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Answer
We live in an era that often dismisses errors. Instead of questioning, like Pilate, “What is truth?” postmodern individuals say, “Nothing is truth” or perhaps “There is truth, but we cannot know it.” We have become accustomed to deception, and many individuals appear at ease with the mistaken belief that the Bible also contains errors.
The concept of biblical inerrancy is exceedingly significant because truth is indeed important. This matter reflects on the nature of God and is fundamental to our comprehension of all the Bible teaches. Here are some reasons why we should wholeheartedly believe in biblical inerrancy:
1. The Bible itself asserts its perfection. “And the words of the Lord are flawless, like silver refined in a furnace of clay, purified seven times” «The words of the LORD are pure words: As silver tried in a furnace of earth, purified seven times. », (Psalm 12:6). “The law of the Lord is perfect” «The law of the LORD is perfect, converting the soul: The testimony of the LORD is sure, making wise the simple. », (Psalm 19:7). “Every word of God is pure” «Every word of God is pure: He is a shield unto them that put their trust in him. », (Proverbs 30:5 KJV). These assertions of purity and perfection are definitive statements. It is important to note that it does not claim God’s Word is “mostly” pure or scripture is “nearly” perfect. The Bible advocates for complete perfection, eliminating any space for “partial perfection” theories.
2. The Bible stands or falls as a whole. If a major newspaper were routinely discovered to contain errors, it would be quickly discredited. It would make no difference to say, “All the errors are confined to page three.” For a paper to be reliable in any of its parts, it must be factual throughout. In the same way, if the Bible is inaccurate when it speaks of geology, why should its theology be trusted? It is either a trustworthy document, or it is not.
3. The Bible is a reflection of its Author. All books are. The Bible was written by God Himself as He worked through human authors in a process called “inspiration.” “All scripture is God-breathed” «All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: », (2 Timothy 3:16). See also 2 Peter 1:21 and Jeremiah 1:12.
We believe that the God who created the universe is capable of writing a book. And the God who is perfect is capable of writing a perfect book. The issue is not simply “Does the Bible have a mistake?” but “Can God make a mistake?” If the Bible contains factual errors, then God is not omniscient and is capable of making errors Himself. If the Bible contains misinformation, then God is not truthful but is instead a liar. If the Bible contains contradictions, then God is the author of confusion. In other words, if biblical inerrancy is not true, then God is not God.
4. The Bible judges us, not vice versa. “For the word of God…judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart” «For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart. », (Hebrews 4:12). Notice the relationship between “the heart” and “
The Word examines the heart. To discount any part of the Word for any reason is to reverse this process. We become the examiners, and the Word must submit to our “superior insight.” Yet God says, “But who are you, O man, to talk back to God?” «Nay but, O man, who art thou that repliest against God? Shall the thing formed say to him that formed it, Why hast thou made me thus? », (Romans 9:20).
The Bible’s message must be taken as a whole. It is not a mixture of doctrines that we are free to select from. Many people like the verses that say God loves them, but they dislike the verses that say God will judge sinners. But we simply cannot pick and choose what we like about the Bible and throw the rest away. If the Bible is wrong about hell, for example, then who is to say it is right about heaven—or about anything else? If the Bible cannot get the details right about creation, then maybe the details about salvation cannot be trusted either. If the story of Jonah is a myth, then perhaps so is the story of Jesus. On the contrary, God has said what He has said, and the Bible presents us a full picture of who God is. “Your word, O Lord, is eternal; it stands firm in the heavens” «For ever, O LORD, Thy word Is settled in heaven. », (Psalm 119:89).
The Bible is our only rule for faith and practice. If it is not reliable, then on what do we base our beliefs? Jesus asks for our trust, and that includes trust in what He says in His Word. John 6:67-69 is a beautiful passage. Jesus had just witnessed the departure of many who had claimed to follow Him. Then He turns to the twelve apostles and asks, “You do not want to leave too, do you?” At this, Peter speaks for the rest when he says, “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life.” May we have the same trust in the Lord and in His words.
None of what we have presented here should be taken as a rejection of true scholarship. Biblical inerrancy does not mean that we are to stop using our minds or accept what the Bible says blindly. We are commanded to study the Word, “Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.” (2 Timothy 2:15), and those who search it out are commended, “These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so.” (Acts 17:11). Also, we recognize that there are difficult passages in the Bible, as well as sincere disagreements over interpretation. Our goal is to approach Scripture reverently and prayerfully, and when we find something we do not understand, we pray harder, study more, and—if the answer still eludes us—humbly acknowledge our own limitations in the face of the perfect Word of God.
