The question of whether any Bible has been "unchanged by man" is a complex one deeply rooted in textual criticism and faith. Here's a breakdown:
* The Ideal vs. Reality: Many believe that the original autographs (the original manuscripts written by the biblical authors) were divinely inspired and therefore without error. However, those original autographs no longer exist.
* The Process of Transmission: The Bible has been copied and translated for centuries. This process, while often done with great care, inevitably introduces minor variations. These variations can include:
* Scribal Errors: Accidental mistakes in copying, such as misspellings or omissions.
* Intentional Changes: Scribes sometimes made minor changes to clarify passages, harmonize accounts, or correct perceived theological difficulties.
* Translation Choices: Translating from one language to another involves interpretation, and different translators may make different choices that affect the nuance of the text.
* Textual Criticism: This is the scholarly field dedicated to studying and comparing the thousands of existing biblical manuscripts to reconstruct the most accurate possible text. Textual critics work to identify and evaluate variations, and to determine which readings are most likely to be original.
* Different Bible Versions: There are many different English translations of the Bible (e.g., KJV, NIV, ESV, NASB, NLT). These translations are based on different underlying Greek and Hebrew texts and employ different translation philosophies (e.g., literal vs. dynamic equivalence).
Therefore, to directly answer the question:
* No existing Bible is entirely unchanged by human involvement in the copying, translation, and transmission process. All Bibles we have today are based on texts that have gone through human hands.
Important Considerations:
* The Significance of Variations: While variations exist, the vast majority are minor and do not affect core doctrines or the overall message of the Bible.
* The Reliability of the Text: Textual critics have a high degree of confidence in the reliability of the biblical text. They are able to reconstruct the original text with a high degree of accuracy.
* Faith and Interpretation: Ultimately, whether someone believes the Bible is the inspired word of God is a matter of faith.
In conclusion, while no Bible is untouched by human hands in its transmission, the message and core doctrines have been reliably preserved.