Hypocritical Inerrantists

One of the greatest defenders of the faith in the 20th century against the tides of liberalism, cultural marxism, and political tyranny was the Presbyterian Pastor and theologian Francis A. Schaeffer. In his great work, The Great Evangelical Disaster, he writes, “I have said that inerrancy is the watershed of the evangelical world. But it is not just a theological debating point. It is the obeying of Scripture which is the watershed. It is believing and applying to our lives which demonstrates whether we in fact believe it”. 1

What a powerful quote. The watershed issue in the Christian world is inerrancy. In the 21st century it still is. Many within the evangelical world will mock this beautiful truth, that God’s Word has no errors. His Word is free from corruption; that when He decided to speak He spoke truthfully. There is no deceit in His mouth. And thus, in every generation, to defend the inerrancy and infallibility of God’s Word, is something to be continually stated, taught, and defended. The Church must never forget the very first assault on Almighty God was brought about by doubting the trustworthiness of his words. “Has God said?”, replied that slithery lying serpent to Adam and Eve. The question is still relevant and the same slithery serpent is still asking us, masquerading himself in psychologists, scientists, New Testament studies professors, “inclusive” presbyterian ministers, etc.

The evangelical wing of the church has been affirming this essential doctrine for many decades and yet, there seems to be something missing in their affirmation. All of the right words are there and all of the statements of faith seem to be decently formulated. What could be the stink that everyone seems to keep smelling then? As previously quoted, Schaeffer said: “It is the obeying of Scripture which is the watershed. It is believing and applying to our lives which demonstrates whether we in fact believe it.” Wow! Obedience is the evidence of our belief. If there is no obedience to God’s Word, we truly do not believe in inerrancy. We are acting like hypocritical inerrantists. Lip service can be paid, but that means as much as Biden saying he’s a devout Roman Catholic…it’s a joke. If there is not a total submission to every word from Genesis 1 to Revelation 22 we do not believe in infallibility. If there is no reverence for the Word of God, what differentiates the evangelical from a lesbian pastor in the Methodist church who dedicates a service to worshipping a tree god?

Notice the words of Ezra the priest: “For Ezra had set his heart to study the Law of the Lord, and to do it and to teach his statutes and rules in Israel.” (Ezra 7:10) Ezra, understood the Great Commission, he was a man enamored by the word of God. The best way he could show his love was by setting his heart to study, obey, and teach the Scriptures. Sounds familiar right? 

“…teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you.” (Matt. 28:20a) The ascended Lord gives the explicit command to disciple the nations by teaching them (sound doctrine) to obey (sound practice) all that he had commanded. 

There’s an entire generation of Christians who have made a profession of faith, believed in the authority of the Bible and yet, nothing in their life has changed. They talk, act, think, and do like the world! Belief in the right things (although extremely important), is not enough. For as James says, “...Even the demons believe—and shudder!” (James 2:19) The disciples of Jesus Christ must be committed to live out a transformative life through the power of the Holy Spirit, which means that there must be a commitment to seeing the marriage between sound doctrine and sound practice. 

This has to play itself out in multiple areas. If the Word of God binds the Christian, it binds him in every area of life. Including his political life. When addressing politics, the Christian could never support or promote abortion. If the Word of God is inerrant, Christians should speak to their wives and children differently. If the Bible is authoritative, why would Christians send their children to government schools to be indoctrinated by secularism. If the Holy Scriptures determine the way we think and act, how could a Christian fornicate and “live together” before marriage?

What good is it to affirm all of the right things but not walk them out? Jesus is searching for obedient hearts from obedient disciples! Jesus said that the world would know who his disciples were by their fruit (Matt. 7:16). He reminded the true branches that because they are connected to Christ himself, they are always bearing much fruit (Jn. 15:5). Likewise, the Apostle John reminds believers that the love of God is seen in those who obey his commandments (1 Jn 5:3). It is a greater indictment upon the evangelical church to know all the right things and affirm all of the right doctrines but fail to live them out.

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1 Great evangelical disaster