Renewing Your Mind Podcast Summary

Title: Inspiration, Infallibility, and Inerrancy
Host/Author: Ligonier Ministries
Release Date: February 20, 2025
Episode: "Inspiration, Infallibility, and Inerrancy"
Host: Nathan W. Bingham
Featured Speaker: R.C. Sproul

Introduction

In the February 20, 2025 episode of Renewing Your Mind, host Nathan W. Bingham delves into the foundational theological concepts of inspiration, infallibility, and inerrancy of the Bible. Featuring insights from the esteemed theologian R.C. Sproul, this episode is part of Sproul’s series titled "Hath God Said?" aimed at equipping Christians with a deeper understanding of Scripture's divine authority.

Defining the Core Concepts

Inspiration, Infallibility, and Inerrancy are pivotal in discussions about the authority of Scripture. R.C. Sproul breaks down these terms to clarify their meanings and significance.

• Inspiration refers to the divine and supernatural assistance by which God enabled human authors to convey His message. Sproul emphasizes that:

  "[00:00] A: The Bible's inspired, therefore it's infallible. And it's infallible, therefore it is inerrant. It is inerrant, therefore it is altogether true and trustworthy."

• Infallibility means that the Scriptures are incapable of failing in their purpose to convey God's truth. Dr. Sproul notes:

  "[01:33] ...infallibility, therefore it is inerrant. It is inerrant, therefore it is altogether true and trustworthy."

• Inerrancy asserts that the Bible is without error in all its teachings. Sproul elaborates on the interconnectedness of these concepts, stressing that understanding them correctly is essential for upholding biblical truth.

Historical Context: International Council on Biblical Inerrancy

Sproul recounts the formation and work of the International Council on Biblical Inerrancy (ICBI), established in response to growing debates over Scripture's authority. The council brought together scholars worldwide to study and affirm the Bible’s inerrancy over a decade, culminating in a comprehensive document of affirmations and denials to clearly define the council's stance.

"[01:33] ...an organization was formed in America that included scholars from around the world... called the International Council on Biblical Inerrancy."

Clarifying Misconceptions

Sproul addresses common misunderstandings surrounding these terms:

• Mechanical View of Inspiration: Some perceive inspiration as a process that strips authors of their humanity, reducing them to mere vessels. Sproul clarifies that inspiration involves divine assistance without negating the authors' personal styles and intellect.

  "[ ...] when we're talking about inspiration in theology, we're talking about an activity that takes place through divine and supernatural help."

• Dictation Theory: Contrary to the belief that God dictated every word to authors, Sproul explains that inspiration does not imply a word-for-word dictation but rather God guiding the authors in their writing.

  "Another theory that is rejected in orthodoxy with respect to verbal inspiration is what is called the dictation theory."

Infallibility vs. Inerrancy

Sproul differentiates between infallibility and inerrancy, highlighting that infallibility is a stronger claim:

• Infallibility: "unable to fail, incapable of making a mistake"
• Inerrancy: "without error, no deceit, no fraud, no lies"

He illustrates this distinction with a practical example:

"[...] to be inerrant simply means one does not err. To be infallible means one cannot err."

Sproul argues that while some organizations prefer the term infallibility to avoid negative associations with inerrancy, both terms affirm the Bible’s trustworthiness and truthfulness.

Cultural and Theological Implications

The discussion extends to the cultural perceptions of these terms. Sproul explains that inerrancy has become a "shibboleth," a term loaded with emotional baggage that can hinder theological discussions. In contrast, infallibility carries intellectual credibility, particularly within academic circles like the Roman Catholic Church, which historically upholds the term without the same prejudices.

"But in terms of its actual meaning, it's a higher and stronger term than the term inerrancy."

Sproul emphasizes the importance of maintaining theological precision and resisting the temptation to dilute essential doctrines for public relations purposes.

Application of Biblical Truth

Sproul concludes by addressing how these concepts impact the believer's daily life. Understanding the Bible as inspired, infallible, and inerrant provides Christians with the confidence to follow God's Word consistently, both in significant decisions and everyday matters.

"[...] when we know the Bible to be altogether true and trustworthy, as Christians, we can have a confidence to follow God's Word every day in the big things and the small."

Conclusion

The episode reinforces the critical importance of correctly defining and upholding the doctrines of inspiration, infallibility, and inerrancy. Through R.C. Sproul’s thorough exploration, listeners gain a robust framework for understanding and defending the Bible's divine authority.

As Dr. Sproul poignantly summarizes:

"[...] The Bible's inspired, it's infallible. And it's infallible, therefore it is inerrant. It is inerrant, therefore it is altogether true and trustworthy."

This comprehensive examination equips believers to engage confidently with Scripture, ensuring that their faith remains grounded in the absolute truth of God's Word.

Notable Quotes with Timestamps:

• R.C. Sproul:

  "[00:00] The Bible's inspired, therefore it's infallible. And it's infallible, therefore it is inerrant. It is inerrant, therefore it is altogether true and trustworthy."

• R.C. Sproul:

  "[01:33] ...infallibility, therefore it is inerrant. It is inerrant, therefore it is altogether true and trustworthy."

• R.C. Sproul:

  "[24:41] That was R.C. Sproul on the inspiration, infallibility and Inerrancy of the Bible from his series Hath God Said."

Additional Resource:

For those interested in a deeper exploration of these topics, Sproul’s series "Hath God Said?" is available through Ligonier Ministries, offering comprehensive study guides and supplementary materials.