Bible Doctrine - Final Review

Notebook

"a book with blank or ruled pages for writing notes in"

The collection of authoritative books (not an authoritative collection of books; the authority rests in the books themselves, not the collection as a whole).

Define the term "Canon" when used in reference to the Bible.

A thought-for-thought translation; translators bring the meaning of the text out in an easier-to-read format. They essentially take each portion of the text and reword it to better convey the meaning of the original writer. Ex. Berkeley, Motiff.

Define the term "Dynamic Equivalence".

*Putting in* the meaning according to the reader's inspiration.

Define the term "Eisigesis".

*Drawing out* the meaning of a passage according to sound hermeneutics.

Define the term "Exegesis".

A word-for-word translation; translators attempt to stick as closely as possible to word order and grammar which often makes the translation choppy and unreadable. Ex. KJV, NAS, ESV.

Define the term "Formal Equivalence".

Freedom from errors or untruths.

Define the term "Inerrancy".

The discipline which attempts to reconstruct the original text or wording of a document.

Define the term "Textual Criticism".

The study of texts; technical meaning; the science and art of Biblical inspiration. (The origin comes from "Hermes" the Greek god of messages.)

Define the term "hermeneutics".

Most of these errors are trivial like misspellings. If a large difference/disagreement/uncertainty does occur, the best translations will note the issue with a footnote. (The vast number of translations which agree on virtually all text makes it easy to identify the "bad" translations.) Once the deliberate mistranslations are rejected, it is clear that not one major doctrine rests on a disputed or uncertain translation of the Bible.

Respond To This Statement: There are so many errors between the English translations that the Word of God has become corrupt and trustworthy.

Theologians who study the science of textual criticism state the Scriptures have been preserved with 95%, so that in a sense, we have access to the originals through diligent study and research.

Respond to this Objection: Inerrancy only applies to the original manuscripts and no one has access to the originals, therefore the Bible cannot be inerrant.

Although humans can make mistakes, this does not mean they must always make mistakes. While it is true that the Bible is a human work, and humans can make mistakes, it is also true that the Bible is a divine work and God does not make mistakes.

Respond to this Objection: The Bible was written by humans, and humans make mistakes, therefore the Bible cannot be inerrant.

When the original context and intention of a passage is understood, all allied errors and contradictions are shown to be based upon faulty hermeneutics or scribal/grammatical errors.

Respond to this Objection: the Bible contains errors and contradictions; therefore the Bible cannot be inerrant.

Reading of Christian Literature

Reading Christian Literature ...?

If a Bible translation is missing a verse or passage, it is either present somewhere else or does not add much; most are just historical trivia, random details, or repetitive. Because they do not affect the understanding got a passage, these modern translations which omit verses are still entirely trustworthy.

Respond To This Statement: The more modern translations (NIV, ESV) have omitted many verses from the Bible, which has resulted in glaring errors in these translations, making those Bibles untrustworthy.

We know that we have the accurate translation of what the original authors wrote because all of the translations basically say the same thing.

Respond To This Statement: There are so many different manuscripts of the New Testament books that we have no way of knowing if we actually have what the original authors wrote.

False

True/False: An older manuscript is always more reliable than a newer manuscript.

False (See Plenary Inspiration)

True/False: Biblical inspiration is limited to the parts of the Bible that address spiritual issues.

True

True/False: By the time the Westcott-Hort Greek New Testament was created in the 1880s, may New Testament manuscripts had been discovered that were not available when the King James was translated.

False (See [Verbal Plenary] Inspiration)

True/False: Each of the sixty-six (66) books are the same style and language, showing that God dictated the words to be written.

True

True/False: In Matthew 5, "iota" and "dot" are referring to the smallest letters and pen strokes in the Hebrew alphabet.

True

True/False: Inerrancy of the Scripture applies only to the original autographs.

False (Martin Luther did believe the Bible is inerrant.)

True/False: Martin Luther did not believe the Bible is inerrant.

True

True/False: The Bible clearly says that we should not "add or take away" from the Word of God.

False (The Scriptures carry more authority.)

True/False: The Church and the Scriptures carry equal authority in interpreting the Word of God.

True

True/False: The authority of "man's traditions" is never authenticated in Scripture.

True

True/False: The debate over inerrancy has been going on for many years.

False (It proved that the original Greek New Testament was written in the common language of the everyday people.)

True/False: The discovery of the Oxyrhynchus Papyri showed that the New Testament had been written in the beautiful, classical style Greek language of the upper class.

False (They are translated from the Wescott-Hort Greek New Testament manuscripts.)

True/False: The popular English translations (NIV, ESV, and the NASB) are translated from the same manuscripts as the King James Version (KJV).

True

True/False: The time gap between the originals and copies of the New Testament texts is sometimes less than one hundred (100) years.

False

True/False: When sharing the Gospel with someone, you should use the King James because that is the only error-free text.

1) Scripture is God's Word. 2) God cannot lie. 3) (Therefore) Scripture is true.

What is the syllogism of inerrancy?

Writer's Authority: was the author a reliable source? Were there identifiable errors in the book? Internal Evidence: did the book conform to known Scripture? Common Acceptance: did all agree the book was Scripture?

