Acts 2:24 Redux

[Dan Gan]

Would it be easier to just accept the traditional text and ignore the aspect of the western text? Oh of course, but if your a perfectionist like myself, you could never do that knowing what you know. Besides, if I start ignoring truth such as that, and accepting second best because I can't deal with the truth, then I take the chance that less truth will be presented to me from that point on.

That is a particular about me, nothing set in stone, just something I hold as a standard for myself to adhere to.

What is the "Western text" that you have been trumpeting about lately? Do you have any clue? Don't Google for answer. Read some works by textual scholars or at least subscribe to scholarly journals like New Testament Studies published by Cambridge University.

Do not confuse yourself with the terms given by scholars like "Byzantine text", "Alexandrian text", "Western non-interpolation text", "Caesarean text", etc. These are the terms used to show textual relationships between ancient manuscripts of the Greek NT given by textual scholars like J.J. Griesbach, B.F. Westcott, F.J.A. Hort, etc. If you think that "Western text" must be right just because you are a Westerner then you made a great mistake.

What is the basis for your conclusion that "Western text" type is correct? Hmmm... Errrrr... I am a Westerner, a "Prostestant" (maybe).... The Western world is Christian. Therefore, "westen text" must be correct. Therefore, Byzantine text type must be wrong because I disagree with Byzantine church. Alexandrian text type must be wrong because I don't like Egyptian church. Or.... I am a Calvinist. Codex Bezae is named after Theodore Beza, a friend of John Calvin. Therefore it must be 100% correct like Calvin. Or.... I like Cambridge University where this manuscript is kept, because it is one of the best universities in the world. <!-- s:biggrin: --><img src="{SMILIES_PATH}/biggrin.gif" alt=":biggrin:" title="Big Grin" /><!-- s:biggrin: --> Is that how you think subconciously? (I don't mean to offend you. I asked you in this manner because I am not sure whether you have done any study on "Western text" type).


What is the primary witnesses for "Western text" type? Codex Bezae Cantabrigiensis (designated as Codex D by textual scholars) and some Old Latin mss. Codex D is dated around 5th or 6th century A.D. & it contains only the Gospels and the book of Acts. Are you foolish enough to conclude that we must disregard the majority "traditional text" to follow Codex D (or in your words "western text")? What is your basis for the epistles in the New Testament? You have no text to rely on. All you have is nothing but wild assumptions.

The "Byzantine text" type basically agrees closely with the Aramaic Peshitta. Sir Frederick G. Kenyon who was the former director and principle librarian of the British museum, dated the Peshitta around 150 A.D. Dean (of Chichester) John William Burgon the number one defender of the traditional received text of the Greek NT, noted that the churches of the region of Syria have always used the Peshilta.

If you cannot accept the Peshitta as the original, at least show some respect to the Greek New Testament. Your allegation about "standardization" by "evil" scribes shows no respect for the word of God. Try to copy the Greek New Testament yourself since you are a perfectionist. See whether you can copy it perfectly and correctly.

The variants in the Greek NT are mostly due to the errors of unintentional ommission and addition of the copyists. Many of the various readings of the Greek NT manuscripts can be explained by the Aramaic primacy of the Peshitta. Just look at the many English Bibles today in the bokkshops. If the English is the original, do we need so many translations with various readings? The same can be said about the Greek NT. Some of the variants under close inspection revealed the semitic origin of the Greek NT. The job of the scribe is to copy the manuscripts accurately if not correctly. Why would they wanted to alter or "standardize" the text if the Greek NT is the original? Do you think that they are evil? Don't need to answer this question. Try to copy the Bible without making any mistake.


Peace.
Spending too much time in this forum. Taking a long break from this forum. <!-- s:listen: --><img src="{SMILIES_PATH}/listen.gif" alt=":listen:" title="Listen" /><!-- s:listen: -->