Side-lights on New Testament research: Seven lectures delivered in 1908, at Regent's Park college, London

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated.1908 Excerpt: ... LECTURE II. The Verdict Of Succeeding Days On Ancient Conflicts. IN our previous lecture we were discussing the situation which was created in the year 1881 by the issue of the Revised Version, and the publication of the New Greek Text of Westcott and Hort. We saw how hotly both the translation and the underlying text were assailed by Dr. Burgon, and how he held his ground against all comers, and serenely awaited the judgment of the " remnant of the days" ('Aepat 7rtol7tol). As it is nearly thirty years since that great battle was first joined, and we may, therefore, ourselves be fairly regarded as chronologically identified with the Court of Appeal, it will be interesting to examine what we think of the issue now. Suppose that those Quarterly Review articles had just appeared in October, 1908, instead of in October, 1881, could they 36 present the same confident demeanour as on their actual appearance? We will make an experiment and see what will happen. The first case that Dr. Burgon brings forward will be found on p. 5 of his Revision Revised and runs as follows: "Undeniable at all events it is, that the effect which these ever-recurring announcements of the existence of various readings produce on the devout reader of Scripture, is the reverse of edifying; is never helpful; is always bewildering. A man of ordinary acuteness can but exclaim--' Yes, very likely. But what of it?' My eye happens to alight on 'Bethesda' (in St. John v. 2): against which I find in the margin, Some ancient authorities read Bethsaida, others Bethzatha' Am I then to understand that in the judgment of the Revisionists it is uncertain which of those three names is right?... Not so the expert, who is overheard to moralize concerning the phenomena of the case after a less ceremonio...