Let’s Make It Simple: The Christmas Angels & Bible Translations

The key question that must be resolved concerning translations is what “Greek Text” or manuscripts do you rely upon for the translation (into the English language, in our situation).

#1 – Do you rely on the TR (Textus Receptus / the Majority Text)

or

#2 – Do you rely on the CT (Critical Text / the Sinaiticus – Vaticanus) manuscripts?

The Critical Text is called the “Sinaiticus – Vaticanus” because the name indicates locations.  One was found in the Sinai (in 1844), and the other was discovered in the library of the Vatican.

In 1881, two prominent scholars, Westcott and Hort, declared and dismissed the Textus Receptus as inferior and created a new Greek text based on the Critical Text.

If you do not rely on the Textus Receptus, then you must explain how God allowed this set of Greek manuscripts to be the basis of all New Testament translations for almost two thousand years (until 1881 and after).

So until 1881, God left the Greek manuscripts that Westcott and Hort decided were superior, hidden in the Sinai and tucked away in the Vatican?

For 1881 years, Bible scholars, church fathers, pastors, and God’s people relied upon the TR, which was an inferior set of manuscripts?

Joe Shakour provides another prime example of what happens when you abandon the TR / Majority Text and use a translation that is dependent on the Critical Text.

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