Lecture 15: How to Handle Bible Difficulties: A.Summary of Approaches for Handling Bible Difficulties. B.Summary of Principles for Understanding Bible Difficulties.

A. Summary of Approaches for Handling Bible Difficulties: I. Abstract Approach (B.B. Warfield) II. Harmonistic Approach (E.J. Young) III. Moderate Harmonistic Approach (Everett Harrison) IV. Errant Source Approach (Edward J. Carnell) V. Biblical Errancy Approach (Dewey Beegle)

Abstract Approach: B. B. Warfield Those who follow this approach are aware that there are difficulties in Scripture, but they tend to believe that these difficulties do not at all have to be explained because the weight of evidence for the inspiration and consequent inerrancy of the Bible is so great that no amount of difficulty could overthrow it. They tend to rest their case primarily on the doctrinal evidence for inspiration.

The Harmonistic Approach: Dr. Edward J. Young; Dr. Norman Geisler Adherents of this approach hold that belief in inerrancy is based on the doctrinal teachings of inspiration. They assert that the difficulties presented can be resolved, and they attempt to do so though it may mean using conjecture.

The Moderate Harmonistic Approach: Dr. Everett Harrison This approach follows the style of the harmonistic approach to a certain extent. The problems are taken seriously, and an effort is made to solve them or relieve the difficulties as far as this is reasonably possible with the data currently available. Attempts are not made prematurely.

The Errant Source Approach: Dr. Edward. J. Carnell Inspiration guarantees only an accurate reproducing of the sources that the Scripture writer employed but not a correcting of them. Thus if the source contained an erroneous reference, the Scripture writer recorded that error just as it was in the source. For example, the Chronicler could have been relying on a fallible and erroneous source in drawing up his list of numbers of chariots and horsemen.

The Biblical Errancy Approach: Dewey Beegle The Bible contains errors-real and insoluble problems. They should be accepted rather than explained away. The nature of inspiration should be inferred from what the Bible has produced. Whatever inspiration is, it is not verbal. Inspiration cannot be regarded as extending to the very choice of words in the text. Therefore, it is not possible or necessary to reconcile all discrepancies.

B. Summary of Principles for Understanding Apparent Bible Difficulties: Aristotle’s Literary Dictum: “the benefit of the doubt is to be given to the document itself, not arrogated by the critic to himself.”

1. The unexplained is not necessarily unexplainable. When one encounters something for which has no explanation, simply continue to do research, believing in the possibility that an answer will eventually be found. Just because something has not yet been explained does not mean that it will never will be explained (e.g., science; archeology).

2. Fallible interpretations do not mean fallible revelation: One should not assume that a current dominant view in a field such as science gives the final word on biblical revelation. Contradictions between popular opinions in science and widely accepted interpretations of the Bible can be expected. But these conflicts fall short of proving there are real contradictions between God’s world and God’s Word.

3.Understand the context of a passage: “A text out of context is a pretext.” Failure to note the meaning in light of context is perhaps the chief error of those who find fault with the Bible, e.g.: Psalm 14:1: “there is no God”; “Resist not evil” (Matt. 5:9, KJV).

4. Interpret difficult passages in the light of clear ones: Since some passages of Scripture are hard to understand due to their obscurity or difficulty, rather than declaring that it is a contradiction, interpret the clear passages in light of the clear ones.

4. Interpret difficult passages in the light of clear ones, e.g.: 1. James 2:14-26 vs. Eph. 2:8-9 whereby Paul states that justification before God whereas James is referring to justification before men; 2. Phil. 2:12 vs. Eph. 2:8-9 where Paul writes that we are to work out our salvation with fear and trembling yet Eph. 2:8-9 affirms that we are saves through faith, and that not of ourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast.

5.Don’t base teaching on obscure passages: “The main things are the plain things, and the plain things are the main things.” 1. When we are not sure, do not build a doctrine on an obscure passage. If something is important, it will be clearly taught in Scripture, and probably in more than one place.

5.Don’t base teaching on obscure passages: “The main things are the plain things, and the plain things are the main things.” 2. When a given passage is not clear, never conclude that it means something that opposes another plain teaching of Scripture.

6. The Bible is a human book with human characteristics: The Bible claims that God used human personalities to receive and communicate eternal truths. Therefore, expressions of speech (such as when Jesus used exaggeration) should not always be taken literally, then pitted against another portion of Scripture.

7. Just because a report is incomplete does not mean it is false: For example, Mk. 5:1-20 & Lk. 8:26-39 speak of only demoniac, while Matthew 8:28-34 speak of 2. Mark & Luke, likely using the firsthand report of the incident, are giving a partial report that focuses on the more prominent of the 2 demoniacs in the event. They are actually complementary supplying more information when both are taken together.

8. New Testament citations of the Old Testament need not always be exact: Just as in our day there is more than one translation of the Bible, early Christians often cited the Septuagint (the Greek translation of the O.T.), which gives slightly different wording to the same text.

9.The Bible does not necessarily approve of all it records: “The truth of Scripture is found in what the Bible reveals, not in everything that it records.” It is a mistake to assume that everything contained in the Bible is commended by the Bible. The Bible records some lies (e.g., Satan’s in Gen. 3:4 cf. John 8:44).

10. The Bible uses non-technical everyday language: Just because a term in the Bible is non-scientific does not necessarily mean that the term is inaccurate.

11. The Bible may use both round numbers as well as exact numbers: Round numbers are often used in ancient as well as modern literature. The Bible often contains this same linguistic convention.

12. Note when the Bible used different literary devices: The context typically dictates whether a term should be taken literally or figuratively.

13. An error in a copy does not equate to an error in the original: When theologians talk about the inerrancy (without error) of the Scriptures, they are referring to the original autographs-as opposed to a copy or a copy of a copy.

14. General statements don’t necessarily mean universal promises: Always distinguish between general statements and universal promises (e.g., Prov. 16:7 cf. the crucifixion of Christ, the stoning of Paul).

15. Later revelation supercedes previous revelation: The Bible is progressively revealed; God did not reveal everything at once. Therefore, some of His later revelation supercedes His former statements. Don’t misinterpret a change of revelation to mean a mistake.