Over the years, I have often run into folks that do not want to discuss God’s Word because they are convinced that it is chock-full of errors. I always grin when I get that response and follow up with a comment and a question: “Ok, I get it. Could we start with you showing me one of those errors?”
As you might expect, no one has ever actually pointed out an error. They just believe there are a bunch of them!
Over the centuries, there have indeed been some publication errors and many of them are quite funny. For example, “The Camel’s Bible” of 1832 states that Rebekah left her tent to meet Isaac with a group of camels, not damsels. Not quite what the author was trying to share!
Then there was “The Wife-Hater Bible” published in 1810 which read, “If any man come to me and hate not his own wife (instead of life), he cannot be my disciple.” Marriage counselors do not prefer that version!
If we are wallowing in sin right now, we are going to like the “Sin On” Bible printed in Ireland in 1716. It encouraged its readers to “sin on more” rather than “sin no more.” And “The Wicked Bible” of 1631 reported the 7th commandment as a positive statement: “Thou shalt commit adultery.”
My favorite publication goof came in the 16th century when an American printer substituted the “Parable of the Vinegar” for the “Parable of the Vineyard.” (I am not a big fan of vinegar.)
In all those cases, a typesetter made a mistake and it wasn’t caught before the printing presses rolled. God’s Word is in fact, inerrant. The original documents were without a mistake. “Holy men of God spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit.” (II Peter 1:21)
We can have enormous confidence in our Bibles. And that confidence can translate into obedience as we seek to follow Christ. So this week, make it a point to grab your Bible, find a quiet corner and immerse yourself in His wisdom.
“Thy word have I hid in my heart that I might not sin against thee…” “I rejoice in following your statutes as one rejoices in great riches. I meditate on your precepts and consider your ways. I delight in your decrees, I will not neglect your word.” (Psalm 119; 11, 14-16)
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