Believing in the inerrancy of the Bible is foundational to the Christian faith. Inerrancy means that the Bible is wholly true and without error in everything it affirms. This doctrine is important for several reasons:
1. The Bible claims to be God’s word
Scripture presents itself as the inspired, authoritative words of God. Passages like 2 Timothy 3:16 state that “All Scripture is breathed out by God.” 2 Peter 1:21 says prophecy came through men “carried along by the Holy Spirit.” If we reject inerrancy, we are calling into question God’s truthfulness.
2. Inerrancy is tied to God’s character
God cannot lie or speak falsely (Numbers 23:19; Titus 1:2). If there are errors in Scripture, then God has erred or actively allowed error. This would be contrary to His holy character. As the perfectly truthful God, all His words must be true.
3. The authority of Jesus depends on it
Jesus treated the Old Testament as the authoritative, inerrant Word of God (Matthew 5:17-19; John 10:34-35). If any part contains error, then Jesus’ reliability comes into question. An errant Bible undermines Jesus’ ministry and teachings.
4. Inerrancy is foundational to the gospel
The gospel message rests on historical events and divine revelation that are recorded in Scripture. If the Bible contains errors, then the factual basis for the gospel could be adversely affected. Our confidence in the gospel requires confidence in the complete truthfulness of the Bible.
5. Scripture is powerful and effective because it is God’s Word
The Bible testifies that God’s Word is living and active (Hebrews 4:12), perfect (Psalm 19:7), and accomplishes His purposes (Isaiah 55:11). Scripture has power because God stands behind every word. Errors in the Bible would undermine its effectiveness.
6. Inerrancy is consistent with the biblical witness
Though written over 1500 years by 40+ authors, the Bible tells one unified story. This unity argues against errors. The historical and scientific accuracy of Scripture also point to inerrancy. Apparent “errors” can be explained through further study and archeological evidence.
7. Scripture warns against altering God’s Word
Passages like Deuteronomy 4:2 warn against adding to or taking away from God’s Word. Though not referring directly to inerrancy, they indicate how seriously God takes His revelation. To deny inerrancy is to tamper with God’s truth in a way He condemns.
8. Inerrancy was the universal view of the Church fathers
Though not extensively discussed until modern times, inerrancy has always been the implicit belief of the Christian church through history. The early church fathers uniformly held Scripture to be wholly true in all its affirmations.
9. Rejecting inerrancy opens the door to theological chaos
If we deny inerrancy on some points, consistency requires we question it on any point. This leads to subjective, arbitrary views of what is true in God’s Word. Inerrancy keeps our interpretation grounded in the belief that all Scripture is true.
10. Belief in inerrancy flows from our convictions about God
Our view of Scripture reflects our view of God’s truthfulness and power. If we deny inerrancy, we must explain how a God of truth who inspired Scripture could allow His Word to be corrupted by error. Inerrancy accepts God’s Word as entirely true.
In summary, belief in biblical inerrancy upholds the authority, trustworthiness, and power of God’s Word. It is grounded in Scripture’s own claims and in God’s character. Affirming this important doctrine is critical for the health and stability of the church.
Though a finite text, the Bible is nonetheless the inspired Word of the infinite God. As the perfect revelation of God’s nature and acts, Scripture perfectly accomplishes His intended purpose. The complete truthfulness of God’s Word is vital for our knowledge of the gospel, confidence in Christ, and spiritual growth in grace and truth.
Critics argue that inerrancy is a modern invention imposed on the text. But Scripture has always been regarded as wholly true. While the complexity of this issue can lead to honest disagreement among Christians, rejecting inerrancy opens the door to serious theological compromise. It puts human reason as judge over Scripture, rather than allowing Scripture to judge us.
The Bible describes itself as “God-breathed” (2 Timothy 3:16). The God who cannot lie has given us His Word. Therefore, we can have complete confidence that Scripture is true in everything it teaches. The doctrine of inerrancy does not require us to deny that the Bible was written by human authors in history. It simply means that God so guided the process that the end result was exactly as He intended.
Some claim that minor “technical” errors do not invalidate the Bible’s authority. But if we deny inerrancy in some details, we cannot consistently argue that the Bible is wholly true in major matters. Only a commitment to inerrancy properly acknowledges that we are subject to Scripture – not the other way around. God’s Word is the inerrant, supreme authority for Christian belief and practice.
Some objections to inerrancy arise from misunderstandings. Alleged “contradictions” between biblical accounts often simply reflect different perspectives on the same event. Apparent scientific or historical “errors” frequently stem from lack of information. As our knowledge increases, so does the confirmation of Scripture’s accuracy. Most supposed “errors” evaporate upon closer examination.
It is true that inerrancy applies only to the original manuscripts of Scripture now lost to us. But the vast number of ancient biblical manuscripts, together with careful textual criticism, gives us confidence that our translations accurately reflect the original texts. The essential truths of Scripture are not affected by minor textual variants.
The doctrine of inerrancy has profound implications. It means Scripture alone is our final authority for faith and practice. It guards against subjectivism replacing biblical authority. It gives us confidence in the Scriptures’ life-giving power. Belief in inerrancy expresses trust in God’s complete truthfulness. By affirming inerrancy we properly acknowledge the Bible as God’s living and active Word.
Even with a wholly inerrant text, human interpreters can still make mistakes in interpretation. But inerrancy ensures that the Scripture itself is flawless and true, so that such errors arise from fallen human understanding, not defects with God’s Word. Scripture has one true meaning, though fallible interpreters may sometimes misapprehend it.
Ultimately the basis of inerrancy is our conviction about the identity of the Bible’s author – God. God superintended the process, through the personalities and styles of chosen writers, to ensure that His intended meaning was accurately recorded. Our confidence in Scripture’s truthfulness reflects our confidence in God’s complete power and trustworthiness.
Affirming biblical inerrancy does not mean we currently possess exhaustive insight into God’s truth. It does not collapse the distance between the infinite God and finite mankind. The Bible is written in human language and idioms. God accommodates Himself to our limited capacity to comprehend divine truth. But Scripture itself testifies to its all-sufficiency and clarity on essential matters for walking with God.
Belief in inerrancy has been integral to the Church throughout history. It remains essential today. A denial of biblical inerrancy is also a denial of biblical authority. It puts fallible human opinions over the infallible Word of God. Inerrancy upholds Scripture, humbles us, and exalts God as the ultimate source of truth.