Norman E Carlson

Considerations of New Testament Textual Criticism Norman E Carlson

Publisher Marketing: My thanks go to many previous students; in particular Dr. Paul Losiewicz (circa 1974), who encouraged me to include textual criticism as part of our course of study; Mark Morris and Bob Keith, more recent students, who encouraged me through our course of study while I was preparing five previous textbooks and the first few pages of this synopsis; the Systems Research Group who scanned and prepared for inclusion, the page containing Ephesians 1:1-11 from P46, the Chester Beatty Papyri. In the days when this original manuscript was written, personal scanners were not economically feasible. Thanks goes to the staff of the Online Bible for providing a valuable tool for the three texts used in Figures 2-3. My thanks also go to Dr. Greg Enos for checking this synopsis for accuracy and my seminary Greek Professor, Dr. Duane Dunham for his encouragement. Finally, Thanks go to the University of Michigan University Library, Ann Arbor, MI, for the photograph of the leaf containing Ephesians 1:1-11 from p46, (Figure 1. and the cover). This is a short synopsis of the large field of Textual Criticism. It was prepared to give a beginning Greek student some insight into the purpose and possible benefits of this subject. There is nothing original in these considerations. The student should realize that there are few people who have the knowledge, skill, and gift to really make original contributions to the subject. It is hoped that the student will purchase some of the books mentioned in the Reference section. They should become some of your better "friends." You are free to copy and distribute diskettes containing this pamphlet, or my others, at no charge. Please contact me for future updates. There are more than 4800 extant manuscripts of the Greek New Testament. There are more than 8000 old Latin translations, and more than 1000 translations into other languages such as Syriac, Gothic, Armenian, Ethiopic, Georgian, or Nubian. The earliest known Greek Manuscript (ms., pl mss.) is a fragment (p52) from chapter 18 of the Gospel according to John. It is housed in the John Rylands Library, Manchester, England . According to Dr. H. Guppy, the late Rylands Librarian, it is described as having been copied 'when the ink of the original autograph can hardly have been dry.' The latest manuscripts were copied up until the 15th century when the printing press was invented. There are many times more old copies of the Greek New Testament than any other ancient document. The job of the textual critic is to attempt to determine what was the contents (wording) of each New Testament canonical (autograph) book. We therefore define textual criticism as: Textual Criticism: The art and science of determining the original text of a document. The English translations used herein are either the KJV, the version by J. N. Darby (DBY) or that of the author. The abbreviations for various books referenced herein may be found in the parenthesis following the book title in the section titled References. Contributor Bio:  Carlson, Norman E BIO - Norman E. Carlson The author was formerly president of Aerospace Associates Inc.(AAI) of Colorado Springs CO. In the Defense Industry, he has held many positions, notably; he was employed as a Radar Systems Engineer, a Senior Software Engineer, and a Radar Site Analyst. Through AAI, he has been an industry consultant for 20 years. As president of AAI, Mr. Carlson has done research in agriculture, aquaculture, railroad safety and monitoring. He helped design and install some of our largest Missile warning radar systems, BMEWS and PAVE PAWS. He developed Requirements Analysis Specs., Mathematical Specs, for space projects, (DSP and MCCC) He taught courses and tutored students in the areas of algebra, trigonometry, calculus, differential equations, vector analysis, theory of equations, and Radar systems. He is retired from scientific endeavors. He is an ordained minister of the Gospel, and was also a full time missionary pastor/teacher, helping to start 4 churches; three in the Colorado Springs Area and one in Alaska. He taught Greek, Hebrew, Hermeneutics, Homiletics, Systematic Theology, and New Testament Textual Criticism in home, Church school, Bible College, and Seminary programs. He addressed several Bible Conferences, including The Western Regional Conference For The American Missionary Fellowship. He founded and incorporated the Colorado Free Bible College. As a professional musician, he played in various concert bands and orchestras. He played in small combos for dances around the Seattle area and in Alaska. After his conversion to Christianity in 1964, he appeared as a soloist at the greater Fairbanks Crusade for Christ, the Evangelical Booksellers National Convention in Colorado Springs, the Navigators International >Spring Fling= at Estes Park Colorado, performances at churches representing the Western Conservative Baptist Seminary, at churches in Washington, Oregon, Alaska, and Colorado. He made three LP recordings, one was remastered and is available on DVD. Swede was a professional ski instructor from 1987 until 1999. He started skiing in 1945. His list of Aerospace and other scientific publications include more than 250 documents (some of book or larger sizes) generated employers in the defense industry. One written in 1962 is a book on orbital mechanics applied to satellites and ballistic missiles. In Biblical Studies he has written and or edited 14 books used by The CFBC.