Tag: History

Bible Translations, Manuscripts, and Understanding “Textual Variants”

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In response to my last post: “Have Verses Been Removed from My Bible?,” a member of White Fields Church contacted me with some further insights and a chart.

I thought this might be of interest to my readers, so check it out and feel free to share thoughts in the comments.

Many people may not realize that differences in verse inclusions across Bible translations often arise from the Greek New Testament edition chosen by the translators.

For instance, NIV translators didn’t “remove” verses present in the KJV; they were simply translating from different underlying manuscripts. These manuscripts have been compiled into two slightly different Greek New Testament editions.

Translation and textual criticism (determining which text is closest to the original) are related but distinct fields. Translation committees generally rely on the textual decisions made by textual critics who compile the Greek New Testaments used for translation.

Most Bible translations today are based on either the Textus Receptus (TR, or “Received Text”) or the Critical Text (CT, like the Nestle-Aland 28th Edition or United Bible Society 5th Edition). The KJV, NKJV, and MEV use the Textus Receptus, while the majority of other translations (such as the ESV, NIV, NASB, NLT, NET, and CSB) use the Critical Text.

Some translations, like the WEB and MSB, use a third option, the Majority Text (MT), which is less commonly known. Bible translations also vary in the number of textual footnotes they provide. For example, the NASB often includes fewer footnotes, while the NKJV has more than average, and the CSB, BSB, and WEB offer extensive notes (they’re the only translations I’ve seen with a note on the variant in Matthew 6:1).

A great resource for studying textual differences is the Text-Critical English New Testament: Byzantine Text Version, which shows the percentage of manuscripts supporting each reading. Sunday’s example was fascinating: most modern translations omit Matthew 17:21 (“But this kind does not go out except by prayer and fasting”) based on the Critical Text. However, a significant majority (87.7%) of Greek manuscripts do include this verse, whereas only a small fraction (0.6%) omit it.

While simply counting manuscripts isn’t necessarily the best way to determine authenticity, referring to 87.7% as merely “some” rather than “many” or “most” seems misleading.

It’s also unfortunate that the Majority Text and its close counterpart, the Byzantine Text, are so rarely discussed. God has blessed us with a rich manuscript tradition, and I think it’s important to consider the majority of these texts as part of faithfully stewarding this blessing.

Finally, I want to emphasize that I view all major modern evangelical translations as wonderful, reliable gifts from God. I use and recommend them all.

Have Verses Been Removed from My Bible?

Published on by nickcady3 Comments

This past Sunday at White Fields Church, I taught Matthew 17:14-27, which is a passage where Jesus gives his disciples (and us) a lesson about faith. You can watch or listen to that message here.

However, there is an interesting thing that you might notice if you read that passage: In the King James and New King James translations, there is a verse (verse 21), which is left out by other translations, including the New American Standard Bible, the New International Version, New Living Translation, and English Standard Version, to name a few.

Furthermore, in Matthew chapter 18, this same thing happens again. Why is this?

Some people have noted this and come to the conclusion that verses have been removed from their Bibles over time. Why has that happened? Is it something we should be concerned about? Which translation of the Bible should we be using?

We discussed this issue and these questions in this week’s Sermon Extra video:

Almost a Reformer: How Erasmus of Rotterdam Fueled the Reformation but Personally Stopped Short – with Shane Angland

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In this episode of the Theology for the People Podcast, I speak with Shane Angland. Shane has been a recurring guest on the podcast, and is excellent on the topic of historical theology.

In this episode, we discuss Desiderius Erasmus, one of the most important figures in the history of the Protestant Reformation. He was a key thinker, and the compiler of many of the manuscripts that were used in translating the Bible from Greek and Hebrew into languages of the people. He was also in communication with many of the key figures of the reformation, like Martin Luther.

And yet, Erasmus stopped short of being a Reformer. In this episode, Shane and I talk about this intriguing person, the contributions he made, and why he fell short.

Shane lives in Ennis, Ireland where he serves at Ennis Evangelical Church. He holds a Masters of Divinity from Dallas Theological Seminary, and has served as a missionary in Ukraine.

Click here to listen to the episode, or listen in the embedded player below.

