(Please note: For better understanding, please read the previous parts of this study before reading this one.)
The available
data support the belief in inerrancy far more strongly than its opposite. The
very fact that it is still possible today to claim the autographs were inerrant
is an indication that no one has yet succeeded in showing there is even one
substantial, undeniable error or contradiction in our present copies. After
all, the Bible has proved its reliability in many ways and in many areas, and
stood the test of time. Methodological analyses of inerrancy categorize the
testimonies about the inerrancy of the scriptures as follows:
- Testimony of
Logical Proof and Plenary Inspiration
The pillar of
Christian faith is the doctrine of inspiration which states that the authors
and editors of the Bible were led or influenced by God with the result that
their writings may be designated as the word of God. This is rooted in the
Biblical verse 2 Timothy 3:16. Since all scriptures are breathed out by the
Almighty God Himself, it ought to be true and inerrant. God can neither lie nor
teach truth using errors. This infallible character of God the Father, God the
Son and God the Holy Spirit essentially proves that the scripture which is
inspired by God is also true and inerrant in every aspect. Furthermore, the
logical proof shows that since God is truth (Romans 3:4, John 3:33 ),
what is breathed out by God, must also be true (John 17:17) and infallible.
- Testimony of
Scriptures or Self Witness of Bible
Bible teaches its
own infallibility and inerrancy. Some
critics bring forward a lame argument that the word inerrant is not seen in
Bible. Just because inerrancy is not a Biblical term does not mean that the
concept of inerrancy is not taught in the Scripture. Important concepts like
Trinity and rapture, etc. which are not Biblical terms are taken from Biblical
content itself. Rather than the literal word, the concept is given importance.
The main reason why we think the Bible is Inerrant is because the Scripture
tells us so.
Legitimacy of
considering Bible’s self testimony as the basis of inerrancy doctrine need not
be questioned. This is because the base of our faith is God himself who has
attested the scriptures as the source of all true spiritual knowledge. Just
like we consider scriptures as the primary source of advice in the doctrines
like sin, salvation, judgment, future etc, we need to base the doctrine of
inerrancy [which in turn is the building block of other doctrines] in the
scripture itself.
The Old Testament
itself declares 3,808 times that it conveys the words of God Himself. Most of the authors of the biblical books
have confirmed that they are communicating God’s word and it is flawless.
ü Old Testament
Writers
All prophets like Isaiah, Jeremiah, Ezekiel, Hosea, Jonah,
Micah, Joel, Amos, Zechariah, Obadiah, Zephaniah and Habakkuk has confirmed in
their writings that they are conveying Words of God.
Moses declared that the law was given by God himself and
warned Israelites not to add to or diminish from them. [Deuteronomy 4:2, 6:1-2,
6, 7, 8, 9, 12:32].
Psalmists affirms that the word of God is
§
Flawless [Psalms 12:6, Proverbs 30:5-6]
§
Eternal and stands firm [Psalms 119:89]
§
Perfect [Psalm 19:7, 119:96]
§
Truth [Psalm 119:43, 142, 151, 160]
§
Righteous [Psalm 119: 172]
ü New Testament
Writers
Paul says word is Holy, Righteous and good. [Romans 7:12, 1 Timothy 3:15]. He also
testifies that it is inspired [2 Timothy 3:16, Romans. 3:2, 1 Corinthians 2:12-13,] and true [2
Timothy 2:15]. The apostle's
teaching is so explicit in Galatians 3:16-17, 1 Thessalonians 2:13, 4:8
Peter confirms the doctrine of inspiration [2 Peter 1:21, 3:2, 3:15-16] and declares
that it is eternal, [1 Peter 1:25] living and active
[1 Peter 1:23].
Author of the epistle to Hebrews also mentions that the
word of God is living and active [Hebrews 4:12]
Apostle John concludes his revelation [Revelation 22:18-19] with the warning against human
intervention for changing the Word of God.
ü Words of Jesus
Christ
Since
Jesus Christ is the example for Christians, it is perfectly sensible to
consider his teachings and quotes as one of the most important criterion for
evaluating the inerrancy of the scriptures.
It is obvious from his words that our Lord Jesus had absolute confidence
in the authenticity, factuality and reliability of the scriptures. He proved
the following aspects in his teachings:
- Historicity
and factuality of the scriptures
During
the ministry in the earth, Jesus attested many historical facts in the Old
Testament.
