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 - 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?

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