Advice for New Members

When joining the Errancy list:

1. Lurk before contributing. The temptation when joining the errancy list, usually under the impression that the inerrancy doctrine can be easily demonstrated is to respond to everything. Experience and observation tell me that such is not a wise course of action. Better to settle in a bit, follow a few threads and get to know what you are up against.

2. When you decide to submit a post, be selective. You don't need to respond to everything that is posted, indeed bear in mind that one post from a Bible believing Christian will normally generate at least three or four replies all looking for their post to be answered! A further help to the selection of which posts to answer is a consideration of whether they actually deal with the subject of Biblical errancy. It would surprise you how many times topics stray away from this area into others.

3. Pick your subject, research it thoroughly, check it against both skeptical and apologetical sources such as The Secular Web, Farrell Till's online journal - The Skeptical Review , Glenn Miller's Unravelling Wittgensteins Net - A Christian ThinkTank or others [see my Links page].

A. First, check the post out for logical fallacies, such as begging the question, non sequitur's etc. etc. (Buy a good book on logical fallacies or check out a web site on the subject. There is little point in spending much time and energy on a lengthy post only to be met with the response that you have done nothing else than 'beg the question of Bible inerrancy, or inspiration or accuracy of the text etc.' Make sure, as much as is possible that your post is logically sound as well as Scripturally accurate.

B. Run your post through a spell-checker, and as far as your knowledge of such will take you check it is grammatically proper. Such will save you being the recipient of endless lectures from Farrell Till and/or Nancy Todd on proper spelling. Trivial, yes. Worth the trouble, most definitely!

4. After all that is done, submit your post and expect to be repeating the process to the three or four responses that come your way (this is especially true of new list members). The important point to remember is that your first post on a thread isn't your final comment, but your initial thoughts. As you view responses to your post, make the necessary adjustments and changes to strengthen your case in your replies. Finally, don't be afraid to email other Christians for advice, comments or indeed constructive criticisms on your posts before you submit them. After all, advice is only that, it doesn't need to be followed.

In summary:

Lurk

Submit your post