Contrary to all the histrionics, slander, and hyperventilation of some GS users, I am not a liberal. Nor am I a secularist. Nor am I an academic, at least not in the sense that most mean when they fling that term around. In fact, I tend to be a social, fiscal, and religious conservative, orthodox in my faith and decidedly set against government intervention in society and the market (for the most part).

It is quite a lie to say that I hold esoteric views; my views are quite common, if one can free oneself from the myopia that so often affects the American faithscape. My views are also anything but secretive. And only the most daft could mistake me for a secular person.

I accept that the Scriptures -- the Bible -- contain infallible messages of faith. I accept the inerrancy and the sufficiency of Scripture, although I reject the solitude of Scripture. I accept that Christ is my Lord and Saviour, and participate in Him through his direct revelation in all the Sacraments. As far as ministry goes, I work in soup kitchens and with youth groups, and I also have my writing and theological study.

But here's the rub (and I'll go into more detail on this tomorrow): I really love Scripture. I mean, I really love Scripture. I love the Bible and all the Word of God. In fact, I love it so much that I strive, at every turn, to defend it and reveal, with reasoning and clarity, that it is in fact inerrant, and that it does contain infallible messages of faith.

But to do that, the first thing I must be is honest. And if I am honest, I must admit that there are contradictions in, for example, some of the various accounts in Genesis (the creation accounts, for example, or the flood accounts). Note, though, that I don't say these are errors; I think the discrepancies were meant to happen under the guidance and design of the Spirit. But are there discrepancies? Oh, yes, yes there are.

But that's just where is starts. Because you see, it is in admitting those contradictions that we can begin to understand the true nature of Scripture, and can begin to construct a truly rational, effective defence of it and its message of faith.

But that is a topic that will have to wait for tomorrow. I can hear my wife stepping out of the bath, and that means that the time to sleep draws nigh.