Biblical Inerrancy

The ECC affirms that Scripture is the authoritative and trustworthy Word of God, completely reliable in guiding believers toward God and salvation. The ECC Affirmations state that Scripture is 'authoritative,' emphasizing its binding claim on faith and practice. However, the ECC does not require all members to affirm verbal inerrancy (the idea that every word, including historical and scientific statements, is without error) as a litmus test of orthodoxy.

The ECC affirms the infallibility of Scripture — it cannot fail in its purpose of revealing God and salvation through Christ. Scripture is fully trustworthy and authoritative, especially in matters of theology, ethics, and salvation. However, some ECC theologians and members hold that Scripture may have minor historical or scientific inaccuracies while remaining fully authoritative and infallible in its core spiritual and salvific message. This perspective allows believers to hold Scripture as supremely authoritative while engaging seriously with historical and scientific scholarship.

This nuanced position reflects the ECC's commitment to intellectual honesty and academic freedom alongside strong biblical authority. The denomination does not mandate a specific theory of inspiration or inerrancy but requires that all acknowledge Scripture's supreme authority. The practical effect is that individual ECC congregations and scholars show more diversity on these technical questions than some evangelical denominations, while maintaining united commitment to Scripture's authority and trustworthiness.