The Bible: Inerrancy by Ps Michael Podhaczky

The truth of Inerrancy is based on inspiration. The reason for this is that God’s Word, spoken by Him, does not have any mistakes as it is complete.[1] That is to say, it,

“…signifies the quality of being free from all falsehood or mistake and so safeguards the truth that Holy Scripture is entirely true and trustworthy in all its assertions.”[2]

Accordingly, it is this inerrant Word of God that had its establishment on the “act of God, whereby the first writing of revealed truth was done without fault.”[3] This does not mean that translations of the Bible since the first manuscripts are entirely without copyist points of disagreement.

So, any issues regarding inerrancy deal with the original manuscripts of the Bible. They were written accurately, perfectly and reliably by God’s chosen writers. In other words, under the Holy Spirit’s guidance, they did not make mistakes in the process of recording His Word. Although inerrancy is claimed for the original writings, it does not negate the Holy Spirit using people to write the Bible under His guidance.[4] For example, this is seen in (Jer 36:2; Ex 4:12,15; Prov 30:5-6; 2 Pet 1:21; Rev 22:18-19).

It is sufficient to highlight the fact that, the modern translations are trustworthy. However, each serves a particular purpose that needs to be taken into consideration when answering the question of its use. Consequently, inerrancy describes the Bible’s nature.[5] So, concerning the matter of Inerrancy the Bible “makes good on its claims.”[6] It needs to be remembered that,

“The term inerrancy may be modern, but the concept is as old as the people of Bible days, including Jesus Himself: The Scriptures are the authority, and you can trust what they teach!”[7]

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[1] God Speaks: A Workbook of The Bible. (Highbury, London: Grace Publication Trust, 1980), 1/4.

[2] Geisler, Norman. L. (ed.) Inerrancy. (Grand Rapids, MI: Acadmie Books, 1980), 500.

[3] God Speaks, 10/7.

[4] Horton, Michael. Pilgrim Theology: Core Doctrines for Christian Disciples. (Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 2011), 57, 58.

[5] Vanhoozer, Kevin J.  “The Inerrancy of Scripture.” http://www.theologynetwork.org/biblical-studies/getting-stuck-in/the-inerrancy-of-scripture.htm (17^th May 2018)

[6] Taylor, Justin. “Inerrancy and Infallibility: Truth Claims and Precision.” http://www.thegospelcoalition.org/blogs/justintaylor/2011/09/16/inerrancy-and-infallibility-truth-claims-and-precision/ (17^th May 2018).

[7] Hart, Larry D. Truth Aflame: Theology for the Church in Renewal. (Grand Rapids, MI:  Zondervan, 2005), 59. The italics are Hart’s.