Understanding the Concept of Accommodation in Evangelical Apologetics

Accommodation theory has been a subject of discussion in Christian apologetics for centuries. It seeks to address how an infinite, omniscient God communicates with finite, limited human beings. There are two types of accommodation to consider: one which aligns with biblical doctrine and another which falls outside the bounds of evangelical belief. The first, and acceptable, form of accommodation is the idea that God, in order to reveal Himself to finite creatures, adapts or “condescends” to our limited understanding. This is seen as an act of divine grace and mercy, enabling us to grasp divine truths.

The second form of accommodation, which evangelical scholars reject, asserts that Jesus or God accommodated Himself to human errors, such as erroneous beliefs held by the people of His time. This position claims that Jesus endorsed incorrect cultural or religious views in order to engage with His audience without correcting their misunderstandings. As we examine accommodation in light of Scripture, it becomes clear that while God adapts to human limitations, He never accommodates Himself to human error. The integrity of divine truth remains intact, no matter the mode of communication.

What Is Adaptation in God’s Communication?

God’s Self-Limiting Adaptation for Human Understanding

The concept of adaptation is foundational to the legitimate understanding of accommodation. Throughout Scripture, we see examples of God adapting His infinite knowledge and power to finite human comprehension. As Isaiah 55:8-9 reminds us, “For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, declares Jehovah. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.” God’s transcendence means that His knowledge, wisdom, and ways are infinitely greater than ours. However, in His love, He chooses to adapt His communication to a level we can understand.

In biblical revelation, adaptation often involves the use of anthropomorphisms—descriptions of God in human terms to convey His actions or attributes. For instance, we read about “the hand of God” (Isaiah 41:10) or God “hearing” our prayers (Psalm 34:15). These expressions help finite humans understand aspects of God’s nature, even though God, being spirit, does not literally possess hands or ears. God’s adaptation is further exemplified in the incarnation of Jesus Christ, where the eternal Word became flesh (John 1:14). Jesus’ human life, His teachings, and His sacrificial death were all adaptations of divine truth to communicate God’s plan of salvation in terms humans could grasp.

Though God adapts Himself to our limited understanding, He never compromises the truth. Everything God reveals is true and reliable. As Numbers 23:19 states, “God is not man, that he should lie, or a son of man, that he should change his mind.” God’s adaptation, then, is not a concession to human error but rather an act of divine grace, whereby He enables us to know Him without altering or diluting His truth.

The Danger of Accommodation to Error

The Misunderstanding of Accommodation in Liberal Theology

One of the most problematic forms of accommodation is the claim that Jesus accommodated Himself to the erroneous beliefs of His contemporaries, particularly regarding their understanding of Scripture, cosmology, or moral teachings. Critics of the Bible sometimes argue that when Jesus referred to Old Testament events or teachings, He was merely reflecting the erroneous views of the people of His time without intending to correct them.

For example, some claim that when Jesus spoke of the flood during the days of Noah (Matthew 24:37-38), or referred to Jonah’s three days in the belly of the fish (Matthew 12:40), He was simply using popular Jewish myths or exaggerated stories to make a moral point. According to this view, Jesus was not endorsing the historical accuracy of these events but rather accommodating Himself to the faulty beliefs of His audience.

This position is not only inconsistent with Scripture but also undermines the very nature of Christ’s mission. Jesus came to reveal truth and to correct errors, not to perpetuate them. In John 17:17, Jesus prayed, “Sanctify them in the truth; your word is truth.” The idea that Jesus would propagate falsehoods runs contrary to His character as the embodiment of truth (John 14:6). As Hebrews 6:18 assures us, “It is impossible for God to lie.” Therefore, the notion that Jesus would accommodate error is both theologically unsound and contradictory to His nature.

How Did Jesus Respond to the Errors of His Day?

Jesus’ High View of Scripture

A careful study of the Gospels reveals that Jesus held a high view of Scripture and corrected misunderstandings about God’s Word. Far from accommodating the erroneous views of His contemporaries, Jesus often rebuked those who misinterpreted or misapplied Scripture. One clear example is found in Matthew 5, where Jesus systematically addresses misunderstandings of the Law in the Sermon on the Mount. He repeatedly states, “You have heard that it was said… but I say to you…” (Matthew 5:21-48). In these verses, Jesus corrects common misinterpretations of the Law regarding issues like murder, adultery, and retaliation. Rather than accommodating false beliefs, Jesus clarifies and intensifies the moral demands of the Law.

Another example is found in Matthew 15, where Jesus confronts the Pharisees for their tradition of invalidating the commandment of God. Jesus declares, “And why do you break the commandment of God for the sake of your tradition?… Thus you nullify the word of God for the sake of your tradition” (Matthew 15:3, 6). Here, Jesus strongly denounces the Pharisees’ erroneous traditions that had distorted the true intent of Scripture. His words indicate that He did not tolerate errors in biblical interpretation or practice.

