![]() ![]() (“Codex” refers to the book form used exclusively by Christians for making copies of Biblical writings.) Both date to the early fourth century. The earliest complete copies of the New Testament are Codex Sinaiticus and Codex Vaticanus. The papyri are followed by uncials, minuscule, and finally, lectionaries. Generally speaking, if we were to list these groups out in chronological order, the earliest group is the papyri. ![]() The earliest were written on papyrus while the latest are written on paper. New Testament manuscripts are usually found on vellum or parchment. Lectionaries – these are manuscripts that are arranged for daily study and meditation.Minuscules were written in a type of cursive. Uncials were written in all capital letters. Uncials and Minuscules – these are the writing styles of the documents.The papyri are the earliest “direct witness to the New Testament autographs” (Comfort & Barret, 2001). While the material on which they are written is valuable because of their rarity, the date that they were written is most important. The papyrus manuscripts are among the most important when reconstructing the text of the New Testament. Papyri – these manuscripts are identified by the material they are made of.Greek manuscripts are the primary documents that determine the wording of the New Testament. How can we know what we read is an accurate representation of the original text? Could we have wound up with copies that do not resemble the original at all? Before answering those questions, there are some important basics we should go over. Instead of being cause for alarm, the preservation of the New Testament is a living testimony to the unmatched power and providence of God. We are left with thousands of handwritten copies written in a variety of languages. The original, handwritten twenty-seven books of the New Testament most likely disappeared within a few decades after being written. If he can have success in planting seeds of doubt regarding the veracity of Scripture, there is no limit on how far he can go in pushing his agenda of turning the hearts of men and women away from God. Satan desires to deceive us into thinking our own personal will is to be the standard for life. This attitude has its origin in our adversary. While media attention to the book and the 2006 movie based on it has died down, the skepticism western culture has toward the Biblical record abounds. History has never had a definitive version of the book.” These are the words of Sir Leigh Teabing, a fictional character in Dan Brown’s The Da Vinci Code. Man created it as a historical record of tumultuous times, and it has evolved through countless translations, additions, and revisions. The Bible did not fall magically from the clouds. Near the end of the year we are planning to publish these twelve articles in book form (Kindle, Nook and old fashioned print and ink). We wish this series to help everyone understand the process of the Bible's history as a document and why we can have confidence in its message. This is especially so given the climate of society today and its attitudes toward the Bible. Can the New Testament be trusted? Has it been corrupted through time? Can we know what God has said? It should be obvious how important this topic is. The 2013 series is called "The Integrity of the New Testament" and deals with textual criticism. [From The Editors: This article is one of a series we are running this year. The Integrity of the New Testament - Special 2013 Series ![]()
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