Again, whatever a minister decides to do with such questionable passages as Mark 16:9–20, John 7:59–8:11, and 1 John 5:7b–8a he should be careful to note that the addition or subtraction of these passages does not in any way effect the harmony of the doctrines of Scripture. The nature of these texts does not create a contradiction with any part of the canon of Scripture. The addition or subtraction of them regards merely the textual process of the transmission of Scripture.
Conclusion: Textual Criticism, Variants, and Preaching
When we approach the matter of addressing textual variants in our preaching, we should keep a few things in mind. First, we must labor to help the people of God be confident that God has preserved His word for His church in the manuscripts that we have available to us.
Second, we should help them understand that the contemporary translations of Scripture are trustworthy throughout (the majority of variants in the ancient manuscripts being of such minor significance as to be related to single vowels; and where there are inclusions of highly questionable variants, none contradict the harmony of the doctrines taught in Scripture). Third, whatever course we decide to follow on preaching more substantial variants, we should address these things generally rather than with great specificity.
- Dr. John H. Skilton, “The Transmission of the Scriptures,” inThe Infallible Word: A Symposium by the Members of the Faculty of Westminster Theological Seminary, edited by N.B. Stonehouse and Paul Woolley, revised ed. (Philadelphia: Presbyterian and Reformed, 1967).
- Robert Dick Wilson, A Scientific Investigation of the Old Testament(Chicago, [1959]), pp. 61f. Moody Press, Moody Bible Institute of Chicago.
- Skilton, Ibid.
- Ibid.
- Ibid.
- Ibid.
- See Kyle Hughes’ “The Lukan Special Material and the Tradition History of the Pericope Adulterae,”Novum Testamentum 55.3 (2013): 232–251
This article on textual criticism and preaching originally appeared here, and is used by permission.
