by Joe Whiting

Welcome back! We are in our second week of big questions and short answers for biblical counseling and theology. Last week we considered the foundation of biblical counseling and theology: bibliology. Under that broad category we had a 30,000-foot flyover observation of biblical inspiration. We saw that the Scriptures themselves were inspired by God Himself and are therefore the authority and standard for all mankind. 

Regardless of our feelings, beliefs, or traditions, Scripture is the standard of truth. Thus, if we disagree with Scripture, we are wrong and need to change our thinking and practice. Lastly, we saw that since Scripture is from God that it is tremendously profitable and able to make us wise in understanding and righteousness. What an undeserved blessing it is to have a copy of God’s inspired Word in our hands!

This week we will briefly consider the topic of the infallibility and authority of Scripture. Since we already understand the term “authority,” and since, thanks to last week, we understand why the Bible is authoritative in our lives, let’s briefly look at the term “infallibility.” Then, we can see its relationship with authority.

The term “infallibility,” when used in the context of the Bible, simply means that the Scriptures cannot be wrong. Infallibility is the other side of the coin to inspiration. It is stated in the negative. That doesn’t mean that something is wrong with it. It means that if inspiration is positively pointing to God’s Word as truth and always right, since it came from God, then it is also infallible. God’s Word is unable to be wrong. God’s Word is unable to be wrong because it came from God, who is unable to be wrong. Inspiration points to the rightness of God’s Word while infallibility points to the inability of God’s Word to be wrong. Since God, who gave us His inspired Word, is unable to err, His Word carries the same condition.^[1]

Next, let’s consider the relationship between infallibility and biblical authority. And, we will see why this relationship matters. There is actually a huge implication in this relationship. Since the Bible is God’s Word (2 Tim. 3:16), and God is the absolute ultimate Authority (1 Chr. 29:11; Ps. 103:19), and God is absolutely infallible (Ps. 19:7), then His Word must be the absolute, ultimate, infallible authority. If we were to look at the relationship between infallibility and authority from a slightly different angle we could say that since God is not a liar (Titus 1:2), is never wrong (Ps. 147:5; Rom. 11:33-34), and is always just in His judgments (Ps. 89:14; 119:137), then His Word will carry the same attributes. 

Therefore, by default, His Word is authoritative because it is completely accurate and true concerning every subject upon which it speaks. Since God is infallible, and does not lie, and is the ultimate Authority, His inspired Word is, too. The relationship of Scriptural infallibility and authority are inseparable because one naturally flows out of another. 

   This is why it’s important that we understand one, the Scriptures, not the human agents were inspired, and two, the Scriptures are infallible precisely because they come from infallible God, not from fallible men. If the Bible was not God-breathed, but rather a product of man it would be an entirely different scenario. The implication of that scenario would go something like the following. 

Since it is axiomatic (i.e., a self-evident truth), that man is a liar, is not perfect, and only has a minimal amount of authority, it stands to reason that his word carries the same attributes. That does not mean that every work by man is a non-sensible deception. There are thousands and thousands of fine literary works which have been produced by men. It does mean that because man does not possess the authority, infallibility, and perfect justice like God, his word does not either. Because man is not the authority his word is not infallible. However, because God is the authority, His Word is infallible. The two natures are inseparable. God is perfect and His Word is, too. 

If man was the primary author of Scripture then it would have no real authority. Something fallible cannot produce something infallible. In the history of mankind, he has never produced one perfect thing. The product resembles the producer. Like man is inclined to do, everything he makes eventually breaks down, becomes irrelevant, and is never without some level of error. Scripture, on the other hand, like God, can never be broken (Jn. 10:35), is never irrelevant, and is without error. It is infallible and authoritative because of the Source from which it flows and that’s a good thing because we can, and should, trust everything in it. God is infallible, we are not. He’s given us His infallible and authoritative Word concerning how to be made right with Him and to become progressively sanctified. Praise God for His Word and avail yourself to something perfect which flows out of someone perfect.  

We hope this has been as helpful to you as it has to us. Lord willing, we will be back next week and consider the Bible’s authority over theological controversies. Until then may our gracious Lord bless you and keep you. 

^[1] Cross, F. L., & Livingstone, E. A. (Eds.). (2005). In the Oxford dictionary of the Christian Church (3rd ed. rev., p. 836). Oxford; New York: Oxford University Press.