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Galatians 5:16-23 teaches that at any moment we are either walking by the Holy Spirit or according to the sin nature. Walking by the Spirit, enjoying fellowship with God, walking in the light are virtually synonymous. During these times, the Holy Spirit is working in us to illuminate our minds to the truth of Scripture and to challenge us to apply what we learn. But when we sin, we begin to live based on the sin nature. Our works do not count for eternity. The only way to recover is to confess (admit, acknowledge) our sin to God the Father and we are instantly forgiven, cleansed, and recover our spiritual walk (1 John 1:9). Please make sure you are walking by the Spirit before you begin your Bible study, so it will be spiritually profitable.

Textual Criticism

March 2012

The servant of Jesus Christ must know about the history of the New Testament text to avoid mistakes, and to appreciate what God has done through faithful men and women.

The student will study the Greek manuscripts of the New Testament, the history, methods, and status of New Testament Textual Criticism (TC), and collation practice. The history of the printed Greek New Testament, apparatuses in the Greek New Testament, and practical applications of textual data are covered. Textual, translation, and preservation theories are evaluated.

Those attending will learn the basics concerning New Testament textual criticism, appreciation of historic textual studies and the reliability of the inerrant Word of God. Also, the student will learn the use of Greek New Testament textual apparatuses and do research in New Testament text and translations.

Click here to view the syllabus for this course.

See the slideshow link under the first item for the slides for this course.

Instructor: Dr. Ronald Minton, Th.D.

1 - Textual Criticism on the Majority Text - Part 1 of 3 from the 2012 Chafer Pastors' Conference
Monday, March 12, 2012
by Ron Minton
Series: Textual Criticism
Duration: 54 mins 32 secs
Video:watch Audio:listendownload Text:notesslideshow
2 - Textual Criticism on the Majority Text - Part 2 of 3 from the 2012 Chafer Pastors' Conference
Tuesday, March 13, 2012
by Ron Minton
Series: Textual Criticism
Duration: 1 hr 13 mins 46 secs
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3 - Textual Criticism on the Majority Text - Part 3 of 3 from the 2012 Chafer Pastors' Conference
Tuesday, March 13, 2012
by Ron Minton
Series: Textual Criticism
Duration: 1 hr 21 mins 23 secs
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4 - Introduction, Vocabulary for Textual Studies, and Introduction to Textual Criticism
Thursday, March 15, 2012
by Ron Minton
Series: Textual Criticism
Duration: 1 hr 3 mins 19 secs
Lesson 1. Listen to the lecture on Introduction, Vocabulary for textual studies, and Introduction to Textual Criticism. Be ready to discuss your reading progress.
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5 - Sources of the New Testament Text, and Kinds of Copyist Errors and Evidence in Textual Criticism
Thursday, March 15, 2012
by Ron Minton
Series: Textual Criticism
Duration: 56 mins 42 secs
Lesson 2. Listen to the lecture on Sources of the New Testament Text, and Kinds of Copyist Errors and Evidence in Textual Criticism. Be ready to discuss “Fallible Manuscripts-Infallible Autographs” (see notes link below) by R. Nicole.
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6 - Greek Manuscripts, General Information, and Papyri Manuscripts
Friday, March 16, 2012
by Ron Minton
Series: Textual Criticism
Duration: 53 mins 48 secs
Lesson 3. Listen to the lecture on Greek Manuscripts, General Information, and Papyri Manuscripts.

Be ready to discuss The Journey from Texts to Translations (see notes link below) reviewed by Ron Minton and The Text of the New Testament by Aland and Aland reviewed by Ron Minton.

Quiz #1 on Lessons 1 & 2 (Introduction, Vocabulary, Sources of the New Testament Text, and Kinds of Copyist Errors and Evidence in Textual Criticism)

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7 - Uncial Manuscripts
Friday, March 16, 2012
by Ron Minton
Series: Textual Criticism
Duration: 41 mins 12 secs
Lesson 4. Listen to the lecture on Uncial Manuscripts.

Be ready to discuss The Ecclesiastical Text (see notes link below) by Ted Letis reviewed by Ron Minton and The Debate Over 1 John 5:7 (see slideshow link below) by Maynard reviewed by Ron Minton.

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8 - Minuscule Manuscripts and Lectionary Manuscripts
Friday, March 16, 2012
by Ron Minton
Series: Textual Criticism
Duration: 38 mins 46 secs
Lesson 5. Listen to the lecture on Minuscule Manuscripts and Lectionary Manuscripts

Be ready to discuss Dean Burgon and the Received Text (see notes link below) by W. Pierpont and What Difference Does it Make? by W. Pickering available online: www.revisedstandard.net/text/WNP/ap_h.html

Video:watch Audio:listendownload Text:notes
9 - Ancient Versions and Church Fathers
Saturday, March 17, 2012
by Ron Minton
Series: Textual Criticism
Duration: 52 mins 7 secs
Lesson 6. Listen to the lecture on Ancient Versions and Church Fathers.

Be ready to discuss Why I Became a Majority Text Advocate by Art Farstad (see notes link below) and Gender-Inclusive Bible Translations by Ron Minton (see slideshow link below).

Quiz #2 on Lessons 3 - 5 (Greek Manuscripts - Papyri, Uncial, Minuscule, and Lectionary)

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10 - Manuscripts and Text-Types
Saturday, March 17, 2012
by Ron Minton
Series: Textual Criticism
Duration: 59 mins 39 secs
Lesson 7. Listen to the lecture on Manuscripts and Text-Types (See “The Making and Preservation of the Bible”).

Be ready to discuss The Majority Text Theory ... A Critique by Dan Wallace available online: www.etsjets.org/files/JETS-PDFs/37/37-2/JETS_37-2_185-215_Wallace.pdf and

Westcott and Hort vs. Textus Receptus by Doug Kutilek available online: www.kjvonly.org/doug/kutilek_westcott.htm

Quiz #3 on Lesson 6 (Ancient Versions and Church Fathers)

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