over fifteen hundred people filled the McFarlin Memorial Auditorium on the campus of Southern Methodist University in Dallas to hear two world-renowned scholars debate the question: Can we trust the text of the New Testament?
The debate featured two 30-minute presentations from each debater followed by two rounds of cross-examination. Members of the audience were then given time to ask questions directly to the debaters.
After hearing the evidence for each side, you decide whether or not we can trust the text of the New Testament.
Expanding on the topic:
The question of whether the New Testament text is trustworthy strikes at the heart of Christian history, theology, and biblical scholarship. The New Testament, composed of 27 books written in the first century AD, has been transmitted through thousands of handwritten manuscripts over nearly two millennia. Understanding the reliability of these texts involves several key areas:
Manuscript evidence: The New Testament boasts the largest number of ancient manuscripts compared to any other ancient document. There are over 5,800 Greek manuscripts, plus thousands more in Latin, Coptic, Syriac, and other languages. These manuscripts date from as early as the 2nd century to the Middle Ages, providing a rich textual tradition for comparison and verification.
Textual criticism: This is the scholarly discipline dedicated to reconstructing the most original text possible by comparing variant readings found among manuscripts. Through careful analysis of differences, scholars can often determine copying errors, deliberate alterations, and reconstruct the earliest attainable text.
Early translations and citations: Besides Greek manuscripts, the New Testament text is preserved in early translations and quotations by Church Fathers, which serve as independent attestations supporting or clarifying the text’s transmission.
Critics of textual reliability often highlight the existence of thousands of textual variants—differences among manuscripts—in the New Testament. However, the vast majority of these variations are minor, such as spelling differences or word order changes that do not affect doctrinal teachings or the overall message.
Historical context of scribal transmission:
In antiquity, texts were copied by hand, which inevitably led to errors, both accidental and sometimes intentional. Scribal errors could include:
Omissions of words or lines
Repetitions
Substitutions or additions
Harmonizations to parallel passages
Nevertheless, many scribes were careful and conscientious, and the sheer number of manuscripts allows scholars to identify and correct errors through comparison. Additionally, the early Christian community’s emphasis on preserving authoritative texts acted as a safeguard against deliberate corruption.
The significance of the 2011 debate:
The debate hosted at Southern Methodist University brought these complex issues into public awareness by engaging two prominent scholars representing opposing views. The format allowed each expert to present their arguments and question the other's claims, illustrating the depth and nuances involved in assessing the New Testament text’s reliability.
Such discussions are vital not only for academic understanding but also for individuals seeking assurance about the authenticity of the Scriptures on which much of Western culture, ethics, and religious belief are founded.
Conclusion:
While no ancient text survives without some degree of variation or transmission challenge, the New Testament’s wealth of manuscript evidence, combined with rigorous scholarly methods, provides a strong foundation for trusting that the text we have today closely reflects the original writings. Ultimately, engaging with this question encourages deeper study and reflection on the historical and spiritual legacy of the New Testament.
The Debaters
Daniel B. Wallace is the Director of the Center for the Study of New Testament Manuscripts (CSNTM) and Professor of New Testament Studies at Dallas Theological Seminary. He is the senior New Testament editor for the NET Bible and has traveled around the world preserving copies of the New Testament with CSNTM.
Bart D. Ehrman is the James A. Gray Distinguished Professor of Religious Studies at the University of North Carolina Chapel Hill and the author of over 20 books including the bestselling Misquoting Jesus: The Story behind Who Changed the Bible and Why. He has appeared on NPR, CNN, The Daily Show, & The Colbert Report.
For DVD Player (North American NTSC)
Do we have enough evidence to reconstruct the New Testament text?
— or —
Did the early scribes corrupt it beyond repair?
On October 1, 2011, over fifteen hundred people filled the McFarlin Memorial Auditorium on the campus of Southern Methodist University in Dallas to hear two world-renowned scholars debate the question: Can we trust the text of the New Testament?
The debate featured two 30-minute presentations from each debater followed by two rounds of cross-examination. Members of the audience were then given time to ask questions directly to the debaters.
After hearing the evidence for each side, you decide whether or not we can trust the text of the New Testament.
