What is the difference between "infallible" and "inerrant" when applied to the Bible?

Infallibility is the belief that the Bible is completely trustworthy and reliable in matters of faith and practice. This means that it is free from error in areas such as morality, theology, and salvation. In other words, the Bible is considered infallible in its ability to teach and guide believers in matters of faith and practice.

On the other hand, inerrancy refers to the belief that the Bible is completely without error in all areas, including history, science, and geography. Inerrancy asserts that the Bible is without error in anything it affirms, including scientific and historical facts.

The distinction between infallibility and inerrancy is an important one. While both concepts suggest that the Bible is trustworthy and reliable, inerrancy takes this a step further by asserting that the Bible is also free from any factual errors.

Proponents of inerrancy argue that any errors or discrepancies in the Bible can be explained through a careful examination of historical and cultural context. They believe that the Bible must be interpreted literally, and that any apparent contradictions can be resolved through a deeper understanding of the text.

Proponents of infallibility, on the other hand, believe that the Bible is trustworthy and reliable in matters of faith and practice, but they do not necessarily assert that it is without error in all areas. They may acknowledge that there are some discrepancies in the text, but they believe that these do not undermine the overall message of the Bible.