The Battle for Inerrancy – Why Truth Matters

Series: The Bible – God’s Perfect Word

What Is Inerrancy?

Inerrancy means that the Bible is without error in everything it affirms in its original manuscripts. This includes not only matters of faith and practice but also history, geography, and scientific references as intended by the author. Because God cannot lie (Titus 1:2) and all Scripture is breathed out by Him (2 Tim. 3:16), the Bible must be completely true.

To affirm inerrancy is to affirm God’s perfection. To deny it is to accuse God of error.

The Historical Confession of the Church

While the formal term “inerrancy” is modern, the conviction it expresses has been held throughout church history. From the early church fathers to the Reformers, the church has consistently taught that the Bible is the Word of God and, therefore, completely true.

The Westminster Confession (1646) affirms that the Scriptures are “given by inspiration of God to be the rule of faith and life.”

In 1978, the Chicago Statement on Biblical Inerrancy articulated the orthodox view with clarity:

“Holy Scripture, being God’s own Word, written by men prepared and superintended by His Spirit, is of infallible divine authority… being entirely true and trustworthy in all its assertions.”

This is not a fringe position. It is the mainstream confession of biblical Christianity.

Modern Denials of Inerrancy

Despite historical consensus, the doctrine of inerrancy has been increasingly attacked—both outside and inside the church.

1. Theological Liberalism

This view treats the Bible as a product of human religious evolution. Miracles are myth, doctrine is fluid, and Scripture is fallible. Truth is defined by experience, not revelation.

2. Neo-Orthodoxy

This view (popularized by Karl Barth) teaches that the Bible becomes the Word of God when it “encounters” the reader. The authority is not in the text but in the subjective experience.

3. Partial Inerrancy

Some claim the Bible is inerrant only in matters of faith and morals, but not in science or history. But Scripture itself never separates truth into compartments. Jesus said:

“Your word is truth” (John 17:17)—not “contains” truth, but is truth.

Common Objections to Inerrancy

“Only the original manuscripts were inerrant, and we don’t have those.”

True—but we have thousands of copies, and the science of textual criticism has allowed scholars to reconstruct the original text with 99% confidence. No major doctrine hangs on a disputed word.

“Human authors make mistakes.”

Yes, humans are fallible. But in inspiration, God superintended the process. The Holy Spirit ensured that what the authors wrote was true. Fallible men can speak infallible truth when guided by an infallible God.

“There are contradictions in the Bible.”

Alleged contradictions are often resolved by context, genre, or proper interpretation. Many “contradictions” are due to misunderstanding or poor reading. Scripture has withstood centuries of scrutiny because it is cohesive and consistent.

Why Truth Matters

1. The Character of God Is at Stake

If the Bible contains error, then God has spoken falsely. But that is impossible:

“God is not a man, that He should lie” (Num. 23:19)

To question the truthfulness of Scripture is to question the integrity of God Himself. His Word is as trustworthy as His nature.

2. The Gospel Is at Stake

The message of salvation depends on Scripture being true. If we cannot trust the Bible’s record of creation, fall, and promise, why should we trust its record of Christ’s death and resurrection?

If Scripture can err in small things, it might err in big things. But Jesus said:

“If you do not believe his writings, how will you believe my words?” (John 5:47)

3. Our Authority Is at Stake

If the Bible contains error, who gets to decide which parts are wrong? The reader becomes the authority. This opens the door to theological chaos.

Without inerrancy, there is no final authority. Everyone becomes a judge over Scripture, rather than being judged by it. The result is not humility—but rebellion.

Jesus and the Inerrancy of Scripture

Jesus held the highest view of Scripture. He affirmed:

• Its divine origin (Matt. 22:43)

• Its historical accuracy (Matt. 12:39–41)

• Its grammatical precision (Matt. 22:32)

• Its permanence (Matt. 5:18)

• Its complete truthfulness (John 17:17)

He quoted Scripture in His teaching, appealed to it in His defense, and fulfilled it in His suffering. He declared:

“The Scripture cannot be broken” (John 10:35)

To follow Jesus is to follow His view of Scripture. He believed inerrancy. So should we.

The Cost of Compromise

Churches that abandon inerrancy may remain religious, but they will not remain faithful. History is littered with seminaries, denominations, and movements that began by “redefining” inspiration and ended in apostasy.

Once the Bible is no longer infallible, everything becomes negotiable. Gender, marriage, salvation, even the deity of Christ—all become subject to cultural revision.

The Beauty of Conviction

Standing for inerrancy is not arrogance—it is allegiance. We don’t claim to know everything. We simply trust the One who does.

We affirm that:

• God has spoken clearly.

• His Word is true.

• We are called to believe and obey.

This conviction produces courage, clarity, and confidence in a world of confusion.

How to Defend Inerrancy Today

1. Know the Scriptures – Don’t just claim inerrancy. Read the Bible. Study it. Live in it.

2. Be Ready to Answer – Understand the objections and respond with grace and truth (1 Pet. 3:15).

3. Trust the Author – Even when you don’t understand everything, remember that the Bible’s Author is good, wise, and true.

4. Proclaim with Boldness – Preach the Word in season and out (2 Tim. 4:2). Don’t apologize for God’s truth.

   
   

Conclusion: Let God Be True

The battle for inerrancy is ultimately a battle for the heart. Will we trust God completely, or will we lean on our own understanding? Will we accept His Word as truth, or edit it to suit our preferences?

Let us stand with Paul:

“Let God be true though every one were a liar” (Rom. 3:4)

And with Jesus:

“Sanctify them in the truth; Your word is truth.” (John 17:17)