CAn ThE BIBLE BE ComPLETELy InSPIREd By God And yET STILL ConTAIn ERRoRS?

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    1

    WTJ73(2011): 1-22

    SPECIAL LECTURE

    CAn ThE BIBLE BE CmPLETELy InSPIRE By G

    An yET STILL CnTAIn ERRRS?

    A RESPnSE T SmE RECEnT EvAnGELICAL PRPSALS

    G. K. Beale

    T s b uc ittu witt t pst t s t tpic

    t utit t Bib, spci iscussis witi s-c -gicis ccig t tu t tis iibiit ic.

    Rct wits spci qusti t titi ustig

    ic. I pticu, ct i uig ic s b tt sic

    G is tu witut , t, is w is tu witut

    , csqut, is w i Sciptu is tu witut . Tis ipi-

    cti tgic ic tt ss Gs fwss cct t

    fwss Sciptu s b cg, it s b gu tt it is gi-

    c ucti tt is i t Bib. Accig, it is gu tt

    tug G, cus, is tu witut , c, i s,ispi all Sciptu i suc w tt, tss, t ks u

    ibiit w it it. Tus, t wt w wu csi t b

    s i t bibic txt, but G s ispi ts s t

    pt is ssg t is pp.

    T b ct bks tt gu tis.1 But pps t cst

    xp is A. T. B. mcGws ct bk, The Divine Authenticity o Scripture.2

    mcGw ss, xp:

    T bsic t itists is t isist tt t ic t autographais ict ipicti t bibic cti ispiti ( ii spiti). I

    t tis ipicti, t itists k uwt ssupti but

    G. T ssupti is tt, gi t tu cct G, t ki

    Sciptu cu bt ut ws Sciptu tt is txtu it. I t ws

    Gregory K. Beale is Proessor o New Testament and Biblical Theology at Westminster Theological Seminary. This

    article is a revised version o a special lecture he gave at the seminary in the spring o 2009.1 F istc, I tik tis is ipicti Pt Ess bk, Inspiration and Incarnation:

    Evangelicals and the Problem o the Old Testament(G Rpis: Bk, 2005), .g., s t ipicti

    pp. 48-49. F xtsi iw Ess bk s G. K. B, The Erosion o Inerrancy in Evan-

    gelicalism(Wt: Cssw, 2008), 25-122.2 A. T. B. mcGw, The Divine Authenticity o Scripture: Retrieving an Evangelical Heritage(ws

    G, I.: Itvsit, 2007).

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    WESTmInSTER ThELGICAL JURnAL2

    istk i t autographa, t G ct b t ut, bcus

    is icpb .3

    Agi ss tt t itist gut is tt

    Sic G is pct s t is us sic G is pwu b

    t tigs, it is iccib tt wu w istks i tis pcss

    Sciptu-pucti. . . .

    c s t gic tis pgssi bibic ppsiti (Sciptu is

    G-bt) t ipicti (t Sciptu ust b it) b s

    cicti but t tu cct G ( is pct t s t

    i is).4

    Tis itist psuppsiti sts mcGws g tis pt is bk,

    s ss:

    Fist, I s stt tt ic is, t bst, ipicti t t bibic

    cti. Sc, I s stt tt it is tiist. T, ti, I s -

    stt tt t uig ssupti ustits G uis t sigi-

    cc t u uts Sciptu.5

    Accig t tis iw t, su bi tt w t Bib is

    ii ispi but t tt t Bib is witut .

    m tic wi ttpt t sp t bk Rti t iws ik

    tt mcGw. I wi ct t wig: (1) tt J is xpicitbut t cti ic t tik; (2) tt J, i pticu,

    xpicit s t Cists cct s tu t ppis t ttibut

    tut Cists cct t t witt w Rti s big tu.

    Tus, I wi gu tt J pt ss c ccti btw t fw-

    ssss Cist t tt Sciptu i Rti. I t ccusi, I wi

    ct wt tis is uiqu tu Js Apcps t

    pcptic bks ik i Ezki wt t s pits i

    Rti its tt pp Js ti t u tut is bk t tt

    t bks t T. T wi s b ct t w/ccpt c-usi ccig wt t t ctu w ic s t b us i

    Sciptu t ccpt t b bibic ccpt. I wi gu tt wi t

    pcis w ic s t pp i Sciptu, t ccpt xpicit

    s. Tis s t k t cti ipicti uss its t

    w/ccpt isticti.

    T t j pts tis tic, t st tw wic cuci

    bckgu gist wic t iw t ti scti, wic is t i sps

    t mcGws tsis. I t st pt t tic, I gu tt J ws gi

    t s pptic cissi t wit Gs w s ws Ezki t ppt.Sc, I k t t sigicc R 22:18-19 t pptic utit

    3 Ibi., 113.4 Ibi., 114.5 Ibi.

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    3CAn ThE BIBLE BE InSPIRE An STILL CnTAIn ERRRS?

    t witt Rti, w J puts is witigs utitti

    p wit mss Sciptu.

    Wit ts tw ituct is tt stt tt J puts is witigs

    p wit ts Ezki mss, I wi t pc t ss t itpic t tic: s J k t xpicit css ccti

    btw Gs tu cct Cists tu cct t tu c-

    ct Sciptu?

    I.Johns Prophetic Commission to Write Is Based on theProphetic Commission o Ezekiel to Write

    T pt cissis J witi t Bk Rti,

    wic bs t pt pptic cissis Ezki.

    Ezki Rti

    2:2 As h spk t t Spiit t

    st t

    3:12 T t Spiit it up, I

    gt ubig su bi

    3:14 S t Spiit it up tk

    w . . . t t Lord

    ws stg .

    3:24 T Spiit t t

    st t, h spk

    wit

    8:3 t Spiit it up btw

    t bugt i t

    isis G t Jus . . . Ezk 8:4

    A b, t g t G Is

    wast

    11:1 m, t Spiit it up

    bugt t t st gt t Lords

    us

    11:24 A t Spiit it up

    bugt i isi b t Spiit

    G t t xis i C.

    37:1 h [t L] bugt ut b

    t Spiit t Lord st w i

    t i t

    43:5 A t Spiit it up

    bugt it t i cut;

    b, t g t Lord t

    us.

    1:10 I ws i t Spiit t Ls ,

    I bi u ic ik

    the sound tupt,

    4:1 At ts tigs I k,

    b, standingp i ,

    t st ic wic I , ik

    the sound tupt spkig wit ,

    si, C up , I wi sw u

    wt ust tk pc t ts tigs.

    R 4:2 Iit I ws i t Spiit;

    b, t ws stig i

    , sittig t t.

