APPENDIX C - Examples of Modern Criticism

TEXTUAL SAMPLING

 It seems unreasonable that individuals and organizations professing to champion a high view of Scripture and defending its inerrancy and verbal plenary inspiration should embrace a Greek text which effectively undermines their belief. Since their sincerity is evident, one must conclude that they are uninformed, or have not really looked at the evidence and weighed the implications.

In the small sampling of modern textual scholarship that follow,1 the reading of the Textus Receptus is transliterated first and that of UBS3 second, followed by any others. Beside each variant, in parenthesis is a literal equivalent in English. To each variant is attached a statement of manuscript and versional support similar to that found in the "critical apparatus" of UBS3 (If the reader is unfamiliar with the process of interpreting the statements of support; he should move on to the discussion). "Byz" usually represents over 90% of the extant (known) Greek MSS/mss. The set of variants with their respective supporting evidence is followed by a brief critique of the implications.

Luke 4:44

"Galilaias" (of Galilee) - A, D, E, G, K, M, U, X, Y, G, D, Q, P, Y, 047, 0211 ,+6unc, f13, 33, Byz, lat, syrp

"Ioudaias" (of Judea) - P75vid, Aleph, B, C, L, Q, R(W)f1, Lect, syrs,h, cop

Problem: Jesus was in Galilee (and continued there), not in Judea.

Discussion: In the parallel passage, Mark 1:35-39, all texts agree that Jesus was in Galilee. Thus UBS3 contradicts itself by reading "Judea" in Luke 4:44. Bruce Metzger, writing as spokesman for the committee which edited the issue, makes clear that the UBS editors did this on purpose when he explains that their reading "is obviously the more difficult, and copyists have corrected it ... in accord with the parallels in Mt.4:23 and Mk.1:39."2 This error in the eclectic text is reproduced by the LB, NIV, NASB, NEB, RSV, etc.

 Luke 23:45 "eskotisthe" (was darkened) - A, Cc, D, E, G, K, M, Q, R, U, V, W, X, Y, G, D, Q, P, Y, 0117, 0135, +5unc, f1,13, Byz, Lect, lat, syr, Diat

"eklipontos" (being eclipsed) - P75, Aleph(B,Cvid), L, 0124, (cop)

Problem: An eclipse of the sun is impossible during a full moon. Such an eclipse may only occur at the new moon phase. Jesus was crucified during the Passover, and the Passover is always at full moon (which is why the date for Easter shifts around). UBS introduces a scientific error.

Discussion: The Greek verb "ekleipw" (ekleipw) is quite common and has the basic meaning "to fail" or "to end", but when used of the sun or the moon it refers to an eclipse. Moreover, our word "eclipse" comes from this Greek root. Indeed, such versions as Moffatt, Twentieth

1 This entire Appendix has been adapted from: Wilbur N. Pickering, What Difference Does It Make?, (Dallas, TX: n.p., 1990), pp. 1-17.

2 A Textual Commentary on the Greek New Testament, (New York: United Bible Societies, 1971), pp. 137-138.

149


continued...