What Is Inspired.

Some people say that the Bible is inspired and authoritative. That it is an accurate revelation of what God wants us to know about salvation - Himself - and how He wants us to know that He is and that He cares. But they leave room for minor errors in non-crucial areas.

Lookup a word or passage in the Bible

This generally leads to the concept that the Holy Spirit's work in inspiring the Bible only guaranteed "selectivity of events and accuracy of reporting and interpretation sufficient to achieve God's purpose throughout the rest of man's existence." (Dewey Beegle, Inspiration of Scripture, p. 190)

However, classic Christianity rests on the assurance that the Bible is accurate. It may contain statements that are;
figures of speech;
non-technical descriptions;
passages difficult to understand.

But actual errors would be something completely different. If there are errors in Scripture, no matter how small, then the books can no longer be our standard of truth.

Does This Really Matter?

It most ceretainly does. For if you or I believe that there are errors in the writtings of the Bible, then we need to determine what is correct and what is erroneous. And in doing this, then you and I become the standard of truth.

Or to put that another way, we in fact become our own god. Because we are then saying this is what is right, and that is wrong. So we then assume the position of the author and claim authority over the scripture.

And if we can't trust God to get the facts straight on things like dates and measurements (where we can check the facts in the world around us and history), why should we expect Him to be more accurate in areas like sin and salvation (where we can't check on Him in the same way)?

The word "inerrant," is not used in the Bible but the idea is obviously contained within it:
"The law of the Lord is perfect restoring the soul the testimony of the Lord is sure making wise the simple. The statutes of the Lord are right, rejoicing the heart: the commandment of the Lord is pure, enlightening the eyes. The fear of the Lord is clean, enduring forever: the judgments of the Lord are true and righteous altogether." (Psalm 19: 7-9 KJV emphasis added)

And this same concept is repeated within the Bible:
"the word of truth." (Psalm 119:43 KJV) "Thy law is the truth." (Psalm 119:142 KJV) "Thy word is true from the beginning." (Psalm 119:160 KJV) "Thy word is truth." (John 17:17 KJV)

Time and time again the Bible reffers to its words as having origin with God and not those who wrote. From the Torah, through the Psalms and the Prophets this is reiterated.

And we find the same message in the writtings of the New Testament books.
"God who cannot lie." (Titus 1:2 KJV); "It is impossible for God to lie." (Hebrews 6. 18 KJV). Many people think this is a relatively minor issue, but the idea that the Bible contains errors opens the door to serious spiritual danger. Because when we decide that we have the authority to label one verse as a mistake, or mans, or erroneous we then quickly begin to dismiss others in the same manner. And thus we in effect become the authors of the Bible according to us.

I've seen this happen over the years, and I have seen many people change from being happy, caring individuals into "holier than thou" merchants of doom and destruction. Who have then become isolated and turned ever more inward, to the point where they actually believe that they have no need of anyone other than themselves to understand all things.

And I have known others become so liberal in their attitude that it dosen't matter what they do or say, because God is Love and because He is Love and He is the Almighty then every single person is going to heaven anyway. But in doing this they miss the point that God is also, Righteous, Does Not Lie, Vengeful, Jealous, and will Judge all.

These are the two extremes of improper interpretation, for neither of these can be validated by the Biblical narrative. Yes, we can by taking a passage from here and another from there, suggest that either of these is a possibliity. But, when we look at all the scripture, and say God has inspired all, then neither of these extremes are valid.

And as each generation rejects more and more Scripture, as it gets in the way of their own opinions. We find that more error creeps into the way in which people approach the Bible, and more people literally become their own gods. Divining what is right, what is wrong.

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