IS IT TRUE
I. What is truth?
Types of Statements:
1. Declarative: A statement of assertion.
2. Proposition: Meanings of declarative sentence.
1. Two different sentences might communicate the same meaning
(proposition). One declarative sentence can express different
propositions at different times or in different contexts.
B. Question: What does it mean for a proposition to be true?
1. A1: It Corresponds- a proposition's being true amounts to its
accurately describing the way things are.
1. For any proposition p, p is true just in case it corresponds to
reality.
1. A2: It Coheres- A proposition is true just in case it coheres with
other propositions.
1. What are the strengths and the weaknesses of this theory of
truth?
1. It Works: A proposition is true if it works and/or has cash value
Truth is "something essentially bound up with the way in
which one moment in our experience may lead us towards
others moments which it will be worthwhile to have been led
to." (W. James)
II. Is the Bible Truth?
A. Does it correspond? (Nehemiah 2:1ff)
B. Does it cohere? (2 Peter 1:21)
C. Is it useful? (2 Tim. 3:16-17)
A. YES, however, certainly the Bible is more than merely a set of
propositions to be checked I these limited ways.
Wolterstroff's "Measuring up"
Since the Bible's nonassertive discourse does not correspond to reality, its
truth must involve some other kind of measuring up.
The excelled of such discourse amounts to something like fittingness to
guide God's people in righteous living.
III. Is it Inerrant?
A. Inerrancy: the Bible is wholly truthful. "For any proposition p, if the Bible
asserts that p, then p."
1. This applies to the autographs
2. This speaks of factual errors (the Bible does not make any false
assertions)
3. This does not necessitate affirming particular interpretations
of specific biblical passages
B. Syllogisms Worth Considering
1. Syllogism #1
1. THE Bile is God Word
2. God cannot speak falsely
3. Therefore, the Bible cannot speak falsely
2. Syllogism #2
1. The Bible is Gods Word
2. God's Word is wholly truthful
3. Therefore, the Bible is wholly truthful
3. But wait, what about: (WRONG)
1. The universe is God's creation
2. God is wholly good
3. Therefore, the universe is wholly good.
4. Syllogism #3
1. The Bible as it was originally written is Gods Word
2. God's Word is wholly true
3. Therefore, the Bible as originally written is wholly
true
IV. Is this Rational?
A. Rational Shmational
1. Truth is objective, rationality is not
2. What strikes one as rational depends on one's background
beliefs
3. It seems unlikely that by their own lights, unbelievers will see
the doctrine of inerrancy as rational.
B. Warrant for the Win
1. To the extend that our revised syllogism succeeds, one has
warrant for believing the Bible to be wholly truthful
2. As a result, these axioms, act more as foundations on which
Christians build than conclusions for which to argue.
1. Faith comes to understand, among other things, that the Bible
is wholly truthful
