Comments are added in cursive script following the quotes.

--Is that just one statement?

--How many torn threads does it take to weaken a garment?

"Differences between the manuscripts are a non-issue for preservation." -– Then why constantly bring them up and have entire courses on them?

"Where is the Word of God today? It’s everywhere - every text, version, manuscript. He has prevented theological corruption, so we don’t have to say some are the devil’s and some are God’s. They are all the Word of God -- even contradicting manuscripts and different variants." – I’m confused!

"The truth ties in the realm of the manuscript evidence. God has not chosen to preserve the original wording. The manuscripts together give us the confines in our search for truth. We don’t have to be hawkish about the exact wording; we have the Word of God." -- Does that mean we have to read all the MSS in order to get the Word of God?

-- What do we believe?

"The early church did not place authority in the sixty-six canonical books: they merely recognized what books were already authoritative (in and of themselves)... however, you can’t say the same thing about the individual words." (Slightly paraphrased)-- So you say the books spoke for themselves, but not the words?

"We can be certain that we have the Word of God, even though we can’t be certain about individual words." --How do we study the Bible without reading the individual words?

"Translation becomes impossible unless God performs a miracle every time it’s translated." -- So are you saying God left it all up to men?

--I’m confused again!

"Every translation has evidence of the devil’s work in it." -- But a little while ago, you said the opposite didn’t you?

"Even if there is a difference, it’s not like life and death hangs on that difference!" –you mean maybe, "a safe margin of error?"

-- Praise the Lord, for a moment I almost lost hope! They’re out there...somewhere.

"I think God really has preserved all the words in the New Testament for us." – Oh good! Where are they?

"If when you read your KJV, you believe that those are the exact words God breathed out, then your faith needs correcting." –- if not in the KJV, Where? Please don’t leave me hanging!

A question posed to the class: "Why are the best known textual critics Liberal?" –- Say, that’s a good question. Why are they?

"Is textual criticism affected by doctrinal bias? ... Let the Liberals do it, they are limited to the wording of the manuscripts; any doctrinal bias is going to be minimal." –- Oh! So Liberals will be honest in handling God’s Word?

"Do textual differences among the manuscripts create a doctrinal problem? No." – Isn’t all God’s Word doctrine? What about missing verses and phrases and words?

"Does sound theology require us to reject some manuscripts and accept others? NO." —- Isn’t all God’s Word Theology? What about missing verses, phrases and words?

"Does the Bible tell us what set of manuscripts to accept and which to reject? [No]" – Yes, as a matter of fact it does. According to Revelation 22:18-19, the Bible says, "For I testify unto every man that heareth the words of the prophecy of this book, If any man shall add unto these things, God shall add unto him the plagues that are written in this book. And if any man shall take away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part out of the book of life, and out of the holy city, and from the things which are written in this book." You do believe that, don’t you, Sir?

--Wait a minute, you’re scaring me! First it was threads, now it’s holes! What’s next?

"[I John 5:7] -- not our main proof text for the Trinity." – Isn’t it the main proof text the Westminster Confession of Faith gives for the Trinity?

Regarding the last twelve verses of Mark -- "We have fourth century witnesses from Jerome and Eusebius who said it was not in the majority text known to them in their day.... [but] I wouldn’t have any trouble preaching from it." –- Would you have any trouble preaching from the Apocrypha?

"[I John 5:7] -- no corruption to the Word of God to have that verse, or to lack it." –- Does that mean that what it says is insignificant?

"[John 7:53--8:11 -- the woman taken in adultery] --The majority of manuscripts have that passage, but some don’t have it at all" --(slightly paraphrased) –- Does that mean you might have some doubt if you preached from this portion as well?

"[Matt. 6:13b -- "for Thine is the kingdom..."] -- The majority of manuscripts have that passage, but some don’t have it at all" --(slightly paraphrased) -- Does that mean you have some doubt if you preached from this portion as well?

"These passages [the last four mentioned above] do not jeopardize crucial theology."—- So, in other words, we could do without them? How does that fit in with Rev. 22:18-19? Perhaps it is a mistake that would clear up everything! Yes! That’s it – since you can’t base any doctrine of scripture on just one verse—as you said—and each of those verses discusses different things—one adding, one taking away—then you really cannot use those verses to establish a doctrine of adding or subtracting from Scripture! Now I get it.

