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Rescuing Inerrancy: A Scientific Defense
Theologians, pastors, and churchgoers face a growing crisis. An increasing number of respected evangelical scholar's say it's time to rethink the bedrock doctrine of biblical inerrancy. They claim that new scientific findings necessitate an overhaul of inerrancy for Christianity to remain viable in the intellectual sphere. In Rescuing Inerrancy, astrophysicist Hugh Ross offers a scientific defense of biblical inerrancy. He provides evidence for a moderate concordist view of dual revelation-the notion that God faithfully reveals himself in the book of Scripture and the book of nature. Ross's survey of the latest scientific evidence will equip you to defend this historical view and instill confidence that the testimony of nature will always concord with the words of Scripture.
262 pages, Paperback
Published October 4, 2023
34 people are currently reading
56 people want to read
About the author
Hugh Ross
140 books317 followersAstrophysicist Hugh Ross is founder, senior scholar, and former president of Reasons to Believe (RTB).
He earned a degree in physics from the University of British Columbia and a PhD in astronomy from the University of Toronto. He continued his research on quasars and galaxies as a postdoctoral fellow at Caltech. In 1986, Ross launched RTB to research, develop, and communicate the harmonious relationship between science and Christianity.
Ross has authored or coauthored numerous books, including Rescuing Inerrancy, Designed to the Core, and The Creator and the Cosmos. He has also presented his testable creation model in countless interviews, peer-reviewed articles, videos, and podcasts, as well as at hundreds of speaking engagements at venues around the world.
He earned a degree in physics from the University of British Columbia and a PhD in astronomy from the University of Toronto. He continued his research on quasars and galaxies as a postdoctoral fellow at Caltech. In 1986, Ross launched RTB to research, develop, and communicate the harmonious relationship between science and Christianity.
Ross has authored or coauthored numerous books, including Rescuing Inerrancy, Designed to the Core, and The Creator and the Cosmos. He has also presented his testable creation model in countless interviews, peer-reviewed articles, videos, and podcasts, as well as at hundreds of speaking engagements at venues around the world.
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Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
January 7, 2026
An astrophysicist and theologian’s perspective and defense of the inerrancy of the Bible. It was very good and I was prompted to purchase his books on the great flood, the cosmos and the mythological Adam.
February 4, 2026
I'll start out by confessing that I admire Dr. Ross' work and this book is one more addition to his impressive collection. I appreciate that he is willing to take on the topic of Biblical inerrancy, which is crucial to faith in Jesus. He starts by defining what inerrancy means from a historical perspective, recent doctrinal statements from the International Council on Biblical Inerrancy (ICBI) and the recent challenges, specifically around the historicity of Genesis chapters 1 - 11, largely around chapters 1 & 2.
After defining the challenges, Dr. Ross methodically breaks down common misconceptions around ancient cosmology, such as the bronze dome over a flat disc Earth, doing a solid job explaining how ancient peoples had greater knowledge of astronomy than we give them credit for. On a personal note, I find our modern arrogance and recency bias super irritating and sometimes quite obnoxious.
He then provides a defense of the scientific method and support for key current findings over the past few decades / centuries. Using a survey of ancient discoveries, to Gallileo, Newton, Einstein and then the "big bang", he shows how science typically builds on itself and is refined with new discoveries, not a wild west where whole realms of knowledge are discarded with each new experimenta result. Once he defends science, he strongly demonstrates how young earth creation doesn't fit the data, but also isn't the only way to interpret Genesis chapters 1-11. In fact, Dr. Ross summarizes his position that Genesis chapter 1 actually aligns pretty well with the current scientific data, when one uses the word "day" to mean an epoch of time. For a more in-depth look at his position, I suggest reading his book Navigating Genesis.
