Biblical Inerrancy

[Midwestguy]

There are times when people talk about the "inerrancy" of the Bible. Is there a commonly agreed definition of the word? Does it mean the Bible is without error? If so, which manuscript does one rely on to arrive at this conclusion?

For example, in Revelation chapter 13 the number of the beast is stated as 666 while other manuscripts have 616. Which is inerrant and why?

I remain that curious but confused Midwest Guy.

[Cephus]

Like the parables.

Not like the parables, since the parables were purely fictious stories told to convey some moral message. In general, Genesis type stories are "fictional", meaning they aren't de facto literal, but are still historically true.

Something either happened or it didn't. It can't be fictional and still historically true. You might get fictional elements in a historically true tale, like the Trojan War, which really happened, but there were no 'gods' to be seen, etc. Is this what you meant by this?

I really don't see any evidence that there is any 'truth' whatsoever in Genesis type stories, regardless of which culture comes up with them. They were invented to explain something that was, at the time, unexplainable. They were something that primitive man could understand, but in the modern day, we should all be able to see through them for what they are, myths and fables, certainly not based on any real-life events.

[Tilia]

I really don't see any evidence that there is any 'truth' whatsoever in Genesis type stories, regardless of which culture comes up with them. They were invented to explain something that was, at the time, unexplainable.

Can that be proved?

They were something that primitive man could understand,

There is no evidence that mankind had restricted sentience, intelligence or emotional capacity, even 20 000 years ago, and certainly not at around the time of the building of the pyramids, when Genesis was probably written.

but in the modern day, we should all be able to see through them for what they are, myths and fables, certainly not based on any real-life events.

What is there about the modern day that persuades us that mankind is not morally fallen?

[Forge]

Something either happened or it didn't. It can't be fictional and still historically true. You might get fictional elements in a historically true tale, like the Trojan War, which really happened, but there were no 'gods' to be seen, etc. Is this what you meant by this?

I really don't see any evidence that there is any 'truth' whatsoever in Genesis type stories, regardless of which culture comes up with them. They were invented to explain something that was, at the time, unexplainable. They were something that primitive man could understand, but in the modern day, we should all be able to see through them for what they are, myths and fables, certainly not based on any real-life events.

Ahh... allow me to clarify.

Things that are true are not always literal. They can't be. If we took this stance, saying "I say the sun rise" would mean we're either unscientific of loony, since the sun doesn't "rise".

So, this could be applied to Biblical stories. For example, the real, historical events are God's creation of the world, paradise, and the fall of man. Stories, though not literally true, convey a true meaning behind the picture. It might not have been seven 24-hour periods, but God created the world; it might not have been a literal Garden, but it would have been a paradise; it might not have been Adam, Eve, and a snake, but humanity did turn from God and thus "fell".

[hiramabbi2]

Creationism is accepting God's Truth as told in Genesis.

Which did God make first, man, then plants and animals, or plants and animals, then man?

God created the Son of Man later known as Jesus Christ, first.

colossians 1:14-15

Wrong religious view again my friend! The Son was not created.

Let me further explain it to you, since, you're less informed and seems confuse from your minister' teaching.

The Son (Word) was spoken in the beginning and was Brought Forth physically from the invisible realm of his Father, (before the world was) when God said "LET THERE BE LIGHT"

The brightness of the glory of the Son provided the physical light during the creation as he would also provide light at the New Jerusalem to come.

REVELATION 21
23 And the city had no need of the sun, neither of the moon, to shine in it: for the glory of God did lighten it, and the Lamb is the LIGHT thereof.

Wrong again,

where did you learn how to read? perhaps you should strictly stick with the milk of the word.

Pro 8:22 The LORD possessed me in the beginning of his way, before his works of old.
Pro 8:23 I was set up from everlasting, from the beginning, or ever the earth was.
Pro 8:24 When there were no depths, I was brought forth; when there were no fountains abounding with water.
Pro 8:25 Before the mountains were settled, before the hills was I brought forth:
Pro 8:26 While as yet he had not made the earth, nor the fields, nor the highest part of the dust of the world.
Pro 8:27 When he prepared the heavens, I was there: when he set a compass upon the face of the depth:
Pro 8:28 When he established the clouds above: when he strengthened the fountains of the deep:
Pro 8:29 When he gave to the sea his decree, that the waters should not pass his commandment: when he appointed the foundations of the earth:

now child, He is stating He was before all of the above, from verse 24-29

Dear perplexed101:

You need to find someone who can read and comprehend to help you understand the Scripture. Here's what you failed to learn.

Genesis 1:1-2 document us the story of the BEGINNING and the condition of the Deep when God created the heaven and the earth.

Genesis 1:3 is the bringing forth of the TRUE LIGHT before anything is made that was made.

Let me again show you why your understanding is flawed using your own cited text for your capacity. I reconcilled the text and put them in chronological order for your quick learning.

In the beginning was the Word (Light), and the Word was with God (Father), and the Word was God (Son) John 1:1

"The Lord possessed me in the beginning of his way, BEFORE his work of old. Proverbs. 8:22

And the Earth (Ground) was without form, (Dust) and void; (Empty) and darkness (Death) was upon the face of the deep, and the Spirit of God moved upon the face of the waters. Genesis 1:2

"The same was in the beginning with God." John 1:2

"I was set up from everlasting, from the beginning, or ever the earth was. Proverbs. 8:23

And God said, LET THERE BE LIGHT: and there was light. Genesis 1:3

NOTE: The WORD (LIGHT) was spoken in the BEGINNING, before anything was made or the world was.