    17:3 A ci w i t Spiit

    it wiss

    21:10-11 A ci w i t

    Spiit t gt ig uti,

    sw t cit, Jus . . .

    ig t g G

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    T itucti Js cissi i 1:10 is ci i t gug t

    ppt Ezkis pt ptu i t Spiit, tus itiig Js -

    ti wit pptic utit ik tt Ezki. Uppst i i t

    cs Ezk 23 (spci 3:12), tug t t cs b icu.6

    T ps ccig t tupt i R 4:1c w b t ptu i

    t Spiit (4:2) sws ik wit c. 1, sic t s cbiti ccus i

    t cissiig scti t (1:10-11.) J s t t st ic

    wic (c. 1:12, w it pps t b t ic Cist). Tis

    ik t c. 1 sws tt J is ctiuig t u t pptic cissi t

    wit b cig t wig isis. T ituct scti 4:1-2 c-

    cus wit fcti t ppt Ezkis pt ptu i t Spiit,

    ut itiig Js pptic cissi wit tt Ezkis.I t bgiig R 17:3, g ci J it t st i t

    Spiit i t tspt i t t isi w cu iw t

    isi. T ps i t Spiit xpsss istutit sp: i

    b t Spiit. Tis is u pptic cissi, wic is bs t

    sii us xpssig Ezkis pt pptic cissis (sp-

    ci Ezk 8:3; 11:1, 24; 43:5, tug Ezk 2:2 3:12, 14, 24 ik ccti

    ctibut t t pictu). I c cs, Ezki is cugt up b t Spiit t

    psiz tt is ssg is G. Sii, Js tspt it t

    t Spiit uscs is pptic cissi utit, s s i R 1:10 4:2. T s usi t Ezkis pptic c-

    issiig ccus i R 21:10.

    Pticu sigict is t cissi i Ezk 43:5: T Spiit it

    up bugt it t i cut; b t g t L

    t us. Sic Ezki s b tspt it t i cut, sts i

    t ist tis ii g. Pt is pptic cissi i tis ctxt is

    t scib t tp t t us Is b witig it i ti sigt (43:10-

    11). Tis is ik t tip t icbg tt s tt Ezkis pptic c-

    issi ti t ti witt t bk ttibut t i. Cs-qut, is pptic cissi xts t t is pptic spc

    t Is but t is cig Gs ssg i witt . Likwis, Js

    cissi tis t sig isis G ig Gs w

    but s puttig ts isis ii ws it witt . 7

    T is xt c t Ezkis cissiig tt is

    ppi t Js:

    6 Tis iticti wit pptic utit is c b t iti scipti t

    ic wic J s gt ic s tupt, kig t s ic wic mss

    w yw is mut Sii (Ex 19:16, 19-20).7 S R 1:10-11, 19, wic t t witig t ti bk, s w s 2:1, 8, 12, 18; 3:1, 7,

    12, 14; 14:13; 19:9; 21:5, wic t t witig pts t bk.

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    Ezki 23 Rti 10

    2:8 nw u, s , ist t wt I

    spkig t u; t b bius

    ik tt bius us. p u

    ut t wt I giig u.

    2:9 T I k, b, ws

    xt t ; , sc wasi it.

    2:10 W h sp it ut b , it

    ws witt t t bck,

    witt it w ttis,

    uig w.

    3:1 T h si t , S , t

    wt u ; t tis sc, g,

    spk t t us Is.

    3:2 S I p ut, h

    tis sc.

    3:3 h si t , S , u

    stc u b wit tis sc

    wic I giig u. T I t it,

    it ws swt s i ut.

    3:4 T h si t , S , g

    t t us Is spk wit m

    ws t t.

    10:8 T t ic wic I

    , I heardgi spkig wit ,

    sig, G, tk t bk wic is

    p i t t g w sts

    t s t .

    10:9 S I wt t t g, tig i t

    gi t itt bk. A si t ,

    Tk it t it; it wi k u

    stc bitt, but i u ut it wi

    b swt s .

    10:10 I tk t itt bk ut t

    gs t it, i ut

    it ws swt s ; w I

    t it, stc ws bitt.

    10:11 A t si t , yu ust

    pps gi ccig pps

    tis tgus kigs.

    T ss cpti t bk sbic cts is pptic c. T

    c t cig ut t c t tk t bk csu

    it is pictu ptig is -cissi t bc ppt. As w

    s, tis s b stt i R 1:10 4:1-2 b s usi

    t t ppt Ezkis pptic cissi. I t s , t Ezkiusi is ppi gi wit t itic i issuig pptic cis-

    si t J. T pcis c is c t Ezk 2:83:3. T ppt Ez-

    ki, ik J t i, is cissi b big t t tk sc t t

    it, wit t sut tt its t ssg ws swt s i ut.

    T ppts tig t sc sigis is iticti wit its ssg. h

    is t ppit iist G t t i t ssg wig, but

    spci t uc t jugt up wic G s ci,

    tug t wi sp pt (.g., Ezk 3:20; 9:4-6; 14:21-23).

    Ezkis tig t sc is ppi t J wit t s ig,tug t istic situti is it. Tug t s ics

    btw t tis Ezkis Js cissiig,8 t tpic

    8 F u xpti t us Ezk 2:83:3, s G. K. B, Revelation(nIGTC; G

    Rpis: Es, 1999), 550-53.

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    tig Gs w pst bt ppts ti tt iticti

    wit subissi t t ii wi s quicti ti big suitb

    pptic istuts i t G. Ti ssg cis wit it t

    pw Gs w bcus it is Gs w, it is tis tt t cis-si t i. I ctst t Ezki, J is wig, t Is, but t

    cuc gist ubi cpis wit t itus w, s w s

    wig t w ubis tss.

    T pit pt ppig Ezkis cissi t tt Js

    tugut t Apcps is t usc tt s t s pptic

    utit s Ezki t ppt. As w s i t cs Ezki, J t

    spks Gs w but G cissis i t put t ii w it

    witt (s Ezk 43:11 [c. 24:1-2], R 1:10-11, 19, t itucti

    t c t s tts; ikwis t t ipicti R 22:18-19). Ict, t i utitti pptic cissiig tt xts t t

    witt ppts ssg s its ts i t T. I pticu, t

    c t wit i bk (gra&yon ei0j bibli/on) i R 1:11 is fcti t cg gi b yw t is pptic sts t cuict t Is

    t ti t ci (s LXX Ex 17:14; Is 30:8; J 37:2; 39:44;

    Tb 12:20). A suc cissis i t ppts w cs t wit tsti-

    is jugt gist Is (s LXX Is 30:8; J 37:2; 39:44; c. s Ex

    34:27; Is 8:1; J 36:2; hb 2:2). F xp, J 37:2 (LXX) ss, Tus spks

    t L G Is, sig, Wit t ws wic I spk t u i bk. muc Js ssg ikwis is cc wit ucts

    jugt, s ppt tug bsig t jugts t ss, tupts,

    bws, s w s t sciptis jugt u i t bk.

