Abidan Paul Shah 
Changing the Goalpost of New Testament Textual Criticism 

Before the 1960s, the goal of New Testament Textual Criticism was singular: to retrieve the ‘original text’ of the New Testament. Since then, the goalpost has incrementally shifted away from the ‘original text’ to retrieving ‘any text’ or ‘many texts’ of the NT. Some scholars have even concluded that the ‘original text’ is hopelessly lost and cannot be retrieved with any confidence or accuracy. Other scholars have gone a step further to claim that the idea of an ‘original text’ itself is a misconception that needs to be abandoned. If this new approach in NTTC is correct, then the authority of Scripture is weakened or no longer valid. It will be shown in this book that such is not the case. Furthermore, emphasis will be placed on the need to return to the traditional goalpost of NTTC, i.e., to retrieve the original text. Without a generally definitive text, the door will be left wide open to recreate any desired text of the NT. An unsettled original text will result in an unsettled biblical theology due to a lack of any authoritative and standard text. Consequently, it will lead to an unsettled Christian faith and practice.

About the author

Abidan Paul Shah (born October, 1973) has his Ph.D. in New Testament Textual Criticism (ancient biblical manuscripts) and teaches as an Adjunct Professor at Carolina University, Winston Salem. He holds a Masters of Divinity with languages and a Bachelors in Broadcast Journalism. He has been the Lead Pastor of Clearview Church, Henderson, NC for 24 years. He has read scholarly papers at the National Evangelical Theological Society and is a regular columnist with the local newspaper. Prior to committing to full-time ministry, Abidan served for four years as a Christian school administrator.He lives in the community with his beautiful wife Nicole and their 4 kids (Rebecca – 27 yrs, Abigail – 24 yrs, Nicholas – 19 yrs, and Thomas – 16 yrs).Dr. Shah has authored three books with a fourth book to be released.Changing the Goalpost of New Testament Textual Criticism – Wipf & Stock30 Days Through a Crisis – Self-Published30 Days to a New Beginning – Self-Published Can We Reach the Original Text of the New Testament?” – Wipf and Stock Dr. Shah also has a daily radio show called “Clearview Today with Dr. Abidan Shah” where he talks about a multitude of topics, specifically relating to the academic study of the Bible. As an adjunct professor of NT and Greek at Carolina University, his teaching videos are available on his You Tube page.