Quoted from The Berean Patriot article titled,
Majority Text vs. Critical Text vs. Textus Receptus – Textual Criticism 101
Source link provided at the bottom of this post.
I'll have to split this into several posts to fit the maximum allowed post size.
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Now that we know what Greek text the Confessional Position uses, let’s take a closer look at the various scriptural passages they use to support the doctrine of Preservation (which says God kept His Scriptures “pure in all ages”).
The root of this is an error in translation, as we’ll see in a moment.
Read simply, you can see how someone would get the Doctrine of preservation from this passage. However, the word I’ve highlighted in red isn’t plural (them); it’s singular (him). You can double check me by looking at Psalm 12:7 in an interlinear Bible. However, don’t trust the English there, look at the shorthand underneath the English words.
Notice: it’s singular:
Other translations render this correctly, and we’ll add verse 5 for some context.
God “will keep them” (His words) by setting “him” (the man) in safety like He said He would in verse 5.
Now some might object by saying the King James translators used a better source document. However, the King James Translators used the 1525-1525 Masoretic Text by Daniel Bomberg as the basis for the Old Testament. (The Masoretic text is the traditional Hebrew text, and contains far fewer textual variants than the New Testament.) Every other modern translation I’m aware of – including the NASB – uses the Masoretic text also. Further, the NASB uses a modern reprint of the exact same text underlying the KJV.
So no, this verse doesn’t teach the Doctrine of Preservation.
I think how you can see how they get the Doctrine of Preservation, but it seems quite a stretch. It seems even more like a stretch when you know the definition of the Hebrew word. The word that’s highlighted is Hebrew word “אֱמוּנָה” (emunah). And it means:
So, “truth” in the KJV isn’t unwarranted, but hardly the primary meaning. Therefore, this verse doesn’t teach Preservation either.
Again, this is a stretch but we’ll deal with it.
The Hebrew word there is “אֶמֶת” (emeth), and it means:
Nearly every translation (besides the KJV, NKJV, and NASB) translate it as “faithfulness” or something similar.
You can see where they get it, but it’s such a stretch.
Clearly, it’s the judgements that are enduring, not “the word”.
CONTINUED IN POST#2
Majority Text vs. Critical Text vs. Textus Receptus - Textual Criticism 101 - Berean Patriot
Majority Text vs. Critical Text vs. Textus Receptus – Textual Criticism 101
Source link provided at the bottom of this post.
I'll have to split this into several posts to fit the maximum allowed post size.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
The Biblical Case for the Doctrine of Preservation
Now that we know what Greek text the Confessional Position uses, let’s take a closer look at the various scriptural passages they use to support the doctrine of Preservation (which says God kept His Scriptures “pure in all ages”).
Psalm 12:6-7
The root of this is an error in translation, as we’ll see in a moment.
Psalm 12:6-7 KJV
6 The words of the LORD are pure words: as silver tried in a furnace of earth, purified seven times.
7 Thou shalt keep them, O LORD, thou shalt preserve them from this generation for ever.
Read simply, you can see how someone would get the Doctrine of preservation from this passage. However, the word I’ve highlighted in red isn’t plural (them); it’s singular (him). You can double check me by looking at Psalm 12:7 in an interlinear Bible. However, don’t trust the English there, look at the shorthand underneath the English words.
Notice: it’s singular:
V‑Qal‑Imperf‑2ms | 3mse
Other translations render this correctly, and we’ll add verse 5 for some context.
Psalm 12:5-7 NASB
5 “Because of the devastation of the afflicted, because of the groaning of the needy,
Now I will arise,” says the LORD; “I will set him in the safety for which he longs.”
6 The words of the LORD are pure words;
As silver tried in a furnace on the earth, refined seven times.
7 You, O LORD, will keep them;
You will preserve him from this generation forever.
God “will keep them” (His words) by setting “him” (the man) in safety like He said He would in verse 5.
Now some might object by saying the King James translators used a better source document. However, the King James Translators used the 1525-1525 Masoretic Text by Daniel Bomberg as the basis for the Old Testament. (The Masoretic text is the traditional Hebrew text, and contains far fewer textual variants than the New Testament.) Every other modern translation I’m aware of – including the NASB – uses the Masoretic text also. Further, the NASB uses a modern reprint of the exact same text underlying the KJV.
So no, this verse doesn’t teach the Doctrine of Preservation.
Psalms 100:5
Psalms 100:5 (KJV): For the LORD is good; his mercy is everlasting; and his truth endureth to all generations.
Psalms 100:5 (NASB): For the LORD is good, and His loving devotion endures forever; His faithfulness continues to all generations.
I think how you can see how they get the Doctrine of Preservation, but it seems quite a stretch. It seems even more like a stretch when you know the definition of the Hebrew word. The word that’s highlighted is Hebrew word “אֱמוּנָה” (emunah). And it means:
- literally firmness, steadiness:
- stead-fastness,
- faithfulness, trust: a. of human conduct
So, “truth” in the KJV isn’t unwarranted, but hardly the primary meaning. Therefore, this verse doesn’t teach Preservation either.
Psalm 117:1-2
Again, this is a stretch but we’ll deal with it.
Psalm 117:1-2 KJV
1 O praise the LORD, all ye nations: praise him, all ye people.
2 For his merciful kindness is great toward us: and the truth of the LORD endureth for ever. Praise ye the LORD.
The Hebrew word there is “אֶמֶת” (emeth), and it means:
- reliability, sureness
- stability, continuance
- faithfulness, reliableness
- truth
- as spoken
- of testimony and judgment
- of divine instruction
- truth as a body of ethical or religious knowledge
- adverb in truth, truly
Nearly every translation (besides the KJV, NKJV, and NASB) translate it as “faithfulness” or something similar.
Psalms 119:160
You can see where they get it, but it’s such a stretch.
Psalm 119:160 (KJV)
Thy word is true from the beginning: and every one of thy righteous judgments endureth for ever.
Clearly, it’s the judgements that are enduring, not “the word”.
CONTINUED IN POST#2
Majority Text vs. Critical Text vs. Textus Receptus - Textual Criticism 101 - Berean Patriot
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