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To Whom It May Concern

Be it know that this day, November 24, 2005, that I, Mr. Gary S. Dykes, do herby declare the following to be my true opinion.

In concord with the ancient theologian/hymnist, Ephrem of Syria, I believe

that human rationalism should not be the believer's guide to interpreting the Holy Writ. Articles of faith are not to be determined by academic research nor by intellectual analyses; the validity of Scripture is not to be ascertained solely via canons of reason. The faithful are told to study the Word, and in time they will/should increase in their comprehension of it. God's Word is food for growth, as believers feed and grow so does their understanding.

God's Word is designed for the elect/faithful to understand and utilize, and only those possessing this unique God-given faith can truly do so. Parallel to this criterion, is the correct assessment of variant readings in the surviving manuscripts. In both cases:

(1) determining what the Bible means, and

(2) determining which variant is original;

FAITH is the primary and necessary requirement. Specifically that faith from God, Hebrews 12:2 - which along with the Holy Spirit resides within the being of each elect person. God gives us the faith which resided within Jesus Christ, just as He gave it to Abraham. It is a gift from God to each of the elect.

God did not leave us (today) with a known, single, perfect manuscript of His original Word. Just as faith is required to correctly interpret the Scriptures, so faith and the Holy Spirit's guidance, are also the principal ingredients needed to assay the variants. The canons of textual criticism are not to be the "golden standard", rather they are to be subsumed under a mature faith.

Various interpretations exist, likewise, no two believing exegetes will always agree as to which variant is original. These blessed disagreements engender valuable contemplation upon God's Word! This is intended. Often pagan textual critics and a redeemed critic will agree, and often they will disagree. Genuine variant resolution, when needed, typically manifests faith. Textual criticism is a wonderful ministry for a believer, it allows one to validate and/or reconstruct from the manuscripts, the original text. Essentially, we do not lack the original text, the original abounds within the thousands of surviving manuscripts. However, we do need more divinely trained and chastised believers who will not bend to the modern Sophists.