Changes

In the early 19th century, Karl Lachmann developed a methodology which allows a critic to determine which manuscript variants are most likely to be closer to the original. He assigned manuscripts to various text types. In 1850, he published a Greek New Testament based on manuscripts of the Alexandrian type. In 1881, Westcott and Hort published a critical text based on ''[[Codex Sinaiticus]]'', then recently discovered, ''[[Codex Vaticanus]]'', a manuscript in the Vatican Library, and ''Codex Alexandrinus.''

In the early 19th century, Karl Lachmann developed a methodology which allows a critic to determine which manuscript variants are most likely to be closer to the original. He assigned manuscripts to various text types. In 1850, he published a Greek New Testament based on manuscripts of the Alexandrian type. In 1881, Westcott and Hort published a critical text based on ''[[Codex Sinaiticus]]'', then recently discovered, ''[[Codex Vaticanus]]'', a manuscript in the Vatican Library, and ''Codex Alexandrinus.''

Supporters of the TR counter that these codices survived so long because Christians knew them to be defective and therefore did not use them. Good manuscripts would be used and copied more and would therefore wear out more quickly.<ref>For more on reasons older manuscripts may not be more reliable. See [http://www.textusreceptusbibles.com/Document/Are_Older_Manuscripts_More_Reliable ''Are older manuscripts more reliable?''] at Textus Receptus Bibles.</ref>

Supporters of the TR (notably the majority of the [[KJV Only]] position) counter that these codices survived so long because Christians knew them to be defective and therefore did not use them. Good manuscripts would be used and copied more and would therefore wear out more quickly.<ref>For more on reasons older manuscripts may not be more reliable. See [http://www.textusreceptusbibles.com/Document/Are_Older_Manuscripts_More_Reliable ''Are older manuscripts more reliable?''] at Textus Receptus Bibles.</ref>

The Chester Beatty Papyri, papyri 45, 46, and 66, date to the second century or earlier. They contain both Western readings and Alexandrian readings. The Magdalen Papyrus, papyrus 64, dates to AD 66 making it the oldest New Testament fragment. Its has not been classified by text type. The Peshitta of the second century and a Gothic translation of that dates to 350. They are of the Western or Byzantine type. Alexandrinus, a fifth century manuscript and one of the three manuscripts used by the Critical Text, is Byzantine in the gospels.<ref>Holland, ''Crowned With Glory'', 13.</ref>  

The Chester Beatty Papyri, papyri 45, 46, and 66, date to the second century or earlier. They contain both Western readings and Alexandrian readings. The Magdalen Papyrus, papyrus 64, dates to AD 66 making it the oldest New Testament fragment. Its has not been classified by text type. The Peshitta of the second century and a Gothic translation of that dates to 350. They are of the Western or Byzantine type. Alexandrinus, a fifth century manuscript and one of the three manuscripts used by the Critical Text, is Byzantine in the gospels.<ref>Holland, ''Crowned With Glory'', 13.</ref>