In my years of directing the Presbyterian Panel, the topic that has proven the most difficult to study in any detail has been biblical inspiration.
Seems like a no-brainer, right? The Bible rests at the center of our tradition. What could be easier than asking a simple question or two about its authority and meaning?
Actually, nothing. But that is precisely the problem. Let me explain.
On more than one occasion we've approached the matter by asking a broad question. Results from a national sample survey of U.S. adults show considerable spread across three options, while Presbyterian responses, especially among clergy, are disproportionately found in the middle, "inspired" category (see Table 1).
| U.S. Adults |
PCUSA Members |
PCUSA Pastors |
|
| The Bible is: | 1993 | 1990 | 1990 |
| an ancient book of fables, legends, history, and moral precepts recorded by men and women | 16% | 4% | 1% |
| the inspired Word of God but not everything in it should be taken literally, word for word | 50% | 77% | 94% |
| the actual Word of God and is to be taken literally, word for word | 34% | 19% | 5% |
Therein lies the problem. It's not very helpful to ask a question and have almost everyone give the same answer, especially if the purpose is to examine variation among opinions. This question did, to be fair, suggest that few Presbyterians see the Bible as simply another collection of fables and stories and that, among the laity, a sizable minority continue to hold an inerrant perspective. But what about the remainder, the 77% of members and 94% of pastors who chose the middle option? Were they all thinking the same thing when they checked the box next to that statement?
In 1996, we tried to find out by giving respondents two choices instead of just one for the broad middle category. Combined, members chose these two options at about the same rate, 70%, as they had selected the single "inspired" option in 1990 (see Table 2; note that we also split the inerrant option as well), but clergy showed a precipitous decline, from 94% to 56%. Many more pastors chose one of the inerrant options. Was there a turn to the right in Presbyterian theology after 1990? Or was it an artifact of the significant wording changes?
| The Bible is: | Members | Pastors |
| an important piece of literature, but is largely irrelevant to our lives today | <1% | 0% |
| the record of many people's experience with God and is a useful guide for individual Christians in their search for basic moral and religious teachings | 28% | 5% |
| the Word of God and its stories and teaching provide a powerful motivation as we work toward God's reign in the world | 42% | 51% |
| the inspired, authoritative Word of God that is without error in all that it says about faith and morals | 18% | 38% |
| the inspired Word of God, without error not only in matters of faith, but also in historical, scientific, geographic and other secular matters | 10% | 4% |
Probably some of both. For the first time, respondents were offered a "qualified inerrancy" choice, and many, especially pastors, took it. But the results also indicate a sensitivity to traditional nomenclature, especially among clergy. Terms such as "inspired" or "Word of God" may be frustratingly ambiguous to a sociologist, but reassuringly so to a minister of the Word and Sacrament: 95% of pastors chose an option that contained either "inspired" or "Word of God" (or both).
We'll revisit the question of biblical meaning and inspiration through the Presbyterian Panel in a couple of years. If you have a thought about a fresh approach or want to suggest a new turn of phrase, send them to me, either via e-mail or post.
Email the author: Jack Marcum
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