What is the Chicago Statement on Biblical Inerrancy?

what does the bible say?

The Bible itself claims to be truth (John 17:17) and says “the law of the LORD is perfect” (Psalm 19:7). The Bible’s own teaching about itself, along with the revealed nature of God, forms the basis for the doctrine of inerrancy. This is the belief that the Bible, as the inspired Word of God, is free from error in all it affirms. The Chicago Statement on Biblical Inerrancy is a written declaration formulated in 1978 by nearly three hundred evangelical Christian leaders at a conference in Chicago sponsored by the International Council on Biblical Inerrancy. It was created to affirm and defend the doctrine of biblical inerrancy in response to the rise of biblical criticism and liberal interpretations that questioned the Bible’s accuracy. The statement was signed by many prominent evangelical scholars and leaders, including John F. MacArthur, J. I. Packer, Francis Schaeffer, R. C. Sproul, Norman Geisler, and James Montgomery Boice.

from the old testament

• David described the Bible in Psalm 19: “The law of the LORD is perfect, reviving the soul; the testimony of the LORD is sure, making wise the simple” (Psalm 19:7).
• The whole of scripture is the inerrant inspired word of God: “The sum of your word is truth, and every one of your righteous rules endures forever” (Psalm 119:160).

from the new testament

• Jesus said “Blessed are those who hear the word of God and obey it” (Luke 11:28). The inerrancy of Scripture is important because it guides how believers live.
• When Jesus prayed to God the Father in John 17:17 He said “Sanctify them by the truth; your word is truth.”
• The apostle Paul wrote to Timothy, “All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives. It corrects us when we are wrong and teaches us to do what is right” (2 Timothy 3:16, NLT). The Bible is the definitive guide for our lives, the best “self-help” book that has ever existed.

implications for today

The Chicago Statement on Biblical Inerrancy has three parts: a summary statement, nineteen articles of affirmation and denial, and an accompanying exposition. The summary statement has five points. First, God, who is Himself Truth and speaks truth only, has inspired Holy Scripture to reveal Himself to lost mankind through Jesus Christ as Creator and Lord, Redeemer and Judge. Second, because it is inspired by God, Scripture has divine authority and should be believed, obeyed, and embraced. Third, the Holy Spirit both authenticates and illuminates Scripture to us. Fourth, being God-given, Scripture is infallible in all its teachings on matters theological, historical, and scientific. Fifth and finally, if biblical inerrancy is not upheld, the authority of Scripture is impaired and will result in serious loss both to the individual and the church. Reading, studying, and teaching the Bible (2 Timothy 3:16) in the ways supported by the Chicago Statement on Biblical Inerrancy can bring people to a knowledge of salvation and equip them to grow in Christ. May we believe and obey God’s Word.

Recap

understand

• The Chicago Statement on Biblical Inerrancy affirms biblical inerrancy.
• The Statement was created by more than three hundred evangelical Christian leaders at a conference in Chicago in 1978.
• The Bible itself testifies to its inerrancy.

reflect

• How has the Bible been a guide to your life?
• What study methods help you to better underst and the Bible?
• How do you respond to challenges about the inerrancy of Scripture?

engage

• How can Christians better reach those who believe the Bible is merely a “book written by men”?
• What are some of the ways that the Bible shows itself to be the inspired word of God?
• What are some Christian denominations that have abandoned the doctrine of inerrancy? How has that impacted the denomination?