    I t igt ctp bts iibiit s. ic

    bts but t iti ic its iscuss i t ituc-

    ti, is it usuitb qusti t sk but t tu Ezkis

    Js cissi t wit w t w G? Tt is, is it ccib tt

    ti witt w ctis ix ib tt wit it ti, w-

    s sigt t ? , is ti witt w t b s xusti i its tis t b Gs fwss w? Tis issu wi st b ss i Ezki

    i t scti w it p t sw tis qusti i Rti. T

    I wi cus t ic Rti its t ti i it s

    igt tis t issu.

    T st ti Ezkis cissi is stt (Ezk 2:2), its pupss

    is tt Is wi kw tt ppt s b g t (2:5; s s 33:33).

    T su wt Ezki is t s s ppt is u s s t t, Tus

    ss t L G (2:4; ikwis 2:7, u wi spk ws t t). Rc

    tt Ezkis cissi icus puttig ts ii ws it witt .Sigict, Ezkis ws ctst wit t s ig ws

    s ppts i Is (12:24; 13:7, 9, 23; 21:23, 29; 22:28). F xp, t s

    ppts pps tt t wi b pc i Is, spit t tis si

    (13:10, 16). Ti ppc wi b sw t b s Ezkis ppc tt

    stucti is cig Jus bcus psts wi c tu, wic

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    sws is tu ppt: S w it cs t pss [Ezkis ppc]s it

    su wit t wi kw tt ppt s b i ti ist (33:33).

    T s ppts spk bcus t pps ti w t

    t w ti w spiit i ti ppsig (13:2-3).Tus, t ctst btw Ezki t t ppts is tt t

    spks wits Gs w, ws t tt pps tss

    spk istk. T is it ttiig tig ib, s,

    utu i Ezkis w sitig ut t ipu t pu ii w

    i Ezkis witigs. Rt, t is bsut ctst btw t ppt

    Ezki t s ppts. Tis bckgu is pt Js pp t t

    pt pptic cissis Ezki,9 wic c b s t

    pt cissis J t wit, wic pc i ctst t s

    ppts i t ist t cucs.10 W wi s t issu s tcig ictst t Js witt w is gi i t bk.

    II. The Signicance o Revelation 22:18-19 or the Prophetic Authorityo the Written Form o Revelation

    vss 18-19 suiz t Bk Rti s w w c t w

    Is, wic is t w c t tic Is. Tug

    ctts t ut 4, J us t sis wig pssgs

    tugut ut:

    ut Rti 22:18-19

    t sttuts . . . u s t t

    t w . . . tk w it (4:1-2;

    ikwis 12:32); it wi b w

    s t ws . . . cus wic is

    witt i tis bk wi st i,

    t L wi bt ut is

    u (29:19-20).

    I tsti t w s t ws

    . . . i s t t, G wi

    t i t pgus wic b

    witt i tis bk, i tks

    w t ws t bk . . . , G

    wi tk w is pt t t i

    t cit . . .

    9 S Ric Buck, The Climax o Prophecy(Eibug: T&T Ck, 1993), 150-59, w s

    ckwgs t pptic cissiig Ezki s t bckgu Js cissiig

    i R 1:10; 4:2; 17:3; 21:10. Tug s t cus t witt it Ezkis

    Js ppc, s s tt Js ci tt t w ti [tt] c t i

    e)n pneu/mati ws t pups pssig t ti (158), tt t utticti Js ssg t is t i t xpic s suc but i t ci tt it tk pc u t

    ct t Spiit c t i tug Jsus Cist G (159). Likwis, t Spiit ispi

    Js cpti [ t ssg], i t Spiit, pptic ssg t b gi t ts (159).10 S R 2:12 i ti t 2:14-15 2:18 i ti t 2:20-24; c s tt ts cs

    t wit xtsis 1:10-11, wic pt pps t Ezkis pptic cissi.

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    Fut siiitis cig t ik btw ut R 22:18-

    19 :

    (1) i t igt t ict pcig wig ctxts c t tut pssgs, it is c tt t spcic wigs gist it, s

    is t cs i R 22 (c. 21:8, 27; 22:15);

    (2) psiti sps t bt t T nT wigs suts i t w i i

    t w (ut 4:1; 12:28-29; c. R 21:122:5 wit 22:14, 17-19);

    (3) bt s us t tig pgus t scib t puist uit-

    uss (s ta_j plhga/j i ut 29:21 R 22:18).

    Wt is t ig ig t tkig w t t

    ws? T sw ust b sugt i ut. I bt ut 4:1-2

    12:32 t gug ss s tw wig gist cpti tcig tt tt it ws t icsistt wit it i t G Is (s

    ut 4:3, wic us t t B-P pis nu 25:1-9, 14-18, ut

    13). Ts w ci i tis w s ppts (s ut 13:1-2.); t

    tt ut 12:32 t Egis txt t LXX (s = 13:1) is pc b t

    hbw Bib t Tgus (qs nti) s t st s c.

    13, wic itucs t subjct s ppts (c. t s ppt B

    w ws bi t cpti B-P: s s R 2:14). Suc s tc-

    ig uts t ig t Gs Lw. Fut, it is ttut t tkig

    w Gs Lw, sic it its t psiti ws gist it, cs-qut uiig ti iit. T isbic wig tis s tc-

    ig is pbb icu i t u wig ut 4:2 12:32, s ut

    29:19-20 cs.

    T, ig tkig w s t t , g isbi-

    c t t ii w, but t s tcig but t isciptut w

    wig suc cpti tcig. Bi i t biig tut Gs w is

    t psuppsiti psiti bic t it: c. ut 4:2, u s t

    . . . tk win order thatu kp t cts t L.

    T cit n Est tt cuts, t wic ut 4 is ,s w ptct gist itti ttis b s iscipti

    sctis cuss.11 T witt suc tt cuts ws bsut

    utitti iib, s w t ccpts xpss i t. A cus

    wu c up w t pt t witt t c

    i i t u pt t bigtis. F xp, i t tt

    Tuis Iv wit Ui-Tsub t wig iscipti cus is xpss:

    W . . . cgs but w tis tbt . . . t tuss gs

    tis tbt t tt s scts ut t htti.12 nt ws

    t pibiti gist cgig t wig tig but i it u t ws tis tt . . . t gs . . . t t wi bt u ut.13

    11 mit G. Ki, The Structure o Biblical Authority(G Rpis: Es, 1972), 27-38.12 Ibi., 29.13 S ibi., 30, t pi sucs ts quttis.

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    9CAn ThE BIBLE BE InSPIRE An STILL CnTAIn ERRRS?

