MODULE 5 - THE INERRANCY OF THE SCRIPTURES

Introduction:
Is the Scripture inerrant? Can a Scripture contain a mixture of error? One of the terms used in
describing the nature of the Bible is “inerrancy.” It is not a biblical term, but rather a theological
term that expresses a biblical truth. Inerrancy sums up the truth about what the Bible has to
say about itself—it is without error.
Inerrancy is a new term, coined within the last one hundred years, it describes a concept that
the Bible clearly teaches that God’s Word is without error. Over time, the terminology in
describing the nature of the Bible has changed. The term, “inerrancy” came into common usage
as a response to those who claimed to have found errors in Scripture. It was merely expressing
the concept of God’s truthfulness in a way that responded to the charges that were made
against it. Therefore, the fact that the precise term, “inerrancy” is not found in Scripture,
Historically, the church has built all its doctrines out of the teachings found in Scripture, which
has been believed to be authoritative and completely truthful in all that it teaches.
Those who submit to the authority of Scripture acknowledges the doctrine of inerrancy. While
they do not have explanations for every difficulty, they have faith that the ultimate Author of
Scripture, God, has given the human race a revelation of Himself that is consistent with His
character, and thus it is error-free. Consequently, the real issue is not about the term,
“inerrancy”—the real issue is this: Is the Bible totally trustworthy in all that it says. It is the
concept that is important, not the particular term that is used to describe the concept.

Objectives:
At the end of this lesson, you should be able to:
1. Write the Key Verse from memory;
2. Define the terms Inerrancy;
3. Enumerate the Testimonies recorded to Inerrancy;
4. Discuss the origin of Doctrine of Inerrancy, and show valid proofs that refute such
claim in the Scriptures.

Definition of Key Terms: (Meriam Webster Dictionary)

TERM: DEFINITION:
INERRANCY -means lack of error; infallibility
-Something that is completely accurate and
cannot be wrong

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Discussion:
KEY VERSE:

PROVERBS 30:5

“Every word of God proves true: He is a shield to

those who take refuge in Him”

A. ORIGIN OF INERRANCY

We believe that the Bible is God's word. The Bible, including both the Old and New Testaments,
is a divine revelation, the original autographs of which were verbally inspired by the Holy Spirit.

The Inerrancy of the Bible means that in its original autographs, the Bible contains no mistakes
meaning only the original autographs (the original manuscripts written by the apostles,
prophets, etc.) are under the divine promise of inspiration and inerrancy. In the original
languages, Greek, Hebrew, and Aramaic copies in which it was written, it is absolutely infallible
– without error. In contrast to this, atheists, agnostics and liberal theologians have declared the
Bible to be full of errors. Indeed, there are those who teach a “limited inerrancy”, claiming the
Bible to be inerrant in matters of faith and practice, but not necessarily so in scientific and
historical matters.

There is no biblical promise that copies of the original manuscripts would be equally inerrant
or free from errors. As the Bible has been copied thousands of times over thousands of years,
some copyist errors have likely occurred.

SAQ # 1: Do you believe that the Scriptures are without error? Justify your answers.
(10 pts each)

B. WHY DO WE NEED TO KNOW THAT THE BIBLE IS INERRANT?

1. The Bible itself claims to be perfect.

“And the words of the Lord are flawless, like silver refined in a furnace of clay, purified
seven times” (Psalm 12:6).

“The law of the Lord is perfect” (Psalm 19:7).

“Every word of God is pure” (Proverbs 30:5 KJV).

These claims of purity and perfection are absolute statements. Note that it doesn’t say
God’s Word is “mostly” pure or scripture is “nearly” perfect. The Bible argues for complete.
Perfection, leaving no room for “partial perfection” theories.

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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.

The Bible was written by God Himself as He worked through human authors in a
process called “inspiration.” “All scripture is God-breathed” (2 Timothy 3:16) 21 for no
prophecy was ever made by an act of human will, but men moved by the Holy Spirit
spoke from God (2 Peter 1:21)

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” (Hebrews 4:12).

Notice the relationship between “the heart” and “the Word.” The Word examines; the
heart is being examined. To discredit parts 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?” (Romans 9:20).

5. The Bible’s message must be taken as a whole.

It is not a mixture of doctrine 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” (Psalm 119:89).

6. 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. 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,
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 “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 of life.

SAQ # 2: Choose one (1) reason stated from above and then justify the claim why the
Bible is inerrant. (10 pts each)

C. THE TESTIMONY TO INERRANCY

A. FROM THE SCRIPTURES THEMSELVES

The Scriptures claims to be inspired by God. “All Scriptures is given by inspiration of

God” (2 Timothy 3:16. “For the prophecy came not in old times by the will of men, but
holy men of God spoke as they were loved by the Holy Ghost.” (2 Peter 1:21)

1. OLD TESTAMENT WRITERS

The Writers of the Old Testament are most explicit in claiming they were speaking the
Word of God. They claim 3,808 times to be transmitting the very words of God.

