Exploring Verbal Inspiration - Article One DoF

Verbal Inspiration of the Bible

Our foundation is 2 Timothy 3:16: “All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness.” This “inspiration” (Greek: theopneustos) means “breathed by God,” signifying the Holy Spirit’s active role in shaping scripture. The Holy Spirit, the third person of the Trinity, is the agent of this inspiration, empowering human authors to write divinely inspired truths using their natural communication skills.

I. The Rationale for Inspiration

Before diving into scripture, let's consider why God would choose to reveal Himself through written word.

God’s Personal Nature: God is not an impersonal force. He is a personal God – intelligent, volitional, loving, and desiring fellowship. A personal God would naturally communicate in a personal way.

Humanity’s Image of God: We are created in God’s image (Genesis 1:27), possessing similar characteristics – intellect, will, emotion. This shared nature makes communication possible. As dependent creatures, we need revelation from our Creator.

The Necessity of Reliable Revelation: God’s message is too important to be lost or distorted. Committing it to writing safeguards it from the fallibility of human memory, the inaccuracies of oral tradition, and the corrupting influence of personal interpretation. It provides a permanent, objective standard.

Thought-Provoking Question: If God could have revealed Himself in any way, why do you think He chose to do so through written language, specifically through human authors?

II. Scriptural Confirmations of Divine Inspiration – A Canonical Walk

We’ll now journey through the 66 books of the Bible, categorized, looking for evidence of divine authorship.

A. The Law (Genesis – Deuteronomy): These books lay the foundation of God’s covenant with Israel.

Exodus 20:1: “And God spake all these words…” This establishes God as the originator of the Law.

Exodus 24:4: “And Moses wrote all the words of the Lord…” Moses acted as a scribe, recording God’s direct communication.

Exodus 35:1: “These are the words which the Lord hath commanded…” The Law isn’t Moses’ ideas, but God’s commands.

Qualifying Point: The meticulous detail and consistent theological framework throughout the Pentateuch point to a single, divine author working through Moses.

B. History (Joshua – Esther): These books narrate God’s dealings with Israel.

Consider: The historical accounts, while written by human authors, consistently portray God’s sovereignty and faithfulness. The very selection of events to record demonstrates divine purpose.

Question: How does the book of Joshua demonstrate God’s faithfulness to His promises, and how might this reinforce the idea of divine oversight in its writing?

C. Poetry & Wisdom (Job – Song of Solomon): These books explore profound truths about life, suffering, and God’s character.

2 Samuel 23:2: “The Spirit of the Lord spake by me, and his word was in my tongue.” David acknowledges the Holy Spirit’s influence in his writing.

Qualifying Point: The poetic structure and profound wisdom found in books like Proverbs and Ecclesiastes transcend human capabilities, suggesting divine inspiration.

D. Prophecy (Isaiah – Malachi): These books foretell future events and reveal God’s plan of redemption.

Isaiah 1:2: “Hear, O heavens, and give ear, O earth: for the Lord hath spoken.” The prophet presents God’s message as a direct declaration.

Jeremiah 1:4-5: “Then the word of the Lord came unto me, saying, Before I formed thee in the womb I knew thee; and before thou camest forth out of the womb I sanctified thee, and I have appointed thee a prophet unto the nations.” Jeremiah’s prophetic call is rooted in God’s preordained plan.

Ezekiel 1:3: “The word of the Lord came expressly unto Ezekiel the priest, the son of Buzi, in the lands of the Chaldeans by the river Chebar…” Ezekiel received direct revelation.

E. The Gospels (Matthew – John): These books recount the life, ministry, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ.

Matthew 5:18: “For verily I say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled.” Jesus affirms the absolute preservation and authority of the Old Testament scriptures.

John 14:6: “Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.” Jesus is the Word of God incarnate, confirming the divine origin of truth.

Qualifying Point: The four Gospels, while offering unique perspectives, converge on a consistent portrayal of Jesus, indicating a unified, divinely guided narrative.

F. The Epistles (Romans – Jude): These letters provide instruction and encouragement to early churches.

2 Peter 1:20-21: “Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation. For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost.” Peter directly addresses the origin of scripture.

Question: How does Peter's statement in 2 Peter 1:20-21 address potential concerns about the human authorship of scripture?

G. Revelation: This book unveils God’s ultimate plan for the future.

Revelation 1:1: “The Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave unto him to shew unto his servants things which must shortly come to pass.” The book is presented as a divine revelation given to Jesus, and then revealed through John.

III. The Agents of Revelation

A. The Divine Word (John 1:1-14): “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.” Jesus Christ is the Word of God, the eternal expression of God’s being. He is divine, possessing all the attributes of God.

B. The Divine Spirit: The Holy Spirit is the agent through whom the Word is revealed to humanity.

1 Corinthians 2:10-13: Paul explains that the Holy Spirit searches all things, even the deep things of God, and reveals them to us. He teaches us “not in the words which man’s wisdom teacheth, but which the Holy Ghost teacheth.”

Qualifying Point: The Holy Spirit doesn't merely assist human authors; He actively guides and empowers them, ensuring the accurate and faithful transmission of God’s message.

Concluding Thoughts:

The evidence for the verbal inspiration of the Bible is overwhelming. From the explicit claims of scripture to the consistent testimony of Jesus and the apostles, we see a clear affirmation of God’s active role in shaping His Word. This understanding should inspire awe, reverence, and a commitment to studying and applying scripture to our lives.

Final Thought-Provoking Question: If you truly believe the Bible is divinely inspired, how should that belief impact the way you approach reading, studying, and applying its teachings?