[D-fendr]

I think that is a "yes" to the "did you do a lot of work" portion and a "no' to the rest of the question: "Did you do a lot of work with manuscripts in archives, learn the original languages/culture/word use, derive the correct translation and meaning to a) arrive at what is accurately termed scripture and b) be able to say they have never been proven wrong?"

Of course I use the expertise of language scholars etc.

And not the expertise of some in what is scripture to begin with? And the expertise of others to preserve it long after the originals are gone? It would seem to me that to even get to the point of necessity of language experts one would have to be standing on a mountain of work of others that one must trust. Agree?

[CynicalBear]

>> It would seem to me that to even get to the point of necessity of language experts one would have to be standing on a mountain of work of others that one must trust. Agree?<<

More the trust that God preserved the scriptures for all through some very fallible people. Again, it’s God who preserves His word for us today. It’s God who uses men, even men who are lost as He did with Judas and the Romans who crucified Christ. Just as He will with evil men as in Ezek 38. It’s those instances and others like them that causes me not to look at the organization of men but to look deeper beyond those men for God’s word and purpose.