Almost a Reformer: How Erasmus of Rotterdam Fueled the Reformation but Personally Stopped Short – with Shane Angland – Theology for the People

Desiderius Erasmus is one of the most important figures in the history of the Protestant Reformation. He was a key thinker, and the compiler of many of the manuscripts that were used in translating the Bible from Greek and Hebrew into languages of the people. He was also in communication with many of the key figures of the reformation, like Martin Luther. And yet, Erasmus stopped short of being a Reformer. In this episode, I speak with Shane Angland about this intriguing person, what contributions he made, and why he fell short. Shane Angland is from Ennis, Ireland and holds a Masters of Divinity from Dallas Theological Seminary. Make sure to check out the Theology for the People website at nickcady.org

William Tyndale and the Desire for the English Bible – with Shane Angland

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If you read the Bible in English, you may not realize all of the drama and sacrifices that went into getting the Bible translated into the English language. 

In this episode of the Theology for the People Podcast, I speak with Shane Angland of Ennis Evangelical Church in County Clare, Ireland. Shane holds a Master of Divinity degree from Dallas Theological Seminary, and specializes in historical theology.

Shane and I speak about William Tyndale: an English biblical scholar and linguist who became a leading figure in the Protestant Reformation, until he was executed for his beliefs. Tyndale created the first English translation of the New Testament from the original Greek text and was working on translating the Old Testament from Hebrew. Much of his work can still be seen in the way the Bible is translated into English to this day. 

Click here to listen to the episode, or listen in the embedded player below.

William Tyndale and the Desire for the English Bible – with Shane Angland – Theology for the People

If you read the Bible in English, you may not realize all of the drama and sacrifices that went into getting the Bible translated into the English language.  William Tyndale was an English biblical scholar and linguist who became a leading figure in the Protestant Reformation, until he was executed for his beliefs. Tyndale created the first English translation of the New Testament from the original Greek text and was working on translating the Old Testament from Hebrew. Much of his work can still be seen in the way the Bible is translated into English to this day.  In this episode, my guest is Shane Angland of Ennis Evangelical Church in County Clare, Ireland. Shane holds a Masters of Divinity from Dallas Theological Seminary, and specializes in historical theology.

How Psalm 23 is a Microcosm of the Bible – with David Gibson

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Psalm 23 is one of the most well-known and beloved passages in the Bible. It is often read at funerals, or at times when people are in need of comfort. And yet, there is more to this Psalm than many people realize.

In this episode of the Theology for the People podcast, I speak with David Gibson, the Minister of Trinity Church in Aberdeen, Scotland, and the author of several books, including his latest, The Lord of Psalm 23: Jesus Our Shepherd, Companion, and Host.

According to David, Psalm 23 echoes the major themes of the Bible and foreshadows God’s saving work through Jesus – in a way that is wonderful, edifying, and encouraging. Rather than being a Psalm for death – he wants to show us how this is a passage about life, for those who follow Jesus!

Click here to listen to the episode, or listen in the embedded player below.

Why Psalm 23 is a Microcosm of the Bible – with David Gibson – Theology for the People

Psalm 23 is one of the most well-known and beloved passages in the Bible. It is often read at funerals, or at times when people are in need of comfort.  And yet, there is more to this Psalm than many people realize. According to my guest, David Gibson, Psalm 23 echoes the major themes of the Bible and foreshadows God’s saving work through Jesus – in a way that is wonderful, edifying, and encouraging.  Rather than being a Psalm for death – he wants to show us how this is a passage about life, for those who follow Jesus! David Gibson is the minister of Trinity Church in Aberdeen, Scotland, and the author of several books, including his latest: The Lord of Psalm 23: Jesus Our Shepherd, Companion, and Host. Make sure to check out the Theology for the People website at nickcady.org

Why Jesus’ Teachings in the Gospels are Reliable & Incredible – with Dr. Peter J. Williams

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Many people consider Jesus to be a great teacher, but few actually realize just how incredible his teachings actually were.

In this episode of the Theology for the People podcast, I speak with Dr. Peter J. Williams, the principal of Tyndale House in Cambridge, and the chair of the International Greek New Testament Project. He is also a member of the ESV Translation Oversight Committee, and the author of several books, including: Can We Trust the Gospels?

Dr. Williams’ latest book is called The Surprising Genius of Jesus: What the Gospels Reveal about the Greatest Teacher, in which he examines Jesus’ teachings in the Gospels and shows how we know that these teachings truly do originate with Jesus, and that they show an incredible awareness of, and connection to the Old Testament in a way that would have triggered the memories of the first listeners, and which contains layers of meaning for us as readers today.

