Counterpoints: Five Views on Biblical Inerrancy

Counterpoints: Five Views on Biblical Inerrancy

Taught by Michael F. Bird, James R. A. Merrick, Stephen M. Garrett , R. Albert Mohler Jr. , Peter Enns, Kevin J. Vanhoozer , John R. Fanke

The Five Views on Biblical Inerrancy course explores the spectrum of evangelical positions on inerrancy. By facilitating understanding of the perspectives, particularly where and why they diverge, the course equips students for better-informed considerations of an important topic.

Course Details

  • 8 Units

  • Self-paced

  • 4 hours of video

  • Intermediate

  • Counterpoints: Five Views on Biblical Inerrancy

12 Month Access
$179.99 USD

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Course Description


There is little doubt that the inerrancy of the Bible is a current and often contentious topic among evangelicals. The Five Views on Biblical Inerrancy course showcases the spectrum of evangelical positions on inerrancy and facilitates understanding of these perspectives, particularly where and why they diverge.

Each unit in the course considers:

  • the present context and the viability and relevance of inerrancy for contemporary Christian witness;
  • whether and to what extent Scripture teaches its own inerrancy;
  • the position's assumed/implied understandings of the nature of Scripture, God, and truth; and
  • three difficult biblical texts: one that implies intra-canonical contradictions, one that raises questions of theological plurality, and one that concerns historicity.

The Five Views on Biblical Inerrancy course serves not only as a resource for surveying the current debate, but also as a catalyst both for understanding and advancing the conversation further. Featuring contributions from Al Mohler, Kevin Vanhoozer, Michael Bird, Peter Enns, and John Franke, course units provide viewers with the tools they need to draw informed conclusions on this debated issue.

By completing this course, you’ll gain:

  • Greater familiarity with and appreciation for varying views on biblical inerrancy
  • Insight into the relationship between important doctrines, such as inerrancy of the Bible, and today’s culture
  • A deeper understanding of the debate surrounding the Bible’s infallibility
  • Confidence in your growing knowledge through personalized review sessions and unit assessments

Meet Your Instructors

Michael F. Bird

PhD., University of Queensland

Michael F. Bird is a lecturer in theology at Ridley College in Melbourne, Australia. He is the author of many books, including Jesus and the Origins of the Gentile Mission, The Saving Righteousness of God: Studies on Paul, Justification, and the New Perspective, and Evangelical Theology, and editor of The Apostle Paul: Four Views. He blogs at the New Testament blog Euangelion.

James R. A. Merrick

MA, ThM, Trinity Evangelical Divinity School; PhD., University of Aberdeen

James R. A. Merrick is professor of theology, liturgy, and scripture for the Diocese of Altoona-Johnstown and theology and Latin teacher at St. Joseph’s Catholic Academy. Previously, he served as lecturer at Franciscan University of Steubenville and scholar-in-residence at the St. Paul Center for Biblical Theology.

Stephen M. Garrett

PhD., Trinity Evangelical Divinity School

Stephen M. Garrett is vice president of curriculum for Global Scholars. Previously, he was associate professor of religion and philosophy at the Vilnius Academy of Arts in Vilnius, Lithuania.

R. Albert Mohler Jr.

ThD., The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary

R. Albert Mohler Jr. is president of The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in Louisville, Kentucky, where he also serves as the Joseph Emerson Brown Professor of Christian Theology.

Peter Enns

PhD., Harvard University

Peter Enns is Abram S. Clemens Professor of Biblical Studies at Eastern University and is the author of several books, including Exodus in the NIV Application Commentary.

Kevin J. Vanhoozer

PhD., Cambridge University, England

Kevin J. Vanhoozer is research professor of systematic theology at Trinity Evangelical Divinity School in Deerfield, Illinois.

John R. Fanke

DPhil., Oxford

John R. Franke serves as theologian-in-residence with Second Presbyterian Church of Indianapolis.

Course Outline

  • Introduction

  • When the Bible Speaks, God Speaks: The Classic Doctrine of Biblical Inerrancy

  • Inerrancy, However Defined, Does Not Describe What the Bible Does

  • Inerrancy Is Not Necessary for Evangelicalism Outside the USA

  • Augustinian Inerrancy: Literary Meaning, Literal Truth, and Literate Interpretation in the Economy of Biblical Discourse

  • Recasting Inerrancy: The Bible as Witness to Missional Plurality

  • Conclusion: Opening Lines of Communication

    FINAL EXAM


BibleMesh is now offering an integrated reading experience for our new book-based courses. As before, students will be guided through their reading with book excerpts embedded within the course. This allows for an improved reading experience within the course. Students will also be able to pop out the book reader into a full-screen, fully-featured web-based reading platform where they will be able to see the wider context of each excerpt and access the complete book.

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