In this episode, we analyze the Chicago Statement on Biblical Inerrancy, a document drafted in 1978 and signed by over 200 evangelical scholars and church leaders. The Chicago Statement articulates the formal evangelical understanding of the doctrine of inerrancy, which states that the Bible is without error in everything that it affirms, including modern conceptions of history and science. I argue that the doctrine of inerrancy as outlined by the Chicago Statement undermines both the authority of scripture and our ability to interpret the Bible historically. We will go line-by-line through the text and explore both the strengths and inconsistencies of this historical doctrinal summary. I will ultimately argue that the categories of authority, reliability, and inspiration are superior to inerrancy and allow us to faithfully interpret the Bible in its historical context without imposing upon it our modern intellectual ideas and categories.
Media Referenced:
The Chicago Statement on Biblical Inerrency: https://www.etsjets.org/files/documents/Chicago_Statement.pdf
The Chicago Statement Wikipedia Page: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chicago_Statement_on_Biblical_Inerrancy
The Scandal of the Evangelical Mind, Mark Noll: https://a.co/d/9jYqzgo
Deserting the King, David Beldman: https://a.co/d/i87rl02
Jesus Remembered, James Dunn: https://a.co/d/3bIc5Px
My Episode on Biblical Interpretation: https://theprotestantlibertarianpodcast.buzzsprout.com/1978104/10705266
Timothy Price on Biblical Inerrancy: https://theprotestantlibertarianpodcast.buzzsprout.com/1978104/11181723
Conversation on Biblical Anarchy Podcast, Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tXjzzEoegXA&t=1082s
Daniel 3 Podcast, Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/nl/podcast/daniel-3-ep-92-protestantism-and-inerrancy-w/id1575925285?i=1000596725706
Daniel 3 Podcast, Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/episode/3qxdj7JzZzsWdcKf19nJpQ?si=SJgHiIMBQEacTQQwC2OGXw
The Protestant Libertarian Podcast is a project of the Libertarian Christian Institute and a part of the Christians For Liberty Network. The Libertarian Christian Institute can be found at www.libertarianchristians.com.
Questions, comments, suggestions? Please reach out to me at theprotestantlibertarian@gmail.com. You can also follow the podcast on Twitter: @prolibertypod. For more about the show, you can go to theprotestantlibertarianpodcast.com. If you like the show and want to support it, you can! Check out the Protestant Libertarian Podcast page at https://www.buymeacoffee.com/theplpodcast. Also, please consider giving me a star rating and leaving me a review, it really helps expand the shows profile! Thanks!