Furthermore, Jesus affirms the historical reliability of the Old Testament. He refers to the creation of Adam and Eve as the basis for marriage (Matthew 19:4-5), the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah (Matthew 10:15), and the experience of Jonah (Matthew 12:40) as factual events. Critics who claim that Jesus was accommodating Himself to the erroneous beliefs of His audience overlook the fact that Jesus consistently upheld the truth of Scripture, even when it conflicted with the prevailing views of His time.

How Does Jesus’ Integrity Contradict the Idea of Error Accommodation?

The Sinlessness of Christ

The very character of Jesus Christ, as revealed in Scripture, refutes the notion that He would accommodate Himself to error. Jesus was without sin (Hebrews 4:15) and lived a life of perfect obedience to the Father. His sinlessness included not only moral perfection but also an unwavering commitment to truth. Throughout His ministry, Jesus taught with divine authority and often exposed the errors of the religious leaders. As the Pharisees themselves admitted, “Teacher, we know that you are true and teach the way of God truthfully, and you do not care about anyone’s opinion, for you are not swayed by appearances” (Matthew 22:16).

Jesus’ refusal to compromise the truth is evident in His bold confrontations with the religious establishment. In Matthew 23, He pronounces a series of woes against the scribes and Pharisees, calling them hypocrites, blind guides, and whitewashed tombs. Jesus denounces their legalism, their corruption, and their self-righteousness, declaring, “You serpents, you brood of vipers, how are you to escape being sentenced to hell?” (Matthew 23:33). Such strong language demonstrates that Jesus was not accommodating to error but rather exposing it for what it was—deception that led people away from God.

The Authority of Jesus’ Teaching

Jesus’ teachings were marked by a unique authority that set Him apart from other religious leaders of His day. At the conclusion of the Sermon on the Mount, we are told, “And when Jesus finished these sayings, the crowds were astonished at his teaching, for he was teaching them as one who had authority, and not as their scribes” (Matthew 7:28-29). Jesus did not rely on the interpretations of other rabbis or defer to the traditions of men. Instead, He spoke with the authority of the Son of God, declaring the will of the Father with clarity and conviction.

Jesus’ authoritative teaching extended to His understanding of Scripture. He affirmed that “Scripture cannot be broken” (John 10:35), and He consistently treated the Old Testament as the divinely inspired Word of God. When confronted by Satan in the wilderness, Jesus responded by quoting Scripture, saying, “It is written, ‘Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God'” (Matthew 4:4). Jesus’ reliance on Scripture as the ultimate authority in matters of life and doctrine underscores His commitment to truth and His rejection of error.

Does God’s Adaptation Compromise Truth?

The Distinction Between Adaptation and Error Accommodation

It is essential to distinguish between God’s adaptation to human limitations and the erroneous view that God accommodates Himself to human error. While God adapts His communication to our finite understanding, He never compromises or alters the truth. In John 1:14, we are told, “And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth.” The incarnation itself is the ultimate example of God’s adaptation to humanity. Jesus, the eternal Word, took on human flesh to reveal the fullness of God’s truth to a fallen world. Yet, in His adaptation, Jesus never embraced or propagated error.

The apostle Paul, in his writings, also emphasized the importance of maintaining the truth while communicating the gospel to different cultural contexts. In 1 Corinthians 9:22, Paul writes, “To the weak I became weak, that I might win the weak. I have become all things to all people, that by all means I might save some.” Paul’s willingness to adapt his approach for the sake of the gospel demonstrates the principle of accommodation in a positive sense. However, even in his efforts to reach people from different backgrounds, Paul never compromised the truth of the gospel. He always maintained the integrity of the message, regardless of the audience.

The Infallibility of Divine Revelation

One of the foundational doctrines of evangelical Christianity is the infallibility and inerrancy of Scripture. The Bible is the inspired Word of God, and as such, it is without error in all that it affirms. This belief is grounded in passages like 2 Timothy 3:16, which declares, “All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness.” Because Scripture is divinely inspired, it reflects the perfect truth of God. As such, there is no room for the idea that Jesus or the biblical authors accommodated themselves to human error.

The inerrancy of Scripture is further affirmed in Psalm 19:7, which states, “The law of Jehovah is perfect, reviving the soul; the testimony of Jehovah is sure, making wise the simple.” God’s Word is described as perfect, reliable, and sufficient for all matters of faith and practice. To suggest that Jesus or the biblical writers endorsed error would be to undermine the very nature of Scripture and the character of God, who is the source of all truth (John 17:17).

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