"All things were made BY him; and without him (LIGHT), was not any thing made that was made." John 1:3

"When there were no depths, I was brought forth; when there were no fountains abounding with water.'" Proverbs 8:24

Note: As we could see, based on the reconciliation of the passages including Genesis1:1~3, our heaven and earth at this period of time were still null & void (empty).

"And God saw the light that it WAS good: and God divided the light from darkness. v5 And God called the light Day, and the darkness he called Night. And the evening and the morning were the 1st. day. "Genesis 1:4-5

For your additional learning, the actual creation or formation of our first heaven took place only on the 2nd day (Gen. 1:6-8) and not Genesis 1:1. This earth was made on the 3rd. Day not before the 1st. Day (Gen. 1:1)!

Now you see preplexed101, the only thing that exceeded your arrogance is your ignorance of the Scripture.

Do you need more help?

[hiramabbi2]

Creationism is accepting God's Truth as told in Genesis.

Which did God make first, man, then plants and animals, or plants and animals, then man?

Adam was physically made first on the 3rd. Day

'Then God said, "Let us make man in our image, in our likeness.... So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him.... And there was evening, and there was morning- the sixth day. (Gen 1:26-31 NIV)

Dear Tilia:

The physical MAKING of Adam from the dust of the ground becoming a natural living soul (Genesis 2:7) was entirely DIFFERENT event from the CREATION Adam and Eve the image and likeness of God, spiritually (Gen. 5:1-3; 1:26-27).

In the day they were Born Again or Created Spiritually (not physically) in the image and likeness of God, A&E have already committed their first sin and Cain had already killed Abel - Genesis 5:1-3.

[Tilia]

Creationism is accepting God's Truth as told in Genesis.

Which did God make first, man, then plants and animals, or plants and animals, then man?

Adam was physically made first on the 3rd. Day

'Then God said, "Let us make man in our image, in our likeness.... So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him.... And there was evening, and there was morning- the sixth day. (Gen 1:26-31 NIV)

The physical MAKING of Adam from the dust of the ground becoming a natural living soul (Genesis 2:7) was entirely DIFFERENT event from the CREATION Adam and Eve the image and likeness of God, spiritually (Gen. 5:1-3; 1:26-27).

Where does the Bible say that?

[perplexed101]

Dear perplexed101:

You need to find someone who can read and comprehend to help you understand the Scripture. Here's what you failed to learn.

Once again you have failed to distinguish symbolic gesture and figurative language given within the term "light". Why dont you let the scripture speak openly without your circular intervention? agreed? the following is an example:

NOTE: The WORD (LIGHT) was spoken in the BEGINNING, before anything was made or the world was.

Isa 45:7 I form the light, and create darkness: I make peace, and create evil: I the LORD do all these things.

LORD as translated from hebrew

יהוה
yehôvâh
Total KJV Occurrences: 6528
lord, 6412

that verse is beyond debate towards your literal assertion.

[otseng]

Now you see preplexed101, the only thing that exceeded your arrogance is your ignorance of the Scripture.

This would be considered a personal attack and a violation of the rules. Please avoid commenting on other posters and stick to the topic of debate. Consider this warning a formal warning.

[perplexed101]

The following expresses further yet, a consistent message given within an outline in Isaiah as well::

Isaiah 45:11 Thus saith the LORD, the Holy One of Israel, and his Maker, Ask me of things to come concerning my sons, and concerning the work of my hands command ye me.

(kjva)

In the context of the defined meaning of LORD as depicted in hebrew, Jehovah, then the correct translation of the hebrew text when translated would resemble more as follows:

Isaiah 45:11 Thus saith the LORD: the Holy One of Israel and His Maker,
Ask me of things to come concerning my sons and concerning the work
of my hands, command ye me.

[hiramabbi2]

Dear Tilia:

The physical MAKING of Adam from the dust of the ground becoming a natural living soul (Genesis 2:7) was entirely DIFFERENT event from the CREATION Adam and Eve the image and likeness of God, spiritually (Gen. 5:1-3; 1:26-27).

In the day they were Born Again or Created Spiritually (not physically) in the image and likeness of God, A&E have already committed their first sin and Cain had already killed Abel - Genesis 5:1-3.

Where does the Bible say that?

GENESIS 5
1 This is the book of the generations of Adam. In the day (specific time) that God created man, in the likeness of God made he him;

2 Male and female created he them; and blessed them, and called their name Adam, in the day when they were created. (Cross Ref. Gen. 1:26-27)

3 And Adam lived an hundred and thirty years, and begat a son in his own likeness, and after his image; and called his name SETH:

Notice: The next generation to be created in the image and likeness of God was Seth'(Genesis 5:3), after man began calling the name of the Lord as summarized and documented at the end of Gen. 4

1 CORINTHIANS 15
45 And so it is written, The first man Adam was made a living soul; the last Adam was made a quickening spirit.

46 Howbeit that was not first which is spiritual, but that which is natural; and afterward that which is spiritual.

To be Born Again is to be created in the image and likeness of God, without that process, you're just a natural living soul.

God Bless