Some scholars consider “inerrant” and “infallible” to be the same. I’m not a scholar, but I like to differentiate. One means Scripture is without error, the other that Scripture cannot fail to accomplish its purpose. Here is “infallibility.”
·
Psalm 33:11: But the plans of the Lord stand
firm forever, the purposes of His heart through all generations.
·
Prov. 19:21: Many are the plans in a man's
heart, but it is the Lord's purpose that prevails.
·
Prov. 21:30: There is no wisdom, no insight,
no plan that can succeed against the Lord.
·
Isa. 14:24: The Lord Almighty has sworn,
"Surely, as I have planned, so it will be, and as I have purposed, so it
will stand."
·
Isa. 25:1: O Lord, you are my God, I will
exalt you and praise your name, for in perfect faithfulness you have done
marvelous things, things planned long ago.
·
Isa. 46:9-11: Remember the former things,
those of long ago; I am God and there is no other, I am God, and there is none
like me. I make known the end from the
beginning from ancient times, what is still to come. I say: My purpose will
stand and will do all that I please.
From the east I summon a bird of prey; from a far-off land, a man to
fulfill my purpose.
·
Isa. 55:11: So is my Word that goes out from
my mouth: it will not return to Me empty but will accomplish what I desire and
achieve the purpose for which I sent it.
·
Matt. 5:17-18: I did not come to abolish the
law but to fulfill it.
·
Luke 24:44: Everything must be fulfilled that
was written about me in the Law of Moses, the Prophets, and the Psalms.
·
Heb. 6:17: Because God wanted to make the
unchanging nature of His purpose very clear to the heirs of what was promised, He
confirmed it with an oath.
In some of the above
passages it is God who is “infallible.”
But I will remind you that God has revealed His purposes to us in His “Special
Revelation,” the Bible. He reveals His
plans to the prophets (Gen. 18:17-19; Amos 3:7; John 15:15). Here are a few thoughts from Scripture on the
purpose of Scripture.
· To make men wise unto salvation. 2 Tim. 3:15 uses these exact words. James 1:21 calls us to “humbly accept the word planted in you which can save you.”
· To present men perfect before Christ. The Bible is a “lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path” (Ps. 119:105). But also, when we need it, God’s word is like a fire and a hammer that breaks a rock in pieces (Jer. 23:29). As a reminder, “infallibility” is one of those results of “inspiration.” Because the Bible is “God-breathed” it is profitable for doctrine, reproof, correction and instruction in righteousness, so that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly furnished unto all good works (2 Tim. 3:16-17). The Bible is able to delve into the deepest recesses of our being and enable us to see what is actually there (Heb. 4:12).
Based on this, how
sufficient are the Scriptures today in areas of...
·
Psychology: Take a look again as Psalm 19:7-11
and answer this question.
· Pragmatism (methodology in the church, where there is often an over-emphasis on the flashy, spectacular, or popular rather than on the teaching and preaching the Word): Again, take a look at 2 Tim. 3:16-17. What will the Scripture do? It will do for us exactly what must be done that we might be transformed into the image of Christ.
· Spiritual warfare: Eph. 6:10-20 tells us our part in battling Satan. It requires a life committed to Christ and committed to the memorization of God’s Word (Psalm 119:11). Do you doubt this? Look at Jesus using the word of God in today’s passage (Matt. 4:1-11).
We can go on in
every discipline in life. Can I let the
Psalmist make my point? This is from
Psalm 119:
98 You, through Your commandments, make me wiser than
my enemies;
For they are ever with me.
99 I
have more understanding than all my teachers,
For Your testimonies are my meditation.
100 I
understand more than the ancients,
Because I keep Your precepts.
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