The Bible stands on its inerrancy (incapable of being wrong). Unfortunately, the inerrancy of God’s Word is under attack by many college professors, historians of ancient history, and laymen. Most who criticize the inerrancy (correctness) of God’s Word are either non-believers or have little scriptural understanding of the Old Testament and its accurate, historical relationship to the New Testament.
Ponder this point. If a major newspaper routinely contained errors and false information, it would be quickly discredited. Eventually, the paper would lose its readership resulting in the demise of that paper. In the same way, the Bible is either a trustworthy document, or it is not. So, if the Bible, composed of ancient transcripts, written over 4,000 years ago by Spirit-led prophets and 2,000 years ago by apostles and followers of Christ—is not factual—then the Bible would have been abandoned centuries ago and would not currently be the most read, debated, and transformative book in the world.
Jesus warned that in the last days evil people and impostors will go from bad to worse, deceiving and being deceived (2 Timothy 3:13). In the last days scoffers and mockers will walk after their own lusts, saying, “Where is the promise of His coming? For since the fathers fell asleep all things continue as they were from the beginning of the creation” (2 Peter 3:3-4 NKJV).
The best way to guard against falsehood and false teachers is to know the truth by studying the Bible. Any believer who correctly handles the Word of Truth and makes a careful study of the Bible will identify counterfeit false doctrine and false teachers (2 Timothy 2:15). Jesus said that He came to “fulfill [the Word] and not the smallest letter or even one stroke of a letter will pass from the law until all things are completed” (Matthew 5:17-18).
A National Geographic program called “Bible Secrets Revealed” offers a skewed interpretation of Scripture and discredits many biblical truths. For that reason, I searched the Internet for each commentators’ credentials, their background of study, and their beliefs.
One commentator challenged Jesus’ remarks to the Jewish religious leaders: “The Sabbath was made for man, and not man for the Sabbath. So, the Son of Man is Lord even of the Sabbath” (Mark 2:27-28). The dispute is about the phrase, “son of man,” which the “expert” believes was “nothing more than a harmless Aramaic statement, common in Jesus’ day, like the term “dude.”
The fact is that this highly significant phrase, “son of man,” is not only Aramaic but Jesus used the “Son of Man” over 80 times to refer to Himself (Mark 2:27-28). Further, the title “Son of Man” was taken from the Aramaic portions of Daniel’s prophecy and vision of the “Son of Man” in Daniel 7:13. The authors such as Mark, writing in the common (Koine) Greek of His day, would have known the Greek Old Testament translation or Septuagint version of Daniel.
Listed are a few of the “commentators” in the first of six episodes that discredit the legitimacy of the Bible:
Jonathan Kirsch is an attorney, writer, and columnist. Writes on religion and Judaism. He is with the Los Angeles Institute for Humanities founded in 1998 to create an intellectual center for bringing together academics, writers, musicians, dancers, curators and critics, journalists and poets. The Institute’s broad purpose is to stimulate a cross-disciplinary exchange of ideas.
Francica Stravrakopoulou is a professor of ancient religion and religious studies. In viewing an interview of her, she commented, “Moses did not exist.” “All these men had daddy issues.” “There was no Exodus and Jonah.” “The Bible is not true.”
William Fulco, was a Jesuit Priest and scholar of the ancient Near East and Mediterranean studies. He taught courses ranging from archaeology to ancient Semitic languages and graduated from Theological Union; Ecole Biblique (committed to diversity). Jesuit priests depend on St. Ignatius to seek God.
Jodi Magnis PhD—Archaeologist and orientalist who studies languages, culture, and customs of Eastern Asia—Islam and Muslim.
Peter T. Lamfer—Yale U Divinity School. Interdenominational and nonsectarian with a Mission Statement: “…the promotion of broad inclusivity and diversity in our communal life; faculty drawn from Christian traditions and other world religions; encounters the sacred through music and the arts, and the advancement of the sustainability of the earth. Welcomes all faiths.
Rabbi David Wolfe does not believe in the inerrancy of Scripture and incorrectly states, “Christians believe that sin is only removed from baptism.” However, the Bible teaches that if we accept Christ as Savior, we are saved. Baptism is not a requirement for salvation. If that were true, Jesus would not have told the thief on the cross that he would be in paradise with Him that day. Wolfe also believes that St. Augustine created the notion of original sin.
Chris Keith—St. Mary’s University College—author. States his “aha moment came not at the hands of the Bible but because of his opposition to those who defend the inerrancy of Scripture, particularly certain fundamentalist systematic theologians.” Keith clearly does not know the Bible, because the Bible emphatically states “… the words of the Lord are flawless, like silver refined in a furnace of clay, purified seven times” (Psalm 12:6). “The law of the Lord is perfect” (Psalm 19:7). “Every word of God is pure”(Proverbs 30:5 KJV). These claims of purity and perfection are absolute and not conjecture.
Joel Hoffman, PhD. claims the Bible is an allegory. He is known for his criticism of the Christian fundamentalism style of Biblical interpretation.
Elaine Pagels, PhD., a professor of religion at Princeton U. She erroneously believes that Christians are Gnostics (having mystical knowledge) who believe the Christian faith is only for superior, divinely enlightened persons who comprehend the secret teachings and obtain true salvation.
Dr. Robert R. Cargill PhD—U of Iowa—is a humanist who believes that an outlook or system of thought is attached to the prime importance of the human spirit being divine and stresses the value and goodness of human beings. To dispute his opinion, Jesus said, “No one is good—except God alone” (Mark 10:18 NIV).
Jennefer Wright, professor of religion, Boston U. She believes there are biblical contradictions about sex and desire and interprets Scripture to fit her narrative about sexual preferences and behaviors.
The enemy of our soul is working overtime to confuse and manipulate people’s minds into believing that God’s Word is nothing more than an allegory and cannot be trusted. For that reason, it is imperative to read and study the entire God-breathed, anointed Word to know and understand truth.
PRAYER: FATHER, thank you for giving mankind the greatest gift…Your living Word. Your Holy Spirit used the prophets of old to prophecy Your Word and instructions to ancient Kings of the Old Testament. Jesus, the incarnate Word and Son of God, spoke the Word, which was recorded by the apostles and told to others who believed their testimonies. Help me understand Your Word so that its eternal truths will penetrate my heart and spirit. In Jesus’ name, amen.