Today, we’re exploring the Bible itself—the nature of the Bible and the nature of inspiration. Many Christians believe that the Bible is inerrant, meaning it’s without error. This belief is derived from the logical idea that if God is perfect, and the Bible is inspired by God, then the Bible must be perfect too. According to the most conservative view, this means that the biblical accounts of history and scientific details are accurate and without contradiction.
On the surface, this makes sense. The Apostle Paul did say that all Scripture is inspired by God. But who actually wrote each book of the Bible? People. Nobody disputes this. Were those people perfect? Not at all. Did God override the freedom of the writers of Scripture so that their imperfections wouldn’t become evident in what they wrote? No. The point of having human authors of Scripture is to have a representation of themselves within it.
This explains why the Bible gives us an ancient, non-scientific way of understanding the origins of the universe, why it contains stories that have little or no historical corroboration, why different books sometimes offer differing accounts of the same events, and why it presents a God who is supposed to be morally perfect yet sometimes depicted as violent and vengeful.
But if that’s the case, what makes the Bible so special? What makes it inspired? As Paul said, “All Scripture is inspired by God” (2 Timothy 3:16, NASB). More literally, “all Scripture is God-breathed.” Paul goes on to explain that God breathed into Scripture so that it becomes useful to teach us what is true, to make us realize what is wrong in our lives, to correct us when we are wrong, and to teach us to do what is right.
Consider what happens when God breathes into something. In the creation narrative, the body of Adam became alive when God breathed into him. A similar metaphor applies to Scripture. Even though the Bible was written long ago and not directly to us, it remains relevant because it is God-breathed. When we read the Bible, we find that its teachings, principles, and moral truths still apply today.
In reading the Bible, we engage with the Logos—the Word of God. This esoteric concept, which we’ll explore in another post, suggests that when God breathed into Scripture, He embedded it with His Word, which communicates the truth that leads to eternal life. By reading, discussing, and applying the Logos in Scripture, we draw closer to God and the life He desires for us.
Instead of saying that Scripture is inerrant, we can say that Scripture is infallible. It won’t fail in its goal to lead us to eternal life, particularly through Jesus the Messiah. Paul wrote, “For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to everyone who believes” (Romans 10:4, NASB). Jesus is the endpoint of the Torah and all Scripture, as they point to Him and continue to do so.
Yes, the Bible is the product of human writers, but because Scripture is also God-breathed, we believe that it will lead us to Jesus and the salvation He brings. As Jesus said, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father but through Me” (John 14:6, NASB).
So, what do you think? Do you believe the Bible is inerrant and the source of perfect history and scientific truth, or do you think it has a specific purpose to lead us to salvation in Jesus, unfailing in that endeavor? I’d love to hear your thoughts. Leave a comment, or let’s have a discussion on X. Follow me at @DanCalcagno.
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