- Published: September 27, 2022
- Updated: September 27, 2022
- University / College: Baylor University
- Language: English
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BIBLIOLOGY Name: Instructor: Course name and number: Date: Bibliology In order to believe in the bible, many have considered its scripture or words true and free of error, written with inspiration.
All believers believe the bible to be true or to represent facts without any error in its historical, scientific and religious context[1]. However, some think this is not the case citing examples such as Jonah staying in the belly of a whale for three days. Those who believe the bible is free of any error believe Jonah truly stayed in the belly of the whale for the three days while opponents believe this was just an allegory. Other scientific research has sought to prove that the historical account of the bible may not be true and could have errors. Inerrancy of the bible is about the meaning or interpretation of the scripture as the true word of God. Inerrancy of the scripture means that the scriptures in the bible is free of error and cannot have any error. Some of its close synonyms include infallibility, certainty and assuredness.
It is the belief that the scriptures in the bible present the truth and truth only. Considering the words in the bible are the words of God, they cannot be wrong. Although written by people, they were inspired by God and wrote his word. It refers to both lack of error in the scripture as well as the inability to error. This is attributed to God, considering He always represents the truth and can never tell a lie. This is similar to Jesus Christ when he was here on earth. He never sinned and was incapable of sinning. Thus, inerrancy refers to the inability of the scriptures to lie or tell what is not true[2].
However, some Christians object to the inerrancy of the bible citing that some part of the scripture cannot be without error. One of their claims is that, during translation from the original scriptures, some errors must have occurred, making it possible to have errors in the bible. The content of the bible contributes to the debate over the inerrancy of the bible as well. In the genealogy of Jesus according to Mathew 1: 1-17, it clearly shows some gap. In the verses 3 and 4, it states that Hezron was the father of Ram while Ram was the father of Amminadab.
The fact is that there was a period of four centuries between Hezron and Amminadab in Genesis 46: 12. Mathew left out this part, meaning there was an error in the scripture[3]. This could be dangerous for Christians since inerrancy determines their belief in the bible. Without inerrancy, some people will have no reasons to be Christians since this would mean they believe in something that is not true.
Inerrancy of the bible means that the scriptures are true and without error, hence represent the word of God. Although some Christians are aware of the factual error in history and genealogy, to them inerrancy is not within these fields. Rather, it is about believing in the interpretation of what is represented by the scripture as true. In order to be a believer, one has to believe that the bible is inerrant in its representation of God’s word. “ Holy Scripture, being God’s own Word, written by men prepared and superintended by His Spirit, is of infallible divine authority in all matters upon which it touches: it is to be believed, as God’s instruction, in all that it affirms.
[4]” This does not have to refer to the fact about history or genealogy considering the researchers could be wrong as well. In their original form, the scriptures represented the truth only. Thus, considering the bible is not the original scripture, the errors could be from the literal translation and not in the scriptures themselves in the original form. Bibliography Peter, Carsten. “ A Testament Is Born,” ChristianHistory.
net, January 29, 2013, http://www. christianitytoday. com/ch/1994/issue43/4324. html? start= 3 Grudem, Wayne. Systematic Theology: An Introduction to Biblical Doctrine. New York: Zondervan, 2009. [1] Carsten Peter, “ A Testament Is Born,” ChristianHistory. net, January 29, 2013, http://www. christianitytoday. com/ch/1994/issue43/4324. html? start= 3