Bible Inerrancy

Paper Summary:

This paper explains what is meant by inerrancy and why it is upheld by some Christians and not by others. The writer provides many citations that show how the bible itself upholds inerrancy, and explains the arguments of those who believe in inerrancy and those who oppose it. The writer points out inconsistencies between the bible and science and inconsistencies in the bible itself and concludes that it is extremely difficult to have complete faith in every detail of the bible.

Outline:
Introduction
The Notion of Biblical Inerrancy
Inerrancy v. Infallibility
Premise of Those who Challenge Inerrancy
Autographs
Biblical References As Supporting Inerrancy
The Opposing Viewpoint
Prophecies and Age
Science
Society and Culture
Inconsistencies Among the Beliefs of Christian Sects
The Identity of God
The Identify of Jesus
Afterlife
Personal Viewpoint

From the Paper:

"In recognizing inerrancy, one has to ensure that one does not confuse it with infallibility. Inerrancy is more rigid. It makes no allowances. With infallibility, which more people believe than inerrancy, Christians are called to recognize that the Bible is not infallible, that it is not misleading and the intent is correct--as edicts that come from a benevolent and loving God. But with infallibility also comes the acknowledgement that in instances of natural history and science (one example, might be the case of evolution, another would be issues of astronomy--the spherical nature of the earth or the earth being the center of the universe, notions that have been debunked by people as early as Nicholas Copernicus, and a little later, by Galileo Galilei) the Bible might be mistaken."

Sample of Sources Used:

• Armstrong, Karen. 1996. In the beginning : A new interpretation of genesis. New York: Alfred A. Knopf.
• Challies, Tim n.d. The inerrancy of scripture. fivesolas.com. Accessed May 5 2008. Available from http://www.fivesolas.com/inerrancy.htm.
• Emanuel, Tov. 1980. The parallel aligned hebrew-aramaic and greek texts of jewish scripture. Jerusalem: Academon.
• Erickson, Millard J. 2001. Truth or consequences : The promise & perils of postmodernism. Downers Grove, Ill.: InterVarsity Press.
• Henry, Carl F. H. 1999. God, revelation, and authority. Wheaton, Ill.: Crossway Books.

More papers on Bible Inerrancy:

• Research Paper # 71768 : "Biblical Inerrancy and Inspiration"
• Analytical Essay # 62438 : "Inspiration/Inerrancy in the Bible"
• Persuasive Essay # 62468 : "The Bible": Inspired and Inerrant"

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