Path: utzoo!utgpu!news-server.csri.toronto.edu!cs.utexas.edu!uwm.edu!rutgers!aramis.rutgers.edu!porthos.rutgers.edu!christian From: gt1104c@prism.gatech.edu (SILVERT,STANLEY DAVID JR) Newsgroups: soc.religion.christian Subject: Re: Bible the word of God? Message-ID: Date: 2 Nov 90 09:02:27 GMT Sender: hedrick@porthos.rutgers.edu Organization: Georgia Institute of Technology Lines: 46 Approved: christian@aramis.rutgers.edu In article carsup@extro.ucc.su.OZ.AU (Fisher Library support) writes: > >stuff. Because I know the Bible is a good primary witness, I can accept that >the gospels are the word of God, and that since Jesus said is was, the OT as >apistles etc) are the word of God. I respect Paul and the rest as very wise >and holy people, but how do we know God was speaking through them? I find >that the argument 'because James said so in the Bible' a little circular. James, I think that part of your problem exists in the belief that the Bible is the literal word of God. Nothing could be further from the truth. It can be shown quite conclusively that the Bible was not literally written or dictated by the Almighty. The modern term for the belief that the Bible is somehow divinely created (not just inspired) is called "Biblical inerrancy." Controversy over this belief is what is now destroying America's largest Protestant denomination, The Southern Baptist Convention, even though few Bible scholars actually support the inerrancy idea. Unless someone wants to start a new thread, I don't feel it is necessary to discuss the issue here. However, if anyone is interested in inerrancy then they can order an excellent new book on the subject by Clayton Sullivan called "Toward A Mature Faith: Does Biblical Inerrancy Make Sense?" It is being published by an independent Baptist newspaper who is selling the book at cost ($5.00 plus $1.50 shipping). You can write to: SBC Today 222 East Lake Drive Decatur, GA 30030 (404) 377-6822 The book is not about disproving the Bible. On the contrary, because of this book and the understanding I have gained through it I have a much deeper understanding of the Bible which I have continued to base my life upon for the last 22 years. I especially urge other Southern Baptists to read the Sullivan book as it is especially critical that Baptists understand the important issue of inerrancy at this time. -- Stan Silvert Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta Georgia, 30332 uucp: ...!{allegra,amd,hplabs,seismo,ut-ngp}!gatech!prism!gt1104c ARPA: gt1104c@prism.gatech.edu