In your opinion is the entire Bible "inerrant" or "infallible" as it relates to scripture?

  • Christian Chat is a moderated online Christian community allowing Christians around the world to fellowship with each other in real time chat via webcam, voice, and text, with the Christian Chat app. You can also start or participate in a Bible-based discussion here in the Christian Chat Forums, where members can also share with each other their own videos, pictures, or favorite Christian music.

    If you are a Christian and need encouragement and fellowship, we're here for you! If you are not a Christian but interested in knowing more about Jesus our Lord, you're also welcome! Want to know what the Bible says, and how you can apply it to your life? Join us!

    To make new Christian friends now around the world, click here to join Christian Chat.
Again, unfounded disparagement of the questioner. I have neither "accepted nor rejected" any feedback. What I do is continue to probe at those responses that lack any context or any thought other than using google or a commentary to create quotes that equate to word salads that never deal with reality. Clearly stated. There 10's of thousands of churches that aggressively deny the validity of the others Christianity but ALL claim they can "prove they are right" by using the bible. Why do you think this is happening?
If anybody is a word salad, it’s actually you!! You rant on about some philosophical hype salad, and denigrate people’s answers.

Many people have given you Scripture, but you gloss over it and ignore most everything. You’ve asked some very basic/ elementary biblical questions which leads me to think that you know nothing about Scripture, nor do you seem to have belief in God’s word.

So what is it that you want?
 
Again, unfounded disparagement of the questioner. I have neither "accepted nor rejected" any feedback. What I do is continue to probe at those responses that lack any context or any thought other than using google or a commentary to create quotes that equate to word salads that never deal with reality. Clearly stated. There 10's of thousands of churches that aggressively deny the validity of the others Christianity but ALL claim they can "prove they are right" by using the bible. Why do you think this is happening?

Sweeping generalizations and a focus on generic 'disagreements' do not make your argument. Name the 10's of thousands of churches [you actually stated 45,000 in another thread] that aggressively deny the validity of other churches as Christian. If you want to prove your point, then back up your statements with facts.

I'll be waiting right here for that list of '10's of thousands'.
 
Sweeping generalizations and a focus on generic 'disagreements' do not make your argument. Name the 10's of thousands of churches [you actually stated 45,000 in another thread] that aggressively deny the validity of other churches as Christian. If you want to prove your point, then back up your statements with facts.

I'll be waiting right here for that list of '10's of thousands'.
Here is the data. Find credible contradictions if you can.
As of 2026, there are approximately 47,000 to 50,000 Christian denominations and rites worldwide. [1, 2]

Key Facts
  • Rapid Growth: The number of denominations has grown from roughly 2,000 in 1900 to tens of thousands today, largely driven by the expansion of independent and Pentecostal churches in the Global South. [1, 2]
  • Fragmentation: This high number is a marker of Christian fragmentation, particularly within Protestantism, which comprises over 800 million adherents but thousands of separate groups. [1, 2]
  • Definition Constraints: The 45,000+ figure is based on a catalog-style count that often treats national branches of the same global church (e.g., in different countries) as separate entities, which can inflate the total. [1, 2]
  • Major Traditions: Despite the high number of denominations, over 50% of Christians belong to the Catholic Church, 14% to Orthodox communions, and about 36% to the broad Protestant family. [1, 2]

Largest Christian Denominational Families
  • Pentecostal: ~280 million
  • Baptist: ~100 million
  • Anglican: ~85 million
  • Lutheran: ~80 million
  • Nondenominational: ~80 million
  • Reformed/Presbyterian: ~60 million
  • Methodist: ~60 million [1]

It would be simpler to just take a picture from my one page that I wrote out, but the upload is apparently too much for this platform to handle.

Hope this helps!?