"The issue is, not which one is correct [which variant], but is it doctrinally lacking?" -- So does that mean you separate doctrine from words? Then how do you determine doctrine? I’m sorry, it must be my lack of education, I just don’t get it.

"The body of manuscript evidence is our guide to knowing what the Scripture says." – That brings chills to my spine! Who on earth has access to the whole body of manuscripts? There must be one man we could trust! Our souls depend upon it!

"Some manuscripts touch on doctrine...but there is no full-fledged repudiation of doctrine in the Scripture." –so touching on doctrine, doesn’t repudiate it?

"I am dogmatic that this [the textual criticism issue] does not need to be a doctrinal issue of division and discord among brethren." --That’s why we’ve been beckoning you to come over and join us; why divide from us? It is you who went out from us—Biblically and Historically. Please come back before it is manifest that you were not of us!

"I can fellowship and work with them [KJV advocates], but they can’t fellowship and work with me [textual criticism advocate.]" (slightly paraphrased)—- Can two walk together except they be agreed? If you can have fellowship with us, you must agree with us.

"Liberals are damnable heretics...but, they were created in the image of God and are not devoid of all truth." –So you think damnable heretics know some truth? Is there truth outside of Jesus?

"There is a polarity -- people are found between God and the devil. To say people are as bad as the devil is not true." –- Does that mean that when Jesus said to the Pharisees, "Ye are of your father the devil..." He meant they were better than the devil?

"Some fundamentalists are less Christ-like in their opposition to their enemies than liberals are." –- Does that mean that some liberals are more Christ-like ... than some fundamentalists?

"The best known archaeologists tend to be liberals."-- I’m starting to think liberals aren’t all that bad!

"An overall approach to the Synoptics [Matthew, Mark and Luke] -- accept the possibility of literary dependence [one borrowing from the other]... No Scripture absolutely excludes the possibility (Luke may have been reading Mark’s gospel)." -- What I can’t figure out is why God would have Luke re-iterate what Mark saw, if Luke didn’t see it? Is that double inspiration since each one was inspired?

"[Eph. 1:1] -- To delete the word Paul, you would be a Liberal; but to delete the words in Ephesus, you could be a conservative." (slightly paraphrased) -- Is that objective or subjective?

"Maybe the original letter had a blank there -– ‘Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, to the Saints which are ____________, and to the faithful in Christ Jesus.’"(Italics added for emphasis) – So you don’t think Paul had anybody in mind, just the saints which are?

"This is speculation; we don’t know, but this is a reasonable attempt." –- That reminds me of something Paul cautioned Timothy about in the first epistle chapter one verse four, "Neither give heed to fables and endless genealogies, which minister questions, rather than godly edifying which is in faith.…" It doesn’t seem your speculations have any faith, only questions – producing doubt, confusion, disorder, and disarray, not godly edification. Please correct me if I’m wrong.

"We’re fairly sure of our New Testament."—- Does that mean you are not positive? So you can’t be all that authoritative until you are completely sure, right? When will that be?

-- That scribe seems to have had more faith than most textual critics I’ve heard of! Oh for the good old days!

"When you read [other versions] and come across a different word, remember that any one of them could be true.... Just choose the one that best preaches your message."—-So, if I can find a version out there that advocates my cause, I can preach it? Does "any one of them" mean "every one of them"? Or does it really matter anyway?

--So what you are saying is that a man can be a believer who doesn’t believe? I’m confused again!

Advice to aspiring preachers in a Greek class: "When you are reading along and you come to a verse like this [I John 5:7], just skip it, since it’s not in the originals; besides, most people aren’t paying attention anyway." (Slightly paraphrased) -– I remembered your advice for a long time—even up to the Baccalaureate service of my recent graduation (I was paying attention) where the Scripture reading chosen by Dr. Ian Paisley, guest preacher from Northern Ireland, and read by Dr. Edward Panosian, chairman of the History Department, included I John 5:7. My question is this: Why did Dr. Panosian read I John 5:7 as "Scripture reading" before thousands of students, faculty, staff, visitors and family members of graduates, from the Chapel platform when The Bible teachers had been teaching the students it isn’t Scripture and should be skipped in OUR church services? If it’s true, why doubt it? And if it’s not true, why read it? Are you giving an uncertain sound?

