Bible/issues
Inconsistent Usage
- legendary "letter to Dr. Laura" showing the selectivity of Biblical adherence
- In Defense of Biblical Marriage: what the Bible says about marriage, and how our laws might be rewritten to accomodate this
Inerrancy
Many branches of Christianity, including Catholicism, hold the Bible to be the literal word of God.
...it is absolutely wrong and forbidden, either to narrow inspiration to certain parts only of Holy Scripture, or to admit that the sacred writer has erred. For the system of those who, in order to rid themselves of these difficulties, do not hesitate to concede that divine inspiration regards the things of faith and morals, and nothing beyond, because (as they wrongly think) in a question of the truth or falsehood of a passage, we should consider not so much what God has said as the reason and purpose which He had in mind in saying it – this system cannot be tolerated. For all the books which the Church receives as sacred and canonical, are written wholly and entirely, with all their parts, at the dictation of the Holy Ghost..."
Errors
The Bible is often internally inconsistent, however, and clearly at odds with reality on some points.
Disagreement with reality (to be checked; via):
- The Earth is flat. (Isaiah 24:1; Matthew 4:8)
- The Earth doesn't move. (1 Chronicles 16:30)
- The Earth rests on pillars. (Samuel 2:28)
- The Sun goes around the Earth. (Joshua 10:13)
- The stars are lights in a dome over the Earth. (Genesis 1:16-17)
As an only semi-serious example of internal inconsistency, see: Bible/canon/God/paradox.
Notes
To be checked:
- ex 31:17 - God is tired and rests
- is 40:28 - God is never tired and does not rest