Bible Doctrines L1 Bibliology part 1

Lesson Objectives

1. To glorify the God who reveals Himself through the Bible.

2. To know the internal and external evidence supporting the conclusion that the Bible is, in fact, the Word of God.

3. To know the significance of the inspiration of Scripture.

4. To introduce the various theories of inspiration.

5. To know why we believe in the verbal, plenary inspiration of Scripture.

Memory Verse

2 Timothy 3:16–17

2 Timothy 3:16–17 ESV

All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.

Lesson Notes

Begin class by asking the following question:

ASK: Why is it important to begin with the Scriptures when studying doctrine?

(You have to know what you are studying and the confidence that you can have in it.)

The word doctrine means “teaching.” Thus, to study the doctrines of Christianity is to study the teachings of Christianity. The word bible comes from the Greek word biblos which means “book.” The word bibliology means “to study the book” and in particular the holy book of Scripture.

There are two lines of evidence that support the conclusion that the Bible is the Word of God:

internal evidence (the facts found in the Bible itself and the Bible’s own claim concerning its divine origin) and

external evidence (the nature of the facts given in the Scripture which support its supernatural character).

Internal Evidence

The Bible itself claims to be the very Word of God. For example:

Deuteronomy 6:6–9

6 And these words, which I command thee this day, shall be in thine heart: 7 And thou shalt teach them diligently unto thy children, and shalt talk of them when thou sittest in thine house, and when thou walkest by the way, and when thou liest down, and when thou risest up. 8 And thou shalt bind them for a sign upon thine hand, and they shall be as frontlets between thine eyes. 9 And thou shalt write them upon the posts of thy house, and on thy gates.

Scripture internally asserts its divine origin. The Lord speaks through the men Whom He chose to write down His words.

2 Peter 1:20–21

2 Peter 1:20–21 ESV

knowing this first of all, that no prophecy of Scripture comes from someone’s own interpretation. For no prophecy was ever produced by the will of man, but men spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit.

External Evidence

There is ample external evidence for the divine origin of Scripture.

The Continuity of the Bible

This is huge….

The Bible was written over a span of 1,600 years by 40 different authors. The Bible is divided into two testaments: the Old Testament (OT) containing 39 books and the New Testament (NT) containing 27 books. The Old Testament was written in Ancient Hebrew and Aramaic. The New Testament was written in Greek. Each of the human authors were moved by God to write the Bible, making God the ultimate Author of the Scriptures. The entire storyline of the Bible is one, unified whole.

Think about it: The fact that Scripture was written by so many human authors from different cultures and time periods and still contains no errors and contradictions is a testament to its divine origin.

The Extent of Biblical Revelation

Scripture is inexhaustible in its unfolding of truth. No later discoveries have ever contradicted the assertions of Scripture.

The Influence and Publication of the Bible

No other book has been so widespread in its publication and influence as Scripture. The Bible has been (and still is) translated into many different languages.

The breadth of the translation isn’t itself a guarantee but a book intended for all men you would expect to be available to all through the providence of translation.

And so many people have been transformed by the supernatural power of its words.

Hebrews 4:12 For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.

John 6:63 It is the spirit that quickeneth; the flesh profiteth nothing: the words that I speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life.

The Subject Matter of the Bible

— The Scriptures deal with the supernatural (i.e. what would be otherwise unknown were it not for the Lord revealing it in a supernatural way).

The Bible as Literature

— Scripture contains various literary forms (e.g. poetry, historical narratives, parables, letters, genealogies, etc.). The Bible has a variety of authors with sundry backgrounds making each book unique.

The Unprejudiced Authority of the Bible

— The Bible does not paint a flowery picture of humanity. Scripture unequivocally records the sinfulness of mankind. At the same time it asserts the absolute authority from God in His revealed Word.

The Supreme Character of the Bible

— The Scriptures, beginning with Genesis 3:15 (often referred to as the “proto-evangelium” [i.e. “the first gospel”]), is the story of how God revealed His glory in the manifestation of His Son, Jesus Christ.

The gospel promise began with Eve. So from the first book chronologically until Christ – the plan was laid out.

Theories of Inspiration

The Scriptures are inspired by God (literally “God-breathed,” 2 Tim. 3:16). Some have contested what that means. While the words were written by men, they are no less authored by God Himself. The various views of Inspiration include:

Verbal, Plenary Inspiration

— This has been the orthodox view of the church throughout church history.

“verbal inspiration” it is meant that the Spirit of God guided the choice of words used in the original writings.

“plenary inspiration” it means that all of Scripture is inspired, not simply portions of it.

(see “partial inspiration” below). God utilized the human writer’s personality and characteristics. However, God alone