Category Archives: Contra

This is the first of a series dealing with text-critical issues in the Pre-Critical era. The purpose of these posts will be to demonstrate that Pre-Critical Exegetes and Theologians were well aware that there were discrepancies in the apographa [i.e., the copies] but that did not mean they abandoned a standard sacred text. Rather theyContinue reading ““Our Lord” In 1 Corinthians 15:47″

It seems we live in a time; indeed, it has been this way my whole academic carrier and for generations before me, that the oldest manuscripts are said to be the best manuscripts but that does not seem to bear itself out theologically. I have been told innumerable times that the oldest is best becauseContinue reading “Manuscript Witnesses Are Not a Special Species of Historical Witness”

The Plot to Kill God is an excellent accounting of the Soviet Union’s attempt to stamp out belief in God. Through a concerted effort and brutal tactics, Russian Communism did its best to intimidate, imprison, and kill all those that believed in God and specifically the religious leaders making such a profession. Yet, in theContinue reading “Why Won’t the Standard Sacred Text Argument Go Away?”

In order to address this question let’s make a series of stipulations first. Let us assume that we are first century Christians. Let us also assume that we have in our hands the book of 1 Corinthians, and that we have the very document written at the hand of Paul. Finally, let us assume thatContinue reading “Did Every Word of the Bible Matter?”

I had a recent exchange with someone not agreeing with the standard sacred text position. First, it was a cordial exchange and so I thought it to be fruitful. Second, I thought that it would be fruitful for you all to read. In the interest of keeping things anonymous my interlocutor will be spoken ofContinue reading “A Recent Exchange”

There seems to be an unavoidable yet precarious conflict which necessarily arises whenever there is a discussion about original texts and Bible versions. That conflict contains the inevitable claim that this or that guy’s Bible is not the word of God in the same way that this or that guy’s Bible is. Given the grossContinue reading “Questioning One’s Belief in Their Bible”

Taking a break from the CBGM for a moment I want to turn to Mark Ward’s latest interview with Dwayne Green. Having watched each episode in the three part series I have come to the conclusion that we are on the same road but so far apart I’m afraid he cannot see us. As aContinue reading “We Are Miles Away But Still Walking”

For the benefit of our readership, I thought it good that we present a primer of sort on the CBGM or the Coherence-Based Genealogical Method. To do this I will lean almost exclusively on Dr. Wasserman and Dr. Gurry’s work, A New Approach to Textual Criticism: An Introduction to the Coherence-Based Genealogical Method. As youContinue reading “Understanding the CBGM: An Introduction (Part 1)”

As we continue our way through Mark Ward’s observations of the Confessional/Standard Sacred Text position we now come to his observations regarding Matthew 5:18, jot and tittle, and whether we are rational and warranted that every word of every verse is present in the Masoretic Hebrew and the TBS Greek New Testament. Indeed, we doContinue reading “Mark Ward and Which Evidence”

Continuing our evaluation of Mark Ward’s understanding of the Confessional/StandardSacred Text position we now turn to a treatment of his three point objection to our position. Ward’s objections are as follows: 1.) Ward is “satisfied” with the current theological construction of his side though simultaneously calls for more work to be done in field ofContinue reading “Mark Ward and His Three Critiques of Confessional/SST Theology”