NOTR - The Hand of Heresy - 9.14.16

Today's Show: THE HAND OF HERESY

Chris discusses the Revision Committee of 1881 from the perspective of Dean John W. Burgon and one of his associates, a renowned minister named H.P. Liddon.  The Committee, led by Westcott and Hort chose to include in its company a Unitarian named Dr. Vance Smith.  His inclusion was considered a scandal that caused an uproar among believers in England.  Liddon wrote to Burgon that because of the influence of an unbeliever, they should "expect to trace the hand of heresy" in the passages of the 1881 revision of the English Bible.

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NOTR - Gnostics & The New Testament - 9.13.16

Today's Show: GNOSTICS & THE NEW TESTAMENT

Chris continues his discussion about the controversial influence of Gnostics in the early centuries of Church history.  Some scholars in the nineteenth century rejected the theory of Westcott and Hort because they believed these men had embraced the depraved readings of heretics which had been warned about by early church fathers, and were rejected by the majority of the Christian world.  Do the leading manuscripts used by modern textual critics (the Vaticanus and Sinaiticus) show the activity of ancient Gnostic corruptions?

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NOTR - Older is better for Gnostics - 9.8.16

Today's Show: OLDER IS BETTER FOR GNOSTICS

Chris continues his discussion of the components of the Critical Text argument, this time focusing on the argument that older manuscripts are supposedly "better" because they are closer to the originals.  But does this argument stand upon closer investigation?  Nineteenth century scholar John Burgon specifically addressed the controversy, along with his contemporary, F.H.A. Scrivener.  The chief problem with the "older is better" belief is that the worst corruptions of the New Testament occurred within the first two hundred years after they were first written.  Early church fathers warned of the influence of heretical groups, generally referred to as the "Gnostics" and who were concentrated in Alexandria, Egypt.  What does history tell us about their influence?

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NOTR - Obeying the Gospel of Christ - 9.6.16

Today's Show: OBEYING THE GOSPEL OF CHRIST

Chris continues his discussion of the new film "Bridge to Babylon," and the potentially damaging impact that skeptical scholarship can have on the preaching of the Gospel.  The apostle warns that when the Lord returns, He will take "vengeance on them that know not God, and that obey not the gospel ..."  As such, our obedience to the Gospel of Jesus Christ is of the utmost importance, especially in this era in which universal theology (i.e. the teaching that all religions are somehow one and the same) is often promoted.  But the question is asked: has the handling of the Scriptures by modern critics weakened confidence in the Bible and, as a result, opened the door to apostasy?

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NOTR - The Critical Text - 9.2.16

Today's Show: THE CRITICAL TEXT

Chris continues his discussion of the new documentary, "Bridge to Babylon," this time exploring the indefensible arguments in favor of the Critical Text as somehow representing the inerrant Word of God.  By the admission of leading scholars, the chief critical editions of the Greek text disagree more than 30% of the time, showing a variant rate that calls much of the New Testament into question.  Is it this element of modern textual criticism that has put many sincere Christians in the position of defending the indefensible?  While attempting to convince others that the Scriptures are inerrant, Critical Text believers must also justify the overwhelming number of inconsistencies found in what is called the "oldest and best" manuscript evidence.  Yet among traditional text manuscripts (which represent the overwhelming majority) the rate of agreement is better than 99%. 

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NOTR - Bridge to Babylon - 9.1.16

Today's Show: BRIDGE TO BABYLON

Chris discusses the new documentary: "Bridge to Babylon: Rome, Ecumenism & the Bible."  Perhaps the chief threat to the faith once delivered unto the saints is the ongoing attack against the Bible as the inspired and inerrant Word of God.  "Bridge" traces the history of the modern critical movement from the time of Westcott and Hort who changed the text of the New Testament in 1881.  They are often blamed for helping to usher in a new era of Biblical skepticism, and many believe that the acceptance of their textual theory has systematically eroded trust in the infallible authority Scripture.  Also discussed is some of the history of paleography and its development by the Church of Rome.  Why is paleography important?  And was it developed by Rome as part of the Counter Reformation?

By clicking this icon you will be directed to our archives page in order to get an mp3 version of today's show. With this file you can listen to Noise of Thunder from your iPod or MP3 player whenever you want.