BIBLICAL INFALLIBILITY Meaning and
Definition
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Biblical infallibility refers to the belief or doctrine that the Bible, specifically the original manuscripts or texts, is completely trustworthy and without error or contradiction in matters of faith, theology, and doctrine. It asserts that the Bible is infallible or incapable of being incorrect or wrong in relation to its divine inspiration and the messages it conveys.
According to this doctrine, the Bible is seen as the ultimate authority for Christians, serving as a guide for their beliefs, moral values, and practices. It is considered to be the inspired word of God and therefore perfect in its original form. Biblical infallibility is often associated with conservative or traditional interpretations of Christianity.
Proponents of biblical infallibility argue that since the Bible is divinely inspired, it accurately presents the intentions, teachings, and revelations of God, while also providing the only reliable source of spiritual truths. It implies that the biblical texts are free from any factual, historical, or scientific inaccuracies, as they are seen to have been directly transmitted by God through human authors.
Critics of biblical infallibility may challenge this viewpoint, pointing to potential contradictions, inconsistencies, historical inaccuracies, or scientific conflicts within the Bible. They may argue for a more nuanced understanding of the text, taking into account historical context, authorial intentions, and the influence of cultural, linguistic, and literary factors on the translation and interpretation of the biblical texts.
Etymology of BIBLICAL INFALLIBILITY
The etymology of the word "biblical infallibility" can be broken down as follows:
1. Biblical: The term "biblical" originates from the Late Latin word "biblicus", which is derived from the Greek word "biblikos". Both these words denote something related to a book or a sacred text. In this context, "biblical" refers to the Bible, the holy scripture of Christianity.
2. Infallibility: The word "infallibility" comes from the Late Latin word "infallibilitas" or "infallibilis". It can be further traced back to the Latin word "infallibilis", meaning "not liable to error". It is formed by combining the negative prefix "in-" with "fallibilis", which is derived from the verb "fallere", meaning "to deceive" or "to disappoint".