    Tt gs wu c t pt bkig suc ttis ipi t t-

    tis tss, w t ti ws, pssss ii utit. Likwis,

    t t gic icttis Egpt w si t b utit ut b

    ius gs.14 Tt t utit ts AnE cuts xt t t t ccpts xpss i t but w t ti ws is s bck-

    gu t t ut tt witt Is gi t t b G

    tug mss. Tis is t st pbb w t tk uts sttt

    tt u s t . . . tk w i tt u kp t c-

    ts t L (ut 4:2) t ccptu it wig i

    ut 29:19-20: it wi b w s t ws . . . cus wic is

    witt i tis bk wi st i [w s isb t cs witt

    i t bk], t L wi bt ut is u (29:19-20).

    T tw wig 22:18-19 is ict gist ts w st wsuc sucti tcig. Tis utic bckgu is kb suitb

    t R 22:18-19, sic t sciptis i t t ic ists 21:8, 21:27,

    22:15 ccu b psizig t cptiss t ug i cc-

    ti wit it. Csqut, t t t ws Js ppc is t

    pt t s tcig tt it is t icsistt wit it i Cist.

    T tk w t ws t bk tis ppc is s t c

    suc cpti tcig, sic it wu it itit t iit R-

    tis xttis gist it. A, s i ut ( c b

    its AnE bckgu), bt t ws t ccpts csxpss b ts ws w iib ci bsut utit.

    Rkb gus is 1 En. 104:11, w t t cg tk w

    ws s t s su t i, su t tk ccut . . .

    is, t t pt t ws igtusss t pctic gt

    cits. T 1 Enochtxt is pt t utic titi it wic J

    s s tpp.

    I stikig sii si, Jspus (Ag. Ap. i.42-43) us t t s

    wig ut 4:2 ss it s wig gist cti icius scibs

    s w s Isit w wu tik but t gig t ti T st cs G, t biig b t uttig sig w gist

    t. Bt 1 Enoch Jspus s s tt bt bkig t ccptu

    xpss cs ut tig t iiiu

    ws big w gist.

    Tis sis ts w s wit t situti t cucs pt i cs.

    23 Rti, wic pict t cucs ctig it t

    g t, tug t t succssu. Stikig, s t s

    tcs ti ws cugig it i t cuc Pgu

    iti s ts w t tcig B, w kpt tcigBk t put stubig-bck b t ss Is, t t tigs scic

    t is, t cit iit (s 2:14). T s cpti tcig ws

    s pt i t cuc Tti (s 2:20-23). Suc s ppts w

    14 Ibi., 31.

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    istt t tut it ig s tg tkig w t

    tut. E w wu itti cg t ws is ik

    i i, sic suc itti wu pbb b t t s tcig.15

    I ctst, t ws ig b witt i tis bk b J tut utt tustwt.

    III.Johns Prophetic Commission to Write True Words Is Based on theTruthul Character o God and Christ rom Whom the Words Come

    I iti t t bckgu Ezki R 22:18-19, wic I ss

    i t st tw sctis tis tic, w s t Bk Rti its

    ttst spcic t t tu Js witt c? W s i

    t st tw sctis b tt R 22:18-19 sws tt t witt Rti is bsut iib, w s tt t pt c-

    s t wit t t bgiig c t s tts is ict p-

    t t iiti pptic cissi i 1:10-11. W s s tt t

    Ezki cissi i t ppt spkig witig w Gs

    ws, tt Js cissi is i t s .

    A itt fcti Js cissi t wit uswig tutu

    ws b ut iuitig, spci s tis is ik t t fwss c-

    ct G Cist. T ipti t wit i t tts cis tis i.

    At c c t J t wit, t wig ssg bcs t ws Cist, wic t t c tt is s si t b t ws t

    Spiit: w s , t i wt t Spiit ss t t cucs.

    Tus, Js witt w is s t w Cist t Spiit. C

    ts s pist ssgs cti u Js pt ix wit

    t tu ssg Cist t Spiit? T is cti it i t tts

    tt tis cu b t cs. I ct, t t c t wit i c t

    tts, t ws iit s-itucti b Cist, wig s

    tu b wic ws pt i c. 1 i is ct giig J is pptic

    cissi. S t tus i c. 1 i cs. 23 scib Jsus s ii big.16 As ii big, it is t igi tt Cist cu cis-

    si J t wit is (Cists) ws t cutc tt Js ws

    wu t pst t pit Cists ws. Tt is, Js cig ut

    Cists cissi ct cti u fws tt wu busct

    Cists ssg t pit.

    It is tu tt tis ccusi but Js fwss ssg, w, sts

    tcic gic uctis, wic I tik fw ict ut t t i

    Ezki, Ezkis us i Rti, i R 22:18-19 s xi. Ts

    ics , i, ics t w b t itpts R-ti (suc s s) but I wi ct tt t ics s xpicit

    15 Tis pcig scti R 22:18-19 is bs B, Revelation, 1150-54, wic s

    ut.16 wic s t ct R 1:8, 14, 17, 3:7, 14 i B, Revelation, i c.

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    xgtic uc t i Rti its. Ts xpicit ics wi

    w b ss.

    T i tis tic wi gu t wig: (1) tt J is c-

    t wit w t ws G Cist i bk, (2) t witt ws wi b itu tu, (3) becauset c

    Cist G, w itu tu. (4) A bcus J wits u

    pptic ispiti utit, wt wits uswig psts wt

    s G Cist s. T, t cct G Cist s

    uswig tu is gi s t bsis Js witt w i Rti s

    big uswig tu. Tus, t gic ucti but t tu

    Sciptu tt is t icsig big c it qusti is t uc-

    ti tt I wi ccu is big i Rti.

    T u pssgs i Rti tt tgt stt tt Jswitt w is ti tu bcus it is t G w psssss t tti-

    but bsut tut:

    R 3:14 T t g t cuc i Lic wit: T A, t itu tu

    Witss, t Bgiig t cti G, ss tis:

    R 19:9 T si t , Wit, Bss ts w iit t t ig

    supp t Lb. A si t , Ts tu ws G.

    R 21:5 A h w sits t t si, B, I kig tigs w.

    A h si, Wit, ts ws itu tu.

    R 22:6 A si t , Ts ws itu tu; t L, t G

    t spiits t ppts, st his g t sw t his b-sts t tigs

    wic ust s tk pc.

    1. Revelation 3:14

    Rti 3:14 cuss t tutu ii cct Cist, cs. 19,

    21, 22 pp tis ii ttibut t w Js witt w is t b csi-

    tu. I ct, t sttts i R 21:5 22:6 ict pt

    R 3:14, sic t cti t sttt itu tu (, s wwi s, R 19:9 is pbb s ik t t t sttts i cs. 21

    22). Fut, t ik btw R 3:14 tt 21:5 22:6 is

    stgt b bsig tt t ts pssgs u t Is 65:16:

    Bcus w is bss i t t wi b bss b t G truth; w

    sws i t t wi sw b t G truth; bcus t tubs -

    gtt, bcus t i m sigt!

