Center for Biblical Coaching

What’s the relationship between infallibility and authority?

The doctrinal teaching of infallibility is that the Scriptures cannot fail in the areas of faith and practice. This term is often used synonymously with the term inerrancy. The Scriptures are not simply infallible but inerrant. They are true in all they teach. It records lies that were told (Abram and Sarai) and bad counsel that was given (Job’s friends). If it didn’t do that, it wouldn’t be inerrant. It is the final authority in all areas of faith and practice. Since it is from God who is true, it is without error and, therefore, infallible.

Human psychology fails because it is based on man’s fallible wisdom. The Scriptures cannot fail because they are God’s infallible Word.  The Scriptures are authoritative in the sense that if they say something should be done a certain way, then it must be done that way in order to achieve the desired results. If there’s a promise to be claimed, the Christian can claim it.

Throughout the Bible it speaks in accommodating language (“The sun went down”) as well as using round numbers (7000 killed instead of 6899). We also see the Bible summarize in areas like the Sermon on the Mount being longer in Matthew than in Luke. The writers of Scripture would often give summaries or paraphrase the words of those who spoke. When we say the Scriptures are inerrant, we are saying that that which the authors recorded are true.

Infallibility is tied to absolute authority. Any denial of infallibility produces a slippery slope in which the one who denies this doctrine is open to deny the authority of Scripture on any matter. Which doctrines are true and which are not? We read in Luke 2:2 that Governor Quirinius took a census during the time of Jesus’ birth. It was later discovered that Governor Quirinius didn’t become Governor until 6AD. The Christian community was shocked and many came to the conclusion that there were errors in the Bible. About 20 years later it was discovered that Quirinius was governor twice! So, just because we can’t always explain it doesn’t mean it’s not true. The Word of God is inerrant and infallible which makes it authoritative.