An interview with Lietaert Peerbolte, Professor of New Testament Studies, VU University and Jan Krans, Professor of New Testament studies, VU University. The codex sinaiticus of the 4th century, or King James bible, can we describe as the first bible we have. But was there ever something like an original text of the new testament? Individual books, letters and collections were compiled to one bible in a later stadium. The new testament is therefore a scholarly reproduction from several manuscripts. Textual criticism is changed trough the ages from undoing the bible from textual corruptions to interpreting textual changes as having their historical value of their own, reflecting the liturgical practice of several communities through the ages. 'The living text of the gospels'.