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Does the Bible Contain Errors?

Understanding the Concept of Inerrancy


When discussing whether the Bible contains errors, it's essential to start with a clear definition of inerrancy. By inerrancy, we mean that when all the facts are known, the Bible—in its original manuscripts and properly interpreted—will be shown to be true and never false in all that it affirms, whether related to doctrine, ethics, or the social, physical, or life sciences. This definition encompasses three critical aspects. First, it recognizes that we do not possess all the information to demonstrate the truth of the Bible fully, as much data has been lost over time and some data await archaeological discovery. Second, inerrancy is defined in terms of truth that most philosophers today take to be a property of sentences, not words, meaning all the indicative sentences or statements of the Bible are true. Third, all information in the Bible, regardless of the subject, is true, accurately recording events, conversations, and teachings about God, the human condition, and heaven and eternal destruction.


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The Biblical Basis for Inerrancy


The most compelling argument for inerrancy comes from the Bible itself, which claims to be the inspired and authoritative Word of God. The Bible describes its inspiration and inerrancy in passages like 2 Timothy 3:16, which states, "All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness." Similarly, 2 Peter 1:21 explains that "no prophecy was ever produced by the will of man, but men spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit." These verses affirm that the Scriptures are divinely inspired and therefore trustworthy.


The inerrancy of the Bible also follows from the nature of God. Scripture asserts that God cannot lie (Numbers 23:19; 1 Samuel 15:29; Titus 1:2; Hebrews 6:18). Since God is the ultimate source of the Bible, His perfect character guarantees the truthfulness of His Word. Jesus himself affirmed the inerrancy of Scripture in John 10:34-35, where He said, "Scripture cannot be broken," underscoring the reliability and permanence of God's Word.


Moreover, the Bible's internal consistency and the way it uses Scripture further support its inerrancy. For example, Jesus and the apostles often based their arguments on specific words, tenses, and even the number of a noun in Scripture, demonstrating their belief in its precise accuracy. Matthew 5:18 records Jesus saying, "For truly, I say to you, until heaven and earth pass away, not an iota, not a dot, will pass from the Law until all is accomplished."



Historical Support for Inerrancy


Historically, the doctrine of inerrancy has been the normative view among Christians. Early church fathers like Augustine and reformers like Martin Luther and John Wesley upheld the belief in the complete truthfulness of Scripture. Augustine stated, "I have learned to yield this respect and honor only to the canonical books of Scripture: of these alone do I most firmly believe that the authors were completely free from error." Martin Luther remarked, "Everyone, indeed, knows that at times they [the fathers] have erred as men will; therefore I am ready to trust them only when they prove their opinions from Scripture, which has never erred." Similarly, John Wesley asserted, "Nay, if there be any mistakes in the Bible, there may as well be a thousand. If there be one falsehood in that book, it did not come from the God of truth."



Epistemological Arguments for Inerrancy


The epistemological argument for inerrancy addresses the nature of knowledge and truth. If the Bible is not entirely true, then any part of it could potentially be false. This uncertainty is particularly problematic when dealing with unverifiable claims about the invisible God, angels, or heaven. Inerrancy ensures that all testable claims in the Bible will be shown to be true once all relevant information is available. Throughout history, many claims in the Bible that were once thought to be erroneous have been validated by further evidence. This ongoing validation builds confidence that the Bible's teachings about spiritual and unseen realities are also true.



The Slippery Slope Argument


The slippery slope argument posits that denying inerrancy leads to greater doctrinal errors. If the Bible contains errors, then its authority is undermined, and other central doctrines, such as the deity of Christ or the substitutionary atonement, could also be called into question. History has shown that theological liberalism often begins with a denial of inerrancy and progresses to the rejection of core Christian doctrines. While this does not happen in every case, it is a demonstrable trend that highlights the foundational importance of maintaining a high view of Scripture.



Addressing Common Objections


Critics of inerrancy often point out that we do not possess the original manuscripts (autographs) of the Bible. However, this objection does not invalidate the doctrine of inerrancy if two conditions are met: (1) we have a sufficient number of high-quality copies of the autographs, and (2) we have a sophisticated discipline of textual criticism to use these copies in determining what the original texts said. Both conditions are met in the case of the Bible, as we have thousands of manuscript copies and a well-developed field of textual criticism that allows us to reconstruct the original texts with a high degree of confidence.

Another common objection is the presence of alleged errors or contradictions within the Bible. However, many of these claims arise from misinterpretations or a lack of understanding of the cultural and historical context of the passages in question. For example, differences in parallel accounts of the same event in the Gospels can often be harmonized when considering the different perspectives and purposes of the authors. Furthermore, many supposed discrepancies have been resolved with the discovery of new archaeological or historical data.



The Role of Proper Interpretation


Proper interpretation is crucial for understanding the inerrancy of Scripture. Inerrancy applies to the Bible as it was originally written and properly interpreted. Misinterpretations can lead to the appearance of errors where none exist. The Historical-Grammatical method of interpretation, which seeks to understand the text in its original context and according to the rules of grammar and genre, is essential for accurate exegesis.


For example, when interpreting the creation account in Genesis, it is important to consider the literary genre and the cultural context in which it was written. The purpose of Genesis is not to provide a scientific account of creation but to reveal theological truths about God's sovereignty and the origins of humanity. Recognizing this helps to avoid conflicts between the biblical text and scientific discoveries.



Scriptural Consistency and Archaeological Evidence


The Bible's consistency and the corroboration of its historical claims by archaeological evidence further support its inerrancy. Numerous archaeological discoveries have confirmed the historical accuracy of biblical events, places, and people. For instance, the discovery of the Hittite civilization, once thought to be a biblical myth, has provided evidence for the Bible's reliability. Similarly, the Dead Sea Scrolls have demonstrated the remarkable preservation of the Old Testament texts over centuries, affirming the reliability of the transmission process.



Theological Implications of Inerrancy


The doctrine of inerrancy has significant theological implications. It upholds the authority of Scripture, ensuring that the Bible is the final standard for faith and practice. If the Bible were not inerrant, its teachings could be questioned, and its authority diminished. Inerrancy also provides a solid foundation for the believer's faith, offering assurance that the Bible's promises and teachings are trustworthy.


Moreover, inerrancy underscores the importance of God's revelation. Since God is the ultimate source of truth, His revelation through Scripture must be true. This truthfulness is not limited to spiritual matters but extends to historical and scientific statements as well. The Bible's inerrancy assures us that God's communication is reliable in every aspect.



Living Out the Truth of Inerrancy


Belief in the inerrancy of Scripture should not be a mere intellectual assent but should impact how we live our lives. Since the Bible is God's inerrant Word, we are called to submit to its authority and obey its commands. James 1:22-25 exhorts believers to be doers of the Word, not hearers only, deceiving themselves: "But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves. For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man who looks intently at his natural face in a mirror. For he looks at himself and goes away and at once forgets what he was like. But the one who looks into the perfect law, the law of liberty, and perseveres, being no hearer who forgets but a doer who acts, he will be blessed in his doing."


Our belief in the inerrancy of Scripture should lead to a commitment to study, understand, and apply God's Word in every area of our lives. It should also inspire confidence in sharing the gospel, knowing that the message we proclaim is grounded in the unchanging truth of God's Word.



About the Author

EDWARD D. ANDREWS (AS in Criminal Justice, BS in Religion, MA in Biblical Studies, and MDiv in Theology) is CEO and President of Christian Publishing House. He has authored over 220 books. In addition, Andrews is the Chief Translator of the Updated American Standard Version (UASV).


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