In our last post we talked about inerrancy. Inerrancy means, to put it simply, that the Bible is free from error. There is another concept that’s closely related to inerrancy called “infallibility”. Infallibility means that the Bible “cannot fail”, or is reliable in what it teaches us.

Something can be inerrant for a variety of reasons. It can be inerrant by pure dumb luck. For example, if you give me a complex math problem, I can pick a random number out of the air for an answer. If the answer is correct, it’s inerrant - but not due to any skill on my part. It can also be inerrant because the speaker knows their subject and is authoritative. Ask that same question of a skilled mathematician, and the answer will likely be inerrant - this time because of the skill and knowledge of the mathematician.

An answer can also be inerrant, but misleading - this is where an answer is given that’s “technically correct”, but may not be complete. Or it can be considered inerrant because it contains correctly reported incorrect information. An example of that would be, “Joe said that the sky was yellow yesterday at noon.” It may be true that Joe said that, but his statement was false if the sky was not in fact yellow.

Infallibility means that if the Bible speaks about a subject, it cannot be incorrect and it doesn’t deceive or mislead. The Chicago Statement On Biblical Inerrancy states in part that the Bible:

“is of infallible divine authority in all matters upon which it touches: it is to be believed, as God’s instruction, in all that it affirms: obeyed, as God’s command, in all that it requires; embraced, as God’s pledge, in all that it promises.”

It clarifies the definition of infallibility as follows:

“lnfallible signifies the quality of neither misleading nor being misled and so safeguards in categorical terms the truth that Holy Scripture is a sure, safe, and reliable rule and guide in all matters.”

This follows with the statements of Jesus:

“and Scripture cannot be broken”
- John 10:35b (ESV)

“For truly, I say to you, until heaven and earth pass away, not an iota, not a dot, will pass from the Law until all is accomplished”
- Matthew 5:18 (ESV)

You’ll note that Jesus isn’t suggesting that Scripture might not be broken.  He’s not saying that some of Scripture can’t be broken.  He’s stating categorically that the texts that were written can’t be broken.  It’s just not possible. 

The Bible therefore teaches that its infallibility and inerrancy provides a solid foundation for our faith, as well as a reliable guide for daily living.  This is one of the foundational principles of Christianity.