What if you can’t trust the Bible? What if the biblical authors got it wrong? They’re only human, after all, and people make mistakes. What if the Bible has errors?
The answer to these questions about the Bible’s reliability is at the heart of the Christian’s confidence in God’s Word. Understanding and resolving the challenge of biblical inerrancy is crucial to maintaining the integrity of Scripture. So, what is inerrancy?
Definition of Inerrancy
Inerrancy simply means “without error,” but that statement needs to be clarified. Biblical inerrancy means that Scripture, as originally written, is entirely truthful and free from error in all it affirms.
Inerrancy doesn’t mean that every statement in the text is true, because sometimes a statement accurately recorded in the text is a lie uttered by a liar. Inerrancy also doesn’t mean that copies of the Bible are flawless. We know there are variants in the manuscript copies. Inerrancy claims that the original documents perfectly communicate truth.
Basis for Inerrancy
Though inerrancy is not directly taught in the Bible, several passages indirectly affirm the principle. Paul famously affirms inerrancy when he writes to Timothy, “All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness; so that the man of God may be adequate, equipped for every good work” (2 Tim. 3:16–17).
Paul’s phrase “inspired by God” is the Greek word “theopneustos”—theo meaning “God,” and pneustos meaning “breathed out”—literally translated, “God-breathed.” In other words, Paul is saying that Scripture is the very breath of God himself. If Scripture is the “outbreathing” of God in print, and God can’t err, then Scripture can’t err.
The psalmist concurs when he celebrates the perfection and reliability of God’s Law and testimony in Psalm 19:7:
The law of the Lord is perfect, restoring the soul;
The testimony of the Lord is sure, making wise the simple.
The Bible’s authority stems from its divine authorship. If God is the author, as the text claims, then the text is reliable because the character of God is reliable.
But why does any of this matter?
Importance of Inerrancy
Inerrancy has profound implications for Christian living. First, it preserves the authority of Scripture. If the Bible contains errors, its authority is undermined. Inerrancy ensures that believers can completely trust what Scripture teaches.
Second, inerrancy is foundational for doctrinal integrity. Christian theology is based on the Bible. If parts of Scripture are unreliable, it’s difficult to know which doctrines are true and which are false. Inerrancy protects the consistency and coherence of Christian beliefs.
Third, having a Bible we can trust helps us make sound moral decisions. The Bible tells us what is true, noble, and right. Inerrancy ensures that Scripture’s moral teachings are reliable and applicable in every aspect of life.
Biblical inerrancy is more than a theological position; it is a vital affirmation of the trustworthiness and authority of God’s Word. By embracing this doctrine, you uphold the integrity of Scripture and ensure its rightful place as the foundation of your convictions.