Often I write and speak concerning the ideas of the inerrancy, infallibility, and literal truth of the Word of God. And critics abound from everywhere. I find this amusing. Why so?

My view of Scripture is deeply personal in many respects. I have arrived here after at least 50 years of studying this topic directly affecting how I read and present sermons from the Bible. Important scholars from various theological backgrounds have written, but not all have agreed. In fact, each one of them has a different take on the matter. Some disagreements are quite remarkable indeed.

A literal sense of Scripture leans heavily upon the inspired author who speaks of and instructs from where he lives. My view of Inerrancy takes every sentence to be completely reliable as God’s inspired Word of truth. The result is the infallible construct of God’s Word resting upon God Himself.

I then come to the authority of the Bible coursing through the framework of infallibility. Gleaning from years of study this simply tells me that Scripture never fails in God’s divine purpose, “All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness; so that the man of God may be adequate, equipped for every good work.” 2 Timothy 3:16-17 NASB.. The Bible makes good on all its claims, including its truth claims. God’s Word never leads astray. 

Paul, and every other biblical author, unequivocally trusted God’s faithfulness and reliability over and over again. Therefore, God’s Word is found to be true because we can rely upon it to accomplish its purpose. We can trust God’s promises, commands, and warnings to be true. 

The terms inerrancy, infallibility, and literal truth remind us that the Word of God is completely reliable not only because of what it teaches us but also as we can act upon the truth we glean from it.

Jesus is Lord.