Bible Question: I have recently seen a tract that explains that the Received Text, or Majority Text/Textus Receptus, is superior to the Critical Text, or an 'eclectic' Greek text. Is there any truth to the claim that one set of Greek texts, the Byzantine (Majority/TR) or the Alexandrian (Critical), is better than another and therefore, more reliable? |
Bible Answer: Great question Nolan! The crucial difference between the three texts (Textus Receptus, Majority Text, and the Critical Text) concerns the weight given to different manuscript traditions. Each of them is technically an 'eclectic' text, since we do not posess any of the original autographs. Each of them had to make critical decisions. The basic approach of each is as follows. Textus Receptus: The TR was the first attempt at putting together an 'offical' Greek text. The only problem with it is that there were very few manuscripts available at the time, and they were all comparatively late manuscripts (which allows for possible mistakes). The Majority Text: Is almost identical to the TR, but not quite. It uses the theory that critical decisions must be made on the basis of the number of texts, rather than the quality of the texts (hence the name Majority Text.) It differs from the TR primarily only where the majority of texts differ from the TR. The Critical Text: Usually refers to the Nestle-Aland Text. It primarily gives weight to ealier and higher quality texts, rather than later and more numerous texts. Byzantine does not refer to either the Majority Text or the TR. It refers to a number of texts produced in a certain area at a certain time. The same is true of Alexandrian. The only relevance to these two terms is that the Critical texts usually give more weight to Alexandrian manuscripts, while the Majority Text and the Textus Receptus rely more heavily on others. Other types include: the Western and the Caesarean Texts. In my opinion, the Critical text is better and more reliable! However, let me note that none of them are 'bad' texts. The vast majority of textual decisions have to do with spelling and word order. Though the different texts may disagree on minor points, they all teach the same doctrine. Your Brother in Christ, Tim Moran |