Where can you find "inerrancy" in scripture?
Is Jesus the Word? [John 1:1] Or is scripture The Word?
Here are just a few scriptural reasons to be suspicious of the "plain reading" of text.
"How can you say, "we are wise, and the law of the Lord is with us," when, in fact, the false pen of the scribes has made it into a lie. He follows with the consequences of a people who have not taken care of the poor. [Jer8:8]
"You search the scriptures because you think that in them you have eternal life; and it is they that testify on my behalf. Yet you refuse to come to me to have life." [John 5:39-40]
"give attention to the public reading of scripture, to exhorting, to teaching." 1 Tim 4:14 What are we to exhort? "righteousness, godliness, faith, love, endurance, gentleness" 1 Tim 6:11. Or "All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness [2 Tim 3:16]
Not much about words regarding sexuality to be inerrant. Those who promote inerrancy and idolize the bible above the true Word of God, the living Jesus, are by scripture's standards preaching their own faith. Not a reasonable faith. Not a justified faith. Not the faith of Jesus. Or of Christianity. A faith that irreverently supposes they know the Mind of God.
Amen, brother John. Amen.
Posted by: | Apr 28, 2004 at 06:30 AM
Thanks, John, please keep saying this!
Posted by: beth | Apr 28, 2004 at 07:08 AM
Thank you for stating the case so clearly. What is really puzzling to me is how we're starting to see the banner of innerancy being waved in certain corners of the Anglican Communion. Even the 39 Articles insist on the necessity of biblical interpretation.
Posted by: Karen | Apr 28, 2004 at 08:14 AM
"All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness [2 Tim 3:16]
Righteousness can be translated as "living in right relationships". And that is how sexuality should alwys be exprerssed.
Karen: Article 20 enjoins the church simply to expound the word of God written. This article ISTM teaches the perspicuity of scripture;.
Posted by: obadiahslope | Apr 28, 2004 at 05:49 PM
OB is completely right about righteousness and right relationships. This does not preclude those of the same sex.
Posted by: John Wilkins | Apr 28, 2004 at 06:08 PM
Salt,
this means that the Bible does address the topic of sexuality when it speaks of righteousness. We agree (Although I may disagree with you about what else it says).
Posted by: obadiahslope | Apr 28, 2004 at 06:23 PM
Yeah, but didn't Christ teach the dual structure of marriage or celibacy? Did he not preach against porneia (sex outside of marriage)?
Posted by: rathernot | May 01, 2004 at 09:15 AM