http://dsc.discovery.com/news/2007/03/05/gospel_arc.html?category=archaeology&guid=20070305094530
There's also a portion of the gospel of john found dating around 90-100 ad-it was written in 90 ad-orginal? †
2007-03-16 07:35:35 · 9 answers · asked by Jeanmarie 7 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
Most people do not realize that there are over 2,300 manuscripts of the New Testament books which date to the first 200 years of the church's existence. Manuscripts from its first century include:
One in fragments from which over 70% of the writings of Paul have been reconstructed (with work continuing on the remain fragments).
Portions of Luke that appear to date within 30 years of the original
A Gospel of John from which 809 of the 890 verses can be reconstructed
A single page from John (chapter 18) which appears to date with 5-10 years of the original
A complete codec (a type of pre-book) of the entire New Testament that dates from around 200AD - more then a century before the Council of Nicene under Constantine is alledged to have created the New Testament.
When compared with the text used today for translating Bible, these early text agree word for word 99.7% of the time. The 0.3% of differences are mostly spelling difference. Compare this to more modern works like the writings of Shakespeare where whole acts of plays are in depute, or Homer's Illiad, where nearly 800 lines (almost a third of the work) is questionable.
As for the wanting to verify the manuscripts before releasing them.... Considering the number of archeological frauds there have been over the years, I would hope that someone is going to check them out. That is what "available for scholarly review" means.
2007-03-16 07:52:59 · answer #1 · answered by dewcoons 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Like to see the reference for gospel of John, especially as those recently acquired by the Vatican are the oldest. But yes, I read the new release on yahoo several days ago. Basically this means that there is still a 130 to 140 year gap.
2007-03-16 07:43:24 · answer #2 · answered by Pirate AM™ 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
A tiny portion (scrap) of Matthew's Gospel was discovered, that scientists claimed, according to the ink used, must be dated around 48 a.d.
2007-03-16 07:39:27 · answer #3 · answered by Mr Ed 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
That's very sad that they must first approve them before anyone else can see them:
"Now stored in the Vatican's Library, the documents are for the first time available for scholarly review. In the future, excerpts may be put on display for the general public."
2007-03-16 07:40:33 · answer #4 · answered by Justsyd 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Well..how about that. 60 years after the resurection of Christ. Kind of a VERY short time frame for the "legend" to come about now aint it? I suppose it realy wouldnt matter if they were dated the day after Jesus rose...people would still find a way to not believe.
2007-03-16 07:41:20 · answer #5 · answered by Underdog 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I hadn't heard of this, but it's fascinating. Thank you.
Hopefully future versions of these gospels may be more "accurate".
2007-03-16 07:41:13 · answer #6 · answered by Mike K 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
So, still not exactly a contemporary account then?
2007-03-16 07:38:14 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
the bible is overrated anyway
2007-03-16 07:37:49 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
No I didn't know, but I WILL check into it.
Thanks, Kieth
2007-03-16 07:49:10 · answer #9 · answered by Israel-1 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