The following is my response.
Hansen <<A refutation of literally hundreds of alleged Bible contradictions/errors may be found in: 1. "When Critics Ask," by Norman Geisler and Thomas Howe (1992), and 2. Encyclopedia of Bible Difficulties," by Gleason L. Archer (1982)>>
Dar< I have studied both of these books very closely. I agree they are probably the most popular. They may give the gullible some solace, but not those that examine carefully what these two say and the methods they use. Soon I will post some articles I have written examining the reasoning of these two books.
TruthIseek then lists 9 other apologetic sources, many of which I am familiar with, though not all. However, I do not think it is necessary to examine every blue print for every perpetual motion machine or every theory for the flatness of the earth before surmising quite correctly they do not (and never will) work.
Truth< Have you searched the available literature in support of the claim that the Bible is the inspired, inerrant Word of God? If not, then you are being intellectually dishonest if you conclude that the Bible contains contradictions.
Dar< I have. This plays both ways. Have you searched the literature that examines critically the extraordinary CLAIM that the Bible is the inspired, inerrant Word of God? Or put another way, have you searched the available literature in support of the idea that the Bible is the uninspired and the very errant word of men? Not all of it, just some of the more popular and established works. If not, it is just as fair to say that you are being dishonest if you conclude that the Bible is perfect.
Truth< Intellectually honest individuals do not draw conclusions based on incomplete analyses.
Dar< Well put. In fact a quote on the masthead of The Skeptical Review (see below), which deals with the issue of inerrancy from the other angle is: "It is wrong, always, everywhere, and for everyone, to believe anything upon insufficient evidence." --W.K. Clifford. They can say this confidently because the evidence of those who claim inerrancy for the Bible can be said to be extremely "insufficient," to say the least.
I noticed that although you claim to quest for intellectual honesty you fail to list any sources that examine the issue from the other perspective? Hmmm.... wonder why?
Here are a few of my favorites:
The Skeptical Review, edited by X-Church of Christ minister, missionary (now English professor) Farrell Till. It deals specifically with the issue of biblical errancy. Numerous debates. Great detail. Fundamentalist responses welcomed, printed, then promptly demolished. The first year subscription is free Yearly subscriptions thereafter are $5, foreign $7. You can simply e-mail your address to Jftill@aol.com or mail it to: Skepticism, Inc., P.O. Box 717, Canton, IL 61520-0717
Back issues are only a dollar and a excellent resource (there are about 24. It was a quarterly for the first several years). Also videos of Mr. Till debating various inerrantists (including the terminally stunned Norman Geisler, co-author of When Critics Ask) are available to rent for a couple of dollars. (Gleason Archer and McDowell have repeatedly turned Mr. Till down.)
Mr. Till also has a e-mail list set up to discuss the issue. Contact him for information on how to join. Jftill@aol.com
There is also the newsletter Biblical Errancy put out by Dennis Mckinsey. It is $12 per year and available at: Biblical Errancy 3158 Sherwood Park Drive Springfield, Ohio 45505 (513) 323-6146
Mr. Mckinsey also has a recently published book entitled The Encyclopedia Of Biblical Errancy, (553 pgs. $50). Very well indexed. Devastating. It is available from the address above, or Prometheus Books: 59 John Glenn Drive Amherst, New York 14228-2197
He will apparently have a large debaters handbook out soon as well.
I highly recommend a book by X-evangelist and recording artist Dan Barker. His book is entitled, Losing Faith In Faith: From Preacher To Atheist. He has debated the issue many times and doesn't leave much doctrinal rubble after addressing a doctrinal issue. (soft cover, 392 pgs. $20)
Available from: Freedom From Religion Foundation, Inc. PO Box 750 Madison WI 53701-0750 (608) 256-8900
Prometheus also has many other books on this subject. You can get their catalogue free by calling 1-800- 421-0351
Another catalogue that has many similar books is H.H. Waldo. A free copy of their catalog can be sent to you by calling 1-800-66-WALDO (92536).
It is interesting to watch as the doctrine of inerrancy slowly (actually not so slowly) declines. Consider this quote from the book "One Nation Under God." It documents the largest religious survey of religious beliefs ever taken in the US. (A poll of 113,000 Americans).
"Changes in the educational levels of the general population in recent years appear to account for much of the variance in biblical beliefs over time. The current proportion of biblical literalists is 32%, only half of what it was in 1963, when 65% of Americans said they believed in the absolute truth of all words in the Bible and that it represented the actual word of God. Belief in inerrancy is most likely to be found among people who did not complete high school (58%), and least likely among college graduates (29%)." -- One Nation Under God, (1993) Barry A. Kosmin & Seymour P. Lachman. pg. 268.
A 30% decline in 30 years.
Of course, this does not make the doctrine false, but it is interesting to observe nontheless. I submit that the doctrine of inerrancy is experiencing this decline because it is untenable. For a thorough examination of this issue, I encourage inerrancy believers to look into the works given above.
Cheers,
D.