NOTR - Origins of New Testament Corruption - 9.21.16

Today's Show: ORIGINS OF NEW TESTAMENT CORRUPTION

Chris discusses some of the most controversial elements of the new film, "Bridge to Babylon" where the history of the Bible is concerned.  The very heart of the debates surrounding the critical text have to do with the many variants that exist in early manuscripts.  Where do they come from?  And why are there so many readings that differ one from another?  There are two schools of thought where this is concerned.  On today's show, we discuss the views of those who defend the traditional text of Scripture.

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NOTR - The Syrian Recension Theory - 9.16.16

Today's Show: THE SYRIAN RECENSION THEORY

Chris discusses the very heart of the critical text theory -- the alleged recension (or revision) of the New Testament that is said to have occurred between 250 and 350 A.D. in ancient Syria, according to Westcott and Hort's hypothesis.  The result was a series of longer readings of the text of Scripture that then became (eventually) the Received Text.  The theory itself was apparently engineered for the purpose of explaining why the Codex Vaticanus contained shorter readings than the Textus Receptus.  Yet it was opposed by leading scholars of the nineteenth century, such as Charles Henry Waller and Canon Cook -- whose comments are explored.

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NOTR - The Hand of Heresy - 9.14.16

Today's Show: THE HAND OF HERESY

Chris discusses the Revision Committee of 1881 from the perspective of Dean John W. Burgon and one of his associates, a renowned minister named H.P. Liddon.  The Committee, led by Westcott and Hort chose to include in its company a Unitarian named Dr. Vance Smith.  His inclusion was considered a scandal that caused an uproar among believers in England.  Liddon wrote to Burgon that because of the influence of an unbeliever, they should "expect to trace the hand of heresy" in the passages of the 1881 revision of the English Bible.

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NOTR - Gnostics & The New Testament - 9.13.16

Today's Show: GNOSTICS & THE NEW TESTAMENT

Chris continues his discussion about the controversial influence of Gnostics in the early centuries of Church history.  Some scholars in the nineteenth century rejected the theory of Westcott and Hort because they believed these men had embraced the depraved readings of heretics which had been warned about by early church fathers, and were rejected by the majority of the Christian world.  Do the leading manuscripts used by modern textual critics (the Vaticanus and Sinaiticus) show the activity of ancient Gnostic corruptions?

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NOTR - Older is better for Gnostics - 9.8.16

Today's Show: OLDER IS BETTER FOR GNOSTICS

Chris continues his discussion of the components of the Critical Text argument, this time focusing on the argument that older manuscripts are supposedly "better" because they are closer to the originals.  But does this argument stand upon closer investigation?  Nineteenth century scholar John Burgon specifically addressed the controversy, along with his contemporary, F.H.A. Scrivener.  The chief problem with the "older is better" belief is that the worst corruptions of the New Testament occurred within the first two hundred years after they were first written.  Early church fathers warned of the influence of heretical groups, generally referred to as the "Gnostics" and who were concentrated in Alexandria, Egypt.  What does history tell us about their influence?

By clicking this icon you will be directed to our archives page in order to get an mp3 version of today's show. With this file you can listen to Noise of Thunder from your iPod or MP3 player whenever you want.

NOTR - Obeying the Gospel of Christ - 9.6.16

Today's Show: OBEYING THE GOSPEL OF CHRIST

Chris continues his discussion of the new film "Bridge to Babylon," and the potentially damaging impact that skeptical scholarship can have on the preaching of the Gospel.  The apostle warns that when the Lord returns, He will take "vengeance on them that know not God, and that obey not the gospel ..."  As such, our obedience to the Gospel of Jesus Christ is of the utmost importance, especially in this era in which universal theology (i.e. the teaching that all religions are somehow one and the same) is often promoted.  But the question is asked: has the handling of the Scriptures by modern critics weakened confidence in the Bible and, as a result, opened the door to apostasy?

By clicking this icon you will be directed to our archives page in order to get an mp3 version of today's show. With this file you can listen to Noise of Thunder from your iPod or MP3 player whenever you want.