This is a fascinating discussion; I hope you enjoy it!

Click here to listen to the episode, or listen in the embedded player below.

Peter J. Williams – Why Jesus’ Teachings in the Gospels are Reliable & Incredible – Theology for the People

Many people consider Jesus to be a great teacher, but few actually realize just how incredible his teachings actually were. Dr. Peter J. Williams is the principal of Tyndale House in Cambridge, and he is the chair of the International Greek New Testament Project. He is also a member of the ESV Translation Oversight Committee, and the author of several books, including one titled: Can We Trust the Gospels? Dr. Williams' latest book is called The Surprising Genius of Jesus: What the Gospels Reveal about the Greatest Teacher, in which he examines Jesus' teachings in the Gospels and shows how we know that these teachings truly do originate with Jesus, and that they show an incredible awareness of, and connection to the Old Testament in a way that would have triggered the memories of the first listeners, and which contains layers of meaning for us as readers today. Make sure to check out the Theology for the People website at nickcady.org

Romanticism & “Pagan Protestantism”: Christianity in Relation to Western Culture – with Andrew Wilson

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In this episode of the Theology for the People podcast, the first of Season 4(!), I speak with Andrew Wilson.

Andrew has a PhD from King’s College London, and he serves as the teaching pastor at King’s Church London.

In his new book, Remaking the World: How 1776 Created the Post-Christian West, Andrew looks at 7 transformational events which took place in 1776, that paved the way for today’s post-Christian western culture. By understanding how those events influence the way people think today, Christians can more effectively share God’s truth in a post-Christian age.

In this episode, Andrew and I talk about the TV show Lost, along with discussions about philosophy, and history, how these things relate to Christian theology, mission, and practice, and how God’s Word and the hope of the gospel are particularly relevant to the Western mindset today.

Click here to listen to the episode, or listen in the embedded player below.

Andrew Wilson – Romanticism & “Protestant Paganism”: Christianity in Relation to Western Culture – Theology for the People

In this first episode of Season 4, Nick Cady speaks with pastor and author Andrew Wilson about why understanding western culture is important for Christian theology and mission. Andrew has a PhD from King’s College London, and he serves as the teaching pastor at King’s Church London. In his new book, Remaking the World: How 1776 Created the Post-Christian West, Andrew looks at 7 transformational events which took place in 1776, that paved the way for today’s post-Christian western culture. By understanding how those events influence the way people think today, Christians can more effectively share God’s truth in a post-Christian age. Make sure to visit the Theology for the People website at nickcady.org

Is the Virgin Birth Essential to the Gospel?

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Several people over the years have asked me whether the virgin birth of Jesus is an essential element of the gospel message.

Emergent church leader Rob Bell, for example, asked the question of which parts of the biblical story of Jesus are essential to believe in order to be saved. He specifically questioned the necessity of belief in the virgin birth.

Additionally, this week I came across a discussion online of people arguing that instead of the original lyrics to the hymn Hark! The Herald Angels Sing, the line “offspring of the virgin’s womb” should be changed to “offspring of Mary’s womb.” The reason for this, they said, was that not saying Mary’s name, but instead identifying her according to her sexual status, takes away from her dignity. Therefore, we should say her name, and get rid of this “unnecessary” controversy regarding the virgin birth.

So, is the virgin birth essential to the gospel?

I believe it is. In this video, I explain the reasons why:

Understanding Doubt & Deconstruction: Part 3 – Reasons People Deconstruct

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Continuing through the workshop that Aaron Salvato and I presented at this year’s Calvary Chapel pastors and leaders conference on the topic of Understanding Doubt and Deconstruction, here is Part 3, in which we delve into topics such as:

  • Contradictions
  • Abuse
  • Politics
  • Hypocrisy

Understanding Doubt & Deconstruction: Part 2 – The #Deconstruction Movement & How We Got Here

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Recently I posted Part 1 of a workshop that Aaron Salvato and I presented at this year’s Calvary Chapel pastors and leaders conference on the topic of Understanding Doubt and Deconstruction.

The purpose of the workshop was to help equip Christian leaders to understand and engage those experiencing doubts or going through a process of deconstruction, in order to help strengthen their faith in Jesus and their trust in the Bible, so they might wholeheartedly embrace the gospel.

In Part 2 of this series, Aaron and I speak about the #deconstruction movement and different causes of deconstruction, including the influence of the Emergent Church movement in the early 2000’s.