The Myth of Books Removed and Replaced in the Bible

This article explores the common misconception that books were removed and replaced in the Bible. We will discuss the reality of how the Bible came to be and the reason why certain books are not included in modern translations.

Introduction

The belief that books were removed from the Bible and replaced with newer versions is a widespread misconception. It is important to understand the historical and theological context of the Bible's formation to debunk this myth and provide accurate information.

Why the Myth Persists

Sometimes, the term "removed" is used in a loose sense to refer to books that were not included in the biblical canon. These books, such as the Shepherd of Hermas or the Gospel of Thomas, may have been interesting but were never accepted as authoritative or inspired by God. However, no book that is part of the biblical canon has ever been removed or replaced.

What Exactly is a New Version?

A new version of the Bible means a comprehensive update to the text, rather than the removal of a book. This is done to make the text more accessible in modern language and for different language groups. For example, the language used in the King James Version (1611) is archaic and difficult to understand for contemporary readers. Newer translations, like the English Standard Version, update the language to make it more accessible.

Historical Evidence: The Preservation of the Bible

The historical evidence for the preservation of the Bible is substantial. We currently have over 7,500 known manuscripts of the New Testament that predate the invention of the book in the 4th century. These manuscripts are from various time periods and written in different languages, including Greek, Aramaic, and Coptic. Despite the passage of 1,500 years, these manuscripts are word-for-word identical across the vast majority of the text.

According to scholar Bart Ehrman, 'The agreement of these thousands of early manuscripts is a powerful witness to the reliability of the text of the New Testament. This is one of the reasons why we can be so confident that we understand the content of the New Testament books and are not responding to wildly different versions of the texts.' (Ehrman, 2005, Forged: Writing in the Name of God—Why the Bible's Authors Are Not Who We Think They Are).

New Translations and Languages

With the globalization of the world, many organizations are working on translating the Bible into numerous languages to ensure that it is accessible to everyone. Translation is necessary as languages evolve, and modern readers need a version that is understandable to them. For example, a group supported by my church has just completed translating the Gospel of John into a language for a group in Africa.

Conclusion

In summary, no books have been removed from the Bible and replaced with newer versions. Instead, translations have been updated to modern languages to ensure accessibility. The historical evidence supports the reliability and consistency of the biblical text. Newer translations do not involve the removal and replacement of books but rather the modernization of language.

References

Ehrman, B. (2005). Forged: Writing in the Name of God—Why the Bible's Authors Are Not Who We Think They Are. New York: HarperCollins.