Biblical Errancy

Biblical Errancy

People for years have been debating against each other to prove the Bible to be inherent or to be errant. Errancy is a deviation from the truth or what is right. There are many different types of errors expressed throughout the Bible such as transational errors, doctrinal errors and contradictions. How could any book be without error? That would be practically impossible, so in this paper I will prove the Bible to be very errant because of many facts shown.

First, I am going to talk about one of the most important concepts in Christianity, original sin, which is the belief that all mankind has inherited a sinful nature brought about by Adam and Eve. In Romans 5:12 it says, “ Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned.” Which means that since Adam sinned everybody else who lives on this Earth has sinned, because of him. Also, in Romans 5:19 it states, “For as one man’s disobedience many were made sinners…,” and in 1 Corinthians 15:22 it says, “For as in Adam all die,…” No reasoning can make an inherently unjust idea seem right. Punishing billions of people for the acts of one is not only inherently unfair; but also opposes other Bible verses such as: Deut. 24:16 “The fathers shall not be put to death for the children, neither shall the children be put to death for the fathers every man shall be put to death for his own sin.” That verse says that you won’t be punished for somebody else’s sin. Also in Ezek. 18:20 states, “ The soul that sinneth, it shall die. The son shall not bear the iniquity of the father, neither shall the father bear the iniquity of the son: the righteousness of the righteous shall be upon him, and the wickedness of the wicked shall be upon him.” That verse also says that when you sin you will be the one punished, not somebody else for your sin. Original sin makes as much since as if I was sitting at home one evening and the police came over and arrested me because my aunt from Germany robbed a bank.

Here is a very clear contradiction. This concerns whether God repents or not. Num. 23:19 “ God is not a man, that he should lie; neither the son of man, that he should repent.” In 1 Sam. 15:29 it says, “ And also the strength of Israel will not lie nor repent: for he is not a man, that he should repent.” Both of those verses clearly state that God is not a man so he doesn’t repent, but the following verses are situations stating that God is repenting. Jonah 3:10, “And God saw their works, that they turned from their evil way; and God repented of the evil, that he had said that he would do unto him; and he did it not.” Also in 1 Sam. 15:35, “…and the Lord repented that he had made Saul king over Israel.”

Another contradiction that is worthy to note is whether or not God’s face has been seen. John 1:18 “ No man hath seen God at any time…” and, in 1 John 4:12 ,“No man hath seen God at any time. If we love one another, God dwelleth in us, and his love is perfected in us.” Those verses say that no man has ever or will ever see God, but the following verses say something quite different. Exod. 33:11, “ And the Lord spoke unto Moses face to face, as a man speaketh unto his friend.” And in Deut. 5:4 it states “The Lord talked with you face to face…”

Next to Jesus, probably no topic occupies the Christian mind more than salvation. We must do everything to be saved. We must obtain eternal life. That's the Christian attitude. The problem in this however, is that even if one were to say to a believer, "OK, I believe you; so what must I do to be saved," he still couldn't get a good response. Why? Because the answer would depend upon which Bible verses were selected. Some scriptural passages say you are saved by works, others say you are saved by faith, others say your destiny has already been predetermined, and still others say it is decided by God like He simply looks down and picks those He wants.

Salvation by works is clearly shown in Matthew 19:16-19 where a man asked Jesus what he must do to have eternal life:

Matt. 19:16-18 "And, behold, one came and said unto him,” Good Master, what good thing shall I do, that I may have eternal life?” And he said unto him,” Why callest thou me good? there is none good but one, that is, God: but if thou wilt enter into life, keep the commandments.” He saith unto him, “Which?” Jesus said, “Thou shalt do no murder, Thou shalt not commit adultery, Thou shalt not steal, Thou shalt not bear false witness, Honor thy father and thy mother: and, Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself. The young man saith unto him, All these things have I kept from my youth up: what lack I yet?