Theology and Culture
Essay Introduction
The Bible is a text which makes many claims of historical events, prophecies, and life
lessons. One of the most debated claims the Bible makes of itself, is that it is all true. It speaks
on the way all things are, have been, ought to be, and will be. It also presents itself as something
more; The living, breathing Word of God. God, as we know, is truth – timeless, unchanging
truth. That makes this book, as His word, something infallible and inerrant and something that
will always apply. One of the most concerning claims it makes is that we are all sinners and are
condemned to a fate of eternal death until otherwise saved. The inerrancy of the Bible is
particularly important, especially in the context of this eternal damnation. The concept of the
Bible as an infallible text should be thoroughly examined prior to any assertations made in the
name of theological debate.
Biblical Inerrancy
Biblical inerrancy is the belief that God’s words in the Bible are completely true and
without flaw. This inerrancy does not only apply to moral and religious truths, but historical and
scientific truths as well. That means the Bible has authority and wisdom on all aspects of life.
The term “inerrancy” does not appear in the Bible anywhere. However, there are several
passages that speak on the Bible being steadfast in its words and stories because it has all been
inspired by the Holy Spirit itself. Mistakes are not a trait of God, so if His word is inspired
directly by the Holy Spirit through the authors, it cannot have error. There are two instances in
the book of Psalms that make the claim that God’s words are infallible. Psalms 12:6 says, “The
words of the Lord are flawless.” and Psalms 119:89 says, “Your word, O Lord, is eternal. It
stands firm.” There are also several passages that describe the written word of God as inspired by
the Holy Spirit. Matthew 10:19-20 says, "But when they deliver you up, take no thought how or
what ye shall speak: for it shall be given you in that same hour what ye shall speak. For it is not
ye that speak, but the Spirit of your Father which speaketh in you." One might infer from this
that the same work of inspiration may be put to use in the writings as well. 2 Timothy 3:16-17
says, “All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for
correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly
furnished unto all good works.” This is one of the strongest and straightforward claims within
the Bible for its own inspiration, and therefor its inerrancy.
Outside of the claims within the Bible, there are also several accounts of physical
evidential support for the historical accuracy of the Bible. Archeological evidence has been
uncovered and supports the case for the Bible’s inerrancy. For a few examples, a few authors
have published an article called High-precision radiocarbon dating and historical biblical
archaeology in southern Jordan. It describes the findings of major smelting activities in a region
in South Jordan between the 10th and 9th century BC. They explain that this suggests preparation
for political events such as some warfare described in the Bible. Amos Frumkin and Yoel Elitzer
wrote an article called Historic Dead Sea Level Fluctuations Calibrated with Geological and
Archaeological Evidence which describes how the Bible holds historical account of the
fluctuating water levels of the Dead Sea and how this information can now be verified as true.
As a third example, Dr. Andrew Snelling wrote an article called High and Dry Sea Creatures –
Flood Evidence Number 1. This work nods directly to the story of the flood in the Bible and to
the inerrancy of the Bible. He writes in his subheading, “Fossils of sea creatures are found in
rock layers high above sea level. This is just one more evidence of the truth of God’s Word.”
(2007) There are plenty more archeological findings to be researched in support of biblical
inerrancy, however, there is another method that can be used to support the Bible’s truth. When
comparing stories told by several different people, the story can often be verified by the
overwhelming similarities and few discrepancies between them. Take this into consideration
when reading about the four different Gospels and the over 500 accounts of people that
claimed to have witnessed a resurrected Jesus. If the Bible can be verified as true, what could
that mean about the claims it makes?
Hell as an Eternal State of the Lost
Inerrancy in the Bible means that what it has to say about Hell and damnation is also true,
of course. The Bible mentions the fate of hell as consequence for the wicked many times. One
thing that is important to understand is that God is holy and pure. He and His kingdom are
without sin, and sin cannot abide with God. It is impossible because God is pure goodness. Jesus
died on the cross so that we may have a way to live cleansed of our sin and to be pure of heart.
Only with Jesus as part of our lives can we hope to live beside God in the kingdom of Heaven. If
one lives without Jesus, they cannot be cleansed and have no way to live with God. The
acceptance and devotion to God means to be born anew with an eternal life, while without this,
we are condemned to a second, eternal death. Revelation 21:8 says, “But the cowardly, the
unbelieving, the vile, the murderers, the sexually immoral, those who practice magic arts, the
idolaters and all liars—they will be consigned to the fiery lake of burning sulfur. This is the
second death.”; also, Matthew 25:46, “Then they will go away to eternal punishment, but the
righteous to eternal life.”, and as a last example, Ezekiel 18:20, “The one who sins is the one
who will die. The child will not share the guilt of the parent, nor will the parent share the guilt of
the child. The righteousness of the righteous will be credited to them, and the wickedness of the
wicked will be charged against them.” Living in a life of sin is living in death. One must be born
again because this is all that can save them.
Conclusion
God is the ultimate source of truth, for He Himself is truth. His word was conveyed to the
authors of the Scriptures through inspiration from the Holy Spirit. This is what is used to confide
in when questioning the legitimacy and authority of the Bible. Knowing the Bible’s words are
true and verifiable, all its concepts, history, “oughts” and “ought-nots” must be respected
accordingly.
References
Levy, T. E., Higham, T., Ramsey, C. B., Smith, N. G., Ben-Yosef, E., Robinson, M., … Tauxe, L. (2008). High-
precision radiocarbon dating and historical biblical archaeology in southern Jordan. Proceedings
of the National Academy of Sciences, 105(43), 16460–16465. doi: 10.1073/pnas.0804950105
Sea, A. T. D. (2002, July 10). Historic Dead Sea Level Fluctuations Calibrated with Geological and
Archaeological Evidence. Retrieved October 8, 2019, from
https:// www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0033589402923306 .
Snelling, A. A. (2007, December 7). High & Dry Sea Creatures. Retrieved October 8, 2019,
from https://answersingenesis.org/fossils/fossil-record/high-dry-sea-creatures/.
