Articles > Systematic Theology > Doctrine of Biblical Inerrancy > Scriptural Response to Two Common Objections

Part XIV: Scriptural Response to Two Common Objections

(NOTE: For the purpose of this outline, it will be limited only to show how Scripture refutes common objections employed against Biblical inerrancy.)

I. Objection #1: Moses did not write the Pentateuch! This view attempts to undermine the historicity of the first five books in the Bible.

A. If Moses did not write the first five books, it would fit the presuppositions and expectation of those who believe that the Bible is errant.

B. Response

1. This was not what early first century Jews believed.

a. "Philip found Nathanael and told him, 'We have found the one Moses wrote about in the Law, and about whom the prophets also wrote-Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph." (John 1:45)

i. This text shows that an early disciple of Jesus stated this truth in a matter of fact fashion.

ii. This should lead one to question about the historicity of the doctrine of errancy as part of the historical and Biblical faith of the Jews.

2. Jesus taught that Moses wrote the Pentateuch

a. "And Jesus said to him, 'See that you tell no one; but go, show yourself to the priest, and present the offering that Moses prescribed, for a testimony to them." (Matthew 8:4)

i. Jesus was talking about the Laws, which he stated as prescribed by Moses.

b. "For Moses said, 'Honor your father and your mother,' and 'Anyone who curses his father and your mother must be put to death.'" (Mark 7:10)

i. Jesus quoted from the Laws (since the passage are found in Exodus, Deuteronomy and Leviticus) and attributed it directly to Moses

c. "Now about the dead rising-have you not read in the book of Moses, in the account of the bush, how God said to him, 'I am the God of Abraham, the God of Issac, and the God of Jacob?'" (Mark 12:26)

i. Here, Jesus quotes from Exodus 3:6 in his argument against the Sadducees and attributed to Moses

d. "He said to them, 'This is what I told you while I was still with you: Everything must be fulfilled that is written about me in the Law of Moses, the Prophets and the Psalms." (Luke 24:44)

i. Jesus refers to the first five books as the "Law of Moses"

e. The weight of Jesus words

i. Some argued that Jesus was ignorant about who wrote the first five books and only parroted what the early Jews believed

ii. But this is out of character with Jesus, who is the Truth, the Way and the Life (John 14:6)

ii. Jesus knows the truth and only speaks truth, not lies and mistakes

3. Moved by the Spirit, Paul also wrote that Moses was an author of Scripture

a. "Again, I ask: Did Israel not understand? First, Moses says, 'I will make you envious by those who are not a nation; I will make you angry by a nation that has no understanding.'" (Romans 10:19)

b. This was quoted from Deuteronomy 32:21 and attributed to Moses as the author.

4. Moved by the Spirit, Luke also wrote in Scripture that Moses authored Scripture

a. "And beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, he explained to them what was said in all the Scriptures concerning himself." (Luke 24:27)

II. Objection #2: Isaiah did not write Isaiah but the book was written by others at different times!

A. This objection typically attempts to explain Isaiah as written in two parts, the first part being chapter 1-39 and the second part being chapter 40-66.

1. Liberals say Chapter 40-66 was not written by Isaiah.

B. Response: Scripture frequently refer to one Isaiah, and never two Isaiah.

1. "This man has gone to Jerusalem to worship, and on his way home was sitting in his chariot reading the book of Isaiah the prophet." (Acts 8:28)

2. Other verses

a. All the verses that are used below also reinforce this point by mentioning one Isaiah.

C. Portions of Isaiah 40-66 is attributed to Isaiah according to the New Testament.

1. "This is he who was spoken of through the prophet Isaiah: 'A voice of one calling in the desert, "Prepare the way for the Lord, make straight paths for him."'" (Matthew 3:3 quoting Isaiah 40:3)

2. "This was to fulfill what was spoken through the prophet Isaiah: 'Here is my servant whom I have chosen, the one I love, in whom I delight; I will put my Spirit on him, and he will proclaim justice to the nations. He will not quarrel or cry out; no one will hear his voice in the streets. A bruised reed he will not break, and a smoldering wick he will not snuff out, till he leads justice to victory. In his name the nations will put their hope.'" (Matthew 12:17-21, quoting Isaiah 42:1-4)

3. "As it is written in the book of the words of Isaiah the prophet: 'A voice of one calling in the desert, 'Prepare the way for the Lord, make straight paths for him. Every valley shall be filled in, every mountain and hill made low. The crooked roads shall become straight, the rough ways smooth. And all mankind will see God's salvation.''" (Luke 3:4-6, quoting Isaiah 40:3-5)

4. Other verses

a. Romans 10:16 quoting Isaiah 53:1

b. Romans 10:20 quoting Isaiah 65:1

c. Romans 10:21 quoting Isaiah 65:2

D. Both portion of Isaiah are attributed back to back as written by Isaiah

1. "This was to fulfill the word of Isaiah the prophet: 'Lord, who has believed our message and to whom has the arm of the Lord been revealed?' For this reason they could not believe, because, as Isaiah says elsewhere: 'He has blinded their eyes and deadened their hearts, so they can neither see with their eyes, nor understand with their hearts, nor turn-and I would heal them.' Isaiah said this because he saw Jesus' glory and spoke about him." (John 12:38-41)

a. Notice that prophet Isaiah was mentioned three times

b. The first portion was quoted from Isaiah 53:1

c. Isaiah 6:10