Moses declared:

“Ye shall not add unto the word which I command you, neither shall ye diminish
from it” (Dt. 4:2)

The Psalmist cried:

“The law of the Lord is perfect… the Testimony of the Lord is pure” (Ps. 19:7).

Samuel declared:

“The spirit of the Lord spake by me, and his word was in my tongue” (2 Sm.
23:2).

Isaiah wrote:

“Hear, O heavens, and give ear, O earth, for the Lord hath spoken” (Is. 1:2).

Jeremiah quotes the words of the earth, or the Lord to him:

“Whatsoever I command thee thou shalt speak… behold I have put my words
in thy mouth” (Jer. 1:7,9).

Ezekiel tells of his commission:

“Thou shalt speak my words unto them” (Ez. 2:7), and “Speak with my words
unto them” (Ez. 3:4).

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Each and all of these declared that they were speaking God’s words. Thus the Old Testament
testifies concerning itself.

2. NEW TESTAMENT WRITERS.

The New Testament writers also hear witness to the fact that the Old Testament was
God speaking.

(1) In the Gospels.

“All this was done, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the
prophets” (Mt. 1:22).

“As he spake by the mouth of his holy prophets, which have been since the
world began” (Lk. 1:70).

“For David himself said by the Holy Ghost…” (Mk. 12:36).

(2) In the Epistles.

The Apostles also gave their witness to the perfections of the Old Testament
Scriptures. Paul said of the Law :

12’ So then, the law is holy, the commandment, holy and righteous and good”
(Rom. 7:12 NIV).

The writer of Hebrews regarded the Word of God as living and effectual, going
so far as to judge even our feelings and innermost thoughts.

James describes the Word as “the perfect law of liberty” (Jas. 1:22-25). He
regarded its complete authority when he issued the warning: “5 Or do you think
Scripture says without reason that he jealously longs for the spirit he has caused
to dwell in us? (Jas. 4:5).

John brings the written revelation to a close with the words:

Thus, towards the beginning

2 Do not add to what I command you and do not subtract from it, but keep the
commands of the LORD your God that I give you.,( Deuteronomy 4:2 )

32 See that you do all I command you; do not add to it or take away from it.(Deut.
12:32)

In the middle: Every word of God proves true. He is a shield to all who come to
him for protection. (Proverbs 30:5)

And at the end of the Scriptures, God warns about tampering with His Word, by adding to or
taking from its message.

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“18 I warn everyone who hears the words of the prophecy of this scroll: If anyone adds anything
to them, God will add to that person the plagues described in this scroll. 19 And if anyone takes
words away from this scroll of prophecy, God will take away from that person any share in the
tree of life and in the Holy City, which are described in this scroll.”

3. JESUS CHRIST

Jesus Himself bore witness to the scriptures. Christ specifically confirms the whole of
the Old Testament. He did not find one error or inconsistency in it. He continually based
His arguments and exhortations on it. He declared

“18 For truly I tell you, until heaven and earth disappear, not the smallest letter,
not the least stroke of a pen, will by any means disappear from the Law until
everything is accomplished.” (Matthew 5:18)

Discussing just one word with the Jews, He said;

“35 If He called them gods, men to whom the word of God came?” (And the
Scripture cannot be undone or annulled or broken), (John 10:35).

In Luke 24:44 Jesus said,

44 Then He said to them, “This is what I told you while I was still with you,
everything which has been written about Me in the [a] Law of Moses and the
[writings of the] Prophets and the Psalms must be fulfilled.”

Jesus referred to many Old Testament persons and events, and thus, bore testimony to the
authenticity and authority of the Old Testament which always been under greatest question by
the critics, He approved the account of the following:

Theme/Events Old Testament Jesus Claims (NT)

Creation and Marriage Genesis 1: 1-20 Matthew 19: 5
Genesis 2:24
The Deluge of Noah’s Ark Genesis 6-8 Luke 17: 28-29
The Destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah Genesis 19: 23-38 Luke 17: 28-29

The destruction of Tyre and Sidon Jeremiah 4:4-5

Circumcision Genesis 17:12-24 John 7:22
The Passover Numbers 9:1-16 Matthew 26:2
The Law Leviticus7; 14 John 7:19
The Commandments Deuteronomy 4:1-13 Matthew 19: 7-9
The Jewish Law of Divorce Deuteronomy 24:3 Matthew 19: 7-9
The Fact of the Burning Bush Exodus 3: 1-4 Mark 12: 26
The type of Jonah and the great Fish Jonah 1:17 Matthew12:40
The repentance of Nineveh Jonah 3:4-10 Matthew 12:41
The glory of Solomon 2 Chronicles 7 Matthew 6:26
The wisdom of Solomon 1 Kings 10:1-6 Matthew 2: 29
The Feast of the Tabernacle Numbers 31 John 7
David eating the shewbread 2 Samuel 22 Matthew 12:3

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 B. The Bible is a unique revelation of truth.

