Review: Last week, we listened to Ravi Zacharias talk about some of the sources of conflict that have created tension between Christians and the surrounding secular culture. Some of those sources are outside the church, like the increase in science and technology and man's belief that he is self-sufficient and doesn't need God. Other sources of conflict include a shift toward secular influences in our schools and universities, the rise of a consumer culture, and the emergence of an urban industrial society. Ravi suggests that even more disturbing is a source from within the church, that being the call to abandon the notion of an authoritative Scripture.
Preview of this week's lesson: Because of the good discussion that we had on the topic of Scriptural authority, and because, in my opinion, we didn't have time to adequately address this issue, we are going to take a one-week detour from "Deliver Us From Evil" to talk about Scriptural authority and Biblical inerrancy. Inerrancy is the belief that when all the facts become known, they will demonstrate that the Bible, in its original autographs and correctly interpreted is entirely true and never false in all it affirms, whether that relates to doctrine or ethics or to social, physical, or life sciences. This is a huge topic that has engaged and divided some of the best thinkers for years, and there is no way to completely exhaust it in a short lesson. But I do look forward to good discussion and coming away with a basic understanding of the issues involved, why it matters, and how it ought to affect our faith. And don't forget your homework assignment: I want you to look up some verses that speak to the authority of Scripture and of God's word.
See you all on Sunday!Pat