A Bible Primer on Inerrancy & Inspiration
by Harry Osborne
November 2, 2008

This Tuesday, our country will have the election for the next President of the United States. While this bulletin is not a tool for political action, it has and will continue to be used for upholding the truth of God's word and the values taught therein. Hence, we are making an effort to help one of the candidates, Senator Barack Obama, understand the basis for and thinking of many citizens of this country who believe the Bible is verbally inspired by God. In past articles, we have shown that the Scripture provides perfect guidance to individuals as well as defining principles for the proper function and rule of government. In this article, we center our attention on a portion of a speech wherein Senator Obama spoke with mocking derision about the Bible and those who believe it to be the perfect guide from God to man. We draw particular attention to these words about biblical inspiration:

"Democracy demands that the religiously motivated translate their concerns into universal rather than religion-specific values. What do I mean by this? It requires that their proposals be subject to argument and amenable to reason. Now, I may be opposed to abortion for religious reasons, to take one example, but if I seek to pass a law banning the practice, I can't simply point to the teachings of my church or evoke God's will. I have to explain why abortion violates some principle that is accessible to people of all faiths, including those with no faith at all. Now this is going to be difficult for some who believe in the inerrancy of the Bible, as many Evangelicals do, but in a pluralistic society, we have no choice. Politics depends on our ability to persuade each other of common aims based on a common reality. It involves compromise, the art of what's possible, and at some fundamental level, religion doesn't allow for compromise. It's the art of the impossible. If God has spoken, then followers are expected to live up to God's edicts, regardless of the consequences. Now, to base one's own life on such uncompromising commitments may be sublime, but to base our policy making on such commitments would be a dangerous thing" (Senator Barack Obama, "A Call to Renewal," speech delivered on June 28, 2006).

Please note that Senator Obama views democracy as totally inconsistent with accepting the inerrancy of Scripture. Not only does the senator reject the inerrancy of the Bible, but he further says those upholding such are a threat to democracy that must not be tolerated. These stated principles have far reaching consequences that people of faith should understand.

First, the rejection of biblical inerrancy is a rejection of plain Bible teaching. While the senator may think he is merely rejecting "Evangelical" doctrine, he should be shown that the verbal inspiration and inerrancy of Scripture were taught and defended long before Evangelicals came along. For instance, a non-Evangelical called the apostle Paul said, "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 complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work" (2 Tim. 3:16-17). Before any Evangelical was ever born, that same apostle of Christ explained the source of his very words as follows:

"Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, that we might know the things that have been freely given to us by God.  These things we also speak, not in words which man's wisdom teaches but which the Holy Spirit teaches" (1 Cor. 2:12-13).

The first century Christian Paul claimed that he as well as the other apostles and prophets were directed in their revelation of God's truth by the Holy Spirit who was the true author of their words (Eph. 3:3-7). That contention is consistent with the other Bible writers' statements about the verbal inspiration of prophets. Another non-Evangelical called the apostle Peter affirmed, "For prophecy never came by the will of man, but holy men of God spoke as they were moved by the Holy Spirit" (2 Pet. 1:21). Consistently, the biblical writers clearly taught that the words of Scripture were actually the product of deity (Acts 1:16; 3:21; Heb. 3:7f; 10:15f; etc.).

The Bible consistently teaches and gives evidence for both the verbal and plenary inspiration of Scripture. The word “plenary” simply means “full, complete or absolute.” Though the word is not found in the Bible, the concept surely is. The psalmist said, “I esteem all thy precepts concerning all things to be right” (Psa. 119:128). That leaves room for no mistake in any realm. The Bible claim is clear. It was repeated by the inspired king David who said,

"The law of Jehovah is perfect, restoring the soul: the testimony of Jehovah is sure, making wise the simple. The precepts of Jehovah are right, rejoicing the heart: the commandment of Jehovah is pure, enlightening the eyes. The fear of Jehovah is clean, enduring forever: the ordinances of Jehovah are true, and righteous altogether" (Psa. 19:7-9).

God’s control and guidance of every word of His revelation explains its accuracy in prophecies made hundreds of years before their fulfillment. This is true with respect to prophecies concerning the nations and with messianic prophecy as we noted in previous issues (see Reason for Hope, 7/10/05, 7/17/05 & 7/24/05; available under "Articles" at www.reason-for-hope.org). Even in areas where the human spokesman did not comprehend the things he was saying, God guided the accuracy and truthfulness of the message by means of inspiration (1 Pet. 1:10-12). In that way, the inerrancy of Scripture was insured. When Senator Obama rejects and ridicules the inerrancy of Scripture, he is not just rejecting Evangelicals, but the Bible itself.

Second, the rejection of biblical inerrancy has consequences that are devastating to societal values and conduct. The first article in this series showed that the principles of the gospel not only define good and evil for individuals, but also for government (see Reason for Hope 10/19/08). When government officials plainly say they will reject the concept of biblical inerrancy and make policy based only on "principle that is accessible to people of all faiths, including those with no faith at all," the rejection of good and evil as defined by God's word is sure to follow. After all, if one rejects the inerrancy of the Bible, there is only one other choice. If it is not "inerrant," then it is by definition "errant" -- it is wrong! Are you ready for policy making that is founded upon the presupposition that the Bible is wrong in its teaching?
When this philosophy is applied to the homosexual rights agenda, is it any wonder what conclusion is reached? The words of inspiration from God regarding the practice or acceptance of homosexuality are plain:

"Because of this, God gave them over to shameful lusts. Even their women exchanged natural relations for unnatural ones. In the same way the men also abandoned natural relations with women and were inflamed with lust for one another. Men committed indecent acts with other men, and received in themselves the due penalty for their perversion. Furthermore, since they did not think it worthwhile to retain the knowledge of God, he gave them over to a depraved mind, to do what ought not to be done… Who, knowing the righteous judgment of God, that those who practice such things are deserving of death, not only do the same but also approve of those who practice them" (Rom. 1:26-32).

Clearly and consistently, the Bible condemns homosexual conduct and all who would tolerate it (1 Cor. 6:9-11; 1 Tim. 1:10; Gen. 19:4-11; Jude 7; Lev. 18:22-30; 20:13; 1 Kgs. 14:22-24; 15:11-12; 22:46; 2 Kgs. 23:7). Yet, Senator Obama rejects the guidance of Bible teaching in public policy and advocates both the acceptance of homosexuality as an honorable lifestyle and the spousal rights of homosexual "partners." The homosexual rights advocates and the politicians that push their agenda may claim to include all in their pleas for tolerance, but the fact is that they are totally intolerant of those holding to biblical teaching. While they laud their acceptance of diverse views, they seek to silence and punish any who dare uphold biblical views. The historical record is clear -- every time the inerrancy of Scripture is rejected by a movement or a society, the acceptance of homosexuality is not far behind. If Senator Obama's stated philosophy is accepted in determining public policy, the homosexual rights movement will be advanced beyond anything this nation has seen before!

This is the first time in my life that I have heard a major party candidate for the highest office in our country speak with open, mocking contempt towards the inspiration of the Bible and those who believe such. It is alarming that such views have become so "mainstream" as to be advanced by a candidate for President of our country. As shocking as it may be for people of faith to see these concepts gaining acceptance in our country, now is not the time for Christians to give up and hide in a corner. When the people of God see the open rejection and ridicule of God's word taking place, regardless of what party or group be the source, we must stand up taller and speak up more boldly as soldiers of the cross no matter the cost.

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