It was never the author's intent to produce a book or even a manuscript. The effort before you seemed to just "come about". After years of study on the subject, lectures were given at churches, Bible studies, and a Bible College. Prior to these discourses, materials had been gathered over the years from numerous sources and places - from major researchers and text books presenting both sides of the issue at hand to pamphlets, articles, library "raids", small clips and/or lengthy documents from pastors, expositors, and laymen as well as data obtained from personal conversations, telephone discourses and written correspondence from the States as well as Europe.

With no thought of ever publishing, what began to evolve was a somewhat orderly assimilation of "private notes". These consisted of what was regarded as the most germane information relevant to the question of textual criticism and Bible faithfulness. Sometimes only several sentences were taken from a source, other times a paragraph or so and, occasionally, pages. But a major portion of these notes consisted of small disjointed fragments of information gleaned and "squirreled" away from the various sources. No written creation was to be the end result of this endeavor; the only design being to become enlightened and to "get to the bottom" of the matter for one's own information and peace of mind. Thus, often no complete formal reference and occasionally no source at all was recorded in the growing stack of notes as there was no contemplation of ever producing a formal dissertation, thesis, apologetic etc.

The author then began to better organize his "accumulated ignorance". It was during this time that opportunities to lecture began to "crop up". The next phase was to have the taped addresses transcribed into the computer's word processor for permanent storage, additions, rearranging and subsequent referral and retrieval. It was hoped that this would also facilitate "trying to locate" essentials for, with the passing of time, it is easy to forget sources.

Prior to and concomitant with this project, a steady stream of inquiries began to be received relevant to written material on the subject other than those recommended at the lectures and on the numerous tapes given away. All seemed clear. Upon request, we would simply send out copies of our personal notes directly from the computer. However, about half way through editing the transcribed tapes, it became apparent that with only very minor effort (a personal statement or challenge here and there) a more vital manuscript could be produced. It could then be freely distributed to those at our Bible studies as well as those requesting from hearsay or having heard the tapes. Again, no formal treatise was ever contemplated hence formal documentation with regard to footnotes, references etc. were not always cited. Indeed, this became well near impossible for during a move prior to the inception of the project the box containing most of the said notes and citations was misplaced and believed lost. Most of those few that remained or could be recalled were incorporated being mainly intended for the benefit of this author. Recently, however, a folder was found so that after nearly six years many of the missing references were recovered and have been included in the seventh edition onward. Thus, the story lies before you.

Appreciation by the author is herewith expressed to the many from whom I have gleaned, compiled and adapted information. In view of the above, the author trusts that any omission of a source will be accepted as being neither intentional nor with malice. To have done more was not only too long after the fact but the several European libraries from whence much of the research was conducted were no longer feasibly accessible. Still it is hoped that the original intent of sounding the alarm and alerting the unsuspecting church may be met in some small measure by the effort contained herein. The student wishing to more fully acquaint himself with the issues found within this treatise should consult the materials listed in the bibliography, especially those of Burgon, Hoskier, Nolan, Hills, Pickering, Fuller, Van Bruggen, Waite, Green, Moorman, and Letis. Several others are also exceptional but very difficult for most to locate.