-- Does that mean it isn’t all preserved?

-- You know, I heard about Dr. Billy Graham talking about some sincere people too – Buddhists, Hindus, Muslims – who of course made some mistakes too, but God will understand, won’t He?

"This verse [I John 5:7] is not in the originals: John did not write this verse." –Perhaps some of these teachers need to get together and straighten some things out? Depending on which department you are in, or which location you’re at, depends on whether it’s Scripture or not? Oh well, maybe it becomes all things to all men?

Many students as a result, in Biblical debate and argumentation, when it comes down to one verse, say – "Well, I haven’t seen the Greek yet." –- Doubt carries no authority—-I know that much!

After I had quoted some verses from the book of Psalms that supported me, an upper class Bible student responded, "You can psalm it all you want, but you have to come to grips!" --Why didn’t he accept the verses I showed him?

--So, are you saying to preach in a manner people will accept?

"It’s that simple! You can win souls!" – Dr. Ed Nelson, soul winning evangelist—If we can, why couldn’t Noah?

"My whole ministry is to make sure by God’s grace you’re a success!" -- Preacher Boy class, guest speaker-- Can one man make another man a success?

"God uses what he has at his disposal" -- Dr. Bob Jones III, President -- Don’t some evolutionists believe that?

The late Dr.Bob Jones Jr., Chancellor-- That reminds me of Noah again.

"If we are faithful, the Lord will increase our sphere of influence." -- Dr. Bruce McAllister, Director of Ministerial Training -- Neo-evangelicals must be all right!

"God never gives us a command without giving us the ability to fulfill it." -- Dr. Rod Bell, Pastor of Tabernacle Baptist Church, Virginia Beach VA, regular Bible Conference speaker--- Doesn’t God command us to be perfect? -- Maybe John Wesley was right about the possibility of attaining perfection in this life!

"We can choose not to believe, but we can’t choose not to be a soul-winner!" -- visiting chapel speaker-- Does that mean that sinners have a freer will than saints do?

Regarding the Church Marketing movement (Bill Hybels and Willow Creek Community Church: Where they sent out representatives into the Chicago suburb area to find out what people were looking for in a church, and then patterned Willow Creek accordingly -- contemporary atmosphere, casual attire, CCM, rock music bands, skits, dramas, activities, big screen televisions in lobbies with soft rock background music, Cappuccino machines and refreshments, etc.) When the question was asked to Dr. Bruce McAllister, Director of Ministerial Training at BJU, whether fundamental preachers should label people like Hybels, etc... as believers of a difference of opinion or as damnable heretics, apostates and reprobates, his answer was the following: "I’m not out to judge their motives... These men sincerely want to reach people for the Lord...it’s a methodology."—-Maybe we can use those methods too! But didn’t Paul say, "He that is spiritual judgeth all things"? (I Corinthians 2:15)

"Paul used ‘psychology’ to encourage giving." – Brent Honshell, The Ministry and Finance, class for aspiring preachers. (Mr. Honshell had just left his job at a bank, to teach preacher boys at BJU how to handle church finances.)—- Didn’t Paul say, "our exhortations was not of deceit... For neither at any time used we flattering words, as ye know, nor a cloak of covetousness"? (I Thess. 2:3-5)

-- So, does it make them more cheerful?

"Use creative ‘setting/themes’ for messages on giving —- 1. April 15: people’s minds are already focused on their money management & taxes 2. Christmas: preach stewardship based on Mary’s willingness to give herself for whatever the Lord required (Lk. 1:38) 3. Spring: talk about how God intends growth in his world and in Christian giving 4. Anniversary of a Church: emphasizes how God has blessed & emphasize giving"—Brent Honshell – Oh I get it, sneak up on them and convince them to do what they would not have normally done?

