# Critique of Biblical Inerrancy in The Age of Reason

> Theme guide for The Age of Reason by Thomas Paine.

Paine systematically examines biblical texts—such as the prophecies in Isaiah and the story of Jesus—to argue they are fabrications, contradictions, or misinterpretations, not divine revelation.

## Where it surfaces

- [Editor's Introduction](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_age_of_reason_se/chapters/editor-s-introduction): Conway discusses textual errors in the Bible, such as the interpolation of the three heavenly witnesses (1 John 5:7), and Paine's argument that manuscript copying leads to inaccuracies.
- [Of the Bases of Christianity](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_age_of_reason_se/chapters/part-i-iv-of-the-bases-of-christianity): By exposing the borrowed and fabricated nature of Christian stories, Paine undermines the claim of biblical infallibility.
- [VII: Examination of the Old Testament](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_age_of_reason_se/chapters/part-i-vii-examination-of-the-old-testament): Paine argues the Bible was compiled by human vote, contains errors, and cannot be the infallible word of God.
- [VIII: Of the New Testament](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_age_of_reason_se/chapters/part-i-viii-of-the-new-testament): Paine questions the authenticity and consistency of the New Testament writings, suggesting they are forged.
- [I: The Old Testament](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_age_of_reason_se/chapters/part-ii-i-the-old-testament): Paine argues that the Bible is not self-authenticating and must be proven true before it can be used as evidence; he points out contradictions and historical disorder in Jeremiah.
- [II: The New Testament](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_age_of_reason_se/chapters/part-ii-ii-the-new-testament): Paine highlights contradictions in the genealogies of Jesus and the resurrection timeline to argue the New Testament is not divinely inspired.
- [An Essay on Dreams](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_age_of_reason_se/chapters/part-iii-an-essay-on-dreams): Paine highlights contradictions in the Bible (e.g., God vs. Satan moving David) to argue it is not the inerrant word of God.
- [An Examination of the Passages in the New Testament](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_age_of_reason_se/chapters/part-iii-an-examination-of-the-passages-in-the-new-testament): Paine demonstrates contradictions and false quotations in the New Testament, undermining claims of divine authorship.
- [The Book of Mark](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_age_of_reason_se/chapters/part-iii-the-book-of-mark): Paine argues that Mark misapplies Old Testament passages, showing the Bible's inconsistencies.
- [The Book of Luke](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_age_of_reason_se/chapters/part-iii-the-book-of-luke): Paine uses contradictions between Luke and Matthew to argue that the Bible cannot be divinely inspired.
- [Contradictory Doctrines Between Matthew and Mark](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_age_of_reason_se/chapters/part-iii-contradictory-doctrines-between-matthew-and-mark): Paine highlights a direct contradiction between Matthew and Mark, undermining the claim of biblical consistency.
- [Endnotes](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_age_of_reason_se/chapters/endnotes): Endnotes highlight Paine's exposure of biblical contradictions, anachronisms, and forgeries, such as the interpolation of Cyrus's name in Isaiah.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_age_of_reason_se/themes/critique_of_biblical_inerrancy
- Themes index: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_age_of_reason_se/themes