Bibliology 6: The Inspiration of the Bible - Defended
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Not everyone believes what the Bible teaches concerning the doctrine of its divine inspiration. There are a number of other theories of inspiration, and these can be classified under the three major theological positions, as follows:
Not everyone believes what the Bible teaches concerning the doctrine of its divine inspiration. There are a number of other theories of inspiration, and these can be classified under the three major theological positions, as follows:
Theories of Inspiration within Conservative theology.
Theories of Inspiration within Conservative theology.
“THE BIBLE IS THE WORD OF GOD” Dynamic Inspiration Conceptual Inspiration
“THE BIBLE IS THE WORD OF GOD” Dynamic Inspiration Conceptual Inspiration
2. Theories of Inspiration within Modernist theology.
2. Theories of Inspiration within Modernist theology.
“THE BIBLE CONTAINS THE WORD OF GOD” Partial Inspiration Gracious Inspiration Natural Inspiration
“THE BIBLE CONTAINS THE WORD OF GOD” Partial Inspiration Gracious Inspiration Natural Inspiration
3. Theories of Inspiration within Neo-Orthodox theology.
3. Theories of Inspiration within Neo-Orthodox theology.
“THE BIBLE BECOMES THE WORD OF GOD” Demythological Inspiration Personal Encounter Inspiration
“THE BIBLE BECOMES THE WORD OF GOD” Demythological Inspiration Personal Encounter Inspiration
This lecture will briefly examine each of these theories and answer them from the Word of God.
This lecture will briefly examine each of these theories and answer them from the Word of God.
I. The Theory of Dynamic Inspiration.
I. The Theory of Dynamic Inspiration.
This view of inspiration is also known as mechanical dictation, and holds that the writers of the Bible were mere passive instruments, just “machines,” and insensible to what they were doing.
This view of inspiration is also known as mechanical dictation, and holds that the writers of the Bible were mere passive instruments, just “machines,” and insensible to what they were doing.
This is not so much a theory that is actually held by anyone — rather it is a “straw man” theory that those who hold to a verbal, plenary, inerrant, infallible inspiration are often accused of believing. However, such a charge ignores the fact of confluency,
This is not so much a theory that is actually held by anyone — rather it is a “straw man” theory that those who hold to a verbal, plenary, inerrant, infallible inspiration are often accused of believing. However, such a charge ignores the fact of confluency,
It should be noted that there were definite occasions when dictation occurred — e.g. Revelation 2:1,8,12,18; etc., and Exodus 34:27 - yet it is evident that even these kinds of passages exhibit the peculiar “style” of the writer.
It should be noted that there were definite occasions when dictation occurred — e.g. Revelation 2:1,8,12,18; etc., and Exodus 34:27 - yet it is evident that even these kinds of passages exhibit the peculiar “style” of the writer.
Answer: How do we account for the different writing styles of the Books of the Bible? If inspiration involved pure dictation, we would expect a uniform style to be seen throughout the Word of God.
Answer: How do we account for the different writing styles of the Books of the Bible? If inspiration involved pure dictation, we would expect a uniform style to be seen throughout the Word of God.
II. The Theory of Conceptual Inspiration.
II. The Theory of Conceptual Inspiration.
Otherwise known as “Thought Inspiration,” this view holds that only the thoughts, concepts, and overall message of the Bible were given by inspiration. (This was the view held by the popular Baptist Theologian, A. H. Strong.) This theory readily accommodates the use of different “versions” of the Bible.After all, “they are all saying basically the same thing!”
Otherwise known as “Thought Inspiration,” this view holds that only the thoughts, concepts, and overall message of the Bible were given by inspiration. (This was the view held by the popular Baptist Theologian, A. H. Strong.) This theory readily accommodates the use of different “versions” of the Bible.After all, “they are all saying basically the same thing!”
Answer: The Bible itself teaches verbal inspiration — I Corinthians 2:13. The thoughts, concepts, and message are indeed inspired - but so are the words!
Answer: The Bible itself teaches verbal inspiration — I Corinthians 2:13. The thoughts, concepts, and message are indeed inspired - but so are the words!
