Studies in Inspiration

INSPIRATION

16 September 2008 - Continuation of outline

INSPIRATION - THEORIES OF INSPIRATION

The authority incumbent in Inspiration.

The first Authority is Christ. "Authority does not reside in Scripture; it, rather, resides in Christ."

He often appealed to the Scripture.

He revered and accepted the Scripture.

The Scripture tells us of Him.

Since such as above was the attitude of Jesus toward the Scripture, in order for us to be Christian (i.e., Christ Like) our attitudes and convictions must be the same.

In the etymological sense,

In our true spiritual attitudes as His children.

As true followers of Him.

Technically, this is not part of our salvation.

That is decided on the basis of our acceptance or rejection of His finished Work at Calvary.

It seems, however, that it would be rather hard for one to have saving faith in Him without a faith in the very Word which tells of His Sacrifice.

It is natural that God would give Scripture to us.

"It is reasonable that God would have some type of revelation of Himself given to man." (A Systematic Study of Bible Doctrine pp. 18-19)

God is real. Other things exist only because He first exists as the Creator God. Note, it is not that He first exists, although that is, of course, true.

To say only that He first exists is to suggest that He had a beginning. Rather, He is the beginning.

To say only that He exists is to imply that there was a time when He did not exist.

He is very existence.

Without Him, nothing is.

God is a concerned God.

The inter-connectedness of the universal systems show the concern of God.

The interconnectedness of the ecological systems shows the concern of God.

The physical laws of nature show the concern of God.

God is a God of symmetry and logic.

See I, B, 3, a - c above.

The physical balance of each human and animal (ex., two hands, two feet, two eyes, two ears, etc.) Show the symmetry and logic of the Creator.

The balance of natures shows symmetry and beauty.

The balance in nature shows logic of design.

The balance of limbs allows a balance of locomotion. The human and the animal is allowed more efficient mobility in travel and labor.

The balance of sense organs (ears and eyes) allow beauty to be observed in real (round, full) view, as well as a sense of depth and direction to locate that beauty (or danger, or object, etc.).

The above show that the Creator (God) has a Personality.

Mere chance, or force of nature, could not have created such balance and beauty.

Without the force of Creator God, there could be no natural force to allow chance to exist.

6. Since God is a concerned God, as evidenced by His careful consideration of His creation, He would want to communicate with His creation.

7. Since God is a logical God, as can be deduced from the evident plan of His creation, He would want to communicate with His creation in a way that is precise and accurate - i.e., written.

8. Since God is a powerful God (witness the wonder of Creation), He would choose to preserve His communication.

9. With His obvious power, God would be able to do what it is that He wishes to do.

10. We must ascertain whether of not the Bible is this written communication from God: His Word to us. "...we must ascertain whether or not the Bible is the Word of God. If it is, then it can be trusted; if it is not, it is not worthy of our trust." (The People’s Study Bible p. 1995)

The Record that is Scripture.

We postulate that the bible is a revelation from God: "Revelation discover’s new truth, inspiration superintends the communicating and recording of that truth..." (Dake’s Annotated Reference Bible p. 241 [Luke])

God gives us truth that is not necessarily apparent in nature.

God gives us a sure record of that truth because of its importance as a Message from Him.

The Bible is our sole Authority for faith, worship and life. "...if the Bible is ... A revelation from God, its inspiration must be granted... If the Bible is the word of God, its authority cannot be questioned." (Christian Doctrines p. 40-41)

The Bible is important because it is God’s complete Word for us: "The Bible is more than just a record of God’s word; the Bible does more than just contain the Word of God. The Bible IS the Word of God." (Can I Trust the Bible pp. 19-20)

ALL of the Bible is God’s Word.

God’s Word to man is fully given in Scripture.

Each part of Scripture is completely true and authoritative. "There are degrees of value [in Scriptural portions], but not of inspiration. Each part in its connection with the rest is made completely true, and completeness has no degrees." (Systematic Theology pp. 220-221)

One part of Scripture may touch us more than another. But, in God’s Will for us, we will be touched by that which we need when we need.

One part may be easier to understand than another. But, in God’s Will for us, He will allow us to understand that which we need to obey.

One part may motivate us more than another. But, as we seek His Will, He will speak to us from that part which will guide us.

One part may convict us more than another. But, as move closer to Him, His Spirit will bear witness with our spirit to show us how we ought to walk.

But, all parts are equally true.

The power in the Scripture lies in the power of God. "Scripture is completely trustworthy because God was in control of its writing..." (Life Application Bible p. 564)

The unity of Scripture.

Different styles of writing may be used by the human writers of Scripture.

The form used in the writing may differ. Written literature may employ prophecy, parable and drama. The form may be of history, poetry or composition. "...we cannot deny the possibility that God may use any one of these methods of communicating truth, leaving it to us to determine in any single case which of these methods He has adopted." (Systematic Theology p. 214)

The writing may be done by different writers. "One ... Fact [of inspiration is] that the forty writers who lived in different countries, and who wrote in different languages did not contradict each other..." (Golden Key to Bible Analysis p. 20)

The Bible is one volume.

It is all God’s work and Word. "The Bible is the work of God. As such it is one volume and must be judged as a whole rather than by its parts. No part is more important than is another." (Systematic Theology p. 217)

All of it is God’s Word (see II, D, 1 - 5 above).

The Scripture was given, each part of it, because God saw each part as important.

Each portion of Scripture must be compared with other Scriptures to get a true picture of what God wants to tell us. "When the whole of Scripture, is compared with the elements of Scripture, most of the difficulties will disappear." (Systematic Theology p. 218)

An incomplete knowledge of gravity might cause one to say that a bird could not fly.

An incomplete knowledge of biology might cause one to say that a fish would drown.

An incomplete knowledge of Scripture might cause one to get a false view of the Message of God.

We need, therefore, to study all of Scripture.

Scripture comes from God. II Peter 1:21 - "Prophecy did not come from men but from the Holy Spirit, who moved them to write what God wanted written. Thus it is the Word of God and the word of man, trustworthy in all of its parts." (The People’s Bible p. 1934)

Theories of Inspiration.

The Partial Theory of Inspiration.

This theory would say that not all of the Scripture is inspired, only parts. It leaves us with two problems.

Who can decide which part is, and is not, inspired? Can a man, a preacher, or a teacher decide?

These, as are all human beings, partakers of the sin nature which renders them unqualified to judge the meanings which God has given.

This makes the theologian into a phone line between God and man.

What the theologian allows to pass through is accepted.

What the theologian does not allow to pass through is not received.

To all practical purposes the theologian then becomes more important to man than is God in the transmission of the Message.

What is mankind to then do with the uninspired (so-called) portions?

This view tends to lead to a lack of trust in God’s Word. "Experience teaches ... That limited inerrancy generally leads to limited errancy." (The People’s Bible p. 1886)

The Mechanical, or Dictation, Theory of Inspiration.

This view gives a low view of mankind. The Dictation Theory holds that God took complete control of the writers so that they became, "...pens, not penmen, of God." (Systematic Theology p. 208)

This view gives a low opinion of God’s view of man.

The Dictation Theory ignores the human styles of the writers.

"The higher and nobler God’s communications, the more fully is man in possession and use of his own faculties." (Systematic Theology p. 210)

Man was a special creation of God.

Following the leading of God will cause a man to reach the zenith of his human potentiality.

A close relationship with God (as, for instance being used to pen inspired Scripture) will tend to make one more, rather than less, fully conscious.

To disallow the possibility that God could pass His inspired Word via the instrument of human writers is to deny His omnipotence.

3. This view evidences a low opinion of God’s standards of fairness. "Matthew, Mark, Luke and John were witnesses... To dictate to a witness what he shall say destroys the value of the witness." (Golden Key to Bible Analysis p. 19)

The Superintendence Theory of Inspiration.

This view rules out dictation. "The words are not dictated... The writers used their own words but that they were superintended by the Holy Spirit in such a manner that they wrote no error." (Golden Key to Bible Analysis p. 19)

This view gives more dignity to the writers and allows more fullness to the writings. The Superintendence Theory is supported by the fact that each of the writers used his own vocabulary. An example is that of the inscription over the cross of Jesus. Each writer used different words in interpreting the message yet all agree in essence. When all the views are gathered together we see the entire inscription - "This is Jesus of Nazareth, the King of the Jews." (Bible Analysis pp. 28-30)

This view makes the Scriptures free from error. (Entire section: Golden Key to Bible Analysis p 18)

"...they [the human penmen of Scripture] were under the complete influence of the Holy Ghost."

"No error crept into the original Scriptures..."

"God superintended their minds..."

"They could not make a mistake..."

Problems associated with the Superintendence Theory of Inspiration

There is an overemphasis on the Inspiration as pertains to the

There is an underemphasis on the Inspiration as pertains to the words.

The Intuition Theory of Inspiration. The Intuition theory holds that the inspiration of Scripture is nothing more than a higher elevation of the natural truth which man may hold in himself. (Systematic Theology p. 202)

This, of course, is akin to Natural Revelation. The purpose of Scripture, however, is to provide Special Revelation from God.

This view is flawed in its lack of a base. "The intuition theory makes moral and religious truth subjective. They have no basis in objectivity." (Systematic Theology p. 203)

The solid foundation of TRUTH is gone with the Intuition Theory.

The power of God is negated with the Intuition Theory.

The writing, with the Intuition Theory, is only as good as the understanding of the ancient writer.

This causes the loss of the timeless nature of the writing.

This makes the truth of the writings only as true as the writers. "The fact that man has a sin nature makes him prone to error in matters of religious importance." (Systematic Theology p. 203)

This theory makes not only the Bible, but also other so-called scriptures of equal value. And equally untrustworthy, as well! "The theory ... Holding as it does that natural insight is the only source of religious truth, involves a self-contradiction: - if the theory is true, then one man is inspired to

utter what a second is inspired to pronounce as false. The Vedas, the Koran and the Bible cannot be inspired to contradict each other." (Systematic Theology p. 203)

The Illumination Theory of Inspiration. "The Illumination Theory holds that the Bible contains, rather than is, the Word of God. Its writers were merely given further insight, though of the same type, as might be given to any believer. It removes the fact that the writer might not fully understand what he has written." (Systematic Theology p. 203)

Illumination may have been used in some cases, but, "The Illumination of

the Holy Spirit gives no new truth, but only a vivid apprehension of the truth already revealed. Any original communication of truth must have required a work of the Spirit different, not in degree, but in kind." (Systematic Theology p. 206)

The Illumination Theory is not logical. "The theory is logically

indefensible as intimating that illumination with regard to truth can be imparted without first imparting truth itself, whereas God must first furnish objective truth to be perceived before He can illuminate the mind to perceive the meaning of the truth." (Systematic Theology p. 207)

The Illumination Theory would not give us an infallible Scripture. "The illumination theory would not have protected the writers from possible error." (Systematic Theology p. 207)

This would leave the same problem, not knowing which Scripture was reliable and which was only man’s ideas, as would the Partial Inspiration Theory.

This would serve to lower the grandeur of God’s power in inspiration.

Illumination happens as Scriptures are read, not as they are given. "Since Pentecost, all believers have been indwelt ... by the Holy Spirit... Because the Holy Spirit is the ultimate author of Scripture through the medium of inspiration ... He is the ultimate interpreter... This gift of understanding Scripture is usually called illumination ... the divine writer ... becomes the divine interpreter..." (Elemental Theology p. 20)

In practice, if not in theory, this is the stance held by those who have forsaken the Traditional Text of the Scripture.

The would argue that God did not preserve His Word. This they continually do with new editions supplanting other new editions. This makes, to them, the Sure Word of God no more certain than the next discovery.

They attempt to reconstruct what they believe He might have meant to say. This removes the trust in the very Words of Scripture even if lip service is given to them as having been inspired.

In practice, if not in theory, this is the stance of those who would translate

via paraphrase (thought for thought transference) rather than word for word translation.

The Dynamical Theory of Inspiration. (Entire section: Systematic Theology p. 211)

"Inspiration is not only to the writers but, more importantly to the Scripture."

"Inspiration is both natural and Supernatural as God worked in the souls of man."

"The Scripture has a human as well as a divine element. The divine truth is shaped so that the human mind can comprehend it."

The Verbal, Plenary Theory of Inspiration.

"By verbal inspiration it is meant that the Spirit of God guided in the choice of words..." (Major Bible Themes p. 17)

"...plenary ... means ‘full inspiration,’ as opposed to ... partial inspiration..." (Major Bible Themes p. 17)

The meaning is that each of the Words were inspired by God.

While this compiler feels that it is obvious the human writers were guided by the Spirit in their tasks, he does not accept that they, the writers themselves, were in any way inspired on a personal basis.

The Words which were written were, Themselves, the Word of the Lord.

With this understanding we can easily see that it was the Words, Themselves, which were inspired.

Those Words are still inspired today in accurately preserved copies because they remain the Word of the Unchanging, Eternal, God.

No translation, no matter how accurately translated, even if translated from pure copies, can be itself inspired.

The Words which God gave were in those original languages not in the new tongue - even if that new tongue accurately conveys the Message of those Words.

God will condescend to use, for the benefit of His Creatures, faithful translation of His Inspired Words.

4. Proofs of Verbal Inspiration. (Entire section: A Systematic Study of Bible Doctrine pp. 41-44)

"Inspired Scripture necessarily involves Verbal Inspiration..."

"Paul affirmed that He used Words taught him by the Holy Spirit ... I Cor. 2:13..."

"Peter affirmed the Verbal Inspiration of his own and other Apostle’s writings ... II Pet. 3:1, 2, 15, 16; Acts 1:16..."

"Quotations in the New Testament from the Old Testament prove the Verbal Inspiration of the New Testament writers..."

"Matthew affirmed that the Lord spake through the Prophets of the Old Testament ... Matt. 1:22; 2:15..."

"Luke affirmed that the Lord spake by the mouth of the Holy Prophets (Luke 1:70)."

"The writer to the Hebrews affirms the same thing (Heb. 1:1)."

"Peter affirmed that the Holy Spirit spake by the mouth of David (Acts 1:16)."

"Paul’s argument in Gal. 3:16 implies Verbal Inspiration..."

"Old Testament writers constantly implied and taught the Divine authority of their very words."

"Fulfilled prophecy is proof of Verbal Inspiration."

"Jesus affirmed the Verbal Inspiration of the Scripture ... John 10:35..."

5. Galatians 3:16 gives an example of Verbal Inspiration. "The promise to Abraham is found in Gen. 12; that to his seed (Christ) is found in Gen. 22. Paul’s argument is based on the difference between a singular and a plural noun." (The Pilgrim Edition of the Holy Bible p. 1531)

6. The Verbal, Plenary theory of Inspiration holds that the, "...Scripture is ... infallible ... unfailing accurate ... inerrant..." (Major Bible Themes p. 17)

The Scripture cannot be unfailingly accurate unless it is verbally inspired. W. V. Grant, Sr., (From Plow Boy to Preacher Boy) was speaking of a man’s testimony when he said, "...but it did not ring true. It was like a cow that had been too close to a clay root, and gotten red clay in her bell. It did not ring right. It sounded like a hollow tree, or like a counterfeit dollar."

8. It is the Verbal, Plenary Theory of Inspiration in which we willing put our trust. It alone gives a strong enough anchor to our faith in God’s Inspired Word to man.

The meaning of Inspiration.

Inspiration gives the Scripture authority.

"Inspiration is the action of the Holy Spirit upon the authors of Scripture to give divine Authority to the books of the Bible." (Short Dictionary of Bible Themes p. 46)

Although the Spirit is, of course, on those human penmen, they are not themselves inspired.

The action of the Spirit upon the human writes is such that they will pen the Very Inspired Words which God has ordained them to write.

The authority of Scriptures comes from the Word of God, the Holy Spirit, therein.

The inspiration of the Bible shines through the uniqueness of the human writers. "The Bible composed of all the books of the Old and New Testaments, is the Word of God which, written under the guidance of the Holy Spirit by human instruments whose intelligence, individuality, and literary style were not impaired, is the exact expression of God and, as such, was wholly without error in the original manuscripts." (A Companion to the New Scofield Reference Bible p. 25)

This is an ennobling view of humankind, that God would work with man.

This is a picture that the person who is sold out to God (a consecrated, sanctified, Spirit-filled Christian) is not an auto-man or a robot.

God shows respect for mans individuality.

God shows love for mans individuality.

Since it was not the penmen, but the Words which were inspired, any faithful copy of those exact Words, in that exact order, will be inspired as it would still be the Words of God.

Inspiration makes the Scripture error-free.

The influence of the Holy Spirit gave us writers who wrote without error. "Inspiration has reference to the influence God exerted over the human authors of the Scripture so that the words and thoughts they recorded in the original autographs were without error..." (Unger’s Bible Handbook pp. 5-6)

Since Inspiration lay upon the Words, that Inspiration would - by extension - rest upon a faithfully copied manuscript which possessed those same words.

A faithful word-for-word translation into another tongue would not have the same Inspiration but it could be well blessed, by God, as a faithful Trust in that which was His Word.

The influence of the Holy Spirit gives us the Words of God. "...their [the human writers of Scripture] productions are as truly and fully the Word of God as any utterance of Jesus." (A Systematic Study of Bible Doctrine p. 41)

The influence of the Holy Spirit gave us, ultimately, the Work of God. "...Scripture has a double authorship, ... The primary author, through whose initiative, prompting and enlightenment, and under whose superintendence, each human writer did his work, is God, the Holy Spirit." (The People’s Study Bible p. 2004)

The influence of the Holy Spirit gave us the Message fully proclaimed, which God has for mankind. "Divine inspiration makes the Bible uniquely the Word of God and not merely a book containing the Word of God." (Unger’s Bible Handbook p. 6)

God prepared the writers to produce His Message.

They were prepared via their life experiences. "Inspiration was accomplished miraculously... God accomplished the miracle of inspiration by providentially preparing the writers for their work and by so revealing His truth to them and so enabling, guiding, and Superintending them in the recording of it as to give to us through them the exact and complete transmission of all that He was pleased to reveal." (A Systematic Study of Bible Doctrine p. 39)

God used His own methods to prepare the writers. (V, C, 2, a - V, C, 2, f. (1): A Systematic Study of Bible Doctrine pp. 40-41)

"Inspiration through Objective Revelation..."

"Inspiration through Supernatural vision..."

"Inspiration through Passivity..."

"Inspiration through Divine Illumination..."

"Inspiration through God’s direction..."

"Inspiration through Subjective Revelation..."

"Summing it all up, ... The process of inspiration consisted of such means and influences as it pleased God to employ..."

We cannot limit God by our own wants and wishes.

We cannot disclaim what God has claimed.

Inspiration would claim the Bible as the Word of God.

After noting the theological, historical and personal contributions of the human writers, "...the Bible regards the human writers as having

contributed nothing, and Scripture as being entirely the creation of God." (The People’s Study Bible p. 2005)

The Bible, therefore, ought to receive honor.

The Bible, therefore, is well qualified to hold our complete trust.

The Bible, therefore, ought to be obeyed.

INSPIRATION - EVIDENCES OF INSPIRATION

There are two lines of evidence for the Inspiration of the Scripture.

There are internal evidences in which the Bible declares or assumes Itself to be the Word of God.

The are external evidences which are beyond the scope of the actual message, itself. (Entire section: Major Bible Themes pp. 11-15)

The continuity of the Bible is an external evidence of Inspiration.

The extent of Biblical revelation is an external evidence of Inspiration.

The influence and the publication of the Bible are external evidences of Inspiration.

The subject matter of the Bible is an external evidence of Inspiration.

The influence of the Bible as, and on, literature are external evidences of Inspiration.

The unprejudiced authority of the Bible is an external evidence of Inspiration.

The supreme character of the Bible is an external evidence of Inspiration.

External evidences of Inspiration from outside the contents of the Book..

Archeology speaks of the inspiration of the Bible. "The testimony of archaeology to the truthfulness or credibility of the Scriptures may also be regarded as corroborative evidence of their inspiration. If the Scriptures are to be relied upon as the statement of truth with no admixture of error, then their witness to their own inspiration may be accepted as trustworthy." (Elemental Theology p. 30)

The Bible may be checked against the standard of General Revelation and found to be trustworthy as Special Revelation. (Elemental Theology pp. 26-29)

In addition to inspiration is the fact that the Scriptures are true or credible. (Entire section: Elemental Theology pp. 26-29)

This is shown by negative facts that they do not contradict well-established facts of science nor the "generally supported" philosophic conclusions concerning the facts of the universe. (Elemental Theology pp. 26-29)

It is also shown by the positive facts.

"...topographical and geographical trustworthiness..."

"Ethnological or racial trustworthiness,..."

Also, chronological, historical, canonical trustworthiness.

The effect that the Bible speaks of its inspiration. (Entire section: Companion to the New Scofield Reference Bible pp. 28-29)

The trustworthiness of the Scripture speaks to its inspiration.

The accuracy of the Bible speaks to its inspiration.

The witness of the Holy Spirit speaks to the inspiration of the Bible.

The effect of the Bible on the lives of men speaks to its inspiration.

The fact that Christ trusted Scriptures speaks to its inspiration.

Internal evidences of Inspiration. Those aspects of Scripture which spring from the Scripture, Itself.

The Message of the Scripture touches mankind.

The Message of the Scripture will raise the standard of man. "By reading this book men have been made wise and upright. By believing its message men have been saved. And by following its teachings the highest achievements of human history in matters secular and divine have been attained." (Bible Analysis p. 16)

The Message of Scripture speaks to every phase of mans life. "Children listen to the reading of the Bible with wonder and delight. Parents nod in full sanction of the principles as holy and worthy of being followed. Old men and women, with faith in God, gaze through spectacles for hours as they read God’s promises and consider His blessings and assurance of a better life. A silent tear falls softly on the pages of God’s recorded Word and the trembling pilgrim of faith faces the shadow-valley of life’s sunset with a sense of victory ahead, without fear or dread." (Bible Analysis p. 19)

The message of the Scripture explains our existence. It is the only book that tells without apology: (Entire section: Bible Analysis p. 15)

Who we are.

Why we are here.

Where we are going.

The message of the Scripture is unique.

The Authorship of the Message is above the scope of human ability.

"The Great Differences between the Bible the Writings of Men Evidence that it is not a mere Human Production..." (Entire section: A Systematic Study of Bible Doctrine pp. 20-21)

"As to its Depth and Reaches of Meaning..."

"As to its Power, Charm, Attraction, and Perennial Freshness..."

"As to its Incomparable Conciseness."

"The Revelation of Things that Man, left alone, could never have Discovered gives Evidence of the Superhuman Origin of the Bible..." (Entire section: A Systematic Study of Bible Doctrine pp.20-21)

"The account of Creation..."

"The Doctrine of Angels..."

"The Omnipresence of God..."

"The Problem of Human Redemption..."

The unity of the Message is an evidence of inspiration. "The Marvelous Unity of the Bible Confirms it as a Divine Revelation..." (Entire section: A Systematic Study of Bible Doctrine pp.25-27)

"It is a Unit in its Design..."

"It is a Unit in its Teaching Concerning God..."

"It is a Unit in its Teaching Concerning Man..."

"It is a Unit in its Teaching Concerning Salvation..."

"It is a Unit as to the Law of God..."

"It is a Unit in the Progressive Unfolding of Doctrine."

The prophetic message of the Scripture gives evidence to Inspiration.

God claims responsibility for the predictions of Scripture. There are some internal evidences of inspiration. (Entire section: A Companion to the New Scofield Reference Bible pp. 26-28)

The "Thus saith the Lord’s" of the Old Testament.

The New Testament claims that it and the Old Testament are inspired.

The unity of the entire Scripture.

The precise and fulfilled prophecies witness to the truth and inspiration of Scripture. (Entire section: A Systematic Study of Bible Doctrine pp. 31-32)

The prophecies that relate to Cyrus.

The prophecies that relate to the Babylonian Captivity of the Jewish people.

The prophecies that relate to Jesus Christ - especially those of His first advent.

"The Accuracy of the Bible in Scientific Matters Proves that it is Not of Human Origin..." (Entire section: A Systematic Study of Bible Doctrine pp. 27-31)

"The rotundity of the earth ... Isa. 40:22..."

"The gravitational support of the earth ... Job 26:7..."

"The nature of the heavens ... Gen. 1:7, 8; Psa. 19:6..."

"The northern empty expanse ... Job 26:7..."

"The weight of air ... Job. 28:25..."

"The rotation of the earth ... Lk. 17:34-36..."

"The number of stars ... Gen. 22:17; Jer. 33:22; Psa. 147:4..."

"The law of evaporation ... Eccl. 1:7..."

"The existence of trade winds ... Eccl. 1:6..."

"The importance of the blood ... Gen. 9:4; Lev. 17:11-14..."

"The unity of the human race ... Gen. 9:19; 10:32; Acts 17:26..."

The miracles of Jesus Christ point toward the inspiration of the Scriptures. "Miracles ... do not stand alone as evidences. Power alone cannot prove a divine commission. Purity of life and doctrine must go with the miracles to assure us that a religious teacher has come from God." (Systematic Theology p. 129)

The Spiritual message of the Scripture gives evidence as to the inspiration of that Scripture. (Entire section: Systematic Theology pp. 26-27)

The moral system of the New Testament is comprehensive. It includes "all human duties in its code .... While it permits no vice whatsoever."

The Spiritual message of the Bible goes beyond the mere actions of man. The spirituality of the New Testament accepts, "...no merely eternal conformity to right precepts, but [judges] all actions by the thoughts and motives from which it springs."

The Spiritual message of the Scripture, since the fall of man in Genesis 3, is at odds with mans basest desires. The Scripture "...judges the soul - contradicting its passions..."

The message of Scripture is beyond the scope of the ability of mere man in its authorship.

The message of Scripture is beyond man’s intellect. The human intellect could not produce such a book as the Bible. (Christian Doctrines p. 31)

The message of Scripture is beyond man’s imagination. "There are doctrines taught in the Bible of which the unaided intellect of man could have formed no conception ... [such as] God’s omnipresence ... Not that he is in different places at different times, but that he is in all places at all times." (Christian Doctrines p. 32)

The message of Scripture is beyond the morality of man. "...Would man with his depraved heart be inclined to make such a book as the Bible?" (Christian Doctrines p. 35)

Man would be too proud to produce a message such as that of Scripture. "Would he [man] produce a volume in condemnation of himself?" (Christian Doctrines p. 35)

The message of Scripture is beyond the aspirations of man. "The Bible is not a human production. Man’s heart would not let him make such a book even if he had the intellectual ability." (Christian Doctrines p. 35)

The message of Scripture is beyond the Spirituality of man. (Entire section: Elemental Theology pp. 33-34)

The Bible represents things as man would not have done had the Scriptures not been inspired.

God is shown to be "infinite, sovereign, triune, holy, and loving."

Man is shown to be "condemnable as debased in character and sinful in conduct."

The present world system is shown to be "evil and opposed to God."

Salvation from sin is shown to be "absolutely independent of human merit."

The message of Scripture is one that is beyond the hope of man. (Entire section: Christian Doctrines p. 33)

"Could man have imagined ... that the guilty creature should be saved at the expense of the incarnation of the creator..."

"Could man have imagined ... that life should come to the sons of men through the Son of God...?"

The message of Scripture is beyond the limitations of man. "The person and character of Christ as revealed in the Bible prove the divine origin of the book." (Christian Doctrines p. 36)

The authority incumbent within Scripture is an evidence of the inspiration of Scripture.

The message of Scripture is not the message of man. "In vain were the authority of Scripture fortified by argument or supported by the consent of the Church, or confirmed by any other helps, if unaccompanied by an assurance higher and stronger than human judgement can give." (Calvin’s Institutes [One VII 1] p. 31)

The message of the Scripture is revealed by the Holy Spirit. "The chief proof of inspiration ... Must always be found in the internal characteristics of the Scripture themselves, as these are disclosed to the sincere inquirer by the Holy Spirit." (Systematic Theology p. 201)

The message of the Scripture is one which gives constant witness to its own inspiration.

The testimony of the Bible speaks of its inspiration in its unity.

The testimony of the Bible speaks of its inspiration in its representations.

The testimony of the Bible speaks of its inspiration in its fulfilled prophecy.

The message of Scripture, given by inspiration, flows from God, Himself. (Entire section: Systematic Theology p. 116)

We can expect the revelation of God to be evidenced as trustworthy.

The trustworthiness of Scripture is testified to by "...a manifestation of God himself..."

The trustworthiness of Scripture is testified to "...in the outward as well as the inward world..."

The trustworthiness of Scripture is testified to "...such as only God’s power or knowledge can make..."

The trustworthiness of Scripture is testified to "...such as cannot be counterfeited by the evil, or mistaken by the candid, soul."

The message of Scripture, because of its inspiration, will always be trustworthy. "...while credibility of the Bible means only that it takes its place with the best histories of human production ... inspiration ... [holds that the Bible] is not only generally reliable but errorless and incapable of error..." (Elemental Theology p. 30)

Inspiration was given by the action of God upon man. "How could God inspire Scripture while ... Allowing for human authorship...? ...the explanation is that they [the human writers] were ‘moved by the Holy Ghost.’ The word translated ‘moved’ [in II Peter 1:21] is the word for carrying a burden ... the human authors [were] carried along to the destination intended by God much as a boat will carry its passengers to its ultimate destination. Although passengers on a boat have ... freedom and can move freely ... they nevertheless ... are carried to the destination of the boat itself." (Major Bible Themes p. 22)

Inspiration makes Scripture powerful. II Timothy 3:16 - "Paul affirms God’s active involvement in the writing of Scripture. ...so powerful and pervasive that what is written is the infallible and authoritative Word of God..." (Concordia Self-Study Bible p. 1861)

Inspiration allows a fully rounded, complete picture of man. There are, however qualifying considerations. (Entire section: Major Bible Themes pp. 23-24)

As in Genesis 3:4, the Bible will record a lie as it is told.

As in the Book of Ecclesiastes, the Bible may record the experiences and reasonings of man.

As with some of the men who were false comforters of Job, the Bible may record the philosophizing of man.

There may be other things which we do not understand, or seeming contradictions, these are because we lack all the information or understanding.

In order to more fully understand Scripture we need to study and make use of the entire canon of the Bible. "The infallible rule of interpretation of Scripture itself ... when there is a question ... [is that] it must be searched by ... Other places that speak more clearly." (Philadelphia Confession of Faith p. 17)

Inspiration means that God has written His Words to us. "...although written by human pen, the Bible is God’s message to man rather than a message of man to his fellow man." (Major Bible Themes p. 16)

INSPIRATION - THE WORD OF GOD GIVEN TO MAN

Man needs some sort of a knowledge of God.

Mankind is an inquisitive creature. He wants to know what it is that "makes our world tick." We can only have full knowledge if we acknowledge the Spiritual; we can only know the spiritual if we know God.

Mankind is a worshiping creature. He was created with the need to worship and will do so. Without a knowledge of the true God, that worship will be misdirected and harmful.

Mankind is a spiritual creature. To deny this aspect of our being is to be subject to longings which cannot be either satisfied or completely understood.

As we were made with spiritual hungers, it follows that God would provide some sort of spiritual aid in the revelation of Himself. (Systematic Theology p. 112)

A revelation from God is needed.

"Because our minds have been perverted by sin, any truth which we may find by our natural reasoning powers must be confirmed by the Divine." (Systematic Theology p. 111)

"Neither reason nor intuition throws a light upon certain questions whose solution is of the utmost importance to us..." (Systematic Theology p. 111)

Without Divine revelation there can be no knowledge of things which need to be understand by man. (Entire section: Christian Doctrines pp. 25-29)

Acceptable worship.

The standard of moral rights and wrongs.

The future state.

The necessity and means of salvation.

God has given to man a voice of revelation.

General Revelation is given through nature.

Specific Revelation of Himself through the Person of Jesus Christ - the Living Word of God, has been given.

The Truth about Jesus Christ has been recorded in Scripture.

The experience of Jesus Christ lies within the hearts of the Christian.

Special Revelation via the Scripture - The Written Word of God.

God loves man enough to have provided a written Message.

Although God used many human writers, He is the Author of Scripture.

"Despite the number of human authors, the Scripture exhibits the work of one mind in that none of the ‘moral or religious utterance[s]’ is contradicted by another writer." (Systematic Theology p. 175)

The fact that the Authorship is of God makes the Scripture a unique book that can be trusted.

"It [the Bible] is God’s eternal Word to every generation." (Beliefs that Count p. 42)

Since God does not lie, the Bible is always true and always trustworthy.

Since God is eternal, the Bible is never out of date. Neither is it too advanced for an audience.

Since God is good and loving, the Bible will never lead one astray or into pain.

Since God is omnipotent, the bible will withstand the attacks of its critics.

Since God is omnipresent, the Bible is useful wherever a man may be in life or in space - age or area.

Since God is the Creator, the Bible will present the most fulfilling way for a person to live.

Scripture is so constructed as to lead men to Jesus Christ. "...Scripture is the history, interpretation, and inerrant record of God’s revelation that culminates in His own presence among men." (Elemental Theology p. 19)

God used diversity in His inspiration of the Scripture.

God used different means such as dictating words (Ex. 20:1, 2; Is. 1:10; Jer. 1:6-9, 2:1-2), prophecy, and prophetic vision to impart His Word to humanity. By these means He gave His Word without error and through the personality of the human writer, exactly as He wanted it to be written and revealed." (Criswell Study Bible p. xix)

Inspiration used the cultural and literary styles of the writers. "The Bible is God’s word, in the sense that it presents to us divine truth in human forms, and is a revelation not for a select class but for the common mind." (Systematic Theology p. 213)

God used progressive revelation, making it easier for mankind to grasp His truths, as He gave His story to man. "First came pictures, object-lessons, external rites, prediction; then the key to these in Christ, and their didactic exposition in the Epistles." (Systematic Theology pp. 214-215)

The diversity of God’s operation in the inspiration of the Scripture displays some of the grandeur of God.

This diversity shows part of the beauty of God. He is not a one dimensional Being. He is, rather, a multi-faceted Being of great beauty and wonder.

The diversity of the Divine shows part of the intelligence of the mind of God. The Truth which He wishes to convey is presented in many different ways, not only to restate for emphasis but also to give a full, depth-filled, multifaceted view so that man need not be left in doubt as to what it was that God desired to communicate.

This diversity shows part of the grace of God. He knows the mind of mankind. Our attentions spans are lengthened by diversity. He, graciously, makes it easier for us to read and study His Message to us.

The Scripture is fully trustworthy.

This point has been somewhat discussed above. (See II, A, 2, a - g)

"...Historically the Church has given unmistakable testimony to the PLENARY VERBAL INSPIRATION of the Bible. ‘Plenary (i.e., full, complete) verbal (i.e., word-by-word) inspiration’ means that God so superintended and worked that the original manuscripts of the Bible were exactly what He wanted written. This does NOT mean that the entire Bible was dictated word by word." (Criswell Study Bible p. xix)

The writers which God used were simple, ordinary human beings who were used to an extraordinary means by God. "Inspiration gave inerrancy only to the writings. The writer was not, himself, special." (Systematic Theology p. 215)

Although we can love and honor the prophets which God used, we ought not to venerate them above other humans. To do so is to rob God of His rightful glory. How repugnant this would be to the writers who sought to give Him honor.

As we realize that God used ordinary human vessels, we are reminded that God is involved in the day-to-day affairs of man. He really does care about us! The Glory of even this thought!

Since the Scripture is fully trustworthy, we ought to heed both its enticements to good and its warnings of evil.