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One cannot say that they are a Christian and not embrace the “library of books” (it really is a library- not one book) called the Bible. But, we need to clarify as to “which Bible” as there are many; including, Orthodox Protestant, Orthodox Catholic, Slavonic, Ethiopian, Eastern Orthodox. Then there are the different translations like NIV, KJV, NAS, and dozens more all of which take different approaches as to their “interpretative style” such as: dynamic equivalence translation, formal equivalence translation (similar to literal translation), and idiomatic, or paraphrastic translation. Did I mention the elongated Amplified Bible? And then you have to ask yourself, from which ancient manuscripts did they translate? Newer more fragmented manuscripts like the textus receptus (KJV) or one of the oldest such as the codex Sinaticus (REB)? Are you getting the picture yet? It’s going to take me 5-10 commentaries to do this subject justice, so hang on, be patient.

I grew up being taught the THREE “I’s”. I really struggled with the concept for most of my adult life, but I couldn’t find the words, nor did it seem that the Spirit was helping me get a grip on what my “inner man” was trying to tell me. Decades of indoctrination aren’t broken overnight unless it’s a supernatural intervention of the Holy Spirit!

Then about three years ago, I became determined to set down a definition of the Bible (in writing) that I, Ernie, could totally believe. And when I decided that it seemed as though the Holy Spirit, said, “Ok, now we can work together on this”. As is too often the case (and the symbolic metaphor), the bridegroom (Jesus) is waiting on the bride (church). I don’t know that what I’ve been following for the last three years is the “final draft“, but it is a “working draft” that WORKS for me.

Inerrant, inspired, and infallible now have a fresh coat of paint!

Here is how I currently define the Bible….. I believe the Bible is the Word of God, expressing His will to us: inerrant in the original autographs; inspired as a unique composition, communicating His nature and being through various genres; and, infallible in it’s transformational salvistic mission.

The Bible is the WORD (singular) of God, not the WORDS (plural) of God. If every word, jot, and tittle is from God, then one has to ask and have an answer for “which translation“? Every translation uses different words, and in some cases leaves out entire verses, etc.

The Bible is a SACRED work for me, and one can’t be a Christian, and part of the Christian community, and not see it as such. On the other hand, to make it an IDOL (Bibliolatry), see it as a science book or history book, or claim that every word and event is literal is to miss the mark (sin?) greatly!

So, we’ve begun, or I have!

Tomorrow, I’ll give you three “substitute words” for the “three I’s“, and we’ll take a day to enlarge upon each of those as well as look at the “dance” that must go on between the community of faith, known as the Church, and the Book, known as the Bible.

You ready?

PS. I think, and pray, that this series can be a help particularly to the doubtful, unbelieving, and maybe even the intellectual.