Theological Term of the Week

text criticism
“[T]he careful study of the ancient texts in an effort to establish what the original manuscripts of the Bible said”;1also called textual criticism.

• From 40 Questions About Interpreting the Bible by Robert L. Plummer:

We have historical records of extensive text criticism from at least as far back as Origen (A.D. 185-254), but the modern flowering of the discipline followed the introduction of the printing press in Europe (1454) and the revival of scholars’ knowledge of Greek and Hebrew at the time of the Reformation. Text criticism has flourished especially in the last two hundred years, with the many discoveries of ancient manuscripts and a growing scholarly consensus on methods. 

• From The Chicago Statement on Biblical Inerrancy:

  Since God has nowhere promised an inerrant transmission of Scripture, it is necessary to affirm that only the autographic text of the original documents was inspired and to maintain the need of textual criticism as a means of detecting any slips that may have crept into the text in the course of its transmission. The verdict of this science, however, is that the Hebrew and Greek text appear to be amazingly well preserved, so that we are amply justified in affirming, with the Westminster Confession, a singular providence of God in this matter and in declaring that the authority of Scripture is in no way jeopardized by the fact that the copies we possess are not entirely error-free.

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Heidelberg Catechism

Question 54. What do you believe concerning the “holy catholic church” of Christ?

Answer: I believe that the Son of God (a) from the beginning of the world to the end, (b) gathers, defends, and preserves for himself, (c) by his Spirit and word, (d) out of the whole human race, (e) a church chosen to everlasting life, (f) unified in the true faith; (g) and that I am and forever will remain, (h) a living member of it. (i)

(Scriptural proofs after the fold.)

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Sunday's Hymn: I Sing The Almighty Power of God

I sing th’almighty pow’r of God,
That made the mountains rise,
That spread the flowing seas abroad,
And built the lofty skies.

I sing the goodness of the Lord
That filled the earth with food;
He formed the creatures with his word,
And then pronounced them good.

Lord! how thy wonders are displayed
Where’er I turn mine eye!
If I survey the ground I tread,
Or gaze upon the sky.

There’s not a plant or flower below
But makes thy glories known;
And clouds arise, and tempests blow,
By order from thy throne.

Creatures as numerous as they be
Are subject to thy care;
There’s not a place where we can flee,
But God is present there.

—Isaac Watts

This hymn was written specifically for Watts’ children’s hymnal. 

Other hymns, worship songs, prayers, sermons excerpts, or quotes posted today:

• Update: God Will Send the Angels at Conjubilant With Song
• Crown Him With Many Crowns at Graces Daily
• Master, We Thy Footsteps Follow at The Happy Wonderer
• When the fear of God is dictator in the heart at Blogging Theologically
• A Living Sacrifice at Tried With Fire
• Lifting Up Our Hearts - 39 at The Upward Call
• A Prayer for Persecuted Christians from Trevin Wax
• Lord’s Day 38, 2014 at The Thirsty Theologian
• Your weekly dose of Spurgeon: “Almost persuaded” at Pyromaniacs

Have you posted a hymn (or sermon, sermon notes, prayer, etc.) today and I missed it? Let me know by leaving a link in the comments or by contacting me using the contact form linked above, and I’ll add your post to the list.