Textual Criticism

Certificate Bible Course

Course Overview

This course introduces students to the discipline of textual criticism, the study of the biblical manuscripts and their transmission. Students will learn how the Bible was copied, preserved, and sometimes altered through centuries of hand-copying, and how scholars work to recover the most reliable text. The course balances scholarly analysis with theological reflection, equipping students to understand and appreciate the reliability of Scripture while being honest about its textual history.

Course Objectives

By the end of this course, students will be able to:

• Define textual criticism and explain its importance for biblical studies.
• Describe the history of the biblical manuscripts and the process of textual transmission.
• Identify different types of textual variants and how they occur.
• Understand the major manuscripts and textual families of both the Old and New Testaments.
• Evaluate the methods scholars use to reconstruct the earliest possible text.
• Reflect on the theological and practical implications of textual criticism for faith and ministry.

Course Structure

The course is designed for 12–15 sessions (adaptable for weekly classes or intensive study).

Module 1: Introduction to Textual Criticism

1. What is Textual Criticism? – Definitions, scope, and purpose.
2. The Bible as a Text – Oral tradition, writing, and the shift to manuscripts.
3. Why Textual Criticism Matters – Reliability of Scripture, challenges, and misconceptions.

Module 2: The Old Testament Text

4. The Hebrew Manuscripts – Masoretic Text, Dead Sea Scrolls, Samaritan Pentateuch.
5. Ancient Versions – Septuagint (Greek OT), Syriac, Latin Vulgate, and their role in textual criticism.
6. Key Variants in the Old Testament – Examples of significant differences in manuscripts.

Module 3: The New Testament Text

7. Early New Testament Manuscripts – Papyri, uncials, minuscules, and lectionaries.
8. Textual Families – Alexandrian, Western, Byzantine traditions.
9. Major Codices – Codex Sinaiticus, Codex Vaticanus, Codex Alexandrinus, and others.

Module 4: Methods and Practices

10. Causes of Variants – Scribal errors, intentional changes, harmonization, and theological edits.
11. Principles of Textual Criticism – Internal and external criteria for deciding between readings.
12. Case Studies – Famous passages such as the ending of Mark (Mark 16:9–20), the woman caught in adultery (John 7:53–8:11), and 1 John 5:7 (the Comma Johanneum).

Module 5: Implications and Applications

13. Modern Translations and Textual Criticism – How variants affect Bible translations today.
14. Theological Reflections – Does textual criticism undermine or strengthen faith?
15. Textual Criticism for Ministry – Applying scholarly insights in preaching, teaching, and apologetics.

Assessment & Certification

• Essay: 1,500–2,000 words on a major textual tradition or manuscript.
• Final Project: 3,000–3,500 word paper or presentation analyzing a specific textual issue and its significance for faith or theology.
• Examination

Successful students will receive a Certificate in Biblical Textual Criticism.

Suggested Core Resources

• The Holy Bible (multiple translations for comparison).
• A standard introduction to textual criticism (accessible works such as The Text of the New Testament by Bruce Metzger & Bart Ehrman, or equivalent).
• Instructor-provided resources including manuscript images, charts, and study notes.

Wrap-Up and Certificate Award

At the conclusion of the course, students will:

• Present a final reflection summarizing their learning.
• Demonstrate competence in identifying and analyzing textual issues.
• Receive a Certificate of Completion as recognition of their training in Biblical Textual Criticism.