...but the true word of Christ has been twisted and distorted over the centuries
The only way to make this statement, and for it to be true, is to know what the original writings said in order to know that "they've been changed." Thus becoming a self defeating statement.
The Biblical writings have been preserved throughout the millennia by way of the thousands of manuscripts and copies currently in existence. Having more manuscripts and copies actually helps biblical critics work backwards to accurately represent what the original writings said (up to a 99.8% accuracy). No one group (including the Catholics) could have sole say in what the ancient manuscripts actually said because there were thousands of manuscripts in other locations not in Catholicism's possession. The vast number of Manuscripts acted as a checks and balance system against any unwarranted change or edits.
There is no other book (or collection of books) that compares to the Biblical writings when it comes to the number and quality of manuscripts in our possession. The Bible we posses in our hands today IS what the original authors wrote down.
You can take that to the bank (or maybe a credit union :P )
The only way to make this statement, and for it to be true, is to know what the original writings said in order to know that "they've been changed." Thus becoming a self defeating statement.
The Biblical writings have been preserved throughout the millennia by way of the thousands of manuscripts and copies currently in existence. Having more manuscripts and copies actually helps biblical critics work backwards to accurately represent what the original writings said (up to a 99.8% accuracy). No one group (including the Catholics) could have sole say in what the ancient manuscripts actually said because there were thousands of manuscripts in other locations not in Catholicism's possession. The vast number of Manuscripts acted as a checks and balance system against any unwarranted change or edits.
There is no other book (or collection of books) that compares to the Biblical writings when it comes to the number and quality of manuscripts in our possession. The Bible we posses in our hands today IS what the original authors wrote down.
You can take that to the bank (or maybe a credit union :P )