Is the whole and complete Bible one hundred percent inherent?

Is the whole and complete Bible one hundred percent inherent? If one says yes, the Bible is indeed inerrant in all aspects, does this then depend on hermeneutics? Is the modern church of today creating new interpretations of the Bible to fit in today’s world, the world where political correctness reigns and human rights are demanded, is then the truth of the Bible bent?

In 2 Timothy 3:16, it reads, “All scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives. It corrects us when we are wrong and teaches us to do what is right,”[1] What about the case of homosexuality where the individual claims they are born that way, the same as someone who was born African American, and naturally seeks out human rights based on this belief? What is the Bible’s inerrant truth on this? What does the church have to say?

This paper’s purpose statement will take a peek into this topic and look to answer these questions. This will be done through the journal article, “Homosexual Hermeneutics and its Deadly Implications: A Pastoral Reflection,” written by Samuel. S. Shin. In addition, a brief overview of the analysis of this journal article that addresses this research topic, Bible inerrancy, and homosexuality will include but is not limited to the following explorations of Shin’s article. For example, “the definition of sin, the topic of family, human rights, the image of God, John Calvin views, the Scriptorial text that deals directly with the homosexuality issue, and then a look at the dismissal of Biblical authority and true inerrancy. This will be done in a critical interaction manner.

Brief Summary

Shin reviews the definition of sin as intentional individual rebellious acts against God and proposes the question of whether homosexuality is a sin.[2] Shin further discusses what the punishment of sin is if it is a sin. The attempt is made on the judgment of the gay movement and the church’s involvement as well as Bible inerrancy. The love and mercy that God has for the sinner, the church also has adopted, but to what means? To the means, it is a sin, or to the means, it isn’t?

Thus enters the final arbiter on this question of homosexuality and if it’s a sin, and that is Scripture itself.[3] Shin examines different biblical senses jumping from Genesis 12:4-11 to Genesis 19, to Jerimiah 23:14, and Ezekiel 16:45-50. Where he argues that if one were to ignore the sexual content of these biblical scenes then one is lost to the true biblical inerrancy, its context, and ultimate meaning.[4]

The article continues to explore scripture and lands at Lev 18:22: 20:13, where it reads with authority, “Do not practice homosexuality, having sex with another man as with a woman. It is a detestable sin.” However, even with this forthrightness of Scriptural inerrancy, Shin points out how the pro-gay movement and some churches as well as scholars take this truth and say it does not apply to today’s world. More specifically Shin states, “They argue that the text was wrapped in the pagan fertility cults of the time and remains an anachronism of Jewish culture, which was taboo.”[5] The point is also mentioned that those who believe this to be inerrant refer to Israel’s Holiness Code.[6] However, then the argument is if the Holiness Code was to be applied to today’s Christians then it would be a sin to eat rare steak, wear mixed fabrics, or have marital intercourse during a woman’s menstrual cycle.[7]

Another context of the article looks at the image of God. In this article’s context, the author states how after the fall of man the image of God is now a broken expression of man and is an important key aspect in the identification of the sin of homosexuality.[8] Yet God created males and females to represent the image of God to marry and procreate, and therefore same-sex relationships do not reflect the image of God.[9]

Critical Interaction

            Overall the author’s conclusion is one of forewarning to the churches. Will the churches of today pass the tests that they will inevitably face? “Can it stand firm against the sin of homosexuality (in the devil’s lair, so to speak) and yet be a purveyor of grace and love, without compromising the gospel?”[10] The author further concludes that homosexuality is a sin and he states his basis for that. First, same-sex partners Shin explains go against the male and female image of God. Shin reminds his readers of Romans 1:26-27 and states how it reiterates that same-sex relations are unnatural and punishable. Lastly, the author again restates how Biblical evidence condemns homosexuality and perceives it as a sin. He goes on to say directly to the scholars who have attempted to exegete the passages to favor their opinion, that they are either misinterpreting or rejecting Scritptorial inerrancy or both.[11]

Shin ends his article by reminding his readers to bring their sins to the cross. That we all fall short of the glory of God, but to continue to show mercy to sinners as a sinner are saved by that very mercy.”[12]

[1] Unelss other wise specified all Biblical Scriptures will be from the New Living Translation.

[2] Shin, Samuel S. “HOMOSEXUAL HERMENEUTICS AND ITS DEADLY IMPLICATIONS: A PASTORAL REFLECTION.” Trinity Journal 26, no. 1 (Spring, 2005), 94.

[3] Ibid, 99.

[4] Ibid, 102.

[5] Ibid, 104.

[6] Ibid,

[7] Ibid, 103.

[8] Ibid, 96.

[9] Ibid, 97.

[10] Ibid, 116.

[11] Ibid, 116.

[12] Ibid, 117.

This is the final phase of a Research Paper. (Part Three) Part ONE and Part Two as well as the instructions for part THREE have all been uploaded. I did the previous work and now my previous work on Parts ONE & TWO need to be used and integrated to form

Research Paper : Final Assignment Instructions

Overview:

Write the Research Paper using the Topic and Proposal you submitted. Your paper must have a thesis statement, which is an attempt to prove a point (this is not a survey of material). Your paper must be thoroughly documented and not contain your opinion, except in the Conclusion section.

Instructions:

Your Research Paper must include 6 sections:

1. Title Page
2. Table of Contents
3. Introduction and Thesis Statement
4. Body
5. Conclusion
6. Bibliography (including at least 12 sources, not counting the Bible or the course textbooks)

The format guidelines for this paper are as follows:

1. Footnotes are to be used to document research in the body of your paper (no in-text citations or endnotes). This paper must have a minimum of 20–25 footnotes.

2. The body of the paper (Introduction to Conclusion) must be a minimum of 12 full pages and not exceed 15 pages.
3. The completed paper must encompass all 6 sections above and be written in proper Turabian format (See the “LU Rawlings School of Divinity Writing Guide” for preferred Seminary Turabian standards).
4. Text must be double-spaced and written in 12 pt. Times New Roman font. Use a recent version of Microsoft Word in which to write your paper.
5. Misspellings, grammatical errors, poor syntax, excessive use of first person point of view, or failure to comply with all structural/content criteria will count against your grade.

Note: Your assignment will be checked for originality via the Turnitin plagiarism tool.