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Originally Posted by armourbearer  The first question we must ask is, Do we believe in the traditional text, that is, has God preserved His word pure in all ages? Then we must ask, Where is the traditional text to be found? We follow the same method with the church. Do we believe in the true church? and then we ask, Where is the true church to be found? |
I believe that the word has been 'kept pure in all ages'. Not in the Byzantine Text Form alone, but also in the other Text Types as well. None of them are so abberant that they are not 'pure'. This does not mean that some are not more pure than others, but all are God's word, varients notwithstanding.
If you try to claim absolute inerrancy for the TR, you will not be able to demonstrate that the edition of the TR you choose was in use before its publication. It is not enough to say the TR is essentially the same (or very close to ) the Majority Text or Byzantine text form; not if your arguement is dealing with preservation in an absolute sense.
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Originally Posted by armourbearer Concerning the TR, infallible oversight is not claimed for the editors, but for the providence that guided the editors. So it comes back to a question of faith. Do you believe that God singularly preserves His word pure in all ages? If so, then that necessarily requires a belief in infallible oversight. |
This is a slippery slope. For God to give 'infallible oversight' over editors, you are really back into the realm of inspiration, not preservation. You are dealing with that which is miraculous, not providential.
As I see the text, I see it 'pure in all ages'. I believe God's providence made it so and the nature of the transmission is exactly what we would expect from providential preservation. I can demonstrate that in spite of the variants in the different textual traditions, the word was pure and profitable. I can also demonstarte this throughout the age of the church.
The TR position cannot do this. With its strict view of preservation, one cannot demonstrate the same strict text in use in all ages.