Textual Criticism is a field of study, focusing on the ancient manuscripts of the Bible. We haven’t found any of the original, hand-written letters from biblical authors. We only have copies, which is to be expected. Because disputes arise over ideas found in the Bible, we appeal to the words written in the manuscripts. They provide evidence of what must have been originally written, giving us solid information on which to base our understanding of what Jesus, and His first students, taught.
Is the Bible in your hand (or on your shelf, or on your phone) inerrant? What would that mean? Can we trust that the Bible we have is the same Bible originally written? Jimmy Wallace explains what inerrancy means, and what it doesn't mean. Video, 9:54
