God the Author
Regard for the Bible as the writen Word of God is the most fundamental component to any comprehensive and effective Systematic Theology. Scripture was not simply written by men, but men who were ‘moved’ by God. Although the individual personalities, experiences, and writing styles of the human authors are apparent, this does not contradict or invalidate the superintendent work of the Holy Spirit in guiding the pen of Man. Thus, since an infallible God is ultimately the author of the written Word, then it holds true that no Scripture is subject to the whimsical interpretation of fallible man. While there are an infinite number of applications for each generation, there is only one proper interpretation of God’s Word.
God the Perfector
The world does not have to mold our view of God and the Bible. God is actively working to renew the mind of obedient men and women so that our understanding of Scripture is not subject to natural limitations of worldly birth and limited experience. The mind of Man is made free to see the wisdom of God by the illuminating power of His Spirit such that right understanding of Scripture is not a matter of ones own intellect, education, or understanding, but rather a result of Men being moved by the the Spirit who speaks the Word today.
God the Sovereign
God’s written Word must always be approached with a attitude of humility, a desire to be sanctified into the image of the Living Word (Jesus), and a unswerving reliance upon God’s Spirit to guide and inspire Truth. Consequently, we as the creature must strive for obedience in what has been revealed by the will of God our creator and not impose our own desires or wistful dreams. The Bible was written by different authors over many centuries, but there is complete unity in every conceivable aspect of Scripture. God is the sovereign author of each word in Scripture and thus no human writer or book can be considered independent. Each book is a testimony, one to the other, of the Truth of God’s plan of salvation for his chosen people. We worship the One true God who inspired only one unified and effective Word.
This blog post is based on my Bible curriculum available at EmergingLife.or
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I guess it depends on how you define infallible. As I have defined it here,the answer to your question is no. It is not possible because God is sovereign, the Scripture cannot fail to accomplish the purpose for which it was given. Has the Scripture failed you? Has it failed the Church? Has the Holy Spirit failed to bring the love of Christ to our world? No. The Scripture, inspired by God and superintended by the Holy Spirit has not failed.
“The Scripture, inspired by God and superintended by the Holy Spirit has not failed.”
My wife has never failed me, but that doesn’t prove infallibility or sovereignty (though she may disagree there!).
I guess I’m uncomfortable with the language of infallibility/inerrancy arguments.
I’m all for emphasizing the authority of Scripture. But since we do affirm the dual nature of Christ (fully human/fully divine), it seems that to deny the same for Scripture may place the Bible above him, as having even greater sovereignty even than Jesus.
Here is a good link which uses language with which I’m more comfortable, from a Wesleyan perspective (which generally doesn’t use “infallibility” or “inerrancy” types of terms).
It is unfortunate Keith how you have taken issue with what you think I am saying rather than what I have actually written.
Keith, let me try and bring some clarity to what I am saying… Do you have faith in Jesus Christ? Has the Holy Spirit and the Scripture played a role in your faith? Then I would contend that through the superintendent work of the Holy Spirit, the Scripture has not failed to accomplish God’s purpose. And God’s purpose for you, me and the world will never fail… HE is infallible.
A quote from the article you referenced says this,
“As to why Scripture might possibly contain errors on unimportant matters, but not on important ones, I hold this because I believe that a special help on the consequential matters was a significant aspect of the Holy Spirit’s inspiration of the writers. One of the important effects of inspiration, I feel, is that the writers were guided in such a way that they did not teach errors on doctrine and practice. I believe, however, that a careful student of the Scriptures can only say this if he is allowed to interpret Scripture with Scripture, often explaining the difficult and seemingly inconsistent passages with passages that are more clear in their meaning.
It is on a considerable number of bases that as a Wesleyan evangelical, I hold the confidence that Scripture is inerrant on doctrine and practice, but that it just might contain error on matters relating to mathematics or science or geography or such like.”
He does not say anything I have not said above.
As a matter of fact, I think I have done a better job of emphasizing the dynamic role of the Holy Spirit who speaks to us today.
Please go back and read more carefully Keith without the imposition of your “discomfort” on what I am saying. I think you will come to a clearer understanding.
I have made some changes to my original blog that I hope will bring clarity to my view of Scripture. I also hope, Keith, that the wording changes I have made will address some of your misunderstandings of what I am saying about inerrancy.
Joe – Please don’t misunderstand my point or position. I don’t disagree with anything you’ve written (at least in its current form)…other than the use of words like “infallible” (which you may have removed) or “inerrant” (which I don’t believe you used).
My view is pretty much in keeping with the linked article. Again, for me, it’s a semantic issue. Words like “infallibility” or “inerrancy” are, in my opinion, used in reference to the Bible moreso than Jesus, and arguments can end up making the case that the Scriptures are actually “more divine” than Jesus. I’m not saying that’s your view, but it’s not uncommon in evangelical circles.
Even the Bible is subordinate to the Lordship of Jesus Christ, though, in terms of doctrine and practice (and esp. soteriology), there’s no contradiction between Jesus and the Scriptures; in all important matters, the word of God is in agreement with the Word of God. Fair?
If you reread the rewrite of my blog, you will find that the only time I use the term “infallible” is in reference to God Himself.
I don’t think the Bible says anything about the Scripture being “subordinate to the Lordship of Jesus” so I am not sure what you mean by that turn of phrase.
I think we are essentially in agreement; we may just prefer different semantic choices at certain junctures.
Re: Scripture as subordinate to the Lordship of Christ…I simply refer to the point that EVERYTHING and EVERYONE is subordinate to his Absolute Lordship, whether or not they recognize it. Yesterday’s lectionary contained a good passage which makes that case…preeminence in every way and all that. Jesus is Lord of Heaven and Hell and Earth and all creation, and he is also Lord of the Bible.
That’s not to say that he’s going to rewrite it or that it is in some way ineffective. But Jesus is the Lord of the Sctiptures, and the Bible’s “main job” is to point to him, not the other way around. Fair?
That is a fair point. I appreciate your approach and desire to honor the written Word and the Living Word.