Plan of Salvation
-You must Hear the word
Matt 7:24-27; Acts 2:37, 18:8, 21:20; Rom. 10:14, 17; Eph 1:13; 1 Thess. 2:13

-Believe in what you hear
Mk 16:15-16
Jn 3:16, 18; 6:47; 8:24; 12:42; 14:1; 20:31
Acts 4:4; 8:37; 11:21; 10:43; 13:39
Rom. 1:16; 10:9-10
1 Thess. 4:14
2 Tim. 1:12
Heb. 11:6
James 2:24

-Repent of your sins
Lk 13:3, 5
Acts 2:38; 3:19; 8:22; 17:30; 26:20
Romans 2:4
2 Cor. 7:10
2 Pet. 3:9

-Confess His name before men
Matt. 10:32-33
Acts 8:36-37
Rom. 10:9-10
Phili. 2:11
1 Jn. 4:2, 15

-Be immersed/ Baptized to wash away your sins
Matt. 28:19
Mk. 16:16
Jn. 3:3, 5
Acts 1:5; 2:38, 41; 8:12, 11:16; 16, 36-38; 9:18; 10:48; 16:15, 33; 18:8, 22:16
Rom. 6:3-4;
1 Cor. 12:13
Gal. 3:27
Col. 2:12

-Then you must live a Faithful Life in Him
Matt. 7:21
Jn. 14:15, 23
Acts 10:34-35
Rom. 6:16 (Who are you serving? There are only 2 choices—- Jesus, or Satan)
2 Thess. 1:7-9
2 Tim. 4:7-8; 3:15
Heb. 5:8-9; 10:38
James 2:24
1 Pet. 1:22-24; 5:9-10; 1:5
Rev. 2:10
How many Christian denominations and non-denominations do you think would agree with you? But I like your thinking.
 
If anybody is a word salad, it’s actually you!! You rant on about some philosophical hype salad, and denigrate people’s answers.

Many people have given you Scripture, but you gloss over it and ignore most everything. You’ve asked some very basic/ elementary biblical questions which leads me to think that you know nothing about Scripture, nor do you seem to have belief in God’s word.

So what is it that you want?
If my questions are so basic and elementary why can't you answer them?
 
Here is the data. Find credible contradictions if you can.
As of 2026, there are approximately 47,000 to 50,000 Christian denominations and rites worldwide.

Nope. Try again. The question is: How many of those 50,000 Christian denominations aggressively deny the validity of other churches as Christian. That is your exact statement and sweeping judgment, therefore I expect to see a comprehensive list and statements of faith from each and every church that prove what you've claimed.
 
Here is the data. Find credible contradictions if you can.
As of 2026, there are approximately 47,000 to 50,000 Christian denominations and rites worldwide. [1, 2]

Key Facts
  • Rapid Growth: The number of denominations has grown from roughly 2,000 in 1900 to tens of thousands today, largely driven by the expansion of independent and Pentecostal churches in the Global South. [1, 2]
  • Fragmentation: This high number is a marker of Christian fragmentation, particularly within Protestantism, which comprises over 800 million adherents but thousands of separate groups. [1, 2]
  • Definition Constraints: The 45,000+ figure is based on a catalog-style count that often treats national branches of the same global church (e.g., in different countries) as separate entities, which can inflate the total. [1, 2]
  • Major Traditions: Despite the high number of denominations, over 50% of Christians belong to the Catholic Church, 14% to Orthodox communions, and about 36% to the broad Protestant family. [1, 2]

Largest Christian Denominational Families
  • Pentecostal: ~280 million
  • Baptist: ~100 million
  • Anglican: ~85 million
  • Lutheran: ~80 million
  • Nondenominational: ~80 million
  • Reformed/Presbyterian: ~60 million
  • Methodist: ~60 million [1]


How many Christian denominations and non-denominations do you think would agree with you? But I like your thinking.
I’m sure I don’t agree with most, because I’m non denominational. I try to follow the 1st century gospel from Scripture. Whatever you read in the NT Scripture is what we believe.

So what is your point, after all is said and done?
 
  • Like
Reactions: Citizen
Sola Scriptura is the single blade that divided Western Christianity. The Roman Catholic Church rejects sola scriptura ("Scripture alone"). Instead, Catholic theology teaches that divine revelation is built on a three-legged stool of equal, interconnected authorities: Sacred Scripture, Sacred Tradition, and the Magisterium (the Church's teaching authority).

While we wait, seems like a good time to review why Christians reject RCC tradition as equal to Scripture.

- SALVATION THROUGH WORKS
Council of Trent, sixth session, Decree on Justification, Canon 9: If any one says that by faith alone the impious is justified; in such wise as to mean, that nothing else is required to co-operate in order to the obtaining the grace of Justification, and that it is not in any way necessary, that he be prepared and disposed by the movement of his own will; let him be anathema. 

