Stand to Reason Weekly Podcast

Episode: Infallibility vs. Inerrancy
Host: Greg Koukl
Date: January 31, 2025

Episode Overview

This episode centers on an in-depth exploration of the theological concepts of inerrancy and infallibility as applied to Scripture. Greg Koukl discusses the importance of defining these terms, why the debate is primarily an “in-house” Christian discussion, and the implications for defending the authority of the Bible. The episode also features several thoughtful listener questions on biblical application, the fate of Old Testament saints, and distinguishing between “witnessing” and “gardening” in evangelism.

Major Discussion Points and Insights

1. The Inerrancy vs. Infallibility Debate

[00:29–19:59]

Distinction and Definitions

• Greg opens by emphasizing that debates about inerrancy are primarily “intramural”—relevant within the Christian community rather than with those who deny the Bible’s inspiration.
• Inerrancy: Traditionally understood as the belief that the Bible is without error in everything it affirms, not just in spiritual or moral teaching but in history, science, and other matters when properly interpreted according to context and genre.
  • “If God can’t err, if the Bible is God’s word and God can’t err, then the Bible can’t err.” —Greg (03:34)
• Infallibility (in technical theological usage): Means the Bible is trustworthy and authoritative in what it teaches concerning faith and practice (theological and moral matters), but may be subject to errors in other areas (like history or science). This is seen as a lower standard than inerrancy within theological circles.
  • “Infallibility, when used in technical terms, … means the Bible is without error in the areas of teaching of faith and practice… When it comes to science and history, there may be errors on this view.” —Greg (11:18)
• Many people use these terms interchangeably, but Koukl cautions against this, acknowledging that while he won’t “make a fuss,” the technical distinction is important.

Canon, Authority, and the Work of John Warwick Montgomery

• The justification for accepting Scripture as God’s Word can be argued through “retroduction”—examining the historical reliability of the Gospels, the views of Jesus on Scripture, and the authority afforded by the resurrection.
  • “Montgomery’s approach then is that he looks at the claims that Jesus made, and then he asks, does he have authority to make claims like this?...the resurrection secures… the authority of Jesus to speak as God himself regarding all things.” —Greg (16:29)
• Jesus’ affirmation of both Old Testament texts (including controversial parts) and the future role of his disciples as Spirit-led witnesses underlines the apostolic basis for the New Testament canon.

Notable Quotes & Moments

• “The inerrancy debate is an in-house discussion.” (05:40)
• “Infallibility’s a lesser standard of authority from Scripture … inerrancy as a standard takes it further.” (10:41)
• “He [Jesus] speaks with authority to identify the divine source of the Word in the Old Testament and also confirming the disciples, the apostles in the future, to be writing holy writ for them.” (18:08)

2. Application of Scripture in Apologetics

[22:10–31:32]

Caller Question: Should Pro-life Arguments Always Use Scripture? (David — Springboro, OH)

• Some class participants argue, citing Isaiah 55:11 (“God's word will not return void”), that pro-life apologetics must use explicit biblical arguments, even with non-Christians.
• Greg’s response: The verse does not teach that mere recitation of scripture has “magical” effects; rather, God’s word is effective in the sense that it accomplishes His purpose, which may not always be immediate conversion.
  • “The way they’re applying it suggests that God’s word is kind of magical… There’s no reason to think that what God intends is for us to just recite lines and it’s just going to have a magical effect on people.” (24:50)
• He encourages paraphrasing and conveying the message content in understandable language, especially in moral conversations like abortion debates.
  • “Probably my suspicion is it would be more effective in many cases to paraphrase for modern ears what a text is saying than just by rote repeating the words as if those words are magical in themselves.” (27:50)
• Emphasizes persuasion with solid reasoning rather than rote citation.

Notable Quotes

• “Words don’t have power. It's the person of God who has the power. And when God is properly invoked, then power is available to us.” (29:45)
• “Reciting verses to people as if the verses have a magical power—they don’t. That actually is an occultic view of language.” (29:32)

3. Where Did Old Testament Saints Go After Death?

[31:32–38:24]

Caller Question: Abraham’s Bosom or Immediate Presence with God? (Jana — Broken Bow, OK)

• Jana asks whether Old Testament saints went to Abraham’s bosom (a section of Sheol) or were taken into God’s presence immediately after death.
• Greg outlines the ambiguity:
  • Old Testament references (e.g., Psalms, Samuel) suggest hope in redemption but not timing.
  • Jesus’ parable/account of Lazarus points to a place of comfort (Abraham’s bosom) before Christ’s atonement.
  • Theories exist that after Christ’s resurrection, these saints entered God’s presence.
• Greg stresses that while interesting, the answer has little practical consequence for believers today.