Expanding on the topic:
The question of whether the New Testament text is trustworthy strikes at the heart of Christian history, theology, and biblical scholarship. The New Testament, composed of 27 books written in the first century AD, has been transmitted through thousands of handwritten manuscripts over nearly two millennia. Understanding the reliability of these texts involves several key areas:
Manuscript evidence: The New Testament boasts the largest number of ancient manuscripts compared to any other ancient document. There are over 5,800 Greek manuscripts, plus thousands more in Latin, Coptic, Syriac, and other languages. These manuscripts date from as early as the 2nd century to the Middle Ages, providing a rich textual tradition for comparison and verification.
Textual criticism: This is the scholarly discipline dedicated to reconstructing the most original text possible by comparing variant readings found among manuscripts. Through careful analysis of differences, scholars can often determine copying errors, deliberate alterations, and reconstruct the earliest attainable text.
Early translations and citations: Besides Greek manuscripts, the New Testament text is preserved in early translations and quotations by Church Fathers, which serve as independent attestations supporting or clarifying the text’s transmission.
Critics of textual reliability often highlight the existence of thousands of textual variants—differences among manuscripts—in the New Testament. However, the vast majority of these variations are minor, such as spelling differences or word order changes that do not affect doctrinal teachings or the overall message.
Historical context of scribal transmission:
In antiquity, texts were copied by hand, which inevitably led to errors, both accidental and sometimes intentional. Scribal errors could include:
Omissions of words or lines
Repetitions
Substitutions or additions
Harmonizations to parallel passages
Nevertheless, many scribes were careful and conscientious, and the sheer number of manuscripts allows scholars to identify and correct errors through comparison. Additionally, the early Christian community’s emphasis on preserving authoritative texts acted as a safeguard against deliberate corruption.
The significance of the 2011 debate:
The debate hosted at Southern Methodist University brought these complex issues into public awareness by engaging two prominent scholars representing opposing views. The format allowed each expert to present their arguments and question the other's claims, illustrating the depth and nuances involved in assessing the New Testament text’s reliability.
Such discussions are vital not only for academic understanding but also for individuals seeking assurance about the authenticity of the Scriptures on which much of Western culture, ethics, and religious belief are founded.
Conclusion:
While no ancient text survives without some degree of variation or transmission challenge, the New Testament’s wealth of manuscript evidence, combined with rigorous scholarly methods, provides a strong foundation for trusting that the text we have today closely reflects the original writings. Ultimately, engaging with this question encourages deeper study and reflection on the historical and spiritual legacy of the New Testament.
The Debaters
Daniel B. Wallace is the Director of the Center for the Study of New Testament Manuscripts (CSNTM) and Professor of New Testament Studies at Dallas Theological Seminary. He is the senior New Testament editor for the NET Bible and has traveled around the world preserving copies of the New Testament with CSNTM.
Bart D. Ehrman is the James A. Gray Distinguished Professor of Religious Studies at the University of North Carolina Chapel Hill and the author of over 20 books including the bestselling Misquoting Jesus: The Story behind Who Changed the Bible and Why. He has appeared on NPR, CNN, The Daily Show, & The Colbert Report.
For DVD Player (North American NTSC)
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Computers are like people, each one is different. Unlike console games, a computer game may install and work flawlessly on one system but may need adjustments on another. This is due to a variety of factors, mainly the OS platform running, video card you have, drivers, protection software installed, etc. Many times manufacturers release updates to games to fix bugs and add enhancements. We would be happy to help get the game going on your computer, but ultimately compatibility issues are the responsibility of the buyer. We suggest going to Google and searching for the name of the game along with the words "system requirements" to determine if your system is suitable. Ultimately, we are not responsible for software compatibility problems or publisher's errors.
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64-Bit Windows OS Systems:
For 64-bit Operating Systems, older games most likely will NOT work due to 64-bit systems not being able to run 16-bit programming code (most games prior to 2000). For DOS games, you may need to play it with a free DOSbox program.
Macintosh Systems:
For Macintosh programs, most older games will need to be run in Classic Environment if you have a MAC OS X 10.0 - 10.4 version. Please research Google on how to do this, or send us a message for information prior to purchasing. If your MAC OS system doesn't support Classic Environment (ie. MAC OS X 10.5 or Higher OR Intel Macs), you will have to try running it using the free program called SheepShaver, but compatibility is not ensured. Please research prior to purchasing or ask questions.