    Tis usi t Isi st s t b stbis i R 3:14, t it c b

    s w t t pssgs pt bt R 3:14 its ct Isi. Tt Is 65:16 is t pi suc Cists tits i R 3:14 is

    suppt b s is ic, wic wi b suiz .17 Fist, o(a)mh/n (t A) is Sitic quit t t Gk itu (pisto&j), s

    17 Ts is ic xp up i ibi., 297-301.

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    w s tu (a)lhqino/j), wic is it t Sptugits tpic ts-ti b i s t tNm) (t b itu) i bpisto&j, but s stis ba)lhqino/j.18 T, t t iR 3:14 cu b xp tsti Isis A. Suc pi-cti Isis A is pit t ut b cig tt t hbw txt

    s twic t G s t G tut [Nm)], wic is tst i t w-ig ws b it sis t Gk T:

    Isi 65:16 Rti 3:14

    t G . . . t G A.

    (E Gk Bibs t tis pit t

    G (a)mh/n), ts ist

    t tu [a)lhqino/n] G, sti ts

    t itu [usig i pticipi

    pisteu/w] G.)

    (Cist is) t , t itu

    tu witss,

    a)mh/n, o( ma&rtuj o( pisto&j kai_ a)lhqino/j

    I tis igt, t tit t itu tu witss i R 3:14 is bst tk s

    itptti tsti A Is 65:16.19 Tus, t u Gk -

    sis Is 65:16 tgt itu t s pi igs s tt R 3:14. nw s i Sciptu ts t ws, A, itu,

    tu, u i cbiti, tis is tu wit t cbiti

    itu tu.20

    At tu pitig t usi t Is 65:16 is tt A i bt t

    T nT usu is sps b pp t w G t p,

    it stis s t Jsus tustwt sttts. hw, bsti

    uscig ut ik btw Is 65:16 R 3:14 is tt ts t

    tw pssgs i t ti Bib w A is . Fi, t bss-

    ig t G tut, wic is g t i Is 65:16, is p-cis ust i t wig s t b tt t w cti wic

    18 S htc Rpt, Concordance to LXX, i c.19 T Sptugit s t trueG (to\n qeo\n to\n a)lhqino/n, LXX); t sis Tti

    Scus suppt t tsti t G Amen (a)mh/n); Aqui, J, mS 86suppt t bsic ig t G aithulness (Aqui s e0n tw|~ qew~| pepistwme/nwj, wicps t bi itu s pt t u ps b wic t bssig is

    i t t wi b bss itu b G).20 2:45 (T.) s bit s cbis t tw ws (tu is t

    itu is its itptti [a)lhqino\n to\ e)nu/pnion kai\ pisth\ h( su/gkrisij au)tou=]), but t is ti w cti t s t is i R 3:14 (tug s t pssib sc c

    2:45 i t iscussi R 22:6 bw). S s 3 mcc 2:11 w G is t s

    itu . . . tu (pisto\j . . . kai\ a)lhqino/j), but i tis c t is tig but cti w cti but Gs ituss i tu xcutig jugt. I tis w i i, it wu

    sti b kig t s pit but Gs cct. T i mccbs txts tss

    w s b usis t Is 65:16.

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    13CAn ThE BIBLE BE InSPIRE An STILL CnTAIn ERRRS?

    wi big but: F b, I ct w s w t (Is

    65:17). Likwis, t ict wig cus i R 3:14 t T A, t

    itu tu witss is t bgiig t cti G, wic pb-

    b s, t t t bgiig cti i G 1, but t t suct Jsuss t bgiig t w cti. T c ptt pps s ws:

    Isi 65:16-17 Rti 3:14

    t G . . . t G A.

    b, I ct w s

    w t

    (Cist is) t , t itu

    tu witss,

    (Cist is) t bgiig t (w)

    cti G.

    Tus, just s i Is 65:16-17, s i R 3:14 t ii ttibuts A

    (= itu tu) w b c t w cti. Tis uiqu tw-

    ptt pits ut t R 3:14 big pt Is 65:16-17.

    Tt Cist s t bgiig t cti G s t t w

    cti is s ppt cgizig tt R 3:14 is pt

    R 1:5:

    Rti 1:5 Rti 3:14

    t itu witss,

    t st-b t

    t , t itu tu witss,

    t bgiig t cti G.

    T st p i R 1:5, Cist s itu witss, is ict w b

    is big st-b t , just s i 3:14 Cist s itu witss is

    ict w b bgiig t cti G. hc, tis p

    sws tt t bgiig t (w) cti G is bgu i Jsus su-cti (s t ct b). Tis p is stt ut b cig

    tt Cists s-ituctis i c t t tts i R 23

    is it sttt pt stig i c. 1. It is uik tt

    t ps t bgiig t cti G is t pt Cists

    s s-ituctis tt is t i c. 1. It is pbb tt tis

    ps t bgiig t cti G is t uig t t st cti

    i t bk Gsis but is itptti pps Jsus s t st-

    b t i 1:5. I tis igt, R 3:14 s p R 1:5 tug

    ustig it s bgiig ut Is 65:16-17.It s t b usc ci t tis pit tt t bssig t

    G tut [ , ituss], wic is g t

    i Is 65:16, is pcis ust i t wig s t b t pis

    bssig t w cti wic wi big but: F b, I ct

    w s w t (Is 65:17; t s t itit Is 65:16 wit

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    65:17 i t pt ps t sc i c s, t tu-

    bs [tigs] gtt [s t b b]. Tis G is his

    gut tt wi su big but w cti, wic piss t

    i Is 65:17. Thereore, God promises in Isa 65:16-17 to create a new earth, and hegives assurance in v. 16 that he will ulfll this promise because he is completely trustworthy,

    dependable, reliable, and true. Gods word o promise is true and it cannot be broken or

    nullifed nor can he be seen to be mistaken in making this promise.

    T i pit wt I wt t s but R 3:14 is tt Cist is iti

    wit t tu, itu, G Is 65:16. Sic Jsus is iti wit

    t G Isi, is just s tustwt, pb, ib, tu21 i is

    cct spk w (R 3:7 s s tt Cists cct is tu

    [o9 a)lhqino&j], s b w sscitig i wit t G Isi22).I wu p tt Cisti tgi wu tik tt Gs t

    ii resurrectedCists ttibut tut cu cti ixtu .

    But t qusti iss, wi t cct spk w G

    Cist tu, tt is, fwss, cu t s iccucis t it t

    u cig i Sciptu tis spk w? Wu t suc ibiit i

    pt t cig Sciptu fct t u ct t Bib? I t

    cs Rti, I tik w sw t tis qusti.