The Bible is a revelation of truth about which Man can never know apart from what it tells
him. Chaffer says the Bible is infinite because it discloses truth concerning the Infinite God.,
infinite holiness, infinite sin and infinite redemption. It seems to prove itself infinite, for “no
human mind has fully comprehended its message or measured its values.” God would not
be God if this were possible. One never worships what he can understand.

C. The Bible is an unchanging revelation.

Much of the uncertainty and unbelief in the Bible have come from so called scientist. Because
the inerrancy of the Bible is on the level of observable facts, it is most open to attacks from
the skeptical and unbelieving scholars. Science has assumed an aura of authority and almost
infallibility. The word” science” simply means “knowledge” and is to be neither worshipped
nor feared. The Bible was over thousands of years since it was written and it was never
proven wrong in any scientific fact.

D. The Bible is morally and spiritually right.

The Bible demonstrates its greatest accuracy in a moral and spiritual realm. It has influenced
civilizations, transformed lives brought light and inspiration and comfort to many readers.
And its works continues As the Scriptures declares: 1 Thessalonians 2:1313 And we also
thank God continually for this, that when you received the word of God [concerning salvation]
which you heard from us, you welcomed it not as the word of [mere] men, but as it truly is,
the word of God, which is effectually at work in you who believe [exercising its inherent,
supernatural power in those of faith].

SAQ # 3: Choose from among the table and Read the Verse of the topic you choose
from the coming the Old and the New Testament. Answer the following:
(30 pts)
a. What is the event about?
b. Does the principles of the New Testament contradict with the Old
Testament? Why or why not?
c. What is your realization about this text?

D. WHAT INERRANCY IS NOT

1. Inerrancy does not mean that the writers themselves were faultless in life.

What the doctrine does teach is that the writers were preserved from error in their
teaching while they were writing the Scriptures. Individual authors may have embraced
wrong conceptions about many things as Peter did at Antioch and had to be rebuked
by Paul (Gal. 2:11-17). However, the Holy Spirit sovereignly restrained Peter and all
the authors of the Scriptures from teaching error through their scriptural writings.

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 2. Inerrancy does not mean that a wrong interpretation could not be put on the text.

The Pharisees misquoted the Old Testament and Peter found the writings of Paul
difficult to understand (2 Pet. 3:16).

3. Inerrancy does not deny the flexibility of language as a vehicle of communication.

It is often difficult to convey an exact statement because language is flexible. It is also

possible for words to have a variation of meaning that is why conservative Christians
have argued for plenary verbal inspiration in the original autographs (i.e., the first
documents).

4. Biblical inerrancy does not mean that we are to stop using our minds or accept
whatever interpretations man can give.

We are commanded to study the Word (2 Timothy 2:15), and those who search it out
Bible, as well as sincere disagreements over interpretation. It is important to ask the
leading of the Holy Spirit as we approach God in prayer when we find something we do
not understand.

Summary:
The books of the Bible, as they were originally written under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit (2
Timothy 3:16–17; 2 Peter 1:20–21), were 100 percent inerrant, accurate, authoritative, and
true. The doctrine rightly teaches that the scriptures are without error in all that they affirm (i.e.,
properly interpreted), whether they refer to geographical, historical, or theological issues. Thus,
the scriptures are the final authority in matters of faith and practice and take precedence over
tradition, culture, and creed. This doctrine also allows for different literary styles, poor grammar,
approximations in numbers, etc. (Psalm 119)

References:

• The Bible, New International Version

• Bible.org
• PRINCIPLES OF LIFE FROM THE WORD OF GOD

Evaluation:
Instruction: Write TRUE if the statement is correct, and FALSE if it is not: (10 points)
______________1. The Bible can erroneous because of the frailty of the writers.
______________2. The grammar and usage of words of the Bible is perfect and inerrant.
______________3. Jesus Christ used Old Testament writings in His teachings.

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______________4. There are times that the writers of the Bible contribute their opinion in their
writings.
______________5. We believe that the Bible is a word of Truth.
______________6. Since writers of the Bible are Human, they are prone to mistakes.
______________7. Everyone can give their own interpretation of the Bible.
______________8. There is no doubt that the Bible is the Word of God.
______________9. The Bible can reach out to man’s every form of language and culture.
_____________10. All that is written in the Bible is true and absolute.

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