Council of Trent, sixth session, Decree on Justification, Canon 24: If anyone says that the justice received is not preserved and also not increased before God through good works, but that those works are merely the fruits and signs of justification obtained, but not the cause of its increase, let him be anathema. 

RCC Catechism 2027: No one can merit the initial grace which is at the origin of conversion. Moved by the Holy Spirit, we can merit for ourselves and for others all the graces needed to attain eternal life, as well as necessary temporal goods. 


- SALVATION THROUGH MEANS OTHER THAN JESUS CHRIST [UNIVERSALISM]:
RCC Catechism 841: The Church's relationship with the Muslims. "The plan of salvation also includes those who acknowledge the Creator, in the first place amongst whom are the Muslims; these profess to hold the faith of Abraham, and together with us they adore the one, merciful God, mankind's judge on the last day."

RCC Catechism 847: This affirmation is not aimed at those who, through no fault of their own, do not know Christ and his Church: Those who, through no fault of their own, do not know the Gospel of Christ or his Church, but who nevertheless seek God with a sincere heart, and, moved by grace, try in their actions to do his will as they know it through the dictates of their conscience - those too may achieve eternal salvation. 


- MEDIATION AND SALVATION THROUGH MARY [yes, this is still in the catechism]
RCC Catechism 969: "This motherhood of Mary in the order of grace continues uninterruptedly from the consent which she loyally gave at the Annunciation and which she sustained without wavering beneath the cross, until the eternal fulfilment of all the elect. Taken up to heaven she did not lay aside this saving office but by her manifold intercession continues to bring us the gifts of eternal salvation .... Therefore the Blessed Virgin is invoked in the Church under the titles of Advocate, Helper, Benefactress, and Mediatrix.

- PURIFIED THROUGH PURGATORY, NOT CHRIST
Council of Trent, 6th session, canon 30: If any one saith, that, after the grace of Justification has been received, to every penitent sinner the guilt is remitted, and the debt of eternal punishment is blotted out in such wise, that there remains not any debt of temporal punishment to be discharged either in this world, or in the next in Purgatory, before the entrance to the kingdom of heaven can be opened (to him); let him be anathema.

RCC Catechism 1030: All who die in God's grace and friendship, but still imperfectly purified, are indeed assured of their eternal salvation; but after death they undergo purification, so as to achieve the holiness necessary to enter the joy of heaven.

RCC Catechism 1031: The Church gives the name Purgatory to this final purification of the elect, which is entirely different from the punishment of the damned. The Church formulated her doctrine of faith on Purgatory especially at the Councils of Florence and Trent. The tradition of the Church, by reference to certain texts of Scripture, speaks of a cleansing fire.

- TRADITION EQUAL TO SCRIPTURE

RCC Catechism 82: As a result the Church, to whom the transmission and interpretation of Revelation is entrusted, "does not derive her certainty about all revealed truths from the holy Scriptures alone. Both Scripture and Tradition must be accepted and honored with equal sentiments of devotion and reverence."

At every turn, RCC tradition contradicts, denies, and rejects the truths of the Bible, including the completed work of Jesus Christ on the cross. Any religion that teaches a contradictory 'truth' apart from God's revealed word is false.
 
Here is the data. Find credible contradictions if you can.
As of 2026, there are approximately 47,000 to 50,000 Christian denominations and rites worldwide. [1, 2]

Key Facts
  • Rapid Growth: The number of denominations has grown from roughly 2,000 in 1900 to tens of thousands today, largely driven by the expansion of independent and Pentecostal churches in the Global South. [1, 2]
  • Fragmentation: This high number is a marker of Christian fragmentation, particularly within Protestantism, which comprises over 800 million adherents but thousands of separate groups. [1, 2]
  • Definition Constraints: The 45,000+ figure is based on a catalog-style count that often treats national branches of the same global church (e.g., in different countries) as separate entities, which can inflate the total. [1, 2]
  • Major Traditions: Despite the high number of denominations, over 50% of Christians belong to the Catholic Church, 14% to Orthodox communions, and about 36% to the broad Protestant family. [1, 2]

Largest Christian Denominational Families
  • Pentecostal: ~280 million
  • Baptist: ~100 million
  • Anglican: ~85 million
  • Lutheran: ~80 million
  • Nondenominational: ~80 million
  • Reformed/Presbyterian: ~60 million
  • Methodist: ~60 million [1]


How many Christian denominations and non-denominations do you think would agree with you? But I like your thinking.
There is actually only one Truth; that which you find in Scripture in the NC.

