"Is God's Word Reliable?"
"God's Word Is Perfect!"
The Infallibility of Scripture
(written by Dave Armstrong)
The words "infallible" and "infallibility" are often used to describe the absolute and perfect authority of God's Word - the Bible.
The Bible makes numerous statements about itself, stating that it is wholly [completely] the Word of God, absolute truth, unchangeable, and without error. Christian theologians describe the scripture as inerrant, infallible and authoritative. Inerrancy means the Word of God is without error, while infallibility refers to how the Scripture is authoritative.
"In all of God’s Word, there is an absolute standard and authority by which Christians are to ground their lives and ministries." - Dave Jenkins (Christianity.com)
From the very beginning of the church, Catholics and Protestants alike have believed in the inspiration an inerrancy of the Bible.
“It was Augustine who first coined the term 'inerrant,' and Luther and Calvin...speak of Scripture as free from error. Down to the Second Vatican Council, Rome has attributed inerrancy to Scripture as the common view of the church throughout its history...Martin Luther, quoting Augustine’s letter to Jerome, said, 'I have learned to hold only the Holy Scripture inerrant.'” (Biologos.com)
It needs to be said that there is absolutely no other source that can claim to be inspired by God, inerrant, infallible, and authoritative. No church, pastor, priest, pope, author, or hymn writer can claim authority equal with scripture. The reason that religion is so divided and in disarray is because man’s ideas are often elevated to the point that they are considered equal with Scripture. Cults generally try to claim that the writings of their founders have equal authority with Scripture (this is heresy). Most disagreements among Christians result from theology that is a mixture of Scripture (which is perfect) and church dogma (which is imperfect and contains error). Over the centuries, the teachings of the church have changed along with cultural norms, standards and opinions, but the Bible has not changed in over 2000 years! All pastors and church leaders (and everyone else) should heed what Jesus said; “in vain do they worship me, teaching as doctrines the commandments of men.” (Matthew 15:9)
“I warn everyone who hears the words of the prophecy of this book: if anyone adds to them, God will add to him the plagues described in this book.” (Revelation 22:18)
"The words of the Lord are flawless, like silver purified in a crucible [an extremely hot furnace], like gold refined seven times." (Psalm 12:6)
"All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness." (2 Timothy 3:16)
"For no prophecy [of Scripture] was ever produced by the will of man, but men spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit." (2 Peter 1.21)
"The law of the Lord is perfect, reviving the soul; the testimony of the Lord is sure, making wise the simple." (Psalm 19:7 ESV)
"...Your word is truth." (John 17:17)
"Every word of God proves true." (Proverbs 30:5)
"Forever, O Lord, your word is settled in heaven." (Psalm 119:89)
"Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away." (Matthew 24:35)
"The grass withers, the flower fades, but the word of our God will stand forever." (Isaiah 40:8)
The Infallibility of Scripture
(written by Dave Armstrong)
The words "infallible" and "infallibility" are often used to describe the absolute and perfect authority of God's Word - the Bible.
The Bible makes numerous statements about itself, stating that it is wholly [completely] the Word of God, absolute truth, unchangeable, and without error. Christian theologians describe the scripture as inerrant, infallible and authoritative. Inerrancy means the Word of God is without error, while infallibility refers to how the Scripture is authoritative.
"In all of God’s Word, there is an absolute standard and authority by which Christians are to ground their lives and ministries." - Dave Jenkins (Christianity.com)
From the very beginning of the church, Catholics and Protestants alike have believed in the inspiration an inerrancy of the Bible.
“It was Augustine who first coined the term 'inerrant,' and Luther and Calvin...speak of Scripture as free from error. Down to the Second Vatican Council, Rome has attributed inerrancy to Scripture as the common view of the church throughout its history...Martin Luther, quoting Augustine’s letter to Jerome, said, 'I have learned to hold only the Holy Scripture inerrant.'” (Biologos.com)
It needs to be said that there is absolutely no other source that can claim to be inspired by God, inerrant, infallible, and authoritative. No church, pastor, priest, pope, author, or hymn writer can claim authority equal with scripture. The reason that religion is so divided and in disarray is because man’s ideas are often elevated to the point that they are considered equal with Scripture. Cults generally try to claim that the writings of their founders have equal authority with Scripture (this is heresy). Most disagreements among Christians result from theology that is a mixture of Scripture (which is perfect) and church dogma (which is imperfect and contains error). Over the centuries, the teachings of the church have changed along with cultural norms, standards and opinions, but the Bible has not changed in over 2000 years! All pastors and church leaders (and everyone else) should heed what Jesus said; “in vain do they worship me, teaching as doctrines the commandments of men.” (Matthew 15:9)
“I warn everyone who hears the words of the prophecy of this book: if anyone adds to them, God will add to him the plagues described in this book.” (Revelation 22:18)
"The words of the Lord are flawless, like silver purified in a crucible [an extremely hot furnace], like gold refined seven times." (Psalm 12:6)
"All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness." (2 Timothy 3:16)
"For no prophecy [of Scripture] was ever produced by the will of man, but men spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit." (2 Peter 1.21)
"The law of the Lord is perfect, reviving the soul; the testimony of the Lord is sure, making wise the simple." (Psalm 19:7 ESV)
"...Your word is truth." (John 17:17)
"Every word of God proves true." (Proverbs 30:5)
"Forever, O Lord, your word is settled in heaven." (Psalm 119:89)
"Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away." (Matthew 24:35)
"The grass withers, the flower fades, but the word of our God will stand forever." (Isaiah 40:8)
