Changes

The text of the TR follows a [[Byzantine Text|Byzantine]] reading. Most modern scholars believe the [[Critical Text]], which follows an [[Alexandrian Text|Alexandrian]] reading, to be superior. The Byzantine text is thought to be a recension of Alexandrian and Western manuscripts, possibly done by Lucian of Antioch around 300.

The text of the TR follows a [[Byzantine Text|Byzantine]] reading. Most modern scholars believe the [[Critical Text]], which follows an [[Alexandrian Text|Alexandrian]] reading, to be superior. The Byzantine text is thought to be a recension of Alexandrian and Western manuscripts, possibly done by Lucian of Antioch around 300.

According to supporters of the Critical Text, the TR is defective because it is based on late manuscripts. Manuscripts wore out over time and had to be copied by hand to preserve their text. Late manuscripts are likely to be the product of multiple copying cycles, each one with the potential to introduce errors. In 1720, Richard Bentley proposed that TR be replaced with a Greek text based on ''Codex Alexandrinus'', a fifth century manuscript.<ref>Bentley, Richard, ''Proposals for a New Edition of the Greek Testament'', 1720.</ref>

According to supporters of the Critical Text, the TR is defective because it is based on later manuscripts. Manuscripts wore out over time and had to be copied by hand to preserve their text. Late manuscripts are likely to be the product of multiple copying cycles, each one with the potential to introduce errors. In 1720, Richard Bentley proposed that TR be replaced with a Greek text based on ''Codex Alexandrinus'', a fifth century manuscript.<ref>Bentley, Richard, ''Proposals for a New Edition of the Greek Testament'', 1720.</ref>

In the early 19th century, Karl Lachmann developed a methodology of textual criticism which allows a critic to determine which manuscript variants are most likely to be from the original. He assigned manuscripts to various text types and in 1850 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 would reply 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 away 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 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 of the Western of 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>  

There are almost 6,000 differences between the Textus Receptus and the Critical Text, while there are only 7959 verses in the New Testament.<ref>Holland, ''Crowned With Glory'', 13.</ref>

There are almost 6,000 differences between the Textus Receptus and the Critical Text, while there are only 7,959 verses in the New Testament.<ref>Holland, ''Crowned With Glory'', 13.</ref>

Among modern translations, the [[New King James Version]] uses TR, while the [[New International Version]], the [[New American Standard Bible]], [[New Revised Standard Version]], and the [[English Standard Version]] use the Critical Text.

Among modern translations, the [[New King James Version]] uses TR, while the [[New International Version]], the [[New American Standard Bible]], [[New Revised Standard Version]], and the [[English Standard Version]] use the Critical Text.