Early Bible Copies: Why You Should Care | Michael Dormandy

Exploring the Language of Scripture

In this episode of Exploring the Language of Scripture, Daniel Mikkelsen is joined by Michael Dormandy—a minister, New Testament scholar, and specialist in early Christian manuscripts—for a rich and engaging conversation on the transmission of Scripture, the power of the original languages, and the first complete Bibles.

Drawing from his work on the earliest full New Testament manuscripts—known as pandects—Michael reflects on the value of biblical languages for personal faith, the complexity of textual variation, and how Greek can illuminate key passages like Romans 9:5 and Romans 8:28. He also addresses common misconceptions about the manuscript tradition and why early copies still matter deeply for the Church today.

Whether you're curious about how we got the New Testament, or interested in the theological weight of reading Scripture in Greek, this episode offers a compelling case for understanding the Bible’s history as part of our life of discipleship.

📢 Season 2 Announcement:
This episode marks the finale of Season 1. Season 2 begins on Wednesday 13 August 2025, with 24 new conversations released every other Wednesday.
In the meantime, stay tuned for clips and highlights from across the season.

✍️ If there’s something you’d like covered in the next season, let me know in the comments.

📚 Interested in learning Greek with Daniel?
You can now join the waiting list for one-to-one NT Greek tutoring:
🔗 https://ntgreektutoring.co.uk/waiting-list-registration?utm_source=youtube
This is my own tutoring programme, not a sponsored promotion.

🎯 Chapters:
00:00 – Welcome to the Season Finale
01:38 – Meet Michael Dormandy: Scholar, Minister, Manuscript Expert
03:42 – A Classical Path to Biblical Languages
08:03 – How Greek and Hebrew Opened Up Scripture
10:37 – Greek Helps Reckoning with Romans 9:5 for Yourself
20:03 – “When I Am Weak, Then I Am Able”: Dunamis and the Gospel
22:50 – Does God Work All Things or Do All Things Work? (Romans 8:28)
33:18 – Pandects and Majuscules: The First Complete Bibles
34:59 – Why These Four Ancient Bibles Still Matter
38:49 – Textual Foundations: What the Manuscripts Can—and Can’t—Tell Us
45:58 – Two Common Misconceptions About Early Bibles
49:39 – Comparing Manuscript Quality: Early vs. Later Texts
56:58 – Rethinking Scribal Habits: A Case for New Methods
01:06:58 – How Ancient Texts Strengthen Everyday Faith

🎵 Music Credits:
Music from #Uppbeat
🔗 https://uppbeat.io/t/all-good-folks/aspire

Please, let us know what you thoughts on the episode.

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Podcast Keywords:
biblical languages, New Testament, Old Testament, Christ, bible study, Relationship with God, learn biblical languages, Biblical Theology, Christianity, Covenants, New covenant, old covenant, language acquisition, Biblical Greek, Biblical Hebrew.

Capitoli

1. Welcome to the Season Finale (00:00:00)

2. Meet Michael Dormandy: Scholar, Minister, Manuscript Expert (00:01:38)

3. A Classical Path to Biblical Languages (00:03:42)

4. How Greek and Hebrew Opened Up Scripture (00:08:03)

5. Greek Helps Reckoning with Romans 9:5 for Yourself (00:10:37)

6. “When I Am Weak, Then I Am Able”: Dunamis and the Gospel (00:20:03)

7. Does God Work All Things or Do All Things Work? (Romans 8:28) (00:22:50)

8. Pandects and Majuscules: The First Complete Bibles (00:33:18)

9. Why These Four Ancient Bibles Still Matter (00:34:59)

10. Textual Foundations: What the Manuscripts Can—and Can’t—Tell Us (00:38:49)

11. Two Common Misconceptions About Early Bibles (00:45:58)

12. Comparing Manuscript Quality: Early vs. Later Texts (00:49:39)

13. Rethinking Scribal Habits: A Case for New Methods (00:56:58)

14. How Ancient Texts Strengthen Everyday Faith (01:06:58)