Causes of Corruption of the New Testament Text Review

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(More customer reviews)A key work on its subject, this book, is one of the best accessible works on the differences between the Textus Receptus documents that underly the King James vs the Critical Text documents that underly all of the other "modern" English language bibles. Author Dean Burgon did extensive research to compare the varying underlying texts visiting the originals to see for himself. Publisher Jay Green SR. of Lafayette Indiana apparently created this summary excerpt of Dean Burgeon's larger works on the subject.
A slow read for those not knowing Greek but it is accessible enough to allow even those not knowing the languages to learn some key differences of these two sources.
What is great about this book is the intellectual weaving by Burgon showing errors by both orthodox and liberal bible text compilers. He admits to a few errors in Textus Receptus while showing the many in the Critical Text.
Examples: Page 30 shows the subtle changes afforded by the critical text that underly feminism and other modern philosophies. Pages 36 & 54 gives lists of old heretics that are quoted as authorities by modern bible scholars. This knowledge helps a person to understand how modern scholars have disassembled the early biblical church beliefs and then created a politically correct secular humanist cartoon church for today's church goers.
Yes, it is possible to find the best originals and translation. After you read this you will see the stupidity of modern day arguments on the subject. Those inserting error are seen as intellectuals in search of a career as they create alternate views throughout history. After Burgon dissects the subject it is seen as no more than a typical argument between those who really want the truth and the hotheads that would rather argue. It is deeply disappointingly to find out the low quality of the critical text that I've been fed much of my life.
Whether you agree with Burgon or not it is irresponsible to not read this if you are a person wanting to know this subject matter - it is that good and important an explanation.

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Essential Guide to Bible Versions Review

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(More customer reviews)Although I'm a layperson who studies the Bible for my own personal faith and leading a Bible Study, I really enjoyed this book. I think that pastors and serious Bible students would probably get more out of it, but learned a lot from Dr. Comfort's discussion!
Dr. Comfort discusses how the Old Testament and New Testament were canonized, the impact of the Dead Sea Scrolls, and this history of Bible translation. I was especially interested in John Wycliffe's story and how he objected to many aspects of the Catholic church 150 years before Martin Luther's "95 Theses"! Wycliffe is often called "The Morning Star of the Reformation" and of course Wycliffe Bible Translators was named after this man who was the first to translate God's Word into English.
Tyndale lived about the same time as Luther and was killed because of his translation of the New Testament. He kept getting the Bible out to people in England, and the Catholic Church kept confiscating and burning them. Tyndale's dying prayer was "Lord, open the King of England's eyes!"
A student of Tyndale, Miles Coverdale completed the work that Tyndale started. He finished the translation of the Bible. About that time, King Henry VIII had broken ties with the Pope and was ready for an English translation of the Bible. Tyndale's prayer had been answered!
Dr. Comfort's book gives a detailed account of how each Bible version came into being, and whether the versions are word-for-word (KJV, NKJV, RSV), thought-for-thought (NIV) functionally equivalent (CEV, NLT) or a paraphrase (The Living Bible and The Message).
He recommends that today's Bible readers should use more than one translation to get a complete overview. Personally, I use NIV mostly, but I also really like New Living Translation. And reading The Message gives a fresh approach and is really good for pleasure reading.
I highly recommend "The Contemporary Parallel New Testament" edited by John R. Kohlenberger. This wonderful book has 8 Bible versions side-by-side (all 8 versions of a passage on a two-page spread).
Please see my other reviews for many reviews of different Bibles and check out my Listmania List "Great Bibles" for info on some of my favorites!
God bless you in your study of the Word of God!

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King James Version Debate, The: A Plea for Realism Review

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(More customer reviews)D. A. Carson's primary purpose in writing The King James Debate: A Plea for Realism is to refute those who advocate the superiority of the Greek textual tradition behind the King James Version of the Bible. As a consequence, his effort has produced a wonderful primer on textual criticism. The book is divided into two parts: Textual Question and Nontextual Questions. Carson makes every effort to treat the position of his opponents with respect although it is quite evident their position frustrates and even angers him.
The first six chapters are dedicated to surveying the different text-types and their historical traditions. He gives his readers a succinct overview of very complex issues regarding the rise of the four major textual traditions (Byzantine, Western, Alexandrian and Caesarean) and briefly discusses their strengths and weaknesses. Carson also navigates the thorny issue of how variations between these text-types developed.
Carson briefly discusses the origins of the Textus Receptus (TR) and makes the case that the TR is based upon the inferior and late Byzantine text-type. He traces the history of the TR through Erasmus's Greek Testament. He affirms that the KJV translators used the best manuscripts available to them at the time, but subsequent discoveries cast doubt upon the accuracy of the Byzantine text-type vis-à-vis the other traditions. In Chapter 7, Carson methodically summarizes the reasons why the TR is an inferior textual tradition.
Part Two deals with what Carson calls "Nontextual Issues." In actuality, this major division addresses Carson's thoughts on translating scripture. He deals with seven popular arguments some uses to support the superiority of the KJV translation over other modern English translations. Carson respects those who have a deep personal and emotional commitment to the KJV but has harsh words for those who use historically and scholarly fallacious methods to claim KJV superiority over other modern translations. He points out that the KJV is quickly falling out of favor because the Elizabethan English is obscure, confusing and sometime incomprehensible.
Carson includes a lengthy appendix presenting a critique of the book "The Identity of the New Testament Text" by Wilbur N. Pickering. Pickering's thesis is that eclecticism is not a method to be trusted. Pickering objects to the concept of text-typing and supports the majority reading approach to determining the most accurate text. Carson refutes Pickering on eight points. Many of these points refer back to his 14 theses in chapter seven.
D. A. Carson's point-by-point analysis and refutation of the "King James-only" element in American Christianity should be required reading as an introduction to textual criticism. The book is also helpful for anyone entering the pastoral ministry. Carson thoroughly and forcefully presents both sides of the issue with more respect than his interlocutors provide him.

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King James Only Controversy, The: Can You Trust Modern Translations? Review

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(More customer reviews)Every Christian who believes that the Bible is God's Word should read the first part of this book, whether they agree with the author's stance or not, or whether they are interested in the controversy or not, since it covers quite a bit of background information relating to the history and nature of New Testament translation, including its history, major translations, translators, and other key figures, information about the nature of the greek manuscripts, and so on.
Most of what I would comment about on this book has already been said, so I won't push the point much further.
However, I would like to add another point which James White seems to have overlooked in his book, I assume because of his lack of international/missionary experience:
I come from Singapore where not everyone is fluent in English, or even knows English, much less read English. For the ethnic Chinese who only reads and understands the Chinese language, the only Bible they can read would obviously be on that is translated to Chinese. Unfortunately (or fortunately?), none of the Chinese Bibles, as far as I know, are translated from the TR, and you cannot find a Chinese Bible translated from the King James version.
Now that's just the Bible in Chinese, where there are a few versions/translations. How about those other Bibles in languages where there's only ONE translation (mostly translated by UBS, and not translated from TR/KJV)?
Those who insist on KJV Only should perhaps remember that there's a whole world out there that does not and cannot understand English, much less KJV English. I supposed they are doomed, unless they learn English, KJV English.
That said, my opinion is that this is probably the best book on the subject. Read it, unless your mind is already made up (see those 1 star reviews).

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