Qualifying the claims made about the Bible

[St. SteVen]

What did the church tell you about the Bible?

- The Word of God? (every word)
- Every word is inspired by God? (every word - God-breathed)
- The Bible is inerrant? (whatever that means)
- Contains no contradictions?
- Absolute truth and authority?
- Translation errors are at about 1%? (99% pure)
- Clear message that all Christians agree on?

How many of these items do you accept?
Which ones do you question?
Does the provided evidence support these claims?

 

[Jack]

What did the church tell you about the Bible?

- The Word of God? (every word)
- Every word is inspired by God? (every word - God-breathed)
- The Bible is inerrant? (whatever that means)
- Contains no contradictions?
- Absolute truth and authority?
- Translation errors are at about 1%? (99% pure)
- Clear message that all Christians agree on?

How many of these items do you accept?
Which ones do you question?
Does the provided evidence support these claims?

Don't you get tired of attacking the Bible?

This forum is for: Christian Forums (Christians Only)

Why are you here? Don't want to say?

 

[Deborah_]

What did the church tell you about the Bible?

- The Word of God? (every word)
- Every word is inspired by God? (every word - God-breathed)
- The Bible is inerrant? (whatever that means)
- Contains no contradictions?
- Absolute truth and authority?
- Translation errors are at about 1%? (99% pure)
- Clear message that all Christians agree on?

How many of these items do you accept?
Which ones do you question?
Does the provided evidence support these claims?

Virtually every one of those statements is a rhetorical exaggeration. They all require some form of qualification.

For example: I would say that the Bible (as a whole) is the Word of God, because God speaks to us through it. But it contains a lot of individual words that weren't spoken or inspired by God - downright lies, the decrees of pagan kings, the conversation of unbelievers, and even the words of Satan!

The one statement that is probably reasonably accurate is the one about translation errors. (No translation will ever be perfect, but modern Bibles are probably as accurate as we can possibly get).