--Say, that sounds tempting! My dad is at least a senior pastor, and he never made even the youth pastor’s salary—Where did we go wrong? I’d better listen!

Regarding buying church property: "location [is] important in attracting members... people often go to a church close to home. A low-visibility location may hinder growth. Retailers know location is a key -- [the] corner of an intersection, heavy traffic street... close to the neighborhood where you primarily expect to draw people.... Church planters consider demographic study of area (average income, ethnic origin, age), economic study...seek growth area." --Brent Honshell-- ---Why didn’t anybody tell Philip?

-— Do we want to be like them?

"It’s so important! You can leave this building today as clean as you were the day you were born!" -- Dr. Bob Wood, Vice-president —- Is that heresy?

During an invitation appeal after the Charismatic song, "Why have you chosen me?" was sung -- "If we love someone, we yield to their wishes." -- Dr. Bob Jones III—- I know he didn’t really mean to say that, so why didn’t he correct it later? I wonder if some girl, out of the thousands that heard it, yielded to her boyfriend’s wishes as a result?

"Did you ever notice that the main people to respond to an invitation are the most tender to the leading of the Spirit and closest to the Lord?" -- Dr. Bob Jones III—- What does that say about all those left in their seats? Maybe I’ll go next time.

Seven reasons/situations when it is O.K. for a woman to commit an "abortion" -- "1. If the mother has heart trouble; 2. kidney failure: 3 diseases of the lungs; 4. high blood pressure in the arteries; 5. cancer of the cervix; 6. chronic diseases of the liver; 7. major surgery" -- Dr. Stewart Custer –- But the founder of the school said, "It is never right to do wrong in order to get a chance to do right." –Dr. Bob Jones Sr.

Definition of a lie: "deliberately withholding the truth from someone who has the right to know." -- Dr. Stewart Custer -- Is that objective or subjective?

Speaking of the benefits of the Christian’s study and use of Psychology: "All truth is God’s truth." -- Dr. Guenter Salter, Dean of the College of Arts and Science, and from Germany – Does that mean that truth can be found outside of Jesus Christ?

Beginning of Philosophy of History class -- "Park your Christianity in the hall." -- Dr. Linda Hayner, studied at Harvard, Oxford, etc.—So, my Christianity is biased against the facts?

"Some of the students I have the worst trouble with are Bible majors" -- Dr. Hayner, slightly paraphrased –- Maybe they can’t leave their Christianity in the hall?

-- Bad people! I’ve heard of better liberals!

"We [historians] cannot say that the destruction of the Spanish Armada was Divine activity." -- Dr. Hayner – Was God just watching then?

-- You really look up to the world, don’t you?

Regarding the fall of Rome: "Untenable and Improbable Theories: racist theories, lead poisoning, class conflict, Christianity. Possible, Partial and Proximate Causes: chance, climate changes, soils exhaustion, barbarization of the Roman Army, personal immorality. Essential and Ultimate Causes [of the fall of the Roman Empire]: geographical, biological, political, cultural, [and] economic factors." -- Dr. John A. Matzko, History of Rome-- So Christianity and righteousness and truth and godliness were not significant factors in the fall of Rome? That must all be bias.

All Education majors at Bob Jones University must fulfill their degree requirements by student teaching in a public school where they must agree not to teach the Bible. –- But I thought the Bible was the basis of education?

Every week during the school year, among the many students who go out to witness to others in various forms are those who go into some hospitals where they must agree not to proselytize, share their faith, preach the gospel, read the Bible or pray, unless asked to do so by a patient. They perform social services. -- Don’t the secular schools do that?

A young lady who received an opportunity to go to China to teach English, but had to agree not to share her faith, teach the Bible, proselytize, etc ...was puzzled and bewildered when her Spanish teacher, Miss Barbara Lewis, told her to agree not to do it, but when she got there, to do it anyway -- just like she (Miss. Lewis) did when she accompanied Bob Jones IV and one or two other BJU faculty members to China a year preceding. The young lady couldn’t lie with a clear conscience –- especially about her own Christianity - so she decided not to go, to the grief of her teacher.-- I’m sure proud of her! I’ll bet the Lord will bless her for that!

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