Originally posted by Paul manata
Define Bible, Fred?
Thanks for the confession note. But you didn't highlite the proper phrase
WCF 1:8 The Old Testament in Hebrew (which was the native language of the people of God of old), and the New Testament in Greek (which, at the time of the writing of it was most generally known to the nations), being immediately inspired by God, and, by His singular care and providence, kept pure in all ages, are therefore authentical.
Now, "kept pure" can't mean what you are implying now since you agreed that there were minor errors. So, if "kept pure" is defined as "having ZERO errors, discrepencies, varient reading, etc," then it hasn't been kept pure. So, if that's what you mean then you ned to deal with all those things I can bring up... which you know about.
[Edited on 12-19-2004 by Paul manata]
The Bible is the written special revelation of God preserved in writing that is necessary for man (cf. WCF 1.1).
I did highlight the right section. I am not arguing (and haven't ever) that translations are inspired; they are not. that is what your bold proves, and I agree with the Confession (shock! alarm! surprise! ) What I am arguing for is the providential preservation of the inspired text (which my emphasis in the Confession proves). Now we are not talking about a subjunctive vs. indicitive, or a prepositional phrase, or some other incredibly minor point. We are talking about taking an entire pericope and all it teaches out. This is a big deal. It is exactly what others try and do to parts of the Pentateuch, other parts of the Gospels they don't like, and sections of Pauline epistles.
So let's not worry about copyist errors. Find me another whole section - 11 verses, about half the length of a Pauline chapter - that can just be "taken out" without cutting against the Providential care of God. You see there are two critical doctrines of Scripture: (1) inspiration and (2) preservation. If you reject divine preservation, you are left with only two options: (a) a fallible (and thus non-authoritative) Bible, and (b) an inspired translation/transmission. Neither is the historical position of the Church (the WHOLE church, not just Reformed theology).