MEDIA FORMAT:
Please verify you have the required hardware in order to use the specified media (ie. CD, DVD, floppy drives, etc.) If the item comes as a floppy disc, make sure you have either the needed 3.5" floppy drive or the bigger and older 5.25" floppy drive.
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Ask questions PRIOR to purchasing an order to avoid any confusion.
Be patient if there are problems during installation or gameplay. Typically someone else has
already ran into that problem and has listed a solution online. Contact us and we will do our best to help.
Be sure to update your video card drivers and search for updates to the game from the manufacturer.
This item is for the original media, and includes only the media (ie. CD, floppy ...) UNLESS specifically stated above and/or in the title. If more than just the media is included, it will state which items are (ie. box, manual, etc ). Items that come in a sleeve refer to a generic CD sleeve (typically white) and will be sent with shipping protection to avoid damage during transit. If available, we will also send the front and/or back CD inserts if in stock. If these are important to you, please message us to verify we have them available to send. Please do not assume items are included other than what's stated. Again, ask questions PRIOR to purchasing if you have any concerns.
IMAGES:
All images/pictures are stock photos and are for reference only, mainly to show the type of game you will be getting. Please read "WHAT YOU GET" for what is included with the media. Screenshots may vary based on your own computer system, video card, monitor, etc.
COMPATIBILITY:
Computers are like people, each one is different. Unlike console games, a computer game may install and work flawlessly on one system but may need adjustments on another. This is due to a variety of factors, mainly the OS platform running, video card you have, drivers, protection software installed, etc. Many times manufacturers release updates to games to fix bugs and add enhancements. We would be happy to help get the game going on your computer, but ultimately compatibility issues are the responsibility of the buyer. We suggest going to Google and searching for the name of the game along with the words "system requirements" to determine if your system is suitable. Ultimately, we are not responsible for software compatibility problems or publisher's errors.
PLATFORM:
Stated within the auction is what platform the game will work on (ie. Windows, Mac, Linux...) This is a generic statement and specific platform versions (ie. XP, Vista...) will have to be researched by the buyer. Games that came out PRIOR to XP or higher will not specifically state they will work on that release, but only because they came out before those versions were made. Many, if not most, will work on XP or higher with a few quick adjustments. We provide instructions with all items purchased on how to do this adjustment using the Program Compatibility Wizard. If we find out that an item will definately not work on a specific version, we will state it. For DOS games, you may need to play it with a free DOSbox program if the Program Compatibility Wizard does not work.
64-Bit Windows OS Systems:
For 64-bit Operating Systems, older games most likely will NOT work due to 64-bit systems not being able to run 16-bit programming code (most games prior to 2000). For DOS games, you may need to play it with a free DOSbox program.
Macintosh Systems:
For Macintosh programs, most older games will need to be run in Classic Environment if you have a MAC OS X 10.0 - 10.4 version. Please research Google on how to do this, or send us a message for information prior to purchasing. If your MAC OS system doesn't support Classic Environment (ie. MAC OS X 10.5 or Higher OR Intel Macs), you will have to try running it using the free program called SheepShaver, but compatibility is not ensured. Please research prior to purchasing or ask questions.
MEDIA FORMAT:
Please verify you have the required hardware in order to use the specified media (ie. CD, DVD, floppy drives, etc.) If the item comes as a floppy disc, make sure you have either the needed 3.5" floppy drive or the bigger and older 5.25" floppy drive.
RECOMMENDATIONS FOR A SMOOTH PURCHASE:
SHIPPING:
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We typically ship all items out within 1-2 business days after payment is received. In regards to the stated shipping and handling, remember that these costs include more than just postage.
International buyers please email/chat with us to determine if you are eligible for shipping of a specific product. If you are, then international buyers not shipping to an address within the U.S. can expect their orders to take anywhere from 5 days to 4 weeks to be received, depending on how fast/well USPS is moving. Additionally, international orders typically have to go through governmental customs, which can delay the arrival process. Import duties, taxes, and charges are not included in the item price or shipping cost. These charges are the buyer's responsibility. Please check with your country's customs office to determine what these additional costs will be prior to buying. Customs fees are normally charged by the shipping company or collected when you pick the item up. These fees are not additional shipping charges.