Notable Quotes

• “It’s just kind of a curiosity…If you land on one side or the other—it’s a speculation about what happened to them, then it certainly is what’s going on now.” (33:52)
• “To be absent from the body is to be present with the Lord.” (38:12)

4. Witnessing vs. Gardening (Evangelism Approaches)

[40:10–57:41]

Caller Question: Tactical Evangelism vs. Classic Witnessing (Tom — New York)

• Tom seeks clarification between Greg’s “tactics” (gardening) and direct witnessing—referencing an old article by Greg about sharing the gospel in a “cut to the chase” way.
• Greg clarifies that “witnessing” simply means representing Christ, which can take many forms. Gardening, as he teaches in his “Tactics” book, is a form of witnessing focused not on immediate “harvesting” (conversion), but on moving someone closer to truth.
  • “I see gardening as a kind of witnessing… It is witnessing, but not with the goal of closing the deal explicitly in that moment.” (46:04)
• Most genuine conversions, Greg and his audience note, come through a process—not a dramatic “altar call” or prayer, but personal conviction after accumulating truth.
  • “Most people do not become Christians because they’ve been challenged to receive Christ… Most of the times they tell me, yeah, nobody led me to Christ.” (46:29)
• Koukl encourages a model where Christians simply “put a stone in someone’s shoe”—giving them something to consider, rather than feeling pressure to close the deal.
  • “When Christians put themselves under the pressure of trying to close the deal… they aren’t going to do it. They’re going to sit on the bench. But if I tell them, ‘Don’t worry about the harvest, go out and garden...’ well, that changes everything.” (47:30)
• Testimonies of J. Warner Wallace and John Noyes reinforce this approach—both were “in Greg’s garden” as listeners before coming to faith independently.

Notable Quotes

• “Witnessing is any characterization of the truth about God that you’re making to another person…it might be more of a classic witness…But I think our witness is much broader than that. It has to do with the way we live our lives, too.” (44:43)
• “I just want to put a stone in their shoe. I just want to get them thinking... That freed [Ryan Dobson] up emotionally to want to engage at that level.” (48:11)
• “Sounds to me like witnessing is much broader than I thought it was.” —Tom (57:02)
  “Yeah, that’s what I would say. Being an ambassador.” —Greg (57:06)

Timestamps for Key Segments

• 00:29–19:59: Infallibility vs. Inerrancy: Definitions, implications, and canonicity
• 22:10–31:32: Application of scripture in apologetics and the “magical” use of Bible verses (with David)
• 31:32–38:24: Old Testament saints and Abraham’s bosom (with Jana)
• 40:10–57:41: Evangelism: tactical “gardening” vs. classic witnessing, personal stories (with Tom)

Memorable Moments & Quotes

• “If God can’t err, if the Bible is God’s word and God can’t err, then the Bible can’t err.” —Greg (03:34)
• “Infallibility, when used in technical terms…means the Bible is without error in the areas of teaching of faith and practice…” —Greg (11:18)
• “There’s no reason to think that what God intends is for us to just recite lines and it’s just going to have a magical effect on people.” —Greg (24:50)
• “‘Words don’t have power. It’s the person of God who has the power.’” —Greg (29:45)
• “Most people do not become Christians because they’ve been challenged to receive Christ as Lord and Savior, or they come forward at an altar call…Most of the times they tell me, yeah, nobody led me to Christ.” —Greg (46:29)
• “I just want to put a stone in their shoe. I just want to get them thinking.” —Greg (48:11)
• “Witnessing is much broader than I thought it was.” —Tom (57:02)

Conclusion

Greg Koukl’s episode offers a clear, gracious, and incisive breakdown of the nuanced differences between inerrancy and infallibility, why the debate matters for Christians, and how this shapes both apologetics and practical evangelism. The “gardening” model of witness—slow, steady, and relational—is presented as both freeing and effective, encouraging Christians to participate without feeling pressured to “close the deal.” As always, the emphasis is on thoughtful, well-articulated, and biblically faithful engagement, both within the church and in sharing the gospel.