Infallibility of Christ

[Michał Kalina]

Is Christ considered to be infallible. I would like to read responses concerning John 5, 31.

[PeterTheAleut]

Is Christ considered to be infallible. I would like to read responses concerning John 5, 31.

So we don't have to go reaching for our Bibles, can you quote that passage for us?

[Michał Kalina]

Oh man... Happy nameday BTW.

If I testify about myself, my testimony is not valid.

source

[Robert W]

Is Christ considered to be infallible. I would like to read responses concerning John 5, 31.

I think Christ is making a general statement that a man who brags about himself is not to be taken seriously. The passage goes on to talk about the testimony of St John the baptist. Remember also that we have received this trough the writings of St John the theologian. The gospels are the testimonies about Christ, penned by other people.

³¹"If I testify about myself, my testimony is not valid. ³²There is another who testifies in my favor, and I know that his testimony about me is valid.
 ³³"You have sent to John and he has testified to the truth. ³⁴Not that I accept human testimony; but I mention it that you may be saved. ³⁵John was a lamp that burned and gave light, and you chose for a time to enjoy his light.

[PeterTheAleut]

Oh man... Happy nameday BTW.

Thank you, but I don't celebrate the feast of my saint, Peter the Aleut Martyr, until September 24.  (I guess I could claim yesterday as an indirect nameday, since the Apostle Peter is ultimately the saint from whom all who bear the name Peter draw their name.  But I don't think that reasoning would fly very well with my priest.)

If I testify about myself, my testimony is not valid.

source

I've never read this passage as indicating that Jesus didn't think Himself incapable of error.  I've always understood that one needs to read this with an understanding of His audience.  As I read His words here, Jesus is anticipating that those hearing Him speak will not believe His testimony about Himself--as Robert intimated above, only a fool boasts about himself.  According to Jewish law (Deuteronomy 17:6),  a valid testimony requires at least two witnesses, so Jesus offers as validation of His testimony the witness of others.  Those Jesus offers as witnesses to corroborate His testimony about Himself are His Father, John the Forerunner, His own works, and the Jewish Scriptures.  (See the next several verses that follow John 5:31.)

[Michał Kalina]

So it has to be something wrong with Polish translation He uses the word 'genuine'/'real'.

[Heorhij]

I believe this quote is also an indication that the Father and the Son are indeed two different Persons, contrary to what the so-called "Patripassionists" taught.

[PeterTheAleut]

So it has to be something wrong with Polish translation He uses the word 'genuine'/'real'.

Not necessarily, if you read Jesus's words in this passage as an anticipation or clairvoyant acknowledgement of what His audience are thinking about Him and not as a testimony of what Jesus thinks about Himself.  He's not declaring Himself fallible; rather, He's speaking to an audience He knows sees Him as fallible (or much worse).

[deusveritasest]

Of course He's infallible.

[Tikhon.of.Colorado]

concerning John 5:31, this is what the footnotes of the Orthodox Study Bible have to say

 "How Could Christ's witness ever be untrue? it cannot (see John 8:14) Rather, Jesus is anticipating the argument and speaking the thoughts of the Jewish leaders (he does the same thing in Lk 4:23).  In Jewish tradition, a valid testimony requires two witnesses (Dt 17:6).  Jesus offers four witnesses to comfirm His identity as Messiah and as Son of God: (1) God the Father (vv. 32, 37, 38); (2) John the Baptist (vv 33-35); (3) His own works (v. 36); and (4) the OT scriptures, through which Moses and others gave testimony (vv. 39-47).

[Tags:]

OrthodoxChristianity.net > Moderated Forums > Faith Issues (Moderator: Michał Kalina) > Topic: Infallibility of Christ