In the name of God, the Most Merciful, the Compassionate
On 22nd of July 2008, the University of Leipzig declared that one of the world’s oldest bible – Codex Sinaiticus, would be accessible online.
What is the impact of such an event for the Christians?
Is this a blessing or a curse for the Christian Faith?
For the majority of the Christians, it would seem as a blessing and a reaffirmation of their faith in the bible. But, for the Christians who are constantly willing to search for the true message of Jesus Christ; this would be a stumbling block! WHY?
Here are some facts about the “Codex Sinaiticus”.
Name: Codex Sinaiticus
Date: 4th Century
Contents: Contains the Old and New Testaments (Four Gospels, Acts, Catholic Epistles and Pauline Epistles) plus The Epistle of Barnabas and The Shepherd of Hermas.
Alterations: The Catholic Encyclopedia confirms the presence of seven correctors of the text from the 4th century to the 12th century. (http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/04085a.htm)
Differences: Bible scholar H. C. Hoskier enumerated 3036 differences in the gospel between Sinaiticus and Vaticanus (which is a slightly older codex also dated 4th century). Given below are the counts:
Gospel of Matthew: 656 differences
Gospel of Mark: 567 differences
Gospel of Luke: 791 differences
Gospel of John: 1022 differences
HOW WOULD THIS INFORMATION WEAKEN THE CHRISTIAN FAITH?
1) The oldest available copy of the New Testament was written 350 years after the mission of Jesus Christ.
2) The Epistle of Barnabas and the Shepherd of Hermas, both present in the Codex Sinaiticus, are not part of the 21st century bible.
3) Biblical scholars and the Catholic Encyclopedia admit that alterations and corrections have been made on these 4th century manuscripts.
4) There are more than 3000 differences within the gospels between the Codex Sinaiticus and Vaticanus. These differences can even be seen today – There are hundreds of bible versions; and none of them are alike!!
For any truth-seeker, this information is quite sufficient to convince him that the present day bible has gone through numerous alterations and modifications and hence cannot be considered as the Word of our Almighty GOD.
What is the impact of such an event for the Christians?
Is this a blessing or a curse for the Christian Faith?
For the majority of the Christians, it would seem as a blessing and a reaffirmation of their faith in the bible. But, for the Christians who are constantly willing to search for the true message of Jesus Christ; this would be a stumbling block! WHY?
Here are some facts about the “Codex Sinaiticus”.
Name: Codex Sinaiticus
Date: 4th Century
Contents: Contains the Old and New Testaments (Four Gospels, Acts, Catholic Epistles and Pauline Epistles) plus The Epistle of Barnabas and The Shepherd of Hermas.
Alterations: The Catholic Encyclopedia confirms the presence of seven correctors of the text from the 4th century to the 12th century. (http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/04085a.htm)
Differences: Bible scholar H. C. Hoskier enumerated 3036 differences in the gospel between Sinaiticus and Vaticanus (which is a slightly older codex also dated 4th century). Given below are the counts:
Gospel of Matthew: 656 differences
Gospel of Mark: 567 differences
Gospel of Luke: 791 differences
Gospel of John: 1022 differences
HOW WOULD THIS INFORMATION WEAKEN THE CHRISTIAN FAITH?
1) The oldest available copy of the New Testament was written 350 years after the mission of Jesus Christ.
2) The Epistle of Barnabas and the Shepherd of Hermas, both present in the Codex Sinaiticus, are not part of the 21st century bible.
3) Biblical scholars and the Catholic Encyclopedia admit that alterations and corrections have been made on these 4th century manuscripts.
4) There are more than 3000 differences within the gospels between the Codex Sinaiticus and Vaticanus. These differences can even be seen today – There are hundreds of bible versions; and none of them are alike!!
For any truth-seeker, this information is quite sufficient to convince him that the present day bible has gone through numerous alterations and modifications and hence cannot be considered as the Word of our Almighty GOD.
