Sola Scriptura | The Inerrant Word of God
Many claim the authority of the bible while still denying its divine nature as being God-breathed. Usually, this comes in the form of finding the intricate details that seemingly seem incorrect or false as the foundation to cherry pick which portions of scripture they desire follow. This would be acceptable if scripture were mere words from the mind of man, but the foundational believe of Sola Sciprtura comes from scripture’s inerrancy. As the final authority that is breathed out by God (2 Timothy 3:16), the words of scripture remaining truthful in their meaning and message.
The word of God is in errant in all that it speaks and reveals. In short, if God’s word is inspired, having been breathed by God, and if God is n all knowing God who eagerly desires to reveal Himself to us, then God’s word must be inerrant. Our culture views tends to view truth as a subjective where anyone can interpret their own reality as they see fit. Yet, this disregards the inerrancy of scripture and the role of God as divine author of all creation. God defines truth as the divine omniscient one who understands how all things come together. Furthermore, as the authoritative truth that is inspired and revealed by God, scripture speaks as the authority over other all other authorities by merit of its inerrancy. Others may fail in their understanding, interoperation, and instruction, but scripture, when properly understood, will reveal truth to the readers as the Holy Spirit speaks in conjunction with scripture.
What Inerrancy Means
When we say that scripture is the inerrant word of God, we must be clear as to what we are saying. Everything that scripture says is truth. Yet, this does not mean that we do not need to interpret scripture. The context of the message accounts for a good amount of the meaning. For instance, for the poetry and dreams presented in scripture, these would be interpreted not as literal word for word, but rather as the meaning they hold. For instance, the works of Revelation remain true in their meaning but may not be the literal events that will occur. Being apocalyptic literature, it must be understood for what its meaning rather than the literal meaning. The most common interpretative error comes from interpreting older works through the modern day lens and understanding. While the words of God are breathed from God and apply still today, they were breathed out in a specific time and context that we, as the reader must seek to understand.
For us, we must be willing to spend time digging into the truth of scripture. Scripture presents us with an unending fountain of blessing as we delve deeper into the word of God. Truth at times can feel elusive to our senses as the enemy seeks to steal, kill, and destroy, through chaos and lies. Yet, the God we serve seeks to reveal truth to us, to understand Him more for His glory. Truth comes from reality that God stands above all creation. Furthermore, we are bound by that same reality without the permission or ability to define it. This makes the self revelation of God even more vital for our spiritual well being. God’s works provides the inerrant truth that guides people towards a deeper understanding of our purpose and God’s plans for creation and humanity. Scripture presents the inerrant truth through God’s self revelation in order that we might know Him more and His heart for His people.
Dealing with Hard Truths
Just as inerrancy builds in the foundation of who God is, the truth of God, similarly the truth of God stems from His desire to see His beloved creation come to restoration and wholeness by His grace. Scripture reads us as much as we read scripture. The inerrant truth of scripture resonates deep within our soul pointing out where we have ceased to fall in alignment with the created and intended order as defined by God. We will, at times, come head to head against the truth of scripture conflicting with how we live and operate our daily lives. Others may even approve or encourage things that scripture rightfully denies. Even during the reformation, the church sought to include church tradition and papal decrees as equals with the authority of scripture (if not above it during times when the two conflicted). Yet, human interpretation can falter and we all must be willing to allow the inerrant truth of God to confront and conflict us.
Sola Scriptura and the inerrancy of scripture confronts us with the question of whether we truly believe the word of God is authoritative and whether we believe it is good news. It directly correlates to our submission to the Lord. Our lives submit to the inerrant truth of scripture, not because it is easy or because the two agree, but because we trust that God’s ways are better than our own. Understand is not a prerequisite to obedience and faith. Scripture will at times offend our senses that wrestle with the flesh. God’s actual truth, though, will always be better than whatever truth we can manage to fabricate. The Christian should revere scripture as inerrant in what it communicates. God speaks truth and reveals himself through His incarnate, authoritative, and inspired word.