    2. Revelation 21:5

    G cs J t wit t uct . 5 bcus

    ts ws but t cig w cti itu tu (pistoi\ kai\a)lhqinoi/), ps t i Is 65:16, s w s b i t iscussi R 3:14. Agist tis bckgu, t xpssi 21:5 is t b s s

    itptti tsti Nm) Is 65:16. Accig, R 21:5 is -pt R 3:14, wic itpts Isis A i t s w is

    s ict cct t xpssi but t w cti.

    Rti 3:14 Rti 21:5

    Cist is t , t itu tu

    witss, t bgiig t [w]

    cti G.

    A h w sits t t si,

    B, I kig tigs w.

    A h si, Wit, ts ws

    itu tu.

    21 S BAG, 43, wic gis t wig gs ig a)lhqino/j: (1) ptit tbig i cc wit wt is tu, true, trustworthy; (2) ptit t big i ccc wit ct, true;

    (3) ptit t big , genuine, authentic, real. BAG, 820-21, gis t wig pisto&j: (1)ptiig t big wt bi tust, trustworthy, aithul, dependable, inspiring trust/aith; (2)

    ptit t big tustig, trusting, cherishing, aith/trust.22 wic s B, Revelation, 283, w Cist s t , t tu ccus, t tit

    t ik iig t pt c i Isi t G s t Is.

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    15CAn ThE BIBLE BE InSPIRE An STILL CnTAIn ERRRS?

    A usi t Is 65:16 is s cbt b R 21:5 w t t

    t ss i)dou\ kaina_ poiw~ pa&nta (B, I k tigs w), -c t Is 43:19 65:17, t s t tis cti s itu

    tu. Tis cti its is pt t i usi t Is65:17 i R 21:1 (A I sw w w t). A tis ut

    cts ict ik btw R 3:14 21:5. A ic btw R 3:14

    tt 21:5 is tt i t tt t ws i t pu. T ik s

    t ic is tt t cus i 3:14 is t cct t sigu

    Cist, ws i t tt t cus is up Gs witt ws (pu) tt

    J is c t wit w.

    Tus, R 21:5 tks t sttt but Cists cct w i R

    3:14, g wit its usi t Is 65:16-17, ppis it w t Js witig

    w Gs ( Cists)23 ws, B, I kig tigs w. Ipticu, t xpssi ts ws itu tu pi t s

    (bcus, o#ti) w J is c t put it witig Gs ws:wit, bcus ts ws itu tu. I t ws, t -

    ti but Cists uswig tu cct spk w i R 3:14, s

    w s i tt txt i Is 65:16 t wic it us, is ppi t t

    tu Gs/Cists ws i witt , wic J is cissi t

    wit. T ic tt is big 3:14 is tt just s Cists ii

    cct spk w fwss, s is Js cig t ii

    ws i witt . h is t wit suc uswig tu ii ws tt s i tt t cucs pu uubt ii w

    ss t t i witig.

    3. Revelation 22:6

    nt t ps gi wit R 3:14:

    Rti 3:14 Rti 22:6

    Cist is t , t itu tu

    witss, t bgiig t [w]

    cti G.

    A si t , Ts ws

    itu tu: t L, t G

    t spiits t ppts, st his

    g t sw t his b-sts t

    tigs wic ust s tk pc.

    23 T ps spkig i R 21:5 is ik G (s B, Revelation, 1052), tug it is pssib

    tt it is t xt Jsus, sic t sig st st i 21:6 is spk b Cist i 1:17

    Cist is t w guis t t spigs t wt i i 7:17, s tt 21:6 s t Cist

    w ss, I wi gi t t w tists t spig t wt i. Wt t ts

    Gs Cists ws is t sigict u pupss, sic w s tt i R

    3:14 Cist spks t ws Is 65:16, wic t spk b G. Tus, Rti, t

    bsis iticti wit G Cistg, cu si G t Cist bck t

    G gi s t spk ts ws.

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    Rti 22:6 ss s ccuig sttt bt t isi 21:1

    22:5, s w s t w bk. T spk cu b Jsus, sic . 7 cti-

    us t sttt (t t cjucti [kai\]), w s Jsus is ct spk. T spk cu just s w b g i i wit t itic-ti t ti ps i itucig t isis i 21:9-10 22:1.

    vs 6 suizs t pcig isi t nw Jus, wic is

    ppt its pct iit t tt isi its b pti-

    ti 21:5b, Ts ws itu tu (ou[toi oi9 lo/goi pistoi\ kai\a)lhqinoi/). As w s t iscussi 21:5, t ps is bs Is65:16, wic xpsss cc i Gs tcig ct w cti,

    wic wi c tu bcus Gs w pis is tu ct b ui-

    b s t b istk. I, t cus i 21:5 cts pcis t

    s i i cjucti wit usis t Is 43:18-19, 65:17, 66:22. Ts wig i 22:6 tus pts t s i ctit but Gs stt-

    ts i 21:622:5 but is utu ct w cti. T pups t

    ptiti is t psiz tis i. Accig, t s ccusis but

    R 21:5 pst : Cists uswig tu cct w i

    R 3:14 ppi t t tu is ws i witt (tug is ws

    b spk b g). T ic tt is big 3:14 is tt

    just s Cists ii cct spk w fwss i 3:14, s it b

    i tt Js witig w t ii ws suts i fwss c

    ts ws t s cucs. Tug t is t c xpiciti 22:6 t t witt , it is ik i i bcus t p wit 21:5

    bcus t wig ctxt s t t ws tis bk (22:9)

    t ws t ppc tis bk (22:10, ikwis 22:18-19). J

    sw ts tigs (22:8) wt t w i bk.

    Tgt wit t Is 65:16/R 3:14 bckgu, t s b c

    2:45b (T.) stig i t bckgu t ps t ws

    itu tu: t is tu [a)lhqino/n], t itptti it isitu [pisth/]. T cus i 2 is t ccusi t pptic isibut t ictius stbist Gs kig, it ispis ctittt t pptic isi s ii utit , t, its ctts

    tu ib. T usi t 2 s t s ig .24 T isi

    tt i sw wt cuict t t Bbi

    kig, tis is w ppi t wt J sw put it witig.

    Cu t b tig i is cuicti t isi t t

    kig tt ws iccut pps i w tis? is ccuig ws,

    t is tu t itptti it is itu, k tis ipbb,

    s tt t 2 c, i it is i i, cs t i bsut iibiit

    i t witt Rti.

    24 F ut iscussi but t iit tis 2 usi, s B, Revelation, 1124.

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    4. Revelation 19:9-11

    c gi b cspcs btw R 3:14 bsb:

    Rti 3:14 Rti 19:9-11

    Cist is t , t itu tu

    witss, t bgiig t [w]

    cti G.

