![]() ![]() First, since not all manuscripts are as helpful as others for reconstructing the text, having more is not always better. Peterson concludes by offering advice on how to approach the number of manuscripts. Second, Peterson explains that manuscripts must be weighed rather than counted as all manuscripts are not all equally reliable or significant (62–67). The first issue advanced by Peterson concerns the problems of counting manuscripts: double counting, manuscript loss, and material bias. Peterson shows why the number of manuscripts is not enough to prove the Bible’s trustworthiness. Peterson responds to claim that there are over 24,000 manuscripts of the New Testament to demonstrate that the Bible is reliable (49). Since an investigation of each chapter is not possible here, a survey of a chapter from each section might suffice. While not comprehensive, the selection of topics provides an effective introduction to the major issues involved in textual criticism. This volume is broadly arranged into three categories: arguments related to manuscripts, arguments pertaining to copying, and arguments concerning citation, canonization, and translation (22). Hixson and Gurry provide a gentle correction (in some instances piercing) of widespread misleading or mistaken claims about the text of the New Testament. While Ehrman frequently comes under criticism (and occasionally praise), the majority of the arguments are aimed at correcting the defective claims of those who defend the trustworthiness of New Testament. The contributors critique arguments which weaken our understanding of the New Testament whether they come from those critical of the New Testament or those attempting to defend it. While Hixson and Gurry set out to “offer reliable arguments” for those who defend the Bible, namely “ Christian speakers and writers,” many from all backgrounds will benefit from this volume (20–21). The contributors to this volume are identified as being “convinced that the Bible should be loved and that its text can be trusted” and that it “is crucial to the faith and practice of Christians” (4). Gurry have assembled a team of “(relatively) early career academics” to provide updated and accurate information and to correct these flawed arguments (22). In Myths and Mistakes, Elijah Hixson and Peter J. In response to Ehrman, among others, some apologists have sought to defend the veracity of the Bible by advancing arguments that have had the opposite effect, causing others to doubt the Bible’s credibility because of outdated or erroneous information. ![]() Over the last twenty years, perhaps no New Testament textual critic has received more attention from Christian apologists than Bart Ehrman, in large part because of his bestselling work, Misquoting Jesus (HarperCollins, 2005).
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