III. The theory of partial inspiration.
III. The theory of partial inspiration.
This common modernistic opinion is usually expressed by the statement, “The Bible contains the Word of God.” Somewhere, between the covers of the Bible, you will find the Word of God.
This common modernistic opinion is usually expressed by the statement, “The Bible contains the Word of God.” Somewhere, between the covers of the Bible, you will find the Word of God.
Those holding such a view cannot agree on which parts are inspired and which parts are not inspired. Some believe the cardinal doctrines of Christianity are inspired, while the supportive arguments and evidences are of human origin. Some hold only those parts of the Bible containing “good moral instruction” to be inspired. Usually, the criterion is “what is rational?” Similar to this theory is “Degree Inspiration” which sees some parts (e.g. the Sermon on the Mount) as more inspired than others (e.g. the Mosaic laws).
Those holding such a view cannot agree on which parts are inspired and which parts are not inspired. Some believe the cardinal doctrines of Christianity are inspired, while the supportive arguments and evidences are of human origin. Some hold only those parts of the Bible containing “good moral instruction” to be inspired. Usually, the criterion is “what is rational?” Similar to this theory is “Degree Inspiration” which sees some parts (e.g. the Sermon on the Mount) as more inspired than others (e.g. the Mosaic laws).
Answer: The Bible teaches Plenary inspiration - Il Timothy 3:16. This theory is very subjective. Who decides what parts are inspired? Man himself becomes the authority!
Answer: The Bible teaches Plenary inspiration - Il Timothy 3:16. This theory is very subjective. Who decides what parts are inspired? Man himself becomes the authority!
IV. The theory of gracious inspiration.
IV. The theory of gracious inspiration.
Otherwise known as “Genius Inspiration,” this theory holds that it was the writers who were inspired — in the sense that they were pious, Spirit-filled men, who were granted deep special religious insight by the Holy Spirit.
Otherwise known as “Genius Inspiration,” this theory holds that it was the writers who were inspired — in the sense that they were pious, Spirit-filled men, who were granted deep special religious insight by the Holy Spirit.
This theory sees the human writers of the Bible as much the same as other post-Biblical Christian “greats.” Thus the writings of John Bunyan (for example) might be taken as being on the same level as those of the apostles and prophets (and thus liable to error). Some also consider this kind of “inspiration” as being the same experienced by non-Christian writers such as Shakespeare, Mohammed, Confucius, etc.
This theory sees the human writers of the Bible as much the same as other post-Biblical Christian “greats.” Thus the writings of John Bunyan (for example) might be taken as being on the same level as those of the apostles and prophets (and thus liable to error). Some also consider this kind of “inspiration” as being the same experienced by non-Christian writers such as Shakespeare, Mohammed, Confucius, etc.
Note: Bible-believing Baptist preachers often speak loosely of the Bible writers as being inspired of God. That is not an accurate statement, an should be avoided.
Note: Bible-believing Baptist preachers often speak loosely of the Bible writers as being inspired of God. That is not an accurate statement, an should be avoided.
Answer: If such inspiration were possible, why not write another book for the Bible? cf. Revelation 22:18. Il Timothy 3:16 states that it is the scriptures (writings) that are inspired, NOT the writers.
Answer: If such inspiration were possible, why not write another book for the Bible? cf. Revelation 22:18. Il Timothy 3:16 states that it is the scriptures (writings) that are inspired, NOT the writers.
V. The theory of natural inspiration.
V. The theory of natural inspiration.
This theory is also known as “Illumination” or “Universal Christian Inspiration.” It holds that the writers of the Bible were inspired in the same sense in which Christians of all ages have been inspired. The scriptures then are just writings of men which are “inspiring!”
This theory is also known as “Illumination” or “Universal Christian Inspiration.” It holds that the writers of the Bible were inspired in the same sense in which Christians of all ages have been inspired. The scriptures then are just writings of men which are “inspiring!”
Answer: Such a theory is similar to that of Gracious Inspiration (above), and it is answered in much the same way. Illumination, enthusiasm, zeal, Spirit-filling, etc., are not inspiration. Yes, the Word of God is inspiring, but that is not what is meant by divine inspiration. The scriptures are “Thus saith the LORD!”