    R 19:9 T si t , Wit,

    Bss ts w iit t t

    ig supp t Lb. A

    si t , Ts tu ws G.

    R 19:10 T I t is t t wsip

    i. But si t , t tt; I

    w st us u

    bt w t tsti Jsus;

    wsip G. F t witss Jsus is

    t spiit ppc.

    R 19:11 A I sw p,

    b, wit s, h w st

    it is c Fitu Tu, i

    igtusss h jugs wgs w.

    J is c, Wit, Bss ts w iit t t -

    ig supp t Lb. T g t iit s, Ts tu

    ws G. Tis sc sttt is ik s ugiig t st.

    Tt t sc ssti is t gu t st is s pit t b t

    ccti btw t sii sigs i 21:5, w J is st c-

    t wit but t cig w cti, t it is iit

    ts ws itu tu. It is ss ppt i 19:9 tt t

    is usi t Is 65:16 R 3:14, but t c t tu b bb-

    iti itu tu ts t tw pssgs. Rgss, tig is cti t s: J is t put i witt Gs ws

    tug t g bcus t tu ws G. T ps G

    iicts tt t i ti suc i G. Tt is, ts ws

    tu bcus t c G w is tu. It is ik t cicit

    tt s t t witss Jsus is t (19:10), t

    Cist is c itu tu (19:11). I s, Cists itu tu c-

    ct is t st pt t t Js witt w big itu true(19:9)

    is bi t ibiit is witss(19:10). T cct t divine

    Cist,25 w b pt wt is bi t ps i 19:9, Ts tuws G.

    25 R 19:16 c s Cists it s Kig Kigs L Ls, spci i igt

    its usi t 4:37 (LXX), w t tit is ppi t G.

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    vs 10 s tt wt J is witig is pt t tsti [ wit-

    ss] Jsus, wic is t Spiit ppc. mti pneu~ma tt it is pptic tsti ispi b t Spiit: to\ pneu~ma th~j profhtei/ajs bjcti giti, t Spiit ispiig ppc.26 Tus, Js witt

    ws itu tu s bcus is ppt ispi b Gs Spiit.

    I iti t t tts R 23, tt t Spiit ispis J is ppt s

    i R 14:13: A I ic , sig, Wit, Bss t

    w i i t L w ! ys, ss t Spiit, s tt t

    st ti bs, ti s w wit t. J is c t

    wit, wt wits is b t Spiit t b tu pb

    (s, ss t Spiit). Buck s wit spct t tis s, T ws

    t Spiit t Spiits sps, spkig tug J, t t ic.

    As J bs t c t wit t btitu, t Spiit ispiig i s ptic st it. 27

    Iv. Refection on the Signicance o the Reerence to the Written Words oRevelation Being Reerred to as Authoritative

    Rti 19:9, 21:6, 22:6, 18-19 t t witt ws t bk s

    tu itu tu s iib. T ct tt t ccpts but

    t witt ws t b s s witut istk is ppt i ticig

    spci t spcic cs i 19:9 21:9. T stc isspk b G g t t stc is t s ts ws.

    It is ipusib tt t is c t uig ccpt tt is

    xpss tug ixtu pps just tw ipct ws. It is

    ptic t ps suc qusti, but t pst bts t

    ic Sciptu c psig suc qusti. Tus, bt t ccpt

    xpss b t ws c t iiiu ws tss bs-

    ut utitti, s tt ws ct b spt ccpts.28 I t

    s , t ws tis bk (R 22:9-10, 18-19), t ti witt

    Rti, cis t s xct ti.

    26 C. Zwick Gs, 772; nEB. S ikwis G. B. Ci, A Commentary on the Revelation o

    St. John the Divine(nw yk: hp & Rw, 1980), 233. Atti, t ps tt

    ts giig suc tsti csi pptic pp. Ag ts is, pneu/ma wu b ccti istibuti sigu th~j profhtei/ajwu b scipti giti: ppticspiit[s] pptic su[s] = ppts. Tis tti wu sti s t ws t b p-

    ptic; t ppts pssss spiit tt cis ispiti G. S ut iscussi i

    B, Revelation, 947 1124-25.27 Buck, Climax o Prophecy, 160.28 cus, t c b ws xpss i witig tt jibbis xpss

    ccpt. W cciig t witt ws i Rti big giz b J i suc

    w s t xpss ccpts, wic is cuicti spc ct, but t tik tt t iiiu

    ws sw spt t pcis tu ccpts is qusti tt J wu

    tti, sic ust tt t ws tt ws cissi t wit w Gs

    ws.

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    19CAn ThE BIBLE BE InSPIRE An STILL CnTAIn ERRRS?

    v. Conclusion

    I bsut fwssss b gt but Gs cct spk w,

    t t s su b gt but Js witt w. Tis ic ist s ic tt J ws: sic Cists cct spk w

    ipccb, J is cissi t c Cists (Gs) ws bcus

    t c t ii big ws cct is witut fw, icuig is

    kwg tigs.

    igt ccu tt wt Rti tcs but its witt tu

    ct b ppi t t pts Sciptu. But s bstis iitt

    gist tis: (1) i t k txts xi b, R 22:6, J is

    gup wit t ppts: t L, t G t spiits ppts, st

    is g t sw . . . . Tis ik icus t nT ppts but ik Tppts, spci sic t ps t spiits t ppts pps t b

    usi t nu 27:16 (t L G spiits), w it s t Gs

    pcig mss wit Jsu, w wu w b t pptic spks-

    Gs pp (c. nu 27:12-21). (2) J is pt gi t s

    cissi s ppt s ws Ezki t ppt. (3) T ttit Js

    witt c i Rti is s t b itu tu i t s w tt

    G ppsi tt t w cti wu it ccu bcus yw s

    itu tu ppsi it. (4) T ccuig ps R 22:6,

    G st . . . t sw . . . wt ust c t pss quick, is c c t 2:45, wic cs t ccusi t ppt is pt is

    isi i 2. (5) Sic Js cst tis but t uswig

    tut is w bk xpicit bs t pcptic T wks (.g.,

    Ezki i) wit wic puts is bk p, wu t Js

    ti but Sciptus u tut b ci tt c b but

    pcptic bks i t c i wic t pcptists ci ti -

    ti ict b isi uiti G? But it s t b b

    tt J i t wit w s sct tkig ictti, but t is isis

    put p t pp ik is s T usis i iuspcs, s tt t bk is ix isi it pucti. Fut,

    tt Js pp gs utsi t pcptic T g is c cig

    tt puts is p wit t utit mss i R 22:18-19, w

    c ppis ut 4:1-2 29:19-20 t is w bk. I iti, J

    ks c t t T t t nT wit, wic ipis tt,

    sic c puts is p wit s ts T witsmss,

    i, Ezkitt wu t t s iw ti witigs

    s s is but s it ipis tt wu t s iw t T

    witigs t wic us utsi mss, i, Ezki. It is ik tis s tt J us t t ius T bks tt s, sic t

    t s sttus utitti Sciptu i.

