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Question 8

Bercot notes that early Christians acknowledged “grammatical errors” (breaking conventional literary Greek rules) while still defending Scripture; how does this challenge common modern assumptions about inspiration, inerrancy, and what “perfection” in Scripture must look like?

Another way to ask: Early Christians admitted Scripture sometimes breaks normal Greek grammar rules but still defended it. How does that challenge modern ideas about inspiration, inerrancy, and what a “perfect” Bible should look like?

Direct Answer The transcript suggests inspiration and inerrancy are not the same thing as polished grammar or elite literary standards; Scripture can be fully trustworthy while using “unpolished” common language and even breaking conventional rules. This challenges the assumption that “perfect” Scripture must look like academically flawless writing.

Support from Transcript:

Arnobius acknowledges “grammatical errors” in the New Testament.
Bercot cautions: this is “not… in conflict with the belief in the inerrancy of Scripture.”
He explains it means writers “broke some of the rules of conventional literary Greek” because they wrote “for the common people.”
Earlier, Romans mocked the “humble diction,” and Christians “never denied” the unpolished Greek.
Bercot ties this to the Spirit’s choice: the Holy Spirit inspired Scripture in “the language of the common people… rather than… polished literary Greek.”

Discussion Follow-ups Do we expect God’s word to meet our academic standards before we trust it? How might that expectation itself be a “wisdom of men” filter?

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