Answer: Such a theory is similar to that of Gracious Inspiration (above), and it is answered in much the same way. Illumination, enthusiasm, zeal, Spirit-filling, etc., are not inspiration. Yes, the Word of God is inspiring, but that is not what is meant by divine inspiration. The scriptures are “Thus saith the LORD!”
VI. The theory of demythological inspiration.
VI. The theory of demythological inspiration.
This view sees the Bible as being written in the legendary style of its day with the task of the modern day scholar being to “demythologize” it — i.e. peel away the myth to find the truth.
This view sees the Bible as being written in the legendary style of its day with the task of the modern day scholar being to “demythologize” it — i.e. peel away the myth to find the truth.
“(Rudolf) Bultmann says that once the Bible is divested of these religious myths, one arrives at the real message of God’s self-giving love in Christ. It is not necessary to hold to an objective, historical, and propositional revelation in order to experience this subjective and personal truth.” (1)
“(Rudolf) Bultmann says that once the Bible is divested of these religious myths, one arrives at the real message of God’s self-giving love in Christ. It is not necessary to hold to an objective, historical, and propositional revelation in order to experience this subjective and personal truth.” (1)
An example of this kind of thinking would be “theistic evolution.” The first two chapters of Genesis are pure myth — the real message is that somehow, God used evolutionary forces to bring man into existence. It’s the message that’s important, not the facts!
An example of this kind of thinking would be “theistic evolution.” The first two chapters of Genesis are pure myth — the real message is that somehow, God used evolutionary forces to bring man into existence. It’s the message that’s important, not the facts!
Answer: The Bible becomes a subjective Book, because it requires the correct interpretation before the message comes through. Again, man becomes the final authority.
Answer: The Bible becomes a subjective Book, because it requires the correct interpretation before the message comes through. Again, man becomes the final authority.
VII. The theory of personal encounter inspiration.
VII. The theory of personal encounter inspiration.
This Neo-Orthodox view holds that the Bible is an imperfect record which becomes the Word of God when the message of God “breaks through” the written record in such a way as to speak personally to the reader.
This Neo-Orthodox view holds that the Bible is an imperfect record which becomes the Word of God when the message of God “breaks through” the written record in such a way as to speak personally to the reader.
Inspiration is viewed (in the words of Frederick Schleiermacher) as the “original translation of Christian feeling.” Paul Tillich states that the “inspiration of the Biblical writers is their receptive and creative response to potentially revelatory facts.”
Inspiration is viewed (in the words of Frederick Schleiermacher) as the “original translation of Christian feeling.” Paul Tillich states that the “inspiration of the Biblical writers is their receptive and creative response to potentially revelatory facts.”
In other words, what we read in the Bible are the writers’ responses to their personal encounters with God — and we can share in those same encounters as we work back through their written responses. The existentialist theologian, Karl Barth (1886-1968) said the Bible brought about an encounter with the hidden God. “[Emil) Brunner asserts that God’s revelation is not propositional (i.e., in the words) but always personal (through the words).”
In other words, what we read in the Bible are the writers’ responses to their personal encounters with God — and we can share in those same encounters as we work back through their written responses. The existentialist theologian, Karl Barth (1886-1968) said the Bible brought about an encounter with the hidden God. “[Emil) Brunner asserts that God’s revelation is not propositional (i.e., in the words) but always personal (through the words).”
Answer: Theology based upon such a view of inspiration can only be emotive and mystical and again makes man the authority. People will worship a “Christ” of their own imagination (Romans 1:21e). “There is no way of distinguishing an experience or an intuition about God from a sheer illusion unless we possess valid concepts and criteria from His self-disclosure.”
Answer: Theology based upon such a view of inspiration can only be emotive and mystical and again makes man the authority. People will worship a “Christ” of their own imagination (Romans 1:21e). “There is no way of distinguishing an experience or an intuition about God from a sheer illusion unless we possess valid concepts and criteria from His self-disclosure.”
