EvC Forum: Textual Discrepancies & How They Could Impact Christianity

Whenever textual criticisms of the New Testament are brought up in a discussion, the classic response is that the discrepancies don’t impact the basic tenets of Christianity. The purpose of this thread is to take an objective look at some of the verses that scholars consider to be later additions to some of the New Testament manuscripts and see whether they actually impact any or all of the basic tenets of Christianity.

Realistically, the early Christian writings reflect the development of the basic Christian beliefs. So odds are the writings were chosen for the canon because they supported or could be used to support the tenets of the religion that became orthodox. IOW, the writings came after the beliefs. For that reason I would also like to look at how these discrepancies could also impact general Christian layperson beliefs, practices, and traditions that may or may not be the same across the sects of Christianity.

Here are 12 Basic Tenets of Christianity that I found on the internet.

1. Jesus Christ is the Only Way to Eternal Salvation With God the Father
2. We Are Saved by Grace Through Faith — Not by Works
3. Jesus Christ is the Son of God
4. The Incarnation of Jesus Christ
5. The Bodily Resurrection of Jesus Christ From the Grave
6. The Ascension of Jesus Christ
7. The Doctrine of the Trinity
8. The Holy Bible is the Inspired and Infallible Word of God
9. We Are Baptized With the Holy Spirit at the Moment of Salvation
10. Regeneration by the Holy Spirit
11. The Doctrine of Hell
12. The 2nd Coming of Jesus Back to our Earth

From the research of Bart D. Ehrman, these are from the top ten most familiar verses that weren't originally in the New Testament. (Misquoting Jesus: The Story Behind Who Changed the Bible and Why, Bart D. Ehrman, 2005, Pgs 265-266)

I feel these verses could have an impact on certain tenets, beliefs and practices of Christianity.

1 John 5:7 - There are three that bear witness in heaven, the Father, the Word, and the Holy Spirit, and these three are one.

IMO, this impacts the Doctrine of the Trinity

There is one big, whopper mammoth verse that you can literally base the entire doctrine of the Trinity on. Here it is:
For there are three who bear witness in heaven: the Father, the Word, and the Holy Spirit; and these three are one. (1 John 5:7)

Unfortunately, that verse isn’t in the earliest Greek manuscripts. With the sure thing gone, apologists have to pull together a lot more verses from various writings to seemingly support this tenet. 1 John was supposedly written about 90-120 CE.

Verses in the KJV which do not appear in the NIV & other contemporary translations. This site allows a nice side by side comparision.

So instead of:

7For there are three that bear record in heaven, the Father, the Word, and the Holy Ghost: and these three are one.
8And there are three that bear witness in earth, the Spirit, and the water, and the blood: and these three agree in one.

The early Greeks manuscript actually had:

7For there are three that testify: 8the[a] Spirit, the water and the blood; and the three are in agreement.

Luke 22:20 - and in the same way after supper Jesus took the cup and said, "This cup that is poured out for you is the new covenant in my blood."

Luke is the only gospel that said new covenant. This can impact the belief that Jesus ushered in the new covenant spoken of in Jeremiah.

Mark 16:17 - These signs will accompany those who believe: in my name they will cast out demons and they will speak with new tongues
18 - And they will take up snakes in their hands, and if they drink any poison it will not harm them, and they will lay their hands on the sick and they will become well.

I feel this is the primary verse that Christian Scientists use to support faith healing.

This is also part of the larger missing section of Mark 16:9-20:1. This section adds a resurrection narrative to the story in Mark and gives the directive to He said to them, "Go into all the world and preach the good news to all creation.

It’s the basis for door to door Christian proselytizing and missionary work abroad.

I do feel that these added portions have impacted Christianity and the fact that they aren’t in the earlier manuscripts can impact basic tenets, practices, and beliefs. I have not said that they disprove the validity of Christianity altogether or impact all tenets, practices, and beliefs.

This discussion is about verses or sections of the New Testament that aren’t in the earlier Greek manuscripts and how they could impact basic Christian tenets, beliefs, traditions, and practices.

I've brought up a few, if anyone knows of any other verses that aren't in the earlier manuscripts, please share them and how you feel they could impact Christian tenets, beliefs, traditions, or practices.

This discussion is not about whether the Christian tenets are right or wrong, morality issues, or whether God exists or is good or bad.

Bible Study or A&I please. Thanks

2 online now:	LamarkNewAge, nwr
Newest Member:	ChatGPT
Post Volume:	Total: 916,484 Year: 3,741/9,624 Month: 612/974 Week: 225/276 Day: 1/64 Hour: 1/1