Just A Little Light Reading?

Okay, as I've delved back into some of this stuff I've realized that Across the Spectrum isn't the "light" reading I remembered it being. This is some pretty heady, wordy stuff. I forgot to mention that there is a small glossary in the back of the book. I also forgot to touch on the way the book is set up, but by now i'm sure that you've got the idea. The introduction gives some information on the different sections as well.

Wouldn't it be nice to read that the Bible has absolutely no errors apparent or otherwise. For a long time I thought that that was the case, and by now you all know why..."I was raised to believe that way." No one ever bothered to point out that there are actual examples of apparent contradictions, so I was definitely not equipped to deal with such accusations. My ethics teacher at Southern Union 15 years ago dropped out of seminary and denounced his faith because of the inerrancy debate. He spent a good part of the semester of this required class pointing out Biblical "errors" and asking us to defend our faith. He just laughed and said he knew he was going "to burn like a crispy critter." Fuller Theological Seminary changed their position on the Bible from inerrant to infallible. This debate is still very much alive, and we need to be able to give an answer.

Last semester I took a Creation Science class, which I'm sure you'll hear more about with the Genesis debate, but the professor of that class always talked about how quickly people  will adjust their religious beliefs in order to make it fit with what science teaches. As Christians, however, he encouraged us to always adapt our science to make it fit with what the Bible teaches. How can we apply that same principle to the inerrancy debate? We'll talk about that on Wednesday. I found some good information about Rahab and Leviathan as it relates to the myths of the Ancient Near East, which is simply the culture and setting of the Old Testament including Mesopotamia and the surrounding regions. I'll share that on Wednesday too.

Before you leave each debate, I would encourage to mentally engage in a defense and explanation for your belief. Imagine questions that you may be asked and try to be able to give an answer. For example:

Do you believe that the Bible has errors?

How would you answer questions about the varying accounts of the women at the tomb of Jesus (time of day, who arrived first, whom did they tell)?

If the Bible is infallible but not inerrant, how can we determine what parts are faith versus science and history?

These are the kinds of questions that we will engage in on Wednesday, and are most definitely the kinds of questions that believers and non-believers will have regarding the Word of God. Check out Cornerstone's website, www.cornerstonebuzz.org to see where it stands on this issue. You can find it under About - Who We Are - Values.

Don't forget to post any questions, comments, concerns, or prayer requests.

Love to you all,

Tonya