Quote:
Originally Posted by DMcFadden  a b c d Theodore H. Mann, "Textual problems in the KJV New Testament", in: Journal of Biblical Studies 1 (January–March 2001).
The story of Erasmus' promise has been accepted as fact by scholars, repeated by even so eminent an authority as Bruce M. Metzger (cited in his earlier works but backed away from after De Jonge's research was published in 1980). De Jonge concludes that this account is spurious in his 1980 paper on the subject. HJ de Jonge, 'Erasmus and the Comma Johanneum', Ephemerides Theologicae Lovanienses 56 (1980): 381–389.
De Jong suspects that Erasmus included the Comma in his third edition (based on MM61, prepared by the Franciscan) in order to avoid being accused of heresy himself. He also speculates that he didn't want to hurt the reception for this Greek New Testament. | The actual quote from De Jong reads thus: Quote: |
For the sake of his ideal Erasmus chose to avoid any occasion for slander rather than persisting in philological accuracy and thus condemning himself to impotence. That was the reason why Erasmus included the Comma Johanneum even though he remained convinced that it did not belong to the original text of l John
| Which indicates that the majority of the scholars - both Protestant and Catholic - at the time of Erasmus understood the Comma to be genuine. Erasmus bowed to pressure - but it was not because he lost a bet or because of the weight of some hastily produced mss.
Grace and Peace,
-Rob
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In Essentials Unity, in non-Essentials Liberty, in all things Charity.
Robert Paul Wieland
Springs Reformed Presbyterian Church
Colorado Springs, CO RPCNA
Student at Reformed Presbyterian Theological Seminary, Pittsburgh PA
Never be afraid to do something new. Remember, amateurs built the Ark, but professionals built the Titanic.
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