Forever Settled
A Survey of the Documents and History of the Bible
Introduction and Table of Contents

[Permission was received to post this reference material to provide helpful and sound answers to critics of the AV 1611and those who would promote or otherwise support use of the corrupted modern versions (NIV, NASB, RSV, NRSV, etc.). The author and this website do not necessarily endorse the men or the ministries cited as sources in this study material].

© Compiled by Jack Moorman

FORWARD

Many believers have studied World History and know something about the history of their country. Not so many have studied Church History and traced the silver thread of those who maintained the Pure Faith down through the centuries. Fewer still have studied the history of the Bible. From the time that it was breathed out by God, through its various stages of transmission, down to its present form in our day. This book attempts to do this.

Three kinds of books have been written on this subject. The first is from a totally naturalistic viewpoint, with the author denying that there was anything supernatural about the Bible's production and transmission. The second affirms the Bible's inspiration but takes a basically naturalistic position regarding its transmission. The third recognizes that the promises within the Scriptures declare just as forcibly its preservation as it does its inspiration - that both are supernatural. It is here that this book stands. It is trusted that it will meet the need for a fuller treatment from this viewpoint.

I believe that God laid a hot coal on my heart concerning this subject some sixteen years ago, and the present survey is a systematizing of material gathered during that time. I have also quoted heavily from "Believing Bible Study" by Edward F. Hills; "The Identity of the New Testament Text" by Wilbur N. Pickering; "Which Bible" by David Otis Fuller and many others. On the other side, I have frequently quoted "The Text of the Greek Bible" and "The Bible and the Ancient Manuscripts" by Frederick Kenyon; "The Books and the Parchments" by F.F. Bruce, etc. Many other authorities have been drawn upon with recognition being given in the text.

This book is presently being used in Gethsemane Bible College here in Johannesburg, South Africa. No attempt has been made as yet to secure permission for its quotations.

"Forever Settled" is dedicated to all who love and defend the Word of God.

Jack Moorman
Johannesburg, South Africa
October 1985.

Table of Contents

Part One: A Survey of the Old Testament Documents

1 The Hebrew Scriptures 1
2 The Greek Septuagint 10
3 The Old Latin Version 18
4 The Vulgate of Jerome 20
5 The Samaritan Pentateuch 23
6 The Aramaic Targums 26
7 The Syriac Version 27
8 The Egyptian Coptic Version 31
9 The Ethiopic Version 31
10 The Dead Sea Scrolls 32

Part Two: The Issues We Face Regarding the New Testament Text

11 The God-Honoring, Bible Honoring Approach 37
12 The Error of the Neutral, Naturalistic Approach to the Text of Scripture 38
13 How Christ Keeps His Promise To Preserve The NT Scriptures 43
14 The Various Kinds Of NT Manuscripts 48
15 The So-Called "Families" Of The NT Manuscripts 51
16 Are There Really Families Of Manuscripts? 53
17 The Triumph Of The Received Text 60

Part Three: The Witness of the Early Church Fathers to the Received Text

18 A Key Pillar In The Westcott And Hort Theory 65
19 A Survey Of Leading Church Fathers 66
20 The Research Of John Burgon And Edward Miller 70
21 Examples Of The Patristic Support For The TR Readings 73

Part Four: A Survey of the New Testament Documents

22 A Survey of the Papyrus Fragments 75
23 A Survey of the Uncial Manuscripts 81
24 A Survey of the Cursive (Miniscule) Manuscripts 93
25 History's Witness to the Spread of the Greek Received Text and Corrupting Influence 95
26 A Survey of Early Versions 101

Part Five: A Survey of the English Bible History

27 A Historical Outline of the English People and Their Language 129
28 Important Dates in the History of Bible Translation 132
29 Important Events in the English and European Bible Translation History (to page 181) 137
29 Important Events in the English and European Bible Translation History (continued from page 181) 181
30 The Crowning Jewel, The Authorised Version of 1611 184
31 Three Hundred and Fifty Years of Attack Upon the Authorized Version 190

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