FOUNDATION TOPIC

Does the Bible Have Errors?

The Bible as we know it was translated over many years from the original Hebrew and Greek manuscripts. These original manuscripts are true and without error (infallible) since they were directly inspired by God.

Related Topics

What's on this page?

You can trust the Bible

God can’t lie and does not make mistakes, so you can trust what he has said, and the process by which he preserved his Word.

Is the Bible true?

Does the Bible have errors?

Theme Verse

HEBREWS 6:18 NLT

So God has given both his promise and his oath. These two things are unchangeable because it is impossible for God to lie. Therefore, we who have fled to him for refuge can have great confidence as we hold to the hope that lies before us.

OPEN
YOUR BIBLE

God Never Fails
to Keep His Promises

This God—his way is perfect; the word of the Lord proves true; he is a shield for all those who take refuge in him.”
(Psalm 18:30 ESV)

God’s Word Is
Wholly True

The law of the Lord is perfect, reviving the soul; the testimony of the Lord is sure, making wise the simple;
(Psalm 19:7 ESV)

God Is Always
Faithful to His Word

For the word of the Lord is upright, and all his work is done in faithfulness.
(Psalm 33:4 ESV)

God’s Word
Reveals Truth
to Us

Righteous are you, O Lord, and right are your rules. You have appointed your testimonies in righteousness and in all faithfulness.
(Psalm 119:137-138 ESV)

God Has Revealed
His Truth Most
Clearly in the person,
Jesus Christ

So Jesus said to the Jews who had believed him, “If you abide in my word, you are truly my disciples, and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”
(John 8:31-32 ESV)

God’s Word Is
Not Just True,
but the Standard
of Truth

“Sanctify them in the truth; your word is truth.”
(John 17:17 ESV)

The Problem
Isn’t God’s Law,
but We Who
Can’t Keep It

So the law is holy, and the commandment is holy and righteous and good.
(Romans 7:12 ESV)

Paul Encourages
A Young Pastor
to Trust God’s Word

He must hold firm to the trustworthy word as taught, so that he may be able to give instruction in sound doctrine and also to rebuke those who contradict it.
(Titus 1:9 ESV)

Read the Book of Titus

Is the Bible True?

Video: 3 Min

The Bible Is
Beautifully True

by Desiring God

Books

A Peculiar Glory: How the
Christian Scriptures Reveal
Their Complete Truthfulness

by John Piper | Theology

Difficulty: Intermediate

The Inerrant Word: Biblical,
Historical, Theological, and
Pastoral Perspectives

Ed. John MacArthur | Theology

Difficulty: Scholarly

The Scripture Cannot Be Broken

Ed. John MacArthur | Theology

Difficulty: Intermediate

Article: 7 Min

Three Things We Must Believe About God’s Word

by Kevin Deyoung at Crossway

Verse

Psalm 119:160 NIV

All your words are true;
all your righteous laws are eternal.

Video: 9 Min

Is the Bible Literally True?

by Russell Moore

Verse

Numbers 23:19 ESV

God is not man, that he should lie,
or a son of man, that he should change his mind.
Has he said, and will he not do it?
Or has he spoken, and will he not fulfill it?

Quote

You can use the Word of
God to come to wrong conclusions,
but you cannot find
any wrong conclusions in
the Word of God.

Verse

Romans 3:4 ESV

By no means! Let God be true though every one were a liar, as it is written, “That you may be justified in your words, and prevail when you are judged.”

Does the Bible Have Errors?

Definition

The Inerrancy of Scripture

means that Scripture in the original manuscripts does not affirm anything that is contrary to fact.

by Wayne Grudem

Quote

Is Inerrancy a Helpful Term?

by Nathan A. Finn

I believe inerrancy remains a helpful term because it makes an important claim about Scripture that reflects what Scripture claims about itself. It’s also a claim rooted in the character of the God who inspired the Bible’s words.

See quote source

Article: 10 Min

The Inerrancy of Scripture: What’s At Stake

by Ben Giselbach at Plain Simple Faith

Quote

The Bible...
always tells the truth
concerning everything it talks about.

Quote

Does the Bible Have Errors?

by Charles Spurgeon

Men talk of all the “mistakes of Scripture.” I thank God that I have never met with any. Mistakes of translation there may be, for translators are men, but mistakes of the original Word there never can be, for the God who spoke it is infallible and so is every Word He speaks, and in that confidence we find delightful rest.

See quote source

Ask Pastor John

What Is Inerrancy?

by John Piper, 9 Min

Verse

Matthew 5:18 NIV

For truly I tell you, 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.

Article: 10 Min

What Does “Inerrancy” Mean?

by Justin Taylor at The Gospel Coalition

Video: 3 Min

Is the Bible Inerrant and Infallible?

by John MacArthur at The Master’s Seminary

Article: 20 Min

Why Should We Believe in the Inerrancy of Scripture?

by Brian H. Edwards at Answers in Genesis

Abide podcast

Jesus and Inerrancy

by Beau Bekendam, 57 Min

Image

It is easier
for heaven and earth
to pass away
than for
one stroke of a letter
in the law
to drop out.

Luke 16:17 CSB

Article: 10 Min

Why Is It Important to Believe in Biblical Inerrancy?

by Got Questions Ministries

Messages: 44 Min

Defending the Doctrine of Inerrancy

by R.C. Sproul

Verse

Proverbs 30:5-6 NIV

“Every word of God is flawless; he is a shield to those who take refuge in him. Do not add to his words, or he will rebuke you and prove you a liar.”

Article: 10 Min

Do Inconsistencies in the Gospels Undermine Scripture’s Inerrancy?

by Rob Plummer at The Gospel Coalition

Image

the words of the Lord
are flawless,
like silver purified in a crucible,
like gold refined
seven times.

Psalm 12:6 NIV

And he said to me,
"These words are,

trustworthy and true."

Revelation 22:6 ESV