Is the Bible without error?
The Devotional Answer
The devotional answer is that the Bible is the perfectly trustworthy, authoritative word of God (Question 56), and it will never lead you astray. Its most crucial message—the way of salvation through Jesus Christ—is utterly reliable.
The doctrine of the Bible's inerrancy (being without error) is simply the theological expression of God's perfect character (Question 64). Since God is truth, and He is the author of Scripture (2 Timothy 3:16), His word must also be true and free from error.
When you approach the Bible, you are approaching the mind of God. You can rely on the historical narratives (Question 91), the prophecies, and the theological teachings with complete confidence, knowing that the foundation of your faith is solid and infallible.
The Simple Answer
Most evangelical and conservative Christian traditions affirm the doctrine of Biblical Inerrancy.
Biblical Inerrancy means that the Bible, in its original manuscripts (autographs), is without error in everything it affirms—whether it is speaking about God's plan, history, or the natural world.
However, this affirmation comes with important clarifications:
Original Manuscripts: The claim of inerrancy applies to the lost original writings, not necessarily to every copy, translation, or transcription made afterward (which can contain human errors, though these are minor and do not affect the central message).
Proper Interpretation: The Bible is inerrant when interpreted according to its literary genre and context (Question 85). For instance, it is error-free when its poetry is read as poetry, its hyperbole is read as hyperbole (e.g., Jesus' command to pluck out an eye), and its historical narrative is read as history.
The Deeper Dive
When discussing the reliability of Scripture, two related terms are often used:
1. Infallibility (Trustworthiness)
Definition: The Bible cannot fail and will accomplish its intended purpose—it is utterly reliable as a guide for faith and practice. Focus: God's power to use the Bible to bring about salvation and holiness. This is universally accepted by all true Christians.
2. Inerrancy (Truthfulness)
Definition: The Bible speaks truly and without mistake in all matters to which it speaks. Focus: The truthfulness of the content itself. This is the stronger claim and is the most common position for those who hold the Bible as the supreme source of authority (Sola Scriptura).
The Reliability of Current Bibles
While the original manuscripts are lost, textual critics and archaeologists overwhelmingly affirm that the millions of existing fragments and copies are so close that we can reconstruct the original text with a very high degree of certainty (far greater than any other ancient historical document). The errors that do exist in modern translations are not in the core doctrines (Question 102).
Addressing Apparent Contradictions
When a new reader encounters what appears to be a contradiction (e.g., two different accounts of the same event), the inerrancy position holds that the problem is with the reader's limited knowledge or misinterpretation of the context, not with the text itself. Deeper study of the context or original language usually resolves the apparent conflict.
God's Assurance
God assures you that His word is eternal and is the unshakable foundation of all truth.
“The entirety of your word is truth, and all your righteous judgments endure forever.” — Psalm 119:160 (NKJV)
You are assured that the Bible you hold in your hand is the true and authoritative revelation of God, completely sufficient for your every need.
Your Takeaway Thought
Base your confidence on God's character: He is incapable of lying, and therefore, His word is incapable of error. When you encounter passages that seem confusing or contradictory, do not doubt the Scripture; doubt your interpretation and respond with humility, prayer, and diligent study (Question 85). Trust the word that has stood firm for millennia.
