Rescuing Inerrancy: A Scientific Defense

by Hugh Ross

Theologians, pastors, and churchgoers face a growing crisis. An increasing number of respected evangelical scholars say it's time to rethink the bedrock doctrine of biblical inerrancy. They claim that new scientific findings necessitate an overhaul of inerrancy for Christianity to remain viable in the intellectual sphere.

In Rescuing Inerrancy, astrophysicist Hugh Ross offers a scientific defense of biblical inerrancy. He provides evidence for a moderate concordist view of dual revelation-the notion that God faithfully reveals himself in the book of Scripture and the book of nature.

Ross's survey of the latest scientific evidence will equip you to defend this historical view and instill confidence that the testimony of nature will always concord with the words of Scripture.

Genres: Christian, Science, Faith

341 pages, Kindle Edition

Published January 9, 2024

About the author

HUGH ROSS launched his career at age seven when he went to the library to find out why stars are hot. Physics and astronomy captured his curiosity and never let go. At age seventeen he was the youngest person ever to serve as director of observations for Vancouver's Royal Astronomical Society. With the help of a provincial scholarship and a National Research Council (NRC) of Canada fellowship, he completed his undergraduate degree in physics (University of British Columbia) and graduate degrees in astronomy (University of Toronto). The NRC also sent him to the United States for postdoctoral studies. At Caltech he researched quasi-stellar objects, or "quasars," some of the most distant and ancient objects in the universe.

Hugh's unshakable confidence that God's revelation in Scripture and nature do not, will not, and cannot contradict became his unique message. Communicating that message as broadly and clearly as possible became his mission, wholeheartedly encouraged by family and friends. He and his colleagues at Reasons To Believe keep tabs on the frontiers of research to share with scientists and nonscientists alike the thrilling news of what's being discovered and how it connects with biblical theology. In this realm, he has written many books, including: The Fingerprint of God, The Creator and the Cosmos, Beyond the Cosmos, The Genesis Question, A Matter of Days, Creation As Science, and Why the Universe Is the Way It Is, due to be released October 1, 2008.

Between writing books and articles and hosting Creation Update, a weekly live webcast, Hugh travels the world challenging students and faculty, churches and professional groups to consider what they believe and why. He presents a persuasive case for Christianity without applying pressure. Because he treats people's questions and comments with respect, he is in great demand as a speaker and as a talk-radio and television guest.

Hugh lives in Southern California with his wife, Kathy, and two sons—and two cats.

from reasons.org

Reviews

[Andy Zach · Rating 4 out of 5]

Author and scientist Hugh Ross does a great job of examining the subject of Biblical inerrancy. First, he traces its history from the Hebrews to the Christians until today. He shows how it was a fundamental and indisputable doctrine until the last century or two. He shows how it came into disrepute, first among atheists and agnostics, then liberal Christians. Recently many evangelic and conservative Christians have begun questioning inerrancy.

Dr. Ross reviews the arguments against inerrancy and then he refutes them from a scientific point of view. Dr. Ross came to faith as an atheist and agnostic, who became convinced of the Bible's inerrancy by its scientific accuracy, especially with regard to to Genesis 1. He reviews the six days of creation and shows how they correspond to known epochs of the earth's history. He also shows how the Hebrew word for day can refer to an indeterminate period of time.

The scientific aspects of this book are clear enough for a layperson to understand. Dr. Ross's arguments will make believers and non-believers reconsider their previous views of the Bible.

Overall, this is a readable and stimulating discussion of the Bible and science.

[Carey Smoak · Rating 4 out of 5]

The goal of this book is to defend Biblical inerrancy especially with respect to scientific information that seems to contradict the Bible. Dr. Ross shows that God's two books of revelation - Nature and the Bible do not conflict. Dr. Ross provides sound scientific explanations for the concordance of science and the Bible.

[J.J. Richardson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good read. I wish it had more on its proposed creation model approach, but that has been shown in other books. The capitulation of well known scholars is disturbing.