Man is not the head, only Christ is the head of the church. We shouldn’t follow men’s creed and dogma, but follow Christ through the apostles doctrine.
 
While we wait, seems like a good time to review why Christians reject RCC tradition as equal to Scripture.

- SALVATION THROUGH WORKS
Council of Trent, sixth session, Decree on Justification, Canon 9: If any one says that by faith alone the impious is justified; in such wise as to mean, that nothing else is required to co-operate in order to the obtaining the grace of Justification, and that it is not in any way necessary, that he be prepared and disposed by the movement of his own will; let him be anathema. 

Council of Trent, sixth session, Decree on Justification, Canon 24: If anyone says that the justice received is not preserved and also not increased before God through good works, but that those works are merely the fruits and signs of justification obtained, but not the cause of its increase, let him be anathema. 

RCC Catechism 2027: No one can merit the initial grace which is at the origin of conversion. Moved by the Holy Spirit, we can merit for ourselves and for others all the graces needed to attain eternal life, as well as necessary temporal goods. 


- SALVATION THROUGH MEANS OTHER THAN JESUS CHRIST [UNIVERSALISM]:
RCC Catechism 841: The Church's relationship with the Muslims. "The plan of salvation also includes those who acknowledge the Creator, in the first place amongst whom are the Muslims; these profess to hold the faith of Abraham, and together with us they adore the one, merciful God, mankind's judge on the last day."

RCC Catechism 847: This affirmation is not aimed at those who, through no fault of their own, do not know Christ and his Church: Those who, through no fault of their own, do not know the Gospel of Christ or his Church, but who nevertheless seek God with a sincere heart, and, moved by grace, try in their actions to do his will as they know it through the dictates of their conscience - those too may achieve eternal salvation. 


- MEDIATION AND SALVATION THROUGH MARY [yes, this is still in the catechism]
RCC Catechism 969: "This motherhood of Mary in the order of grace continues uninterruptedly from the consent which she loyally gave at the Annunciation and which she sustained without wavering beneath the cross, until the eternal fulfilment of all the elect. Taken up to heaven she did not lay aside this saving office but by her manifold intercession continues to bring us the gifts of eternal salvation .... Therefore the Blessed Virgin is invoked in the Church under the titles of Advocate, Helper, Benefactress, and Mediatrix.

- PURIFIED THROUGH PURGATORY, NOT CHRIST
Council of Trent, 6th session, canon 30: If any one saith, that, after the grace of Justification has been received, to every penitent sinner the guilt is remitted, and the debt of eternal punishment is blotted out in such wise, that there remains not any debt of temporal punishment to be discharged either in this world, or in the next in Purgatory, before the entrance to the kingdom of heaven can be opened (to him); let him be anathema.

RCC Catechism 1030: All who die in God's grace and friendship, but still imperfectly purified, are indeed assured of their eternal salvation; but after death they undergo purification, so as to achieve the holiness necessary to enter the joy of heaven.

RCC Catechism 1031: The Church gives the name Purgatory to this final purification of the elect, which is entirely different from the punishment of the damned. The Church formulated her doctrine of faith on Purgatory especially at the Councils of Florence and Trent. The tradition of the Church, by reference to certain texts of Scripture, speaks of a cleansing fire.

- TRADITION EQUAL TO SCRIPTURE

RCC Catechism 82: As a result the Church, to whom the transmission and interpretation of Revelation is entrusted, "does not derive her certainty about all revealed truths from the holy Scriptures alone. Both Scripture and Tradition must be accepted and honored with equal sentiments of devotion and reverence."

At every turn, RCC tradition contradicts, denies, and rejects the truths of the Bible, including the completed work of Jesus Christ on the cross. Any religion that teaches a contradictory 'truth' apart from God's revealed word is false.
What the RCC/ pope says is what they teach. If scripture and the RCC disagree, they go with the RCC.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Citizen
This is a meaningless question, IF, which itself remains a question, the Bible makes no direct claims, the question remains about HUMAN understanding. Humans have had their hands on the scriptures for a long time, copying. transcribing and translating (some passages may be translated in multiple ways, some passages have multiple, conflicting, justifications for how they are translated while avoiding the simple, literal meaning based on known rules of grammar). It is known that changes have been made, whether intentional or unintentional. We simply do not know what the original scriptures said (the first five books in the OT exist in three text families that differ in various ways (Mark and John appear to have been intentionally changed at some very early date, Acts contains multiple coincidental (?) parallels to classical literature and/or legends). The official version of the OT (Masoretic Text, MT) does not include passages that are referenced as scripture in the NT, but the texts do occur in either the Septuagint (LXX) or in texts from the Dead Sea Scroll (DSS) The exact meaning of several words in both the Greek of the NT as well as in the Hebrew and Aramaic of the OT is likewise unknown.

