The Bible is the core of Christian belief. It is the Word of God. As such, it deserves significant attention. Here, one can find my posts related to the Bible. These posts focus on Biblical apologetics or theology. They are divided by series. I’ve provided links with brief descriptions of the contents.
Apologetics of the Bible
Description is not Prescription: A tale of interpretation- I discuss the differences between describing an action and prescribing an action. I delve into the importance of this distinction for understanding the Bible.
Inerrancy, Scripture, and the “Easy Way Out”- Clarifications on what “inerrancy” means along with a brief exposition and defense of the idea.
Awesome Person of the Bible - A series highlighting various awesome persons who show up in the Bible. I use the term “person” because it includes any personal beings, like angels, demons, humans, and God. Read these posts to find out about some really fun Bible stories.
Bible Difficulties
Jephthah, Human Sacrifice, and God: What should we make of Judges 11:29-40?- An updated post which discusses Jephthah’s sacrifice of his daughter. See the older Bible Difficulties 1: Judges 11:29-40, with which I no longer truly agree.
Bible Difficulties 2: Adopting the Attitude of the Ethiopian- recommends an attitude towards Scripture of constant learning.
Bible Difficulties 3: Joshua 6:21-24- discusses God’s command to exterminate the peoples in the promised land.
Bible Difficulties 4: Hardening Hearts- asks whether or not people are culpable for their actions if God hardens their hearts.
Devotions
Studying Scripture is extremely important. As a philosopher, it is also important to integrate one’s interests in philosophy with Scripture. Here are links to my various devotions as well as providing brief descriptions of the content of each post.
The Devotional Life of a Christian Apologist/Philosopher: shares my advice on how to maintain a strong spiritual life as a Christian apologist/philosopher. It includes links to recommended reading, as well as daily/weekly suggestions.
Job and Natural Theology: The book of Job offers a lot for Christian philosophers. This devotion focuses upon the natural theology which can be found throughout the book.
Ecclesiastes: The devotion focuses upon the themes within Ecclesiastes. Notably, the idea that without God, life has no meaning–but with God, life finds completion.
Egalitarianism
These posts focus on the ordination of women into the pastoral ministry.
Women in the Ministry: The philosophy of equality and why complementarianism fails
The Unacknowledged Teachers: an argument for women pastors
Book Review: “Man and Woman, One in Christ” by Philip Payne
Discussion
4 Responses to “Theology”
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I tried to reply to your answer to my comments but was unable to do so as it said the page had been moved. You said that you subscribe to the Chicago statement on inerrancy of the Bible. Meaning of course that you believe that only the original manuscripts were inspired. Meaning that we do not actually have Gods inerrant Word today and that His Word is only implied in today’s versions. You carry it further by writing in statements that the Bible was not intended to be taken literally in all points or teachings. Who is it that decides what is to be taken literally and what is not? You? Others? Is it only to be taken literally if it lines up with science? Is science then the bench mark?
As for myself, I believe the Bible I hold in my hand is the very Word of God, without error. Gods Word is therefore the bench mark. Not science or any individual. When God says the universe was created in 6 days, that is exactly the number of days it was created. I have no need nor reason to apologize to God for telling the truth. Science has not caught up with God and you have not either. God needs no apologies. He is right.
Posted by jpfinn7 | March 30, 2012, 10:05 AMI appreciate your comments. Now I don’t think I can adequately answer all the issues you raise even in this brief comment. What I would point out is that it is clear the entire Bible is not literal. For example, it talks about the rivers clapping their hands (Psalm 98:8). So it is not me or anyone else who determines what is literal and what is not: it is the author. The genre and context of verses must be taken into account.
Posted by J.W. Wartick | March 30, 2012, 8:46 PMGreat comment jpfinn7!
Posted by MackQuigley | March 30, 2012, 9:02 PM