Inerrancy means literally, “without error.” When applied to Scripture, it means that the Bible is without error in the original copies. It is free from affirming anything that is untrue or contrary to fact, when interpreted properly.
The term infallibility has historically been largely synonymous with an evangelical view of inerrancy. Infallibility means unable to mislead. It could also mean unable to fail in accomplishing the divinely intended purpose. Article 11 of the Chicago statement on Biblical inerrancy 1978 put it this way: “We affirm that Scripture, having been given by divine inspiration, is infallible, is true and reliable in all matters it addresses.”
Historically, inerrancy and infallibility have been inseparably linked. However, in the early 1960’s, infallibility became a term used in a new way by those who believe in limited inerrancy. They pushed the word to mean that the Bible is infallible in that it teaches no false or misleading doctrine related to faith and practice. However, in their view, that does not mean that Scripture has to be factually accurate in all its words. The primary motivation behind the alteration in the definition of infallibility was tied to an effort to deny inerrancy yet maintain an identification with those of an orthodox faith. But Biblically speaking, it is not orthodox to affirm infallibility apart from inerrancy. Denial of inerrancy is motivated by an unwillingness to accept all that Scripture declares. Deniers of inerrancy, those who claim the Bible contains errors, seek to excuse sin and to affirm unbiblical behaviour.
Biblical Basis for Inerrancy
Paul’s direct claim for Scripture is that it is inspired by God.
2 Tim. 3:16 ESV All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness.
It is the product of God’s own work by means of his Spirit.
2 Pet. 1:20-21 ESV knowing this first of all, that no prophecy of Scripture comes from someone’s own interpretation. 21 For no prophecy was ever produced by the will of man, but men spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit.
Since these written words are the words of the God of truth, they must be without error. Regardless of the involvement of human agency in the composition process, the integrity of the divine author is at stake in the doctrine of inerrancy. The words of the God of truth are entirely truthful and without error in the original autographs. Christ affirms this fact.
John 17:17 ESV Sanctify them in the truth; your word is truth.
The New Testament writers base the truthfulness of the Old Testament on the character of the triune God.
The Father
Titus 1:1-2 ESV
Paul, a servant of God and an apostle of Jesus Christ, for the sake of the faith of God’s elect and their knowledge of the truth, which accords with godliness, in hope of eternal life, which God, who never lies, promised before the ages began.
The Son
John 14:6 ESV
Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.
The Spirit
John 14:16-17 ESV
And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Helper, to be with you forever, even the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees him nor knows him. You know him, for he dwells with you and will be in you.
The recurrent declarations of “thus says the LORD” create an atmosphere in which inerrancy is assumed throughout the Old Testament. The language of the Old Testament affirms that God’s Word is truth and that it is fixed forever in heaven. This implies that God’s Word is not just a temporal earthly testimony from God but an eternal and heavenly one.
Psalm 119:89 ESV
Forever, O Lord, your word is firmly fixed in the heavens.
Psalm 119:160 ESV
The sum of your word is truth, and every one of your righteous rules endures forever.
If God is the author of Scripture, as the text claims, how can there be errors in what it affirms? If there are errors in what it says, how can God be the God of truth? God’s character and integrity is what is at stake in the doctrine of inerrancy. Since God is true, so is his revelation in Scripture.
Reference
Biblical Doctrine: A systematic summary of Bible Truth by John Macarthur and Richard Mayhue.
Author
