Fallible Messiah

Franco Famularo
January 16, 1999

I see absolutely nothing wrong with believing in a fallible Messiah. Why should the Messiah be infallible anyway? And if he should be infallible, which areas should he/she be infallible in? Fishing? Business? Management of human resources? Family life? Intercultural relations? Accountability? Logic?

I'm not sure where the concept of an infallible Messiah originated theologically or philosophically, however, I do know that Roman Catholicism has been struggling with the issue of papal infallibility since Pius IX decided to proclaim it dogma in 1870. There were surely concerns about papal infallibility earlier in Christendom's history, but the issue of infallibility was more often related to the great emperor's of the past (Romans and others). Catholics, I should mention, don't believe that the pope tells infallible jokes or sneezes infallibly. They do not view infallibility in each and every statement, piece of action or item of daily conduct. It is only when he speaks ex cathedra (on matters of the faith), that he is believed to be infallible. His infallibility on such matters has no doubt been challenged by Catholics and others.

For the most part a belief in messianic infallibility has its root in ignorance of the Messianic human nature. I presume some believe that being born free of original sin is equivalent to being infallible. My question then is: If the fallible messiah is born free of original sin, what are the requisites for the success of his role?