Is the Bible Correct?

Inerrancy vs. Infallibility

Intro
Is The Bible True?
Inspiration: What Is It?
Inerrancy vs. Infallibility
Exegesis/Hermeneutics
God Makes Known His Word
Study The Bible
Jesus In the Bible
Can The Bible Be Trusted
Attack On The Bible
Read The Bible In 222 Days
Contact Us

PURPOSE OF THIS STUDY: To develop and build on the belief that the Bible really is what it claims to be, the Word of God.

HARD SAYING FOR THE WEEK:

 

Read Genesis 9:6. If this is true, then why did God tell Abraham to go and kill his son Isaac on the altar in Genesis 22? Isn't this a contradiction in the Bible?

 

God had no intention of allowing Abraham to kill his son Isaac (v. 12). He was simply putting His faith to the test. I believe God would not have allowed Abraham to kill his son. He was testing him. How do I know that God tests us? Look at the following verses to answer this question: Deut. 13:3; Job 1:9-12, 2:3-6; Jas. 1:3

 

INTRODUCTION TO THE STUDY

 

This is a summary of the positions of several on how we should look at the books of the Bible and their inspiredness. What do you think?  Look at these four in your groups and decide which one you would be willing to defend. Be sure to talk about why. We will ask for a group response at the end of your 10 min. discussion.

 

      Catholic position - Errorless collection of errorless books

 

      Modern critical scholarship - Error-filled collection of error-filled books

 

      Historical Protestant view - Possible error in collection, errorless books

      Explanation - books were pulled together by the church - the church is not       errorless, on God's Word is (sola scriptura).

 

      Special Protestant view - The Holy Spirit worked in the collectors of the canon       that we have to guide them to the right books to include, those that were       inspired by God in the first place.

 

BIBLE STUDY

 

1.      Inerrancy vs. Infallibility

 

      Inerrancy = exempt from error

 

      Infallible = can mean "incapable of error"  OR  "will not fail to achieve the       goals and purposes which God intended for it."

 

      A look at Paul Feinberg's definition of inerrancy

 

      Inerrancy mean that when all facts are known, the Scriptures in their original autographs and properly interpreted will be shown to be wholly true in everything they affirm, whether that has to do with doctrine or morality or with the social,       physical, or life sciences.

 

      Does this mean that our versions of the Bible (NIV, KJV, NASB) are inerrant?

 

      Misunderstandings of inerrancy

 

      a. It does not demand strict adherence to the rules of grammar.

      b. It does not exclude the use of either figures of speech (hypebole) or literary       genre (poetry).

      c. It does not demand historical or semantical precision.

      d. It does not demand the technical or observational language of modern science.

      e. It does not require verbal exactness in the citation of the OT by the NT.

      f. It does not demand that the sayings of Jesus contain the exact words of Jesus,       only the exact voice (i.e. indirect discourse).

      g. It does not guarantee the exhaustive comprehensiveness of any single account or       of combined accounts.

      h. It does not demand the infallibility of inerrancy of the non-inspired sources used       by biblical writers.

 

      How can all this be true?  God is sovereign. He rules over all these things. If He       superintended the writing of Scripture (II Peter 1:21) then this can be true.

 

 

2.    What are some ways you can think of that these statements about inerrancy could       be viewed-- positively or negatively?

      a. Too narrow - God's not concerned about the exactness of His word as       much as He is the message. Inerrancy stifles the power of the message of       redemption.

      b. Too broad - Leaving the door open this far is too far. You cannot say that these statements are true. You would compromise the truth of the whole       Bible.

 

3.    A look at why this book has to be true

 

      a. John 17:17 - Truth

      b. John 13:34,35 - Following Jesus commands shows the world that we are       His disciples - How can we follow commands if they're not true?

      c. I Cor. 15:12-19 - If it is not true that Christ has not been raised, then we    are to be pitied. We're stupid to believe!!

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