Very likely no one accepts the entire scripture to be literally true, even those who argue for it admit that part of their argument just regarding the resurrection evidence involves differing accounts, noting that if the accounts agree too well that it would be proof of collusion, but the variables argue for different eyewitnesses, but this eliminates infallibility and inerrancy. But most people agree that some passages are literal and others are figurative or allegorical, but which are which is a source of debate.

Then there is the issue of the Bible's own standard for truth, that there are two or three eyewitnesses who can be questioned by anyone. Who alive is capable of questioning any of the biblical authors to ascertain what they wrote was intended to be absolute truth or to deliver a message of faith. Archeology can verify some events occurred or that certain people existed, but not what they did or said. but such is different than ascertaining the truth. Ivanhoe references historic people and generally historic events, yet few, if any, people claim that Ivanhoe is historical fact
 
This is a meaningless question, IF, which itself remains a question, the Bible makes no direct claims, the question remains about HUMAN understanding. Humans have had their hands on the scriptures for a long time, copying. transcribing and translating (some passages may be translated in multiple ways, some passages have multiple, conflicting, justifications for how they are translated while avoiding the simple, literal meaning based on known rules of grammar). It is known that changes have been made, whether intentional or unintentional. We simply do not know what the original scriptures said (the first five books in the OT exist in three text families that differ in various ways (Mark and John appear to have been intentionally changed at some very early date, Acts contains multiple coincidental (?) parallels to classical literature and/or legends). The official version of the OT (Masoretic Text, MT) does not include passages that are referenced as scripture in the NT, but the texts do occur in either the Septuagint (LXX) or in texts from the Dead Sea Scroll (DSS) The exact meaning of several words in both the Greek of the NT as well as in the Hebrew and Aramaic of the OT is likewise unknown.

Very likely no one accepts the entire scripture to be literally true, even those who argue for it admit that part of their argument just regarding the resurrection evidence involves differing accounts, noting that if the accounts agree too well that it would be proof of collusion, but the variables argue for different eyewitnesses, but this eliminates infallibility and inerrancy. But most people agree that some passages are literal and others are figurative or allegorical, but which are which is a source of debate.

Then there is the issue of the Bible's own standard for truth, that there are two or three eyewitnesses who can be questioned by anyone. Who alive is capable of questioning any of the biblical authors to ascertain what they wrote was intended to be absolute truth or to deliver a message of faith. Archeology can verify some events occurred or that certain people existed, but not what they did or said. but such is different than ascertaining the truth. Ivanhoe references historic people and generally historic events, yet few, if any, people claim that Ivanhoe is historical fact
So your answer is no? You sound like an atheist who worships at the alter of science.
 
  • Like
Reactions: TruthDefender
So your answer is no? You sound like an atheist who worships at the alter of science.
I have studied the Bible extensively. To do so I have learned biblical Greek and Hebrew. Have you made a similar effort, or do you trust other fallible humans to use their judgment, including their undisclosed prejudices, to decide what you read?

I accept that the Bible contains truth, but inerrant or infallible, there is simply too much evidence against it if one bothers to check. Now one can be lazy, contrary to the biblical command to study and search the scripture and redefine what study and search means in the original languages, but that is up to the individual.
 
So your answer is no? You sound like an atheist who worships at the alter of science.
These kind of people will have to answer to God. I think they trust in science too much. It will be a sad day for them!

What I can’t figure out is why they feel a need to be on this forum??
 
  • Like
Reactions: DeanM
These kind of people will have to answer to God. I think they trust in science too much. It will be a sad day for them!

What I can’t figure out is why they feel a need to be on this forum??
Good point, why do all the people who dislike and distrust science so much bother to use computers which are based on science, or are they total hypocrities.
 

2 Timothy 3​

15 And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.
16 All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:
17 That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works.