We don't have the originals, so how can you argue for inerrancy?
If we don't have the original biblical documents, but only possess
copies (that have copyist errors), then how can we argue that the original
documents were without error?
We don't need to have the original documents in order to demonstrate
their inerrancy any more than a prosecutor needs a body to prove a crime
has been committed. Inferences can be drawn from the evidence at hand,
and a reasonable conclusion can be argued from biblical principles.
First of all, the copies definitely have errors in them, but whether
or not they have errors does not necessitate that the originals did.
We don't need to have the original documents in order to demonstrate
their inerrancy anymore than a prosecutor needs a body to prove a crime
has been committed.
Second, the Scriptures are said to be God-breathed, i.e., inspired.
Second Timothy 3:16 says, "All Scripture is inspired by God and
profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in
righteousness." The word "inspired" is 'theopneustos',
God-breathed. This means that Scripture comes from God. Jesus said in
Luke 24:44-45, "These are My words which I spoke to you while I
was still with you, that all things which are written about Me in the
Law of Moses and the Prophets and the Psalms must be fulfilled."
45 Then He opened their minds to understand the Scriptures." Notice
At the Scriptures are referred to as the entire Old Testament. Furthermore,
Jesus said in John 10:35, “If he called them gods, to whom the word
of God came (and the Scripture cannot be broken)."
We see that Jesus speak for the entire Old Testament, to which John
the apostle refers to Scripture. Then we see that Jesus said the Scripture
cannot be broken. This means that it cannot fail. From this we can easily
conclude that the position of Jesus is that the Scriptures, the written
form, cannot fail, cannot be broken. Logically, this means that they
are without error.
Third, Jesus did not deal with the issue of copyist errors. He simply
stated that God's word cannot be broken. Likewise, we should take the
same stance.
Fourth, Jesus did not possess the original writings, yet he said that
they could not be broken and contain error.
Fifth, the New Testament is likewise considered Scripture by the Christian
Church. Therefore, it falls under the purview of all Scripture being
inspired of God.