DB_Biblical Inerrancy
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Arkansas Tech University *
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500
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Religion
Date
Dec 6, 2023
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docx
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Uploaded by jschalow
The New Testament book of Timothy, whose authorship is attributed to Paul, asserts that
“All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and
for training in righteousness” (2 Tim 3:16). If this passage is factual, then two additional truths
are present: 1. The inspiration of Scripture and, 2. The inerrancy of Scripture. Defending the
whole of the biblical canon as a special revelation of God, Erickson observes, “If revelation
includes propositional truths, then it is of such a nature that it can be preserved. It can be written
down or inscripturated. And this written record, to the extent that it is an accurate reproduction of
the original revelation, is also by derivation revelation and entitled to be called that.”
1
This
position can only be defended if it is understood that the origin of scripture is God, not the
human authors He used to transcribe His revelation. That understood, believers take heart in the
assurance that God, who is in and of Himself the origin of objective truth, has chosen to give
mankind a witness of Himself through the inerrancy of Scripture.
2
Teaching the understanding of scripture's inspiration and inerrancy is foundational to the
believer's life. Scripture is the revelation of God’s wisdom and the authoritative Word of God.
3
Without embracing this truth, there is no hope for the Christian believer to have an understanding
of the design, function, and mission of the Christian life, because there is no embrace of the
authority that God has communicated through the canon of scripture through the ages. An
understanding that is echoed throughout the Bible and communicated directly by the Apostle
Peter, “Knowing this first of all, that no prophecy of Scripture comes from someone’s own
interpretation.
For no prophecy was ever produced by the will of man, but men spoke from God
as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit” (2 Pet 1:20-21).
Addressing the importance of communicating and teaching this truth to believers within
the contemporary church, we must first understand that Scripture provides the connection of faith
and reason. According to Elmer Towns, “Reason is the intellectual and moral faculties of man as
exercised in the pursuit of truth apart from supernatural aid. Hence, reason is not a means of
revelation, meaning God does not use it to reveal Himself. But God uses reason for man to
understand His power and personal activity in nature.”
4
Without this connection of faith and
reason, the believer is left without motivation, purpose, and direction. However, understanding
that Scripture is the inerrant and infallible Word of our living God, we have access to direct,
special revelation that centers on the Son of God, Jesus Christ, which presents a link to connect
our faith and reason as we live out the Christian life.
1
Millard J. Erickson,
Christian Theology, 3rd ed
. (Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Academic, 2013), 163.
2
The Gospel Coalition, “The Chicago Statement on Biblical Inerrancy.” The Gospel Coalition: Themelios
4, no.3 accessed September 7, 2023 at https://www.thegospelcoalition.org/themelios/article/the-chicago-statement-
on-biblical-inerrancy/
3
Ibid.
4
Elmer Towns,
Theology for Today
. eds. Michele Baird, Maureen Staudt, Michael Stranz, (Mason, OH:
Cengage, 2008), 35.
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