My big takeaways from this book are that science and Christianity are not enemies and I'm thankful that Dr. Ross does a great job of showing how they actually line up pretty well. There are still some unknowns, particularly around Eve and genetic diversity, which I thought was his weakest argument in this book, and which I would need to do more personal study. The ancients are much more intelligent than we give them credit for. That young earth creation isn't the only way to interpret the Bible. Finally, we should humbly seek the Lord whenever there's a perceived conflict between science and the Bible, being patient and willing to admit that our understanding of both the Bible and nature is imperfect and always growing. I would definitely recommend this book in a study of Biblical inerrancy.
After defining the challenges, Dr. Ross methodically breaks down common misconceptions around ancient cosmology, such as the bronze dome over a flat disc Earth, doing a solid job explaining how ancient peoples had greater knowledge of astronomy than we give them credit for. On a personal note, I find our modern arrogance and recency bias super irritating and sometimes quite obnoxious.
He then provides a defense of the scientific method and support for key current findings over the past few decades / centuries. Using a survey of ancient discoveries, to Gallileo, Newton, Einstein and then the "big bang", he shows how science typically builds on itself and is refined with new discoveries, not a wild west where whole realms of knowledge are discarded with each new experimenta result. Once he defends science, he strongly demonstrates how young earth creation doesn't fit the data, but also isn't the only way to interpret Genesis chapters 1-11. In fact, Dr. Ross summarizes his position that Genesis chapter 1 actually aligns pretty well with the current scientific data, when one uses the word "day" to mean an epoch of time. For a more in-depth look at his position, I suggest reading his book Navigating Genesis.
My big takeaways from this book are that science and Christianity are not enemies and I'm thankful that Dr. Ross does a great job of showing how they actually line up pretty well. There are still some unknowns, particularly around Eve and genetic diversity, which I thought was his weakest argument in this book, and which I would need to do more personal study. The ancients are much more intelligent than we give them credit for. That young earth creation isn't the only way to interpret the Bible. Finally, we should humbly seek the Lord whenever there's a perceived conflict between science and the Bible, being patient and willing to admit that our understanding of both the Bible and nature is imperfect and always growing. I would definitely recommend this book in a study of Biblical inerrancy.
November 19, 2023
Author and scientist Hugh Ross does a great job of examining the subject of Biblical inerrancy. First, he traces its history from the Hebrews to the Christians until today. He shows how it was a fundamental and indisputable doctrine until the last century or two. He shows how it came into disrepute, first among atheists and agnostics, then liberal Christians. Recently many evangelic and conservative Christians have begun questioning inerrancy.
Dr. Ross reviews the arguments against inerrancy and then he refutes them from a scientific point of view. Dr. Ross came to faith as an atheist and agnostic, who became convinced of the Bible's inerrancy by its scientific accuracy, especially with regard to to Genesis 1. He reviews the six days of creation and shows how they correspond to known epochs of the earth's history. He also shows how the Hebrew word for day can refer to an indeterminate period of time.
The scientific aspects of this book are clear enough for a layperson to understand. Dr. Ross's arguments will make believers and non-believers reconsider their previous views of the Bible.
Overall, this is a readable and stimulating discussion of the Bible and science.
Dr. Ross reviews the arguments against inerrancy and then he refutes them from a scientific point of view. Dr. Ross came to faith as an atheist and agnostic, who became convinced of the Bible's inerrancy by its scientific accuracy, especially with regard to to Genesis 1. He reviews the six days of creation and shows how they correspond to known epochs of the earth's history. He also shows how the Hebrew word for day can refer to an indeterminate period of time.
The scientific aspects of this book are clear enough for a layperson to understand. Dr. Ross's arguments will make believers and non-believers reconsider their previous views of the Bible.
Overall, this is a readable and stimulating discussion of the Bible and science.
February 17, 2024
The goal of this book is to defend Biblical inerrancy especially with respect to scientific information that seems to contradict the Bible. Dr. Ross shows that God's two books of revelation - Nature and the Bible do not conflict. Dr. Ross provides sound scientific explanations for the concordance of science and the Bible.
May 26, 2024
Good read. I wish it had more on its proposed creation model approach, but that has been shown in other books. The capitulation of well known scholars is disturbing.
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews