The "literal, inerrant" reading of the biblical texts is a much more recent approach to reading the Bible than more critical methods. With the advent of scientific and archaeological studies that seemed to contradict aspects of the Christian canon, some responded with fear. This began slightly over one-hundred years ago. A critical approach that looks at the Bible and asks the following kinds of questions, allows us to avoid checking our brains at the door.
- Who wrote this book or subsection of the Bible?
- Who did they write it to?
- Why did they write it?
- What was the social and historical context of their lives?
- Why did the writer choose to write in the particular literary style?
This approach allows us to use the brains we have been given, accept science (yes, including evolution), and understand the meaning of the text better. This approach is much older (though it, too has evolved as humanity has learned more) than the "literal, inerrant," "God said it, I believe it, That settles it," kind of approach.
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