    I ct, uc ik R 19, 21, 22, Ps 119:137-142 s t Gs cct

    s igtus ks t ccusi tt, t, is witt Sciptu is

    s igtus, pu, tu:

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    WESTmInSTER ThELGICAL JURnAL20

    Ps 119:137 Rigtus yu, Lord,

    A upigt yu jugts [ = Sciptu].

    Ps 119:138 yu c yu tstiis i igtusss

    A xcig ituss.Ps 119:139 m z s csu ,

    Bcus sis gtt yu ws.

    Ps 119:140 yu w is pu,

    T yu st s it.

    Ps 119:141 I s spis,

    YetI t gt yu pcpts.

    Ps 119:142 yu igtusss is stig igtusss,

    A yu w is tut.

    It is ut itstig tt i tig is pptic c ccig t t pt-

    t Ezkis (R 10:1-10), J s ws Ps 119:103 (w swt uws t pt, swt t t ut) it R 10:9-10 (i u

    ut it [Gs w] wi b swt s , u i bt ss). I t

    Ps, tis is t ict w b t Psist ctstig ustig

    Gs pcpts wit s w (Ps 119:104). Pps s Ps 19:10

    is icu i t usi: Gs witt Lw is t s swt s t

    , cp wit t jugts t L tu (Ps 19:9)

    ctst wit s (Ps 19:12: W c isc is s?).

    Likwis, R 16:5, 7 cps Gs igtus cct wit is igtus

    jugts, wic gist t bckgu t cbi T usis,29s t Gs w i Sciptu:

    5 A I t g t wts sig, Rigtus yu, w w

    w, h , bcus yu jug ts tigs;

    7 A I t t sig, ys, L G, t Aigt, tu igtus

    yu jugts.

    Ps 119:37 b icu i ts T usis (.g., s t gi

    nA27): Rigtus u . . . igtus is u jugt(s).

    S igt bjct t gut b sig tt w s J t T t t ctu w ic i ppicti t Sciptu, but

    tis wu b kig t w/ccpt cusi. I ti t sw tt

    t ws us b J i cs. 19, 21, 22 (tu, itu) ssti

    but t s ccpt s Gs w big witut . I ct, s

    Js usis t t T, s i Pss 119 19 ctst Gs w s tu

    swt t s . I tis g, it is s istucti t cp

    t c i 2 Pt 1:20-21 t Sciptu t b ct u wi,

    but b t h Spiit spk G, wic is iit c-

    tst wit s ppts, w ig t w tut spk sws (2 Pt 2:1-3). T gt G-bt txt 2 Ti 3:16 is s pc

    i t s ki ctst wit s tcig.

    29 I iti t Ps 119:137 bw, s s Ps 144:17 ut 32:4 R 16:5 3:27

    (G), t tt wic b puig tgt Pss 119 144 ut 32 i t s w tt

    R 16:5 7 ig.

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    21CAn ThE BIBLE BE InSPIRE An STILL CnTAIn ERRRS?

    Pps I c csst t bsig gut ipicti w I

    ssu tt Gs cct t suct Cists cct witut

    , icit i ti bsut xusti kwg

    t st ppt uiptt cts but cti uit but tpst, pst, utu. But tis is psuppsiti tt is pic tgt

    t bsis sciptu tsti (.g., s Ps 119 b; nu 23:19; 1 S

    15:29; Is 46:10; 48:3-8; Jb 11:11; 23:10, 23; 34:25; Pss 1:6; 37:18; 44:21; 69:5;

    94:11; 103:14; 138:6; 139:1-18, 23-24; P 24:12; 2:19-23; mtt 6:8, 32; Luk

    16:15; Acts 15:8; R 8:27; 1 J 3:20).

    Fi, t pt, t tgic ic wic s gics

    sig is ubibic is, i ct, t ic tt J t pts

    Sciptu pt k: sic Gs cct is uswig tu, is wit-

    t w Sciptu is uswig tu. m w ustig t i-t tut Sciptu is bt i ius ws i t Cicg Sttt

    Bibic Ic.

    S igt sp t iw R 19:9, 21:5, 22:6 b sig tt

    itu tu (spci i t st tw txts) pcis t t

    ws Cist t spcic t t witt ts ws. Acc-

    ig, tug J is c t wit t ws s, cu

    t t b s sippg i Js t xusti pcis

    cig wt ws si, s tt s s g cu cpt it

    t witt t ws?m sps t tis is t wig: (1) Wu G c/cissi

    J s ppt t wit is ws kwig ti tt is pptic

    w wu b iccut c? W s tt J wits wit t

    utit T ppt, tis wu s t c t s utit s

    G spkig tug ppt. F xp, J spks wits s

    ppt: t tt 19:10 ss, t Spiit ispis ppc, wic s i i

    Js witig s ppt i 19:9. A R 22:6b c pcs J s

    g t spiits t ppts, w s ci ti tt is it-

    u tu (22:6), wic is ict t i c s t ws t ppc tis bk (22:7 22:18; s itic R 22:10) t

    ws t bk tis ppc (22:19; s sii 22:9).

    (2) T ik btw itu tu wit iicts ssus

    ik btw ts ttibuts t witt .

    (3) Tt pit # 2 is i is it t ittxtu ik btw wit

    i 1:9-10 i t pt c t wit i t tts cs. 2 3.

    J wits t t witt is si t b t ws Cistand t

    Spiit. At t st, t witt t tts is pst t t cucs s

    t ws t Spiit.(4) T ittxtu ik btw wit i 1:9-10 cs. 23 19:9

    21:5 cs t spiit-ispi tu Js pcptic witig tsk. Tt

    Js spiit-ispi ict pptic tsk cig wt s s

    suts i pptic bk is c, s w just s, R 22:7,

    10, 18, 19, wic icusi wit R 1:3. Tus, t witt c

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    WESTmInSTER ThELGICAL JURnAL22

    t isi uiti is qu pptic; sic t pptic isi

    uiti itu tu, s is t witt pptic itu

    tu. Tis is just wt R 19:9, 21:5, 22:6 ig.

    I t igt ts u pits, it wu b ii ccusi ( xp ti scipti) t s tt 19:9, 21:5, 22:6 t

    Cists ws big itu tu t iw ts ss s xt-

    ig t t witt pptic s big itu tu.

    Tus, c t Bib b u ispi b pct G t sti cti

    s? J t sciptu wits s .