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The Reading Culture of Early Christianity

Fred Mcnabb On Social Media Argues

There are so many things wrong with Codex Sinaiticus.

Below are the complete pages of the codex. Notice the different colors.

The white ones are the first recovered and handed over to his benefactor in Russia. Porfiry Uspensky of Russia, in 1845, saw the remainder of the Codex Sinaiticus that Tischendorf did not remove and said that all of it was “snow white.” There are two books that claim the entire remaining codex at St Catherine’s monastery was “SNOW WHITE.” When Tishendorf held the rest of the codex in his possession, they came out in 1862 stained and yellowed.

It is apparently the most corrected parchment in history. Tishendorf counted 14,800 corrections. Scribes must not have thought it too important. Maybe they used it for practice. They say it was found in the trash and destined for the fire. Have you ever burned animal skins in your fireplace? What kind of monks would burn the supposedly oldest and best manuscript?

At the time Codex Sinaiticus was supposed to be written, Vaticanus used only 3 columns, and Sinaiticus used four columns.

There is an amazing lack of fingerprints on the codex, indicating little use.

“Constantine Simonides (1820–1890), was a palaeographer and dealer of icons, known as a man of extensive learning, with significant knowledge of manuscripts and miraculous calligraphy. He surpassed his contemporaries in literary ability. Some paleographers say that he was the most versatile forger of the nineteenth century.[1]”

Simonides claims to have created Sinaiticus to raise money for a print press for his uncle’s monastery. He ends Sinaiticus with the Shepard of Hermes. It is unfortunate that almost ALL of today’s English translations use Sinaiticus since Westcott and Hort.

Review and Refutation of Mistaken Notions about Codex Sinaiticus

Introduction

Codex Sinaiticus is one of the oldest and most significant manuscripts of the New Testament, dating back to the 4th century. It is highly regarded by New Testament textual scholars for its historical value and textual integrity. However, the online post contains several misconceptions that need to be addressed and refuted with accurate information.

Color of the Pages

Claim: The different colors of the pages indicate that the codex was tampered with. Early accounts described the pages as “snow white,” but later, they were stained and yellowed.

Refutation: The variation in the color of the pages is due to natural aging and environmental factors. Parchment, made from animal skins, is susceptible to discoloration over time. Factors such as exposure to light, air, humidity, and handling can cause the pages to yellow or stain. The assertion that the color change indicates tampering is unfounded. Different sections of the manuscript could have been stored under varying conditions, leading to different levels of discoloration.

Corrections in the Manuscript

Claim: Codex Sinaiticus is the most corrected manuscript in history, with 14,800 corrections, suggesting it was not valued by its scribes and possibly used for practice.

Refutation: The numerous corrections in Codex Sinaiticus demonstrate the meticulous care taken by scribes to preserve the accuracy of the text. Corrections were common in ancient manuscripts and reflect the scribes’ commitment to ensuring textual fidelity. The high number of corrections does not imply a lack of value but rather a rigorous process of textual refinement. Additionally, the claim that the manuscript was found in a trash heap is a misunderstanding. Tischendorf discovered some leaves in a wastebasket, but this does not mean the entire manuscript was considered trash.

Columns of Text

Claim: Codex Sinaiticus uses four columns per page, unlike Codex Vaticanus, which uses three columns.

Refutation: The difference in column layout does not diminish the significance of Codex Sinaiticus. Manuscripts varied in their formatting, and the use of four columns in Sinaiticus is a unique feature that does not correlate with its authenticity or value. The format was likely chosen to accommodate the large amount of text in a manageable physical size.

Fingerprints and Usage

Claim: The lack of fingerprints on Codex Sinaiticus indicates it was rarely used.

Refutation: The absence of visible fingerprints is not a reliable indicator of the manuscript’s usage. Parchment can be cleaned and handled in ways that minimize smudges and wear. The value of Codex Sinaiticus is not determined by physical wear but by its textual content and historical context.

Simonides’ Claims

Claim: Constantine Simonides claimed to have forged Codex Sinaiticus to raise money for his uncle’s monastery, and he ended the manuscript with the Shepherd of Hermes.

Refutation: The claims of Constantine Simonides have been thoroughly debunked by scholars. Simonides was known for his forgeries and had a vested interest in discrediting Tischendorf’s discovery. The evidence supporting the authenticity of Codex Sinaiticus, including its palaeographic dating to the 4th century, far outweighs Simonides’ unsubstantiated claims. The inclusion of works like the Shepherd of Hermes was not unusual for early Christian manuscripts, which often contained a variety of texts.

Usage in Modern Translations

Claim: Almost all modern English translations use Codex Sinaiticus since Westcott and Hort.

Refutation: While Codex Sinaiticus is a valuable textual witness, modern English translations are based on a wide array of manuscripts, including Codex Vaticanus, other ancient manuscripts, and various text-types. The translation committees use critical editions of the Greek New Testament, such as the Nestle-Aland and United Bible Societies’ texts, which incorporate readings from numerous sources to provide the most accurate representation of the original text.

Conclusion

The online post about Codex Sinaiticus contains several inaccuracies and misconceptions. The manuscript’s historical significance, textual integrity, and authenticity are well-established through rigorous scholarly analysis. Variations in page color, the presence of corrections, column formatting, and claims of forgery do not undermine its value. Codex Sinaiticus remains a cornerstone of New Testament textual criticism, contributing to our understanding of the early Christian texts and their transmission.

Unveiling the Truth: The Authenticity of Codex Sinaiticus—A 19th Century Forgery?

Codex Sinaiticus – A Highly Regarded Early New Testament Manuscript

Understanding the Codex Sinaiticus and Codex Vaticanus—A Scholarly Deep Dive into Ancient Biblical Manuscripts

About the Author

EDWARD D. ANDREWS (AS in Criminal Justice, BS in Religion, MA in Biblical Studies, and MDiv in Theology) is CEO and President of Christian Publishing House. He has authored over 220+ books. In addition, Andrews is the Chief Translator of the Updated American Standard Version (UASV).