Video: Modern Textual Criticism and Acts 8:37 with James White

In my previous video on whether or not a Bible version should be a preference, I quoted from James White’s book, The King James Only Controversy: Can You Trust the Modern Translations. This prompted White to post a video response to me, in which he goes over the textual issues of Acts 8:37.

Here is my reply.

At first, I considered ignoring it, but, I realized there is an excellent illustration here. In my response I dissect White’s attempt at waiving off the importance of this passage and the methodology employed by modern textual critics to excise (or excuse the excising of) verses from the Bible.

In the end, we see that his approach to the Bible and to his own critical materials is arbitrary and devoid of belief.

Minor update/comment: Throughout this video I refer to James White as “Dr. White.” I was unaware at the time of recording that Mr. White does not have a doctorate from an accredited institution. Frankly I don’t find that issue important, but, it was probably incorrect to continually refer to him as Dr. White in this video.

Also, the Byzantine text he shows is simply the Robinson/Peirpoint Majority text. It is not a text anybody ever used in any church anywhere; it is a contrived text form that just shows “majority” Greek mss. readings. He brings it into the display as if it adds something to the discussion, but, it has already been accepted that Acts 8.37 is a minority Greek mss. reading. It’s just more flash and no substance. I didn’t want to get too bogged down responding to every little detail but that one probably should have had more discussion because people are asking about it.

Video: Do modern Bible versions really have “everything in there?”

My previous video blog was a short introduction to some of the problems that arise when Christians treat their Bible version as a personal preference. As part of that presentation I demonstrate the false theology of Christ given by the Old Testament in the New International Version.

The most common response to this is for a modern version proponent to claim that there is no real problem because the NIV still contains “all” of the doctrines in other verses.  Here is my response to that.

If you already watched the previous video, please bear with the first minute or so, because I do include some review of the previous material for the benefit of viewers who aren’t watching these in order.

So, are Bible versions really like jars of spaghetti sauce?

I’m not trying to make fun of anyone with this. The point is to highlight the problem with holding to the idea that diminishing support for things like the deity of Christ isn’t really a big deal.

Also, this video makes reference to the Westcott and Hort Magic Marker Binge, which see.

Video: Does it really matter which Bible version you prefer?

For this video I decided I would revisit my one of my initial objections to the whole “Bible version controversy” issue. Before I learned about the Textus Receptus, the Critical (Alexandrian) Text, or who Tischendorf, Wesscott, or Hort were, I had to be shown that modern popular Bible versions are vastly different from the Bible of the reformation in significant, substantive ways. Ways that affect core Christian doctrines. Ways that go far beyond how a text “feels” or how one “prefers” God’s word be presented. Differences that can cripple Christians and their ability to combat false doctrines or even learn true doctrine.
A complete outline of the talk follows.

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