ü Adam and Eve [Matthew
19:3-5 and Mark 10:6-8]
ü Flood in Noah’s
days [Matthew 24:38-39, Luke 17:26-27]
ü Destruction of Sodom [Matthew 10:15, Luke 17:28-29]
ü Jonah’s
experience in the belly of great fish [Matthew 12:40]
ü Historicity of
famous bible men like
·
Isaiah (Matthew 12:17)
·
Elijah (Matthew 17:11-12)
·
Daniel (Matthew 24:15)
·
Abel (Matthew 23:35)
·
Zechariah (Matthew 23:35)
·
Abiathar (Mark 2:26)
·
David (Matthew 22:45)
·
Moses (Matthew 8:4, John 5:46)
·
Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob (Matthew 8:11, John 8:39)
It is
to be noted instead of simply referring these as mere moral stories He
authenticated these historical facts to be trusted.
- Entirety of
the scriptures
Jesus
affirms the plenary inspiration of the scripture in Matthew 4:1-11. Quoting
Deuteronomy 8:3, He responded to Satan that man is to live by every word (plenary) that comes
out of the mouth of God (inspiration).
By attesting the finality of the scripture (usage of “It is written”) it is clear that Jesus negates all views of
inerrancy in the Bible.
- Indestructibility
of the scriptures
In
Matthew 5:17-18, Christ promised that the entire Old Testament, the Law and the
Prophets, would be fulfilled, not abolished pointing out that all of it is
inspired and true. In Luke 16:17 also He mentions
that not even a stroke of pen [“jot” or “tittle”] in the scripture will be
dropped out. Both verses establish the particularity of inerrancy (“jot,”
“tittle”) and the extent of inerrancy (all Scripture). A basic understanding
about the Hebrew alphabets may help in better understanding the significance of
this statement. Below given is a table of Hebrew alphabets.
The
smallest letter Hebrew alphabet “Yod”
(see picture) is referred as ‘jot’ in
the English translation. It may look like an apostrophe in English. The word “tittle” in English translation refers to
minor and almost unnoticeable strokes that distinguish certain Hebrew letters
from others. In the above picture, the letter “Dalet” and “Reish” is
distinguished by a protrusion that in a normal font type would not be more than
1/16 of an inch. That tiny protrusion is referred to as tittle. This tittle can
be observed in the comparisons of the letters “Beit” and “Kaf” as well.
Presence or absence of “tittle” or “jot” could change the word and/or meaning
of a statement. Jot and title may be scarcely compared to “letter and syllable”
in English language.
What
Jesus meant by using this comparison is that the scriptures are precisely
accurate to the smallest possible pen stroke or letter. It is impossible to
think of another expression to conclusively establish the meticulous accuracy,
validity, and truth of the law. Based on this unique formula of assertion used
by Jesus, if it is easier for heavens and earth to pass from existence than for
a “jot or tittle” to be failed, it is very clear that even the minutest detail
in the scriptures are infallible, authoritative, and trustworthy.
This
passage in Matthew clearly shows that Jesus had a view of plenary inspiration
about the scriptures.
- Infallibility
of the scriptures
In
John 10:31-38 Christ
confidently clarifies the infallibility, accuracy and reliability of the
scriptures, even when his life was at stake on that matter. He refers Old
Testament as the Law and quoting the Psalmist, [Psalm 82] points out that the
judges in the Israel were called
“Gods” though they were mere humans, due to their God given office. Stressing
this fact, it was concluded that if a mere man can be referred to as “God” the Son
of God who was sent to the earth is more suited for that word.
The
very fact that Jesus focused on the single word, “God” reveals that He affirms
the verbal infallibility of scripture. He was emphasizing that the minutest
part or even a part of the sentence, is inspired by the God. Furthermore, in
verse 35, He asserts that “the word cannot be broken” indicating the
authoritative inspiration of the scriptures. Since only an inerrant nature can
conclude this authority, it is clear that Jesus knew the scriptures are infallible.
