A Quote by Thomas Huxley

The dogma of the infallibility of the Bible is no more self-evident than is that of the infallibility of the popes.

Thomas Huxley

Quote Topics

Bible Dogma Evident Infallibility More Self Self-Evident Than

Quote Author

Thomas Huxley
English - Scientist
May 4, 1825 - June 29, 1895

The infallibility and inerrancy of biblical teaching does not, however, guarantee the infallibility and inerrancy of any interpretation or interpreter of that teaching; nor does the recognition of its qualities as the Word of God in any way prejudge the issue as to what Scripture does, in fact, assert. This can be determined only by careful Bible study.

J. I. Packer

An effort to declare the ban on contraception ‘infallible’ would have the immediate effect of focusing Catholic dissent on the doctrine of infallibility itself. . . . A storm of dissent, and even ridicule, directed at infallibility itself would ensue from such a declaration.

Rosemary Radford Ruether

Perfect discipline requires recognition of infallibility. Infallibility requires the observance of discipline.

George F. Kennan

Papal infallibility and biblical inerrancy are the two ecclesiastical versions of this human idolatry. Both papal infallibility and biblical inerrancy require widespread and unchallenged ignorance to sustain their claims to power. Both are doomed as viable alternatives for the long- range future of anyone.

John Shelby Spong

Perhaps I had better inform my Protestant readers that the famous Dogma of Papal Infallibility is by far the most modest pretension of the kind in existence. Compared with our infallible democracies, our infallible medical councils, our infallible astronomers, our infallible judges, and our infallible parliaments, the Pope is on his knees in the dust confessing his ignorance before the throne of God, asking only that as to certain historical matters on which he has clearly more sources of information open to him than anyone else his decision shall be taken as final.

George Bernard Shaw

I was no pope - I could not boast infallibility.

Charlotte Bronte

All silencing of discussion is an assumption of infallibility.

John Stuart Mill

Knowledge, absolutely sure of its infallibility, is faith.

Yevgeny Zamyatin

Infallibility and invincible ignorance are the same thing.

Mason Cooley

The fact is: I no longer believe in my own infallibility. That is why I am lost.

Arthur Koestler

As for the men in power, they are so anxious to establish the myth of infallibility that they do their utmost to ignore truth.

Boris Pasternak

A revolution requires of its leaders a record of unbroken infallibility; if they do not possess it, they are expected to invent it.

Murray Kempton

If the test of truth lay in a show of hands or a counting of heads, the system of magic might appeal, with far more reason than the Catholic Church, to the proud motto, 'Quod semper, quod ubique, quod ab omnibus' [always, everywhere, and by all], as the sure and certain credential of its own infallibility.