Biblical Inerrancy 2.0

THE TENSION OF BIBLICAL INERRANCY | AN “IN-HOUSE” DEBATE

I have believed my entire life that the Bible is inspired by God, infallible (true in all it teaches), and inerrant (totally free from all errors).  Recently, I have begun to think critically about this belief.  I have not abandoned it by any means, but rather have to ask the question, “Why should I believe this?”

Recently I’ve done a lot of thinking on this subject.  A friend of mine is attending Pittsburg Theological Seminary, where a majority of professors do not hold to inerrancy, infallibility and even inerrancy.  It’s caused him (and vicariously through him, me) to ask, “Why preach from it?”  “What’s the point?” “What separates this book from any other?”

For more of my thoughts, see my previous blog post here:
http://thewaymattseesit.blogspot.com/2014/10/my-thoughts-on-biblical-inerrancy.html

I would like to reiterate that Biblical inspiration/infallibility/inerrancy is not a prerequisite for faith in Jesus.  Nor would this issue invalidate the truth of Christianity.  For this reason, this issue can be considered an “in-house” debate among Christians.

JESUS’ VIEW OF SCRIPTURE

As Christians, our impulse should be to turn to Jesus.

Jesus himself viewed the Bible as inspired by God.  He demonstrated a clear knowledge of the authors of Old Testament passages, but credited God with writing the passage.  He knew that the Holy Spirit had inspired the biblical authors.  Jesus responded, “Then why does David, speaking under the inspiration of the Spirit, call the Messiah ‘my Lord’?” (Matthew 22:43).

Jesus also viewed the Bible as infallible (true in all it teaches).  He believed that he was the fulfillment of scripture, using a passage in Isaiah as an initiation to his ministry (Luke 4:16-21).  He also used scripture to overcome temptation against Satan, demonstrating that he assumed its truth (Luke 4:4, 8, 12).  Jesus further asserted that, “not the smallest letter, not the least stroke of the pen,” will disappear until scripture was fulfilled, further demonstrating his view of infallibility (Matthew 5:18).

THE CHRISTIAN’S CONCLUSION

Clearly, we see Jesus believed in inspiration and infallibility.  I feel that inerrancy is harder to defend, but perhaps Matthew 5:18 could also be used to defend inerrancy.  He believed that not the smallest letter would pass away; that seems to go beyond infallibility (true in all it teaches), even stretching to inerrancy (totally free from all errors).  I’m not sure if I can say this is too large of a jump or not.

As Christians, I believe we must at least commit ourselves to the inspiration and infallibility of scripture.  Even if [minor] errors were to surface in the Bible (factual, historical, etc.) it would not invalidate the inspiration and infallibility of scripture.  If Jesus held to this view, then as followers of Jesus, Christians should hold to this view as well.

 Being that Jesus viewed the Bible as inspired and infallible, then as followers of Christ, Christians should view the Bible as inspired and infallible.

STILL WORKING THROUGH

Finally, I am still working out how this should apply to the New Testament.  Being extremely nitpicky, Jesus’ view of scripture only applies to the Old Testament (the NT hadn’t been written yet).  A different case would have to be made for this.