Is Scripture Inerrant?
Vol. XI, No. 5, May 1998
Reprinted below is the full text of a letter to the editor published in Texas’ Baptist Standard of 25 February 1998. After you have read it, I will offer a couple of comments.
“Inerrancy of scripture [sic]
“Recent letters have resurrected the issue of the inerrancy of scripture. The Bible is not perfect ethically. It condones slavery when it states, ‘Teach slaves to be subject to their masters in everything’ (Titus 2:9).
“The Bible is not perfect factually since it states conflicting facts about many events; one illustration is Judas' death (Matthew 27:3- 10 and Acts 1: 16-20). How did Judas die? What did Judas do with the money? Who purchased the potter's field?
“The larger question is, ‘Were the original autographs inerrant?’ This is only a theory since none of the originals exists. This theory can be answered by noting the early church ‘frequently made alterations or additions from sources extraneous to the books which ultimately became canonical’ (The New Testament in the Original Greek, Westcott and Hort, editors). Had the early church believed them to be perfect, they would not have altered them.
“The important question is, ‘Where does the gospel get its power?’ The Holy Spirit convinces the hearers it is true! This fact/pattern was well established in the early church before any of the New Testament books were ever written (Acts 10:44 and 11:15). The Holy Spirit blessed it then, and He blesses it today. Therefore, preach the word!”
Note the breathtaking illogic of this letter! On the one hand, the writer asserts the Bible is not perfect ethically or factually and that the early church frequently changed the text. On the other, the author claims the Holy Spirit “convinces the hearers it (the Bible) is true.” And concludes, “Therefore, preach the word!”
An analogy might be: “The XYZ Company has miserable management, its products don’t sell, its treasurer is an embezzler, it is losing more money every year. Therefore, buy its stock!” Financial advice like that would be met with the disdain it deserves. Comparable spiritual views all too often are taken seriously!
For those who may want to read contrasting views on the “problems” the letter writer raises, on the question of the Bible and slavery see Gleason L. Archer, Encyclopedia of Bible Difficulties, Regency Reference Library, 1982, pp 86-7. On the matter of Judas’ suicide, see p 344 of Archer’s book for one quite logical explanation.
Here we may briefly note that the Bible is not primarily interested in circumstances but in the relationship between the individual and God. It is possible for both slave and master to be Christians. However, Lord Acton’s observation that “Power corrupts, and absolute power corrupts absolutely.” is true, which suggests that it may be more difficult for the master to actually be a Christian (as distinct from saying he is) than for the slave. The abject circumstances of the slave may well demonstrate to him his powerlessness and impel him to open his heart to the Source of all true power, while the dominant circumstances of the master may delude him into thinking he is self-sufficient.
Turning momentarily to Judas, we know Judas threw the 30 pieces of silver into the temple (Matthew 27:5). Peter also tells us Judas was stealing from the common purse. It seems highly likely that the field Judas bought was purchased with money he stole, not with the price of betraying Jesus.
Now consider the implications of the writer’s last paragraph: “The important question is, ‘Where does the gospel get its power?’ The Holy Spirit convinces the hearers it is true! This fact/pattern was well established in the early church before any of the New Testament books were ever written (Acts 10:44 and 11:15). The Holy Spirit blessed it then, and He blesses it today. Therefore, preach the word!”
Having just asserted the Bible is “not perfect” either ethically or factually, now he says “The Holy Spirit convinces the hearers it is true!” Is this not calling the Holy Spirit a liar? Yet Scripture denominates God as the “God of truth” (Deuteronomy 32:4, Psalm 31:5, Isaiah 65:16, Jeremiah 10:10), tells us straight out that God “cannot lie” (Titus 1:2), and specifies that man shall live “by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God” (Deuteronomy 8:3, Matthew 4:4, Luke 4:4). Note every word, not some words, not just the words that are not in error, but by “every word that proceedeth from the mouth of God.”
We need to stand firmly upon God’s Word against those who oppose its complete truth. And we need to pray faithfully for those who follow such a disastrous path. TCP