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WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 25, 2009
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Oldest Bible Scanned for Web

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(Newser) – The fragile Codex Sinaiticus, the oldest surviving Christian Bible, has been hidden in scholarly collections for decades, but today the British Library has launched a new site to let online surfers peruse the 1600-year-old document. The ancient text was discovered in the 19th century, and researchers suspect it survived due to dry desert air. The site offers new opportunities for scholars of early Christianity, reports the BBC.

"The Codex Sinaiticus is one of the world's greatest written treasures," says a librarian overseeing the project. "It 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 Codex Sinaiticus, the earliest complete New Testament, from 4th century Egypt, on view at the British Library in London. A new website lets viewers peruse the ancient Bible.
The Codex Sinaiticus, the earliest complete New Testament, from 4th century Egypt, on view at the British Library in London. A new website lets viewers peruse the ancient Bible.   (AP Photo/Sang Tan)
The British Library in St. Pancras, London.
The British Library in St. Pancras, London.   (©usm photos)
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9 comments
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IN RESPONSE:
Fondue
Jul 6, 09 9:17 AM CDT
Man, I thought this guy was gone.
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IN RESPONSE:
Mad
Jul 6, 09 11:55 AM CDT
The leaper aclepd.com has survived the censor NutsInNY so save your breath, and stop sighing loudly whenever you see someone you don't understand. It belittles only you
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+1
myvoice
Jul 6, 09 8:03 AM CDT
lighten up.... this is more than it just being a religious document. Its human history with its greatest achievement... the written word. Its no different than the items found in the pyramids of Egypt and the book of the dead etc. Reply
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+5
chas_m
Jul 6, 09 8:31 AM CDT
I suspect that once the English translation of it appears on the web, there will be a LOT of shocked "believers." My understanding is that it ... ahem ... "differs materially" from the current version ... Reply
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+6
IN RESPONSE:
Toon
Jul 6, 09 5:42 PM CDT
I suspect that some will be shock just to see that the oldest copy is not in English. I ran into a conservative Christian who refused to believe that English was not the original language of the Bible.
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