What tests were used by the early Church to help them determine which books were inspired? (Tests of Canonicity)

Greek/Hebrew Lexicons

a dictionary that provides much more thorough definitions than the dictionary in the back of a concordance; provides usage of words in non-Biblical works (Ancient Greek Literature); usually arranged by the Greek and Hebrew words, but typically use the Strong's code system

dot

a small, single stroke of a pen that differentiates between two letters

Good Study Bible

contains notes and outlines; cross-references (a list of verses in the Bible that complement or expand your understanding of the meaning of a particular text); verse notes (brief comments, interpretations, or background information for a particular verse or set of verses); concordance, maps, and reference charts in back

Devotional Commentary

designed to enhance the readers' personal reflection and practical application of the Bible text; geared for times of soul-searching and listening for the voice and heart of God through the text; application(al) in nature

Critical Commentary

discuss the origins of the text, debate original authorship, or discuss textual variants; not a good source to help one understand the text

Greek/Hebrew Concordance

like an English concordance, but lists the Greek or Hebrew words; enables one to see every usage of the Greek and Hebrew

Concordance

lists every word in the Bible; provides easy access to finding verses and cross-referencing verses using the same words

Greek/Hebrew Dictionaries

provide additional information on top of a Greek/Hebrew lexicon

Bible Atlas

provides information on geography, topography, climate; provides accurate maps of various time settings

Bible Dictionary/Encyclopedia

references people, places, things, anything in the Bible; filled with illustrations, maps, photographs; excellent source of expanding information

Septuagint (LXX)

the Greek translation of the Old Testament

iota

the smallest letter in the Hebrew alphabet

Exegetical Commentary

typically written by Bible scholars and theologians; more technical or academic in nature, concentrating on the original languages, context, or grammar of the text; written by some of the most knowledgeable theologians in Church history; designed to develop a deeper understanding of the text

Expository Commentary

typically written by pastors and expository Bible teachers who teach verse by verse through the Bible; usually include teaching notes, outlines illustrations, and practical applications of the author's study and teaching on the books of the Bible

Systematic Theology Tools

written to discuss theological topics as opposed to scriptural passages; gives a thorough account of each theological doctrine

They were carried/guided/driven along by the Holy Spirit.

According to 2 Peter 1:20-21, how did men know what to write?

God oversees the human authors of Scripture, using their own personalities and writing styles, to write what He intended without error in the original autographs/writings.

Define "Inspiration" in relation to the Bible.

Everything/All words in Scripture is/are inspired, not just the areas of "faith and practice".

Define "Plenary Inspiration" in relation to the Bible.

Literally "Church Alone", the belief that Church tradition is infallible and equal to Scripture as a basis for doctrine.

Define "Sola Ecclesia".

Literally "Scripture Alone", the belief that Scripture is the final/sole authority for the Christian in all matters of faith and practice.

Define "Sola Scriptura".

The very words of Scripture are inspired, not just the teachings or ideas.

Define "Verbal Inspiration" in relation to the Bible.

The discipline of learning how to read the Bible as one story by one divine author that culminates in the person and work of Christ so that every part of Scripture is understood in relation to Christ.

Define the term "Biblical Theology"

King James

Fill-in-the-Blanks: In 1611, the _______ version of the Bible became the recognized English translation of the time period.

word for word/literal

Fill-in-the-Blanks: In formal equivalence translations, translators attempt to translate the text in a _______ format.

dynamic

Fill-in-the-Blanks: _______ equivalence translation is more concerned with getting the meaning or overall thought of the passage.

1) Observation: carefully observe the text. 2) Context: culture, history is key. 3) AIM: Author's Intended Meaning. 4) Comparison: compare Scripture with Scripture. 5) Classification: classification of text; what genre/literary style? 6) Church's Historical View: how has the passage been interpreted in the past?

Identify the Principles of Interpretation.

1) Natural: The authors were extremely gifted writers who used their natural abilities to write Scripture. -> 100% man 2) Illumination: The Holy Spirit influenced the authors to write above their normal ability. -> 90% man, 10% God 3) Partial: Scripture is inspired only in areas of "faith and practice"; areas of history and science are irrelevant to God's purpose. -> 50% man, 50% God 4) Degree: All Scripture is inspired, but some passages are more inspired than others. -> 10% man, 90% God 5) Dictation: God simply used the hand of man to passively write His words ("whispered" into the author's ears). -> 100% God

Identify the five inadequate theories of inspiration.

1) Copying with faulty eyesight or by careless inspection of the original. 2) From likeness of pronunciation or by incorrect spelling. 3) From errors of memory or anticipation; transposition of letters. 4) By incorporation of marginal notes wrongly taken as corrections. 5) To make the meaning more plain; substitution of definitions. 6) To remove difficulties which would require tedious explanations. 7) To emphasize or safeguard important teachings.

Identify the seven (7) reasons why there are errors in the Biblical texts.

1) The Bible was written by humans, and humans make mistakes, therefore the Bible cannot be inerrant. 2) Inerrancy only applies to the original manuscripts, and no one has access to the original manuscripts, therefore the Bible cannot be inerrant. 3) The Bible cannot have errors and contradictions; therefore the Bible cannot be inerrant.

Identify three objections to the Doctrine of Inerrancy.

"The Breath of God"

In 2 Timothy 3:16, what is the English term used to describe inspiration?

1) The minimizing of a characteristic of God. (God is too loving to send someone to Hell.) 2) Rationalization that the Bible is outdate or antiquated. (Paul and the role of women/family.) 3) The desire to find a new or interesting teaching. 4) Misunderstanding the concept of "all Scripture is inspired". (Jesus versus Paul.) 5) Overreaction to an error or supposed error. 6) The desire to avoid criticism. 7) Bad study/methodology. (Proof-texting; ignoring context.)

What are some of the causes of False Teaching?

Every letter of every word is important, and the Old Testament would be fulfilled exactly as it is spelled out, word by word.

What does Matthew 5:17-18 teach about inspiration of the Bible?