DAY 11- 3/11/17- THE
INFALLIBILITY OF THE BIBLE
“All your commands are trustworthy.” (Psalm 119:86)
The Reformers did not use the word “inerrant” but did speak of the “infallibility” of scripture. Zwingli (of the Reformed/Presbyterian persuasion) wrote an important work on “The Clarity and Certainty of the Word of God” that used this word. The Westminster Confession also uses the word “infallible” to describe scripture (I.v; I.ix). The scripture is unfailing to us. It does not mislead us, it is a reliable and certain standard for our belief about God and the duty God requires of us. Scripture claims to be “truth” or “true.” (Psalm 19:7-9; 119:86, 138, 142, 144, 151, 160; John 17:17- “Your Word is truth”; 2 Tim. 3:16; 2 Pt. 1:20-21). This alone does not mean it is true; but one would expect the true testimony of God to say it is a true testimony. But Jesus' testimony to the Scripture's truth (Jn. 5:39 17::17, Mt. 5:17-19) should be enough for the followers of Jesus. There are empirical evidences we could list- prophecies amazingly fulfilled, archaeological evidences that confirm the history that once was doubted, but these fade in comparison to the simple testimony of the Holy Spirit speaking to our hearts convicting and convincing us of its truth. Calvin said the Holy Spirit's testimony is all we really need.
There obviously are human elements in scripture. God uses the grammar, background, and style of each writer. But just because humans do not tell the truth does not mean that scriptures do not tell the truth. Humans do not have to be false all the time- they may speak truth- especially when they are inspired to do so by the Holy Spirit.
The infallibility the Reformation Leaders taught was one not of impeccability as much as indeceivability (Bloesch). The Spirit accommodated the truth of the Gospel to the mind-set and language of the writers. The Holy Spirit makes the truth really truth to us. Without the eyes of faith, the truth of scripture is irrelevant but also not perceived. Scripture is a trustworthy, enduring, unfailing witness to what God reveals to us.
Zwingli indicated that God will do what He says. He related how when God spoke the action was certain. Thus God spoke and the world began, “Let there be light- and there was light.” Isaac will be born- and he was.
Or in the New Testament- the leper is cleansed according to Jesus’ word, the centurion’s servant is healed, the storm is stilled with a word, “Peace be still.” Zwingli says that “what God promises He will infallibly/certainly perform… His Word can never be destroyed, undone, or resisted.”
“All your commands are trustworthy.” (Psalm 119:86)
The Reformers did not use the word “inerrant” but did speak of the “infallibility” of scripture. Zwingli (of the Reformed/Presbyterian persuasion) wrote an important work on “The Clarity and Certainty of the Word of God” that used this word. The Westminster Confession also uses the word “infallible” to describe scripture (I.v; I.ix). The scripture is unfailing to us. It does not mislead us, it is a reliable and certain standard for our belief about God and the duty God requires of us. Scripture claims to be “truth” or “true.” (Psalm 19:7-9; 119:86, 138, 142, 144, 151, 160; John 17:17- “Your Word is truth”; 2 Tim. 3:16; 2 Pt. 1:20-21). This alone does not mean it is true; but one would expect the true testimony of God to say it is a true testimony. But Jesus' testimony to the Scripture's truth (Jn. 5:39 17::17, Mt. 5:17-19) should be enough for the followers of Jesus. There are empirical evidences we could list- prophecies amazingly fulfilled, archaeological evidences that confirm the history that once was doubted, but these fade in comparison to the simple testimony of the Holy Spirit speaking to our hearts convicting and convincing us of its truth. Calvin said the Holy Spirit's testimony is all we really need.
There obviously are human elements in scripture. God uses the grammar, background, and style of each writer. But just because humans do not tell the truth does not mean that scriptures do not tell the truth. Humans do not have to be false all the time- they may speak truth- especially when they are inspired to do so by the Holy Spirit.
The infallibility the Reformation Leaders taught was one not of impeccability as much as indeceivability (Bloesch). The Spirit accommodated the truth of the Gospel to the mind-set and language of the writers. The Holy Spirit makes the truth really truth to us. Without the eyes of faith, the truth of scripture is irrelevant but also not perceived. Scripture is a trustworthy, enduring, unfailing witness to what God reveals to us.
Zwingli indicated that God will do what He says. He related how when God spoke the action was certain. Thus God spoke and the world began, “Let there be light- and there was light.” Isaac will be born- and he was.
Or in the New Testament- the leper is cleansed according to Jesus’ word, the centurion’s servant is healed, the storm is stilled with a word, “Peace be still.” Zwingli says that “what God promises He will infallibly/certainly perform… His Word can never be destroyed, undone, or resisted.”
Prayer: Lord, may I trust in your promises. May I rely on your Word in scripture. May I doubt all other witnesses before I
doubt your witness found in scripture.
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