Scientific Biblical Studies - Advanced Studies
The Life Foundations Nexus
MANUSCRIPT HERMENEUTICS
AKA “BIBLICAL TEXTUAL CRITICISM FOR THE PRIVATE SCHOLAR”
By Dr. Michael J. Bisconti
Dr. Michael J. Bisconti is the FATHER of Manuscript Hermeneutics!
Dr. Michael J. Bisconti is the FATHER of Manuscript Hermeneutics and this hermeneutical science has no “OFFSPRING.” If any “OFFSPRING” arise and begin to spout their ideas, they will be more than half a century behind Dr. Bisconti in understanding and teaching this science. In addition, Dr. Bisconti is the only scholar scientist in the world to thoroughly debunk ALL competing methods of identifying the true text of the Bible. Dr. Bisconti welcomes any and all to defend their absurd ideas against the established scholarship science of Manuscript Hermeneutics. No longer do pastors, evangelists, missionaries, other workers of God, and all Christians everywhere have to bow down to the deceitful textual critics of the past and present. “…where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty.” (II Corinthians 3:17)
The doctrine of the Divine Preservation of the Scriptures is, indeed, taught in the Bible. In addition, Divine Preservation is accompanied by “Historical Acts of Men.” One of these “Acts” in our times is the development of Manuscript Hermeneutics. The L. F. Nexus is proud to be the first and only institution in the world and in modern times to teach this breakthrough science. We note that the "modern" Bibles have no Manuscript Hermeneutics and no other methodical and reliable approach to identifying the true text of the Bible in the languages in which it was first written.
MANUSCRIPT HERMENEUTICS is:
The SIMPLIFIED science of determining the true text of the Bible in the languages in which the Bible was first written.
Manuscript Hermeneutics is based on the COMPLEX science of Biblical Textual Calculus, developed by Dr. Michael J. Bisconti, which includes the science of Next-Generation Biblical Textual Criticism, which was also developed by Dr. Bisconti. Manuscript Hermeneutics was developed by Dr. Bisconti, over a period of more than forty years, building on the aforementioned sciences and on the works of past and present scholars and scholar scientists.
PRINCIPLES OF MANUSCRIPT HERMENEUTICS
The private scholar (a person who masters a field of study without attaining professional status) can use Manuscript Hermeneutics to identify what original language text is the true original language text for any verse of Scripture. The cumulative weight of the application of all of the principles determines the true text and not the individual weight of a single principle. The number following a principle indicates the priority it is to be given among the principles listed. A principle followed by an “S” is a doctrinal principle accepted by all Christians. However, the true text can be identified without the “S Principles.” In this case, the identification process will require the application of more principles. The true text for most verses will be identified without the need for the application of all of the principles of Manuscript Hermeneutics.
CAUTION: IF YOUR APPLICATION OF THE PRINCIPLES OF MANUSCRIPT HERMENEUTICS RESULTS IN A TEXT THAT IS NOT IN PERFECT AGREEMENT WITH MT9-TR-CSR9, THE TEXT USED BY THE KING JAMES BIBLE TRANSLATORS, YOU HAVE MADE A MISTAKE IN APPLYING THE PRINCIPLES OF MANUSCRIPT HERMENEUTICS.
I. ACCESSIBLITY PRINCIPLE (1)
It is not beyond the ability of the private scholar (a person who masters a field of study without attaining professional status) to understand the principles for determining the true text of the Bible in the languages in which the Bible was first written.
II. AGE PRINCIPLE (2)
A young manuscript might be a reliable copy of an old manuscript and an old manuscript might be an unreliable copy of an old manuscript. This leads to the following principle:
The age of a manuscript has no bearing on its correctness.
III. LATER MAJORITY PRINCIPLE (3)
If there are fewer older copies of a manuscript, it is because such copies did not survive usage. On the other hand, if there are more, older copies of a manuscript, it is because such copies were NOT used or not used AS MUCH. This leads to the following principle:
The text supported by the greater number of later manuscripts is the reliable text.
IV. QUOTATION PRINCIPLE (4)
If there are fewer copies of older writings that quote a manuscript, it is because such writings did not survive usage. On the other hand, if there are more, older copies of writings quoting a manuscript, it is because they were NOT used or not used AS MUCH. This leads to the following principle:
The text supported by the lesser number of older writings that quote the text is the reliable text.
V. GOSPEL PRINCIPLE (5, S)
The manuscript that teaches the death, burial, and resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ is the correct manuscript.
VI. GOSPEL CONSISTENCY PRINCIPLE (6, S)
The manuscript that teaches doctrine consistent with the death, burial, and resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ is the correct manuscript.
VII. PROBABILITY PRINCIPLE (7)
A probability of truth is always to be rejected because it leaves the scholar with a conclusion that has no certainty.
VIII. STYLE CONSISTENCY PRINCIPLE (8)
The manuscript that is consistent with the style of writing of the author is the reliable text.
IX. CULTURE CONSISTENCY PRINCIPLE (9)
The manuscript that is consistent with the style of writing of the culture is the reliable text.
ADDITIONAL PRINCIPLES TO BE EXPLAINED AS SOON AS POSSIBLE
MORALITY PRINCIPLE
VALUE PRINCIPLE
LOGIC PRINCIPLE
TRUTH PRINCIPLE
HISTORY PRINCIPLE
CONTRADICTION PRINCIPLE
FUSION PRINCIPLE
GREEK STANDARD PRINCIPLE
HEBREW STANDARD PRINCIPLE
PSYCHOLOGICAL PRINCIPLE
MODERNITY PRINCIPLE
EVIDENTIARY PRINCIPLE
ARAMAIC STANDARD PRINCIPLE
There are additional principles besides those referenced on this page. These will be listed and explained as soon as possible.