My thanks go to many previous students; in particular Dr. Paul Losiewicz (circa 1974), who encouraged me to include textual criticism as part of our course of study; Mark Morris and Bob Keith, more recent students, who encouraged me through our course of study while I was preparing five previous textbooks and the first few pages of this synopsis; the Systems Research Group who scanned and prepared for inclusion, the page containing Ephesians 1:1-11 from P46, the Chester Beatty Papyri. In the days when this original manuscript was written, personal scanners were not economically feasible. Thanks goes to the staff of the Online Bible for providing a valuable tool for the three texts used in Figures 2-3. My thanks also go to Dr. Greg Enos for checking this synopsis for accuracy and my seminary Greek Professor, Dr. Duane Dunham for his encouragement. Finally, Thanks go to the University of Michigan University Library, Ann Arbor, MI, for the photograph of the leaf containing Ephesians 1:1-11 from p46, (Figure 1. and the cover). This is a short synopsis of the large field of Textual Criticism. It was prepared to give a beginning Greek student some insight into the purpose and possible benefits of this subject. There is nothing original in these considerations. The student should realize that there are few people who have the knowledge, skill, and gift to really make original contributions to the subject. It is hoped that the student will purchase some of the books mentioned in the Reference section. They should become some of your better "friends". You are free to copy and distribute diskettes containing this pamphlet, or my others, at no charge. Please contact me for future updates. There are more than 4800 extant manuscripts of the Greek New Testament. There are more than 8000 old Latin translations, and more than 1000 translations into other languages such as Syriac, Gothic, Armenian, Ethiopic, Georgian, or Nubian. The earliest known Greek Manuscript (ms., pl mss.) is a fragment (p52) from chapter 18 of the Gospel according to John. It is housed in the John Rylands Library, Manchester, England . According to Dr. H. Guppy, the late Rylands Librarian, it is described as having been copied 'when the ink of the original autograph can hardly have been dry.' The latest manuscripts were copied up until the 15th century when the printing press was invented. There are many times more old copies of the Greek New Testament than any other ancient document. The job of the textual critic is to attempt to determine what was the contents (wording) of each New Testament canonical (autograph) book. We therefore define textual criticism as: Textual Criticism: The art and science of determining the original text of a document. The English translations used herein are either the KJV, the version by J. N. Darby (DBY) or that of the author. The abbreviations for various books referenced herein may be found in the parenthesis following the book title in the section titled References.
About the Author: The author was formerly president of Aerospace Associates Inc.(AAI) of Colorado Springs CO. In the Defense Industry, he has held many positions, notably, he has been employed as a Radar Systems Engineer, a Senior Software Engineer, and a Radar Site Analyst. In this industry through AAI, he has been an industry consultant for 20 years. As founder and president of AAI, Mr. Carlson has done research in agriculture, aquaculture, railroad safety and monitoring. He helped design and install some of our largest Missile warning radar systems, BMEWS and PAVE PAWS. He developed Requirements Analysis Specifications including mathematical specifications for several space projects (DSP and MCCC) He has taught courses and tutored students in the areas of algebra, trigonometry, calculus, differential equations, vector analysis, theory of equations, and Radar systems. He is presently retired from scientific endeavors. He is an ordained minister of the Gospel, and was also a full time missionary pastor/teacher, helping to start 4 local churches; three in the Colorado Springs Area and one in Alaska. He has taught Greek, Hebrew, Hermeneutics, Homiletics, Systematic Theology, and New Testament Textual Criticism in home, Church school, Bible College, and Seminary programs. As a pastor he has addressed several bible conferences including the western regional conference for the American Missionary Fellowship. As a professional musician, he played in various concert bands and orchestras. He played in small combos for dances around the Seattle area and also in Alaska. After his conversion to Christianity in 1964, he appeared as a soloist at the greater Fairbanks Crusade for Christ, the Evangelical Booksellers National Convention in Colorado Springs, the Navigators International >Spring Fling= at Estes Park Colorado, many performances at churches as a representative of the Western Conservative Baptist Seminary, many appearances at churches in Washington, Oregon, Alaska, and Colorado. He also made three LP recordings. Swede has been a professional ski instructor from 1987 until 1999. His list of Aerospace and other scientific publications include more than 250 documents (some of book or larger sizes) generated for many employers in the defense industry. One of these written in 1962 is a book on orbital mechanics as applied to satellites and ballistic missiles. In the area of Biblical Studies he has written or edited 23 books that are used as textbooks at The CFBC.