Position Paper

Position Paper: The Elective Status of “The Perfect Bible” or “Preservation of the Bible” in Seminary Curriculum

I. Introduction

The purpose of theological education is to prepare ministers, scholars, and servants of Christ who can rightly divide the Word of Truth and lead the church with wisdom and humility. In pursuit of this goal, seminary curricula must balance doctrinal foundations with academic freedom. While the study of Scripture is unquestionably central to all theological training, certain topics concerning its textual transmission and preservation should remain elective rather than compulsory.

This paper argues that the subject commonly referred to as “The Perfect Bible,” "Verbal Plenary Preservation," or “Preservation of the Bible” should be offered as an elective course, not a required component of the core curriculum. The rationale is both theological and pedagogical: the topic involves interpretive diversity, denominational variation, and personal conviction that extend beyond the essential doctrines shared by the global Christian community.

II. Theological Basis

All orthodox Christian traditions affirm that the Holy Scriptures are inspired by God, authoritative for faith and practice, and sufficient for salvation and sanctification. These affirmations belong to the heart of Christian doctrine and therefore rightfully form part of every seminary’s required foundation courses in Bibliology, Hermeneutics, and Systematic Theology.

However, the notion of a “perfect Bible” or specific theory of textual preservation does not enjoy the same level of universal agreement. Views vary widely among scholars and denominations. Some hold that divine preservation guarantees the inerrancy of a particular manuscript tradition (e.g., the Byzantine Text or the Textus Receptus), while others understand preservation as God’s providential safeguarding of His Word through the multiplicity of textual witnesses across centuries. Both perspectives affirm divine faithfulness but differ on the means of its expression.

Because these interpretations move beyond the central doctrine of inspiration into the realm of textual theory, they cannot be presented as binding dogma. To require all seminarians to adopt or engage with a particular stance as mandatory study risks confusing theological essentials with scholarly opinions.

III. Pedagogical and Academic Considerations

A compulsory course communicates institutional endorsement of a uniform view. In matters where no such consensus exists within the broader Christian academy, compulsion can create unnecessary division and inhibit intellectual exploration.

Conversely, offering “The Perfect Bible” "Verbal Plenary Preservation" or “Preservation of the Bible” as an elective fosters a climate of academic openness and responsible inquiry. It allows students with a specific interest in textual criticism, translation theory, or manuscript history to pursue these subjects under scholarly supervision without binding the consciences of others.

Elective treatment encourages:

• Critical engagement with the historical and textual formation of Scripture.

• Respect for the diversity of traditions within the Body of Christ.

• Freedom of thought within the boundaries of orthodox faith.

This approach aligns with the seminary’s mission to cultivate both conviction and humility—conviction in the authority of God’s Word and humility regarding interpretive and textual differences.

IV. Doctrinal Unity and Institutional Integrity

Unity in theological education must rest on the essentials of the Christian faith, not on uniformity in secondary theories. The Apostles’ Creed and the Nicene Creed provide the shared confessional basis for all Christian institutions. These ancient declarations affirm the inspiration of Scripture without prescribing one particular view of its preservation.

Maintaining “The Perfect Bible” "Verbal Plenary Preservation" or “Preservation of the Bible” as an elective preserves doctrinal unity while protecting institutional integrity. It communicates that the seminary stands firm on the authority of Scripture yet allows legitimate diversity in understanding the process by which God has preserved His Word throughout history.

V. Conclusion

In conclusion, the seminary should affirm the following principles:

1. The inspiration and authority of Scripture are non-negotiable and belong to the core theological curriculum.

2. Theories concerning the “perfect” or “preserved” form of the Bible, being interpretive and historically variable, should be studied as elective material.

3. Academic freedom in this area strengthens faith, fosters unity, and prevents the elevation of secondary matters to the level of doctrinal absolutes.

By maintaining this balance, the seminary will uphold the integrity of theological education, safeguard the unity of the church, and model an approach to truth that is both faithful and intellectually responsible.

DO NOT IMPOSE !