British Library Puts Oldest Surviving Bible Online 568
Peace Corps Library writes "BBC reports that about 800 pages of the earliest surviving Christian Bible, the 1,600-year-old Codex Sinaiticus manuscript, have been recovered and put on the Internet. 'The Codex Sinaiticus is one of the world's greatest written treasures,' says Dr. Scot McKendrick, head of Western manuscripts at the British Library. 'This 1,600-year-old manuscript offers a window into the development of early Christianity and first-hand evidence of how the text of the Bible was transmitted from generation to generation.' The New Testament of the Codex Sinaiticus appears in Koine Greek, the original vernacular language, and the Old Testament in the version, known as the Septuagint, that was adopted by early Greek-speaking Christians. For 1,500 years, the Codex Sinaiticus lay undisturbed in a Sinai monastery until it was found in 1844 and split between Egypt, Russia, Germany, and Britain. It is thought to have survived because the desert air was ideal for preservation and because the monastery, on a Christian island in a Muslim sea, remained untouched, its walls unconquered. The British Library is marking the online launch of the manuscript with an exhibition which includes a range of historic items and artifacts linked to the document. 'The availability of the virtual manuscript for study by scholars around the world creates opportunities for collaborative research that would not have been possible just a few years ago.'"
Crowdsource it (Score:5, Funny)
But is it wiki'd so that people can make corrections to it?
Genesis I (Score:5, Funny)
1 In the begining was the psot. And it was frist.
2 And yea, I faileth it.
Re:Crowdsource it (Score:5, Funny)
Yes, but you need to be in God-mode for the editing feature to be enabled.
Potential for translations (Score:5, Funny)
I'm really interested to see what different translators come up with. Now that it's been made available, there is going to be a wonderful opportunity to compare translations and interpretations from a much more 'original' source.
Though, I have this nagging feeling that "And it was Good" might also be interpreted as "Sorry for the inconvenience."
Celebrate! (Score:5, Funny)
..... and the old priest looked at the original copy, and came out crying.
When asked why, he looked at the young novice and said "the word is CELEBRATE not CELIBATE"
Re:Crowdsource it (Score:4, Funny)
Re:Potential for translations (Score:2, Funny)
Actually I plan on pointing out the major discrepencies as a sign that the bible is in fact fallible and has been manipulated to change it's message over the centuries. With several additonal books that aren't in the current versions one has to wonder why the "words of god" Would be left out. I don't ever expect a reasonable answer. Because trolling religous nutjobs is always fun until they hang you for being a heretic.
Re:Is it copyrighted? (Score:1, Funny)
Disney? Is that you?
Re:Is it copyrighted? (Score:3, Funny)
Re:Is it copyrighted? (Score:3, Funny)
2. Lifespan: Eternal
3. Copyright: Eternity + 50 years
4. ???
5. Profit!
Re:Written Before Christianity Was PAGANIZED (Score:5, Funny)
Paul wrote NO Gospel.
OK. I absolutely have to correct this. There were four gospels, one of them Paul's. First came John, then Paul, then George, and finally Ringo.
Oh, crap... I may be mixing theology here... OK fine. His story is an epistle - I stand corrected.
On the Web? I find this surprising (Score:5, Funny)
even more amazing (Score:2, Funny)
scholars have discovered that this bible bleeds when it rains
Re:Finally... (Score:2, Funny)
Thanks for bringing that up.
Re:First Post? (Score:3, Funny)
1 In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.
2 And the earth was waste and void; and darkness was upon the face of the deep: and the Spirit of God moved upon the face of the waters.
3 And God said, "First Post!".
Re:Written Before Christianity Was PAGANIZED (Score:3, Funny)
re: Paul.
Changing sides is not conversion - merely allegiance or profession and expression.
Conversion is the changing of one's fundamental nature. It is repentance from one's self.
Paul went on to do with a pen that which he had formerly done with a sword, now in service of his former nemesis. In name, he changed but a letter, showing both his great attachment to small material indicators and his basic re-confirmation of the identity prior to Damascus.
No doubt he had a powerful experience - possibly even of God. But he could not reject himself - and thereby brought Paul to religion - not religion to Paul.
At least I have an excuse for not RTFA! (Score:3, Funny)