THE BIBLE: ERRORS, NO! Part 1
Note: These are summarized compilations from the book, “When Critics Ask”, authored by Norman Geisler and Thomas Howe.
Critics claim the Bible is filled with errors. Some even speak of thousands of mistakes. The truth is there is not even one demonstrated error in the original text of the Bible. This is not to say that there are no difficulties in our Bibles. There are, and that is what these series are all about. They are only to point out that there are no actual errors; in the Scriptures. Why? Because the Bible is the Word of God, and God cannot err.
Come, let us reason. Let’s put it in logical form and then examine the premises:
GOD CANNOT ERR.
THE BIBLE IS THE WORD OF GOD.
THEREFORE, THE BIBLE CANNOT ERR.
As any student of logic knows, this is a valid syllogism (a form of reasoning). So, if the premises are true, the conclusion is also true. The Bible clearly declares itself to be the Word of God. It also informs us that God cannot err. The conclusion, then, is inevitable. The Bible cannot err. If the Bible erred in anything it affirms, then God would be mistaken. But God cannot make mistakes.
God Cannot Err
The Scriptures declare emphatically that “it is impossible for God to lie” (Heb. 6:18). Paul speaks of the “God who cannot lie” (Titus 1:2). He is a God who, even if we are faithless, “He remains faithful; He cannot deny Himself” (2 Tim. 2:13). God is truth (John 1416) and so is His Word. Jesus said to the Father, “Your Word is truth” (John 17:17). The psalmist exclaimed, “The entirety of Your word is truth” (Ps. 119:160).
The Bible is the Word of God
Jesus referred to the OT as the “Word of God” which “cannot be broken” (John 10:35). He said, “until heaven and earth disappear, not the smallest letter, not the least stroke of a pen, will by any means disappear from the Law until everything is accomplished” (Matt. 5:18, NIV). Paul added, “All Scripture is God-breathed” (2 Tim. 3:16, NIV). It came “from the mouth of God” (Matt. 414). Although human authors recorded the messages, “prophecy never had its origin in the will of man, but men spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit” (2 Peter 1:20, N1v).
Jesus said to the religious leaders of His day, “You nullify the Word of God by your tradition” (Mark 7:13, NIV). Jesus turned their attention to the written Word of God by affirming over and over again, “It is written … It is written … It is written …” (Matt. 4:4, 7, 10). This phrase occurs over ninety times in the NT. It is a strong indication of the divine authority of the written Word of God. Stressing the unfailing nature of God’s truth, the Apostle Paul referred to the Scriptures as “the Word of God” (Rom. 9:6). The writer of Hebrews declared that “the Word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart” (Heb. 4:12, NIV).
The Logical Conclusion: The Bible Cannot Err
Yes God has spoken, and He has not stuttered. The God of truth has given us the Word of Truth, and it does not contain any untruth in it, The Bible is the unerring Word of God!