- Inerrancy
of the scriptures
Matthew
22:23-33 is another instance where Jesus focused on specific written words
rather than a general concept. Quoting God’s words to Moses, at the burning
bushes, He clarifies the doctrine of life after death. He said that though He is the God of the
living, by using present tense in identifying himself as God of Abraham, Isaac
and Jacob [I am the God of Abraham, and the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob] it is implied
that they are living before God, after their physical death in the earth. When man ignores the usage of “I am” vs. “I
was” as an insignificant matter, God had specific reason to use that part of
speech exactly like that. From Jesus’ teaching of this passage of the
scripture, it is understood that He affirms
·
Historical inerrancy of the scriptures
o
Attesting to the life of Moses
·
Prepositional inerrancy of the scriptures
o
Attesting to the Verbal or plenary accuracy
·
Doctrinal inerrancy of the scriptures
o
Attesting the doctrine of life after death
·
Factual inerrancy of the scriptures
o
Attesting that Nothing in scripture is insignificant
- Authority
of the scriptures
In Matthew
22: 41-46 Jesus clarifies the authority of scriptures to his listeners. Quoting
Psalm 110:1, he asked Pharisees how David can call Messiah as his Lord, if
Messiah is his son, to which they had no answer. The only possible way is that
Messiah is both God and Man. This clearly shows that Jesus acknowledged that
the passages in the scriptures which are not be properly understood by everyone
in the true context does not imply an error or difficulty, rather it simply
proves the authority of the bible, since God never makes a mistake as a human
does.
Thus
it is clearly understood that Jesus, the God incarnate, himself has pronounced
that Bible is infallible, inspired, inerrant and hence totally trustworthy.
- Testimony of
Scientific, Historic and Prophetic Accuracy
For those who
oppose the presupposition of inerrancy truth, tons of historical and scientific
evidences are there to prove the accuracy of Bible.
A. Bible does not contradict any known scientific fact
Though
the Bible was not written as a work of science, wherever the Bible describes
the physical world, it is accurate. A common but lame attack by the liberals on
the Bible is in the usage of “Sunrise” or “Sunset” in
the scriptures. However, they do not consider that even in the languages in
modern world, we do use these terms in literature and it does not refer that
Sun is moving. The theory of evolution was an unsuccessful attempt by human to
question the creation defined in the Bible.
As a
matter of fact, several centuries before the scientific inventions by man,
Bible has proclaimed, many science facts such as the following:
- Universe is expanding [Job 9:8, Psalm 104:2, Isaiah 40:22,
Isaiah 42:5, Isaiah 44:24, Isaiah 45:12, Isaiah 48:13, Isaiah 51:13, Jeremiah
10:12, Jeremiah 51:15, Zechariah 12:1]
- The universe is winding down and will "wear out"
(second law of thermodynamics ensures that the universe will run down due to
"heat death"-maximum entropy) [Psalm 102:25-27]
- Number of stars exceeds billions [Genesis 22:17, Jeremiah 33:22]
- Every star is different [1 Corinthians 15:41]
- Pleiades & Orion
as gravitationally bound star groups [Job 38:31]
- Light is in motion [Job 38:19-20]
- The earth is controlled by the heavens [Job 38:33]
- Earth is a sphere [Isaiah 40:22, Job 26:10]
- At any time, there is day and night on the Earth [Luke 17:34-35]
- Earth is suspended in space [Job 26:7]
- Earth began as a water world. Formation of continents by
tectonic activity described [Genesis 1:2-9, Psalm 104:6-9, Proverbs 3:19,
Proverbs 8:27-29, Job 38:4-8, 2 Peter 3:5]
- Water cycle [Ecclesiastes 1:7, Isaiah 55:10, Job 36:27-28]
- Ocean currents in the sea [Psalm 8:8]
- Air has weight [Job 28:25]
- The chemical nature of human life [Genesis 2:7, 3:19]
- Life of creatures are in the blood [Leviticus 17:11]
- The nature of infectious diseases [Leviticus 13:46]
- Importance of sanitation to health [Numbers 19, Deuteronomy 23:12-13, Leviticus 7-9]
- Earth
began as a water world. Formation of continents by tectonic activity described [Genesis 1:2-9, Psalm 104:6-9, Proverbs
3:19, Proverbs 8:27-29, Job 38:4-8, 2 Peter 3:5]
It is interesting to know that scientific textbooks are constantly being rewritten. With the
discovery of quantum physics, the theories of classical physics have to be
revisited. With the revelation of relativity, we can no longer be certain of
the environment we are living in. compared to the absolute and unchanging
nature of God and His word, nature of science is so uncertain and changing.
B. Bible does not contradict itself
Many
critics vainly try to accuse Bible of contradicting itself without knowing the
fact that a difficulty is not a contradiction. Some apparent contradictory
statements are harmonized upon gaining more information. Most contradictory
statements are only superficial and taken out of context.
C. Bible does not contradict any historical events
Through
out the Bible we can see the God’s divine intervention in human history for
fulfilling the eternal plan. These interventions are proven in the numerous
modern archeological and historical inventions. These proofs can be laid out in
different categories:
o
Documentary analysis
In
modern historical science, several techniques are available for dating documents
and traditions, verifying events reported in those documents, and reconstructing
an interpreting those reports. These techniques are effectively used in
defending the inspiration and authority of the Holy Scriptures. By analyzing
the textual content of the scriptures using the tools available in historical
sciences, one can conclude the source, authenticity and infallibility of the Bible.
Example 1: Critics argue
that since God is given 2 different names in Genesis chapter 1 and chapter 2,
the authors of these 2 chapters may be different. However it is known that there have been
discoveries of differing uses for the name of god even in other cultures. We
find an example of this in Homer's epics with no need for source division. The
word "Elohim" is used to
refer to God as the Almighty creator of the universe while the word "Yahweh" is the covenant name for
God, which is reserved for situations in which covenant engagement of God is
involved. Hence the usage of 2 words is not referring to 2 authors; instead it
shows 2 different aspects of God in related events.
Example 2: Critics
speculate that chapters 1 and 2 of Genesis represent two different creation
stories. This argument is wrong, since this technique of recapitulation was
widely practiced in ancient Semitic literature. The author first introduces his
account with a short statement as a summary, and then he follows it up with a
more detailed, circumstantial account when dealing with matters of special
importance.
Example 3: Some critics use
aramaisms [usage of Aramaic words] to divide the text of Scripture into various
sources assuming that Aramaic words did not become part of the Hebrew language
until after the exile. However this was proven untrue due to recent
archeological discoveries that show Hebrew words used by non-Jews of some
regions. Given the biblical account, we can reason that Abraham migrated to a
region where the Aramaic language was spoken and he learned the language to
gradually adopt the tongue of his neighbors.
Example 4: Despite critics'
assertion that Moses was not the author of the Pentateuch [First 5 books in
Bible], there is significant evidence to the contrary. On analyzing the text of
the scripture, it is evident that Exodus 17:14, Exodus 24:4, Numbers 33:1-2,
and Deuteronomy 31:9 attribute authorship to Moses. It is to be noted the fact
that the author of Pentateuch uses more Egyptian words than others sheds light
to the authorship of Moses. The texts also clearly depicts a first hand
experience with Manna, Egyptian culture etc to the author.
o
Archeology
Biblical
archaeology is the archaeology that relates to, and sheds light upon, the
Hebrew Scriptures and the New Testament. Certain discoveries from countries in
the Middle East [Egypt, Mesopotamia, Asia Minor, Syria, and Palestine] have
contributed the most to the development of archeology that helps Bible
students. Recent years have witnessed a lot of archeological finding supporting
the accuracy of biblical scriptures. Some of the major findings are:
1947 – Dead Sea Scrolls: Among the more than eight hundred
documents represented by whole scrolls, incomplete scrolls, and a myriad of
fragments which have been recovered are complete copies or portions of all the
books in the Hebrew Bible (our OT), except for the Book of Esther.
1993 – Proof of King David's existence. At an ancient
mound called Tel Dan, in the north of Israel, words carved
into a chunk of basalt were translated as "House of David" and
"King of Israel" proving that he was more than just a legend.
1979 – Amulet Scroll: A rolled-up amulet dating to 6th
century, bearing the Tetragrammaton, the name of God (the consonantal letters
yod, he, waw, he), YHWH was found in one of the tombs in Hinnom Valley of
Jerusalem. The scripture passage on the amulet is from the Aaronic or priestly
blessing found in Num 6:24-25.
1986 – Two thousand year old Galilee boat excavated
from Sea of Galilee. It is estimated that the boat
could hold some fifteen individuals, similar to the boats in which Jesus and
his twelve disciples traveled across the sea (See Matt 8:18, 23-27, 9:1, 14:13-
14, 22-32, 15:39, 16:5; Mark 4:35-41, 5:18, 21, 6:32-34, 45-51, 8:9-10, 13-14;
Luke 6:1, 8:22-25, 37, 40; John 6:16-21).
1970s – Baruch Bulla: Hardened clay seal impression that had
survived in damp earth containing the stamp and name of the scribe of Jeremiah.
This bulla was found to be from the impression of Baruch ben Neriah, the scribe
who wrote to the dictation of the prophet Jeremiah (Jeremiah 36:4).
1990 – Ossuary of Caiaphas: The ossuary contained the
remains of six people: two infants, a child aged two
to five, a boy aged 13 to 18, an adult female and a man about 60
years old. The latter are believed to be the bones of Caiaphas, before whom
Jesus was brought for questioning (Matt 26:3, 57; Luke 3:2; John 11:49, 18:13,
14, 24, 28; Acts 4:6)
1961 – Pontius Pilate Inscription: A dedicatory stone that
bore a three line inscription: Tiberieum / [Pon]tius Pilatus / [Praef]ectus
Iuda[eae], "Tiberius [the Roman emperor of the period]/Pontius
Pilate/Prefect of Judea." The inscription not only confirms
the historicity of Pilate, it clarifies the title that he bore as governor.
The
archeological findings related to Bible are too numerous to be listed here. All
points to the fact that Bible is free from errors.
o
Accuracy in
Prophesies
The
Genuine prophecies listed in the Bible are the most evidential for
substantiating the Bible’s claim to divine inspiration. The amount of
predictive matter in the Bible is 8,352 verses out of its total 31,124. This
means that the portion of the Bible that is predictive is 27% (28.5% in the Old
Testament and 21.5% in the New Testament). There is no other Scripture on the
face of the earth, nor has there ever been, which even comes close to this kind
of predictive ability. Every prophecy in the Bible that is intended to the
period till date is fulfilled with 100% accuracy. No other predictions in the
world can claim this accuracy. Some of
the major historical events which were predicted in the Bible decades and
centuries before its happening are listed below:
- The reign of King Cyrus [Isaiah 44:28 to Isaiah 45:6]
- Babylonian captivity of Judah [Isaiah 39:5-7]
- Medo-Persian, Greek and Roman empires [Daniel 2, 7, 11:1-35]
- Reign of King Josiah [1 Kings 13:1-2]
- Return of Israel to home town
after Babylonian captivity [Jeremiah 32: 36,37]
- The fall of the following towns:
- Edom [Jeremiah 49:16]
- Tyre [Ezekiel 36: 3-5]
- Samaria [Micah 1:16]
- Gaza and Ashkelon [Jeremiah 47: 5, Zephaniah 2:4-6]
- Palestine [Ezekiel 36: 33,35, Leviticus 26: 31,33]
- Messianic Prophecies:
-
Event
|
Prophecy
|
Fulfillment
|
Virgin Birth
|
Isaiah 7: 14
|
Matthew 1 :18,20,25
|
From the tribe of Judah
|
Genesis 49:10,
|
Luke 3: 23,33
|
Born in Bethlehem
|
Micah 5:2
|
Matthew 2:1
|
Named as Immanuel
|
Isaiah 7:14
|
Matthew 1: 23
|
Ministry of Miracles
|
Isaiah 35:5,6
|
Matthew 9: 25
|
Forsaken by disciples
|
Zechariah 13:7
|
Matthew 26: 56
|
Betrayed by friend
|
Psalms 49: 9
|
John 13: 21
|
Sold for 30 silver coins
|
Zechariah 1:12,13
|
Matthew 26.15, 27: 5
|
Tortured and mocked
|
Isaiah 53:5, Isaiah 50:6, Psalms 22:78
|
Matthew 27: 26,30,31
|
Body gets pierced
|
Psalms 22: 16, Zechariah 2:10
|
John 20:25
|
Crucified with robbers
|
Isaiah 53:12
|
Matthew 27: 38
|
Garments gets divided
|
Psalms 22:18
|
John 19: 23, 24
|
No bones are broken
|
Nahum 9: 12
|
Matthew 19:33-36
|
Raised from dead
|
Psalms 16:10
|
Acts 2:31
|
o
Confirmation in
Church Histories
The
Christian church for all these past 2000 years has held fast to the doctrine of
inerrancy. When Errantists maintain that inerrancy has not been the historic
position of the Church they are either unacquainted with the data, or refuse to
accept it. As Lindsell states: There is
no evidence to show that errancy was ever a live option in the history of
Christendom for eighteen hundred years in every branch of the Christian Church
that had not gone off into aberration. Bible has stood the test of time.
Its authors are proven trustworthy over the centuries.
Conclusion
There is no
middle ground or partial inerrancy. The
whole of the original autographs of the Bible is verbally inspired, divinely
infallible and absolutely inerrant. Man’s knowledge has often proved unreliable
and limited. However, in spite of the wealth of confirmation for 2,000 years,
even in light of 200 years of recent skeptical attack, the Bible has proved its
reliability in many ways and in many areas, and it is absolutely worthy of our
trust.
Your Brother In Christ,
Finny Samuel
References:
Reliability Of The Canon by Dr. Johnson C. Philip and Dr. Saneesh Cherian
http://freecourses.org
http://apologeticscourses.com
http://bible.org
http://jashow.org
http://ankerberg.com
http://jashow.org
http://mb-soft.com
http://givingananswer.org
http://yutopian.com
http://biblicalstudies.info
