The Authority of Scripture
Christian teaching holds that Scripture's authority rests not on human testimony or church endorsement but on its nature as God's Word—true regardless of whether any individual or institution accepts it. This claim follows logically from belief that God, as Creator, holds supreme authority over creation. On this view, the Bible carries divine authority because it is "God-breathed" (2 Timothy 3:16). F.F. Bruce expressed this memorably: Scripture is not merely a human product but equally God's Word, communicated through a human author under the Spirit's superintendence. Charles Spurgeon offered two observations on this theme: Scripture, like a lion, needs no defending—simply release it and it will defend itself.
He also observed that opposition to Scripture often stems not from intellectual concerns but from moral avoidance: those who argue against God's Word frequently resist its implications for their own lives.
Infallibility
Christians believe the Bible is infallible—incapable of leading believers astray in matters of faith and practice—because it is trustworthy and true. This claim concerns the Bible's reliability as a guide, treated as an objective standard rather than a subjective assertion.
Inerrancy
Related but distinct is inerrancy—the claim that the Bible contains no error or contradiction in what it affirms. Not all Christians who affirm infallibility embrace strict inerrancy, some believing the Bible can remain trustworthy in its teaching while containing minor human imperfections. Harold O.J. Brown clarified that inerrancy and infallibility apply to the original autographs of Scripture—none of which survive. Surviving manuscripts do contain occasional copying errors, but these do not affect Christian doctrine as understood and practiced today.Brown also observed that many biblical statements are not the kind of claim that can be proved or disproved either way.
Numerous alleged contradictions have been resolved through competent scholarly examination. He further suggested that recognizing an "error" in Scripture sometimes reflects a decision to judge the Bible by an external standard rather than allowing Scripture to be the standard by which everything else is judged.
A Question of Approach
If a reader approaches the Bible already convinced it contains errors, that conclusion generally follows regardless of whether it reflects reality. Since Jesus himself held an elevated view of Scripture, those who follow him are invited to approach the text with the same posture of trust he modelled.