God deliberately works through human limitation

One explanation for why God permitted the original apostolic writings to disappear rather than preserving them permanently is that Christians might have been tempted to worship the autographs[1]—a concern rooted in the human tendency toward idolatry.

However, this reasoning faces significant pushback. This temptation was not actually present in ancient prophetic or apostolic times, the Middle Ages showed no excessive ecclesiastical reverence for Scripture despite the Roman church’s preservation of relics, and it’s unclear why inerrant originals would necessarily have discouraged scholarly and archaeological interests that Christians pursued eagerly anyway[1].

We suggest more compelling theological reasons for textual variation. Most Christian scholars believe God inspired Scripture’s content while entrusting its composition to human authors and transmission to copyists, choosing to reveal his word through human imperfection[2]. Rather than preventing error, God oversaw Scripture’s formation without micromanaging it or controlling every aspect, much like a foreman who provides guidance without overriding human agency or preventing mistakes[3].

Importantly, the meaning of each New Testament book remains clear and certain—textual variants function as “noise” in communication that rarely blocks our understanding of the text[4]. Though variation exists in the text, most variants are insignificant copying errors, and nearly all involve no significant doctrinal issues[2].

The theological point isn’t that imperfection prevents idolatry specifically, but that God deliberately works through human limitation. God’s ultimate goal transcends recovering inerrant autographs; instead, his purpose is to inscribe his Word upon the hearts of believers[1]—a goal achieved through living engagement with Scripture rather than veneration of a perfect text.

[1] Carl F. H. Henry, God, Revelation, and Authority (Wheaton, IL: Crossway Books, 1999), 4:241–242.
[2] Amy Anderson and Wendy Widder, Textual Criticism of the Bible, ed. Douglas Mangum, Lexham Methods Series (Bellingham, WA: Lexham Press, 2018), 184.
[3] Eric A. Seibert, Disturbing Divine Behavior: Troubling Old Testament Images of God (Fortress Press, 2009), 274.
[4] Dirk Jongkind, An Introduction to the Greek New Testament: Produced at Tyndale House, Cambridge (Wheaton, IL: Crossway, 2019), 102–103.