· Bibliology ·

Lecture Eleven:  The Inerrancy of Scripture I

TH330 Systematic Theology I · Moody Bible Institute · Dr. Richard M. Weber

I. The Meaning of Inerrancy

A. The Definition of “Inerrancy”

“The inerrancy of Scripture means that Scripture in the original manuscripts does not affirm anything that is contrary to fact.”  (Wayne Grudem, Systematic Theology, 90)

“Scripture is without error or fault in all its teachings.”  (Chicago Statement on Biblical Inerrancy, 1978)

“[T]he inerrancy of the Bible means simply that the Bible tells the truth.  Truth can and does include approximations, free quotations, language of appearance, and different accounts of the same event as long as these do not contradict.”  (Charles C. Ryrie, Basic Theology, 93)

“The Bible is inerrant in that it tells the truth, and it does so without error in all parts and with all its words.”  (Charles C. Ryrie, Basic Theology, 94)

B. Criticism of the Term “Inerrancy”

They don’t necessarily reject the doctrine, but they reject the term. They also claim the bible doesn’t use this term, so we must find another term. Those that have a problem don’t think that there is history to the term, but it has been around for 100 years.

The Bible doesn’t use the word trinity, but we still use it.

It does communicate it well, and it is here to stay.

II. The Case for Biblical Inerrancy

A. The Deductive Argument

All moody profs are cool.

Dr. Weber is a prof.

Therefore Weber is cool too.

1. God is True

2 Sam 7:28.  “O Sovereign Lord, you are God!  Your words are trustworthy, and you have promised these good things to your servant.”

Titus 1:2.  “…God, who does not lie, promised [the hope of eternal life] before the beginning of time.”

2. God breathed out the Bible

2 Tim 3:16.  “All Scripture is God-breathed…”

3. Therefore, the Bible is True

John 17:17.  “Sanctify them  by the truth; your word is truth.”

B. The Inductive Argument

Is only as good as the evidence for it.

1. Evidence Regarding the Truthfulness of God’s Words

a. Ps 119:89, 96.  “Your word, O Lord, is eternal; it stands firm in the heavens.  …  To all perfection I see a limit; but your commands are boundless.”

b. Matt 24:35.  “Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away.”

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

d. Prov 30:5.  “Every word of the Lord is flawless; he is a shield to those who take refuge in him.”

e. Num 23:19.  “God is not a man, that he should lie, nor a son of man, that he should change his mind.  Does he speak and then not act?  Does he promise and not fulfill?”

2. Evidence Regarding Jesus’ View of the Old Testament Law

Matt 5:17-18.  “Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them.  I tell you the truth, 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.”

a. What is Promised?

b. What is Encompassed in the Promise?

John 10:34 – “[Jesus said], ‘The Scripture cannot be broken.’”

c. In What Detail Will All Promises Be Fulfilled?