Codex Sinaiticus: Correct or Corrupt?‏

Hello Friends!

With its some 23,000 edits and corrections – approximately 30 per page – textual critics hold in high regard and utilize the Codex Sinaiticus – calling it the “oldest” Bible – to argue that the Holy Scriptures cannot be the inspired word of God. But where did this manuscript actually come from? Can it be trusted? Is it theologically sound? 

Let’s investigate these claims and decide for yourself…

 

Codex Sinaiticus: Correct or Corrupt?

Since its discovery in 1859, it has been surrounded by suspicion and debate, as the critical text defenders have begun to challenge the story of Constantine Simonides, who claimed a German scholar named Constantin von Tischendorf created the Codex Sinaiticus in 1840. Against them are the defenders of the traditional Greek text of the Protestant Reformation, who are challenging the credibility of the Codex Sinaiticus, and whether or not it should have been entered into the Biblical record.  But… Why?

Dr. Scot McKendrick of the British Library in London claims:

"This [Codex Sinaiticus] is the ancestor of all the Bibles that everbody else has in the world”

In the 19th century, a revolution in biblical scholarship was prompted by the publication of a never-before-seen manuscript called Codex Sinaiticus. The work was allegedly “discovered” by a German scholar named Constantin von Tischendorf, who declared this to be the oldest Bible ever found. Tischendorf said he found the work in a rubbish basket at a Greek Orthodox monastery in Egypt. While many in the academic world did not fully believe his story, they were willing to accept his claims about the antiquity of the codex itself. 

 

Yet shortly after his “discovery” was published, a renowned Greek paleographer named Constantine Simonides came forward and declared that the manuscript was no ancient text at all, but had been created by Tischendorf himself in 1840. The controversy surrounding these events is perhaps the most incredible untold chapter in Bible history. It involves Jesuit Order, the Pope, a high-minded German, a committee of Anglo Romanists and a mysterious Greek patriot for the sole purpose of discrediting the Reformers doctrine of Sola Scriptura and denouncing the Holy Scriptures as the divinely inspired, inerrant and perfect Word of God. While quite true and well documented, these facts are unknown to a vast majority of modern academics of today. Yet this subject matter dramatically impacts the world of Biblical scholarship – even to this present hour. Most of what today’s Bible scholars learn and believe about manuscript evidence is based on the events of this era – and the footnotes in your Bible are the proof of it!

 

Discovered at the base of what is called Mount Sinai in Egypt, this curious codex emerged in the year 1859 and would dramatically transform the field of Biblical scholarship. Because of Codex Sinaiticus, the traditional Koine Greek text (Byzantine Text) used by the English Reformers would be questioned – and ultimately replaced – by “scholars” Wescott and Hort in 1881. But were these events the conclusion of an honest discovery? Or were they contrived to undermine the truth?

 

Much extensive research into the discovery of the Sinai codex and the controversial claim of Greek paleographer Costandine Simonides reveals that the manuscript was indeed a modern work that Tischendorf created in 1840. Is it possible that Mr. Simonides was telling the truth?

 

While most modern scholars have been led to believe that the controversy over Simonides’ story was settled in the nineteenth century, it is important to consider that there were those who disagreed. One such person was John Eliot Hodgkin, curator of the Mayer Museum in Liverpool London, whose writing collection is still housed at the British Library. Hodgkin was a zealous defender of Simonides, who stood by him until death. Also among them was renowned scholar James A. Farrer who published his classic work, Literary Forgeries in 1907. Of all the historians who have written on this matter, we believe Mr. Farrer to be the most thorough. After examining the details of the Simonides affair, he wrote:

“It is to be regretted that this matter was never cleared up at the time the claim was made.  It cannot be said to have been settled by the mere opinions of Tregelles or Bradshaw, or by the more critical and palaeographical objections urged by Mr. Scrivener…. On the side of Simonides is his unlimited skill in calligraphy; the very audacity of such a claim if entirely baseless; the remarkable presence in the Codex of a portion of the Shepherd of Hermas, which Simonides was the first scholar ever to have seen in Greek; the very natural allusions to the work in the lithographed letters (sent by a friend of Simonides years before the controversy); the fact that no visitor to the monastery at Mount Sinai before 1844 had ever seen or heard of such a work as belonging to the monks; and the very extraordinary story told by Tischendorf of his discovery and acquisition of the Codex.  The question therefore, pending the acquisition of further evidence, must remain among the interesting but unsolved mysteries of literature.”  (“Literary Forgeries” by James A. Farrer - 1907, pp. 64-65, emphasis added)

Notice that Farrer refers to the issue as one of the “unsolved mysteries of literature” nearly fifty years after these events happened. This is something that is not taught at many Bible colleges today. However, it is our desire to alert the Church to these very important issues for edification and that the faith of the Gospel of Jesus Christ might be better defended. It is important to remember that the Codex Sinaiticus is used by higher critics to undermine and discredit the Bible. Not just the King James Bible, but any Bible. Therefore, having a true and accurate history of the codex is very important for the Church today!

To learn more about the men mentioned above – Tregelles, Bradshaw & Scrivener – we here at Encouraging Concepts recommend viewing the excellent film by Christian J. Pinto "Tares Among the Wheat" where the role of these historic figures is explained in great depth and detail.

Also, to understand what is meant about how Codex Sinaiticus is used to discredit the Bible, we highly recommend viewing this seven minute clip from the BBC documentary – “The Beauty of Books: Ancient Bibles, the Codex Sinaiticus”

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kCkyakphoKE

Other important facts, facets and inquiries to consider in this discussion – among others – are:

• How Codex Sinaiticus changed the world's view of the Bible
• How the manuscript was used to "confirm" the Vatican's Bible -- Codex Vaticanus
• The scholars Westcott and Hort plan to create a new Greek Bible
• The story of Simonides – in his own words
• How Tischendorf accused Simonides of forgery – and later recanted
• Tischendorf's relationship with Rome
• How the details given by Simonides are confirmed by the manuscript evidence
• The mention of worm holes and why they may be significant
• The names of Simonides' helpers found in the manuscript
• Special markings discovered in 2007 that may be from Simonides
• Was Simonides really a forger or was he falsely accused?

The situation seems to parallel what happened to the 16th century scholar, Joseph Justus Scaliger. Mr. Scaliger was the father of developing a system of chronology for history, but some of his interpretations of historic documents put him at odds with the Catholic and Jesuit scholars. Mr. Scaliger would soon be attacked and discredited by the Jesuits as a result. Could this be proof that similar tactics were employed by Rome against Constantine Simonides? It is indeed.

 

What is our source of authority? Man’s opinion or the inspired, inerrant and all-sufficient Word of God? The Holy Scriptures are what God says – religion is what man says God says… AMEN!

 

In Closing:

We draw your attention to the following comment from the British Library’s website (official site for the Codex Sinaiticus manuscript) where they discuss the history of the codex. While many others believe that what happened in the 19th century is fully known and agreed upon, this quote proves that such is simply not the case. Remember: The Codex Sinaiticus website represents the most up to date information on the codex and its history…

 

According to the British Library, we are told that:

“… events concerning the history of the Codex Sinaiticus, from 1844 to this very day, are not fully known; hence, they are susceptible to widely divergent interpretations and recountings that are evaluated differently as to their form and essence.”

Notice how they tell us that the events are “not fully known” and are “susceptible to widely divergent interpretations.”  We would certainly agree that this is true!

May the Lord Jesus Christ open the eyes of the lost – naturally and spiritually – before it is too late…

 

Keep looking up and sharing the Gospel while there is still time… Hallelujah and Maranatha – come quickly Lord Jesus!


We are not guaranteed tomorrow – tomorrow may be too late! If you haven't yet made that most important decision of your life, won't you make Jesus Christ your personal Lord and Savior today - before it's too late? Today is the day of Salvation!

If you have been blessed by this message or have a specific question, prayer request or testimony, please send me a note to: encouragingconcepts@live.com

I love hearing from you. Keep reading Encouraging Concepts!

Blessings!
Shane K. Morin <><

Encouraging Concepts

Truth for Today

"Living Life From a Biblical Worldview"

Lighthouse Publications <><
"Dedicated to the Never Ending Search for the Creator's calling within You" (TM)