Christian Fundamentalism As A Reaction To The Enlightenment Illustrated By The Case Of Biblical Inerrancy

Chapter Summary

This chapter disputes two related claims that deals with the relationship between science and religion: (1) Christian fundamentalists are Christians who hold on to traditional orthodox Christian convictions, even though they are nowadays challenged by modern natural science, and who refuse to revise these convictions in reaction to these scientific developments. (2) One of the claims that is revised by some but not by the fundamentalists is the claim that the Bible is inerrant, that is to say that in its original form it contains no mistake whatsoever. The chapter argues that these claims are indeed defended in the literature. It shows how these claims would undermine the intellectual credibility of Christianity. The chapter shows in what ways the claim to Biblical inerrancy and the fundamentalist frame of mind of which it is a part are a reaction to the Enlightenment project. Finally it speculates on the future of inerrantism.

Keywords: Biblical inerrancy; Christian fundamentalists; Enlightenment project; inerrantism; modern natural science; traditional orthodox Christian convictions