One helpful way to address this problem is to learn how to separate these varied objections into distinct categories. This simple step allows us to organize our thinking. This helps us get a clearer picture of what particular opponent we are dealing with. So, here are the three categories of Bible objections. Indeed, I might argue that just about any objection falls into one of these three categories. Our purpose here is not to answer the objections but just to explain them.

When it comes to the truth of the Bible, our world has found plenty of reasons to reject it. We are bombarded with a dizzying variety of objections. So much so, that the average believer is quickly overwhelmed.

It’s a bit like being in a fight with multiple opponents at the same time.  You might have a chance in a one-on-one contest, but it is disorientating when punches are coming from all sides.  You can’t block them all.

One helpful way to address this problem is to learn how to separate these varied objections into distinct categories.  This simple step allows us to organize our thinking. This helps us get a clearer picture of what particular opponent we are dealing with.

So, here are the three categories of Bible objections.  Indeed, I might argue that just about any objection falls into one of these three categories.  Our purpose here is not to answer the objections but just to explain them.

The Bible’s Origins

The first category has to do with where the Bible comes from–i.e., its historical origins.  Objections abound in this category:  Who wrote the Bible? How did they get their information? Why should we trust them?

In addition, scholars have raised questions about whether the biblical books were really authored by the names attached to them.  What if they were forgeries?  What if they were written by someone pretending to be someone else?

On top of this are questions about the biblical canon.  Why just this number of books?  Who decided these were the right ones?  And what about the “other” books out there that didn’t make it into the canon?

So, there’s plenty of fodder for discussion in this first category.

The Bible’s Transmission

But, even if we conclude that the biblical authors are legitimate and trustworthy, and even if we have reasons to think we have the right books in our canon, there is still a second question to be asked: Do we actually have these books? Or, put more precisely, do we actually have the wordsof these books?

Even if, say, John wrote the Gospel that bears his name, and even if he is reliable, there’s still the question of whether we actually have what John wrote.  Were biblical books reliably copied?  Who were the scribes?  Did they make mistakes?  How many mistakes?

Of course, this sort of objection has gained new traction in recent years with the writings of Bart Ehrman. He has put his sights precisely on this question of whether these books have been reliably transmitted to us.  And he says they have not:

How does it help us to say that the Bible is the inerrant word of God if in fact we don’t have the words that God inerrantly inspired, but only the words copied by the scribes—sometimes correctly but sometimes (many times!) incorrectly?

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