‘Inerrant Theologian’

I am grateful to Mr. John A. Vanderford (The Alabama Baptist, Dec. 12, 2002) for his kind comments concerning my new book, “Is the Father of Jesus the God of Muhammad?” I wanted to state clearly the major differences between Christianity and Islam in a way that would help Christians reach out to Muslims with love and understanding. Not many Muslims will be led to Jesus by raucous rhetoric or bitter denunciations. It is possible to win an argument and lose a soul. The same verse that tells us to be prepared to give a reason for the hope we have in Christ also tells us how this should be done — with gentleness and respect (1 Pet. 3:15). I must, however, demur from Mr. Vanderford's designation of me as “an inerrant theologian.” As an evangelical theologian, I affirm without reservation the inerrancy of Holy Scripture. But as my colleagues and critics (not to say my wife) can well attest, I am neither infallible nor inerrant.

Timothy George
Dean, Beeson Divinity School