BS: inerrancy

Subject: BS: inerrancy
From: GUEST,wordy
Date: 25 Apr 06 - 07:57 AM

I've just read this word (inerrancy) in the heresy thread. Not in my dictionary. I think it's another American invention, but what does it mean, what is its root and where does it come from?

Subject: RE: BS: inerrancy
From: jacqui.c
Date: 25 Apr 06 - 08:01 AM

I didn't know this one but you can find it here

Subject: RE: BS: inerrancy
From: GUEST,wordy
Date: 25 Apr 06 - 08:15 AM

Thanks Jacqui, I understand its use in context ie literal, however that doesn't answer my questions although it does show it is already in use on the net. When did it first appear, and where from?

Subject: RE: BS: inerrancy
From: Jeri
Date: 25 Apr 06 - 08:20 AM

Or here (dictionary.com)

Dictionaries do not posess the quality inerrancy.

Of course, it may still be an American invention but it's the antonym of 'errancy', the state of erring. Most Americans would use this word if you were wrong. I think they'd just say, "You made a mistake," or they'd use words that are commonly spelled with asterisks.

Subject: RE: BS: inerrancy
From: John MacKenzie
Date: 25 Apr 06 - 08:21 AM

I can only find reference to it in a biblical context, and I suspect that it may be another one of those verbs based on nouns which are becoming ubiquitous, like summiting a mountain, which I have heard. Boy did it make my toes curl too!!
Giok

Subject: RE: BS: inerrancy
From: Jeri
Date: 25 Apr 06 - 08:24 AM

Sorry - I posted before I read your reply. I don't know when the word surfaced, but it seems to be a concept that has some history within the Catholic church. Infallibility of Pope, inerrancy of Bible. I'm not sure there's a way to tell when the word first surfaced, but maybe when Joe Offer wakes up, he'll know something.

Subject: RE: BS: inerrancy
From: Jeri
Date: 25 Apr 06 - 08:25 AM

It's a noun.

Subject: RE: BS: inerrancy
From: bobad
Date: 25 Apr 06 - 09:31 AM

Does it have something to do with belly button tendencies ie. innerancy vs. outerancy?

Subject: RE: BS: inerrancy
From: GUEST,wordy
Date: 25 Apr 06 - 09:34 AM

So Dictionary.com has it at 2003. I thought so. A new invention not based on true language use. And what an ugly word too!

Subject: RE: BS: inerrancy
From: Amos
Date: 25 Apr 06 - 09:37 AM

Definitions of inerrant on the Web:

inerrable: not liable to error; "the Church was...theoretically inerrant and omnicompetent"-G.G.Coulton; "lack an inerrant literary sense"; "an unerring marksman"
wordnet.princeton.edu/perl/webwn

Definitions of inerrancy on the Web:

The fact that the Scriptures are free from any mistake or falsehood, and that what they reveal concerning any subject will not ultimately be capable of being proven to be false.
www.calvarychapel.com/redbarn/terms.htm

free from error, especially applying to the Bible
jmahoney.com/glossary.htm

The quality of freedom from error which is possessed by the Bible.
www.dtl.org/trinity/misc/glossary.htm

relates to the correctness of the Bible in factual assertions (including historical and scientific assertions).
www.kids.net.au/encyclopedia-wiki/ne/New_Testament

Without error, non-errant. In Christianity, inerrancy states that the Bible, in its original documents, is without error regarding facts, names, dates, and any other revealed information. Inerrancy does not extend to the copies of the biblical manuscripts.
www.gbgm-umc.org/quakerroad/daleapolo/Dictionary4v1.html

(Christianity) exemption from error; "biblical inerrancy"
wordnet.princeton.edu/perl/webwn

---

How anyone can suggest that a gaggle of mixed manuscripts from a dozen sects, over several hundred years, often reporting information several gwenerations old, can be inerrant escapes me at the moment. I guess once you interject the Word of God definition, anything becomes possible. Further, deponent sayeth not.

A

Subject: RE: BS: inerrancy
From: Rapparee
Date: 25 Apr 06 - 09:42 AM

The word can be found in Webster's Second International unabridged dictionary, which was copyrighted in 1959. For the history of the word I suggest you check the OED -- I'd do it for you but I don't have a copy at home and besides, you can look it up yourself.

Subject: RE: BS: inerrancy
From: John Hardly
Date: 25 Apr 06 - 09:54 AM

"Inerrant" is equal to "literal" in the same manner that "automobile" is equal to "upholstery".

Subject: RE: BS: inerrancy
From: John MacKenzie
Date: 25 Apr 06 - 10:01 AM

The biggest problem from my side of the pond with this word is the US use of 'in' as a prefix instead of 'un'. This totally changes meanings of words, like inflammable, which in Britain means 'likely' to go up in flames, and in the US as I understand it, means 'NOT likely' to go up in flames.
Giok

Subject: RE: BS: inerrancy
From: Ebbie
Date: 25 Apr 06 - 10:23 AM

Sorry, Giok, 'summiting' is used in that crowd. *G* Kind of like 'topping', I suppose.

Subject: RE: BS: inerrancy
From: Bee-dubya-ell
Date: 25 Apr 06 - 10:49 AM

There seems to be a natural tendency among English speakers toward creating a noun ending in "cy" from any adjective ending in "nt". Once the adjective "inerrant" was coined, the noun "inerrancy" was pretty much an inevitable consequence.

Subject: RE: BS: inerrancy
From: John MacKenzie
Date: 25 Apr 06 - 10:52 AM

To be closely followed by inerrantish no doubt.
I can see the upcoming schoolboy howlers even now, 'The meek shall inerrant the earth', springs to mind.
Giok

Subject: RE: BS: inerrancy
From: Amos
Date: 25 Apr 06 - 10:56 AM

Inflammable means capable of being sent up in flames. Non-flammable means unable to go up in flames.

The prefix in- has more than one definition. It means "not" as in inattentive and ineluctable. It means "to" or "into" as in induction and inference. And it means "without" or "beyond" as in inestimable and invaluable. And several others as well. For a complete list, see the OED or the American Heritage.


A

Subject: RE: BS: inerrancy
From: John MacKenzie
Date: 25 Apr 06 - 11:21 AM

That's the same usage as I have Amos, but I assure you I've heard it used in the sense I mentioned previously.
G..

Subject: RE: BS: inerrancy
From: Jack the Sailor
Date: 25 Apr 06 - 11:28 AM

I think its an answer to the age old question..

Where do you find the best tim whistle players.

In Erin, see?

Subject: RE: BS: inerrancy
From: Bee-dubya-ell
Date: 25 Apr 06 - 11:31 AM

One of the questions every American schoolchild asks is "Why does 'inflamable' mean can catch fire, while 'inedible' means can't be eaten?" Then we grow up and accept that "rules of English" is an oxymoron.

Subject: RE: BS: inerrancy
From: Jack the Sailor
Date: 25 Apr 06 - 11:51 AM

Park in a driveway drive on a parkway.

Subject: RE: BS: inerrancy
From: Ebbie
Date: 25 Apr 06 - 12:24 PM

Amos, what does 'flammable' mean? :)

Subject: RE: BS: inerrancy
From: GUEST,ClaireBear
Date: 25 Apr 06 - 01:22 PM

My understanding is that "flammable" is a revisionist word (is that called a back-construction?) decided upon precisely because it was felt "inflammable" was likely to be misunderstood as meaning fireproof.

I assure you, Giok, that despite the abovementioned concern, I have never seen "inflammable" used to mean "fireproof" -- which of course doesn't mean it could not happen, only that in my fifty-odd years, I've never seen it (and in my position as a technical editor, I might reasonably expect to see it if it was there to be seen).

Claire

Subject: RE: BS: inerrancy
From: John MacKenzie
Date: 25 Apr 06 - 01:26 PM

I have, but I'm buggered if I can remember exactly where. I'm getting to the age where I can remember facts with absolute clarity but can't remember where I garnered them.
As for remembering the names folks and places; sheesh!!
Giok

Subject: RE: BS: inerrancy
From: autolycus
Date: 25 Apr 06 - 03:42 PM

The original OED has "inerrancy" first recorded in a work published 1818-1834.


   Ivor

Subject: RE: BS: inerrancy
From: Rapparee
Date: 25 Apr 06 - 04:26 PM

Okay. Here's from the 2nd edition of the OED:

"Inerrancy" was first used by Thomas Horne in his And Introduction to the critical study and knowledge of the Scriptures, 7th ed., which was published by T. Cadell in London.

"Inerrability" was first used in 1627 in Baiting Pope's Bull.

"Inerrable" was first used in Jackson's Creed in 1613.

The word does not have an origin in US, but in Britain. If you disagree, please talk to the folks at the Oxford English Dictionary.

Subject: RE: BS: inerrancy
From: Dave (the ancient mariner)
Date: 25 Apr 06 - 05:29 PM

Many people also use the word "irregardless" but it has no real substance as a word other than common language usage amongst some people. The fact that it is used by so many ordinary people in day to day language prompts Webster to include it, also the Oxford dictionary. The English language evolves as required.

Subject: RE: BS: inerrancy
From: frogprince
Date: 25 Apr 06 - 08:33 PM

"Inerrant" is to the Bible as "unsinkable" was to the Titanic.
(If the Titanic had been properly evaluated, and used accordingly, it would have been a worthwhile asset instead of a total disaster; the same might be said of the Bible)

Subject: RE: BS: inerrancy
From: Rapparee
Date: 25 Apr 06 - 08:53 PM

Yup, FP. Yup.

Subject: RE: BS: inerrancy
From: Joe Offer
Date: 25 Apr 06 - 10:49 PM

Well, I woke up. It was a nice nap. Both are technical terms that are widely misunderstood.

"Inerrancy" is almost always used in connection with scripture. The Roman Catholic concept of inerrancy of scripture is that the scriptures (the Bible) teach truth, without error, for the sake of salvation. Catholics and mainstream Christians take this to mean that the Bible is true in its teaching of matters of faith, although it was not intended to be a scientific or historical document and should not be expected to be completely accurate in matters of science or history. It is, however, a true reflection of the faith of believers and of their relationship to God. More conservative Christians tend to take the term "inerrancy" to mean that the Bible is correct in every aspect, including history and science. Many conservative Christians do not accept the possibility that literary forms such as allegory may have been used in parts of Scripture, such as the creation stories, and the stories of Job and Jonah (and the whale), and the like.

"Infallibility" refers to the inerrancy of certain doctrines, definitive teachings on matters of faith and morals. The term "infallibility" is often used to refer to the Pope, but that is a misconception. Most "infallible" doctrines are beliefs that are commonly held by all Christians, not just Catholics.

There's more, but I guess that's a pretty good basic understanding, from a Catholic perspective.

-Joe Offer-

While it may not apply to the Pope, the term "infallibility" certainly does apply to "Chief of the Mudcat Editing Team." Thank you for your support.

Subject: RE: BS: inerrancy
From: Rapparee
Date: 25 Apr 06 - 10:53 PM

Joe, did you ever read the book How the Pope Became Infallible?

Subject: RE: BS: inerrancy
From: Joe Offer
Date: 25 Apr 06 - 11:40 PM

Didn't read that one, Rapaire, but I've read a fair amount on the topic (and I have to say that it's a topic that causes me some uneasiness). What's that book say, in 50 words or less?
There's information about the book, and a pretty good article on infallibility at atheism.about.com - although I'm not sure what it has to do with atheism. -Joe-

Subject: RE: BS: inerrancy
From: Q (Frank Staplin)
Date: 26 Apr 06 - 01:30 AM

Just read Bill Moyers article linked by Ebbie in thread 90893: Time for Heresy
He could not have found a better word.

Subject: RE: BS: inerrancy
From: artbrooks
Date: 26 Apr 06 - 08:34 AM

OED:

The quality or condition of being inerrant or unerring; freedom from error.
1818-34 HORNE Introd. Crit. Stud. Script. (ed. 7) II. II. 81 Absolute inerrancy is impracticable in any printed book.
1865 PUSEY Eiren. 326 The old Ultramontane doctrine of the inerrancy of the Pope, i.e. that of his preservation from error.
1880 19th Cent. Sept. 429 The superstition..which magnifies the wisdom of our ancestors into inerrancy.

Subject: RE: BS: inerrancy
From: Arne
Date: 27 Apr 06 - 12:51 AM

"Inerrant" is equal to "literal" in the same manner that "automobile" is equal to "upholstery".

I thought it was just spoken with a silent "g"....

Cheers,

Subject: RE: BS: inerrancy
From: GUEST,Mrr
Date: 27 Apr 06 - 02:51 PM

Irregardless was one of Nixon's words.