The Apostolic Hedge

There are verses that Christian fundamentalists use to support inerrancy and full divinity of the Bible.

The one that I have heard the most most common is 2 Timothy 3:16. The verse states, “All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness” (NIV).

When cited, this verse is also used to support the literalism of the Bible. If the claim were the Bible were inerrant and metaphorical, then most people, including myself, would likely not object.

However, since the claim of Biblical inerrancy is conjoined with literalism, that creates problems. 

The Bible has plenty of clues to avoid this problem

The first is the Bible debates itself. For instance, if you were a first century Christian and wanted to know should you eat meat that was offered before idols, the Apostles themselves disagree. The Apostle Paul thought it was fine (1 Cor. 8), but Peter and John disapprove (Acts 15 and Rev. 2, respectively). John even calls it a “sin” to do so.

Other verses go straight against the notion that “God-breathed” means an inerrant, fully divine Biblical text. There are numerous “Apostolic Hedges,” where the Apostles themselves admit their own humanity.

One numerous occasions, the Apostle Paul admits that he is speaking of his own personal opinion, and not of a divine utterance that is channeled though him. These include 1 Cor. 7:6-7, 12 and 2 Cor. 11:17. For instance, in 1 Cor. 7:25, he states, "Now about virgins: I have no command from the Lord, but I give a judgment as one who by the Lord’s mercy is trustworthy." (NIV).

This verse is incompatible with the idea that "all Scripture is 'God-breathed'" means all verses were originally dictations from God, which the human author merely recoded. In fact, such a notion would mean that the Apostle Paul is lying or misunderstands that it an actual command from God. 

But let's move on. 

The Apostle Paul goes further to discount perfect knowledge in spiritual matters. In 1 Corinthians 13:12, he writes, “ For now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part”.

The Ancient Romans had glass, but it wasn’t the kind of clear glass that we know today. All glass (at least that which survived) was dark. It transmitted some light, but was distorted. Nothing was clear.

Here, Paul admits to a distorted, unclear spiritual sense and fully admits having an incomplete knowledge. This should include whether he is receiving a perfect dictation from God.

These Apostolic Hedges aren't limited to the Apostle Paul, but goes to the entire church of Jerusalem, including the Apostle Peter. This occurred at the Council of Jerusalem recorded in Acts 15.

Verse 28 states, “It seemed good to the Holy Spirit and to us not to burden you with anything beyond the following requirements.”

“It seemed good to the Holy Spirit and to us.” Just dwell on that.

They are not claiming it is entirely from God. In fact, they specifically acknowledge the human element in it.

This level of humility is very refreshing. How many times do we hear pastors quote the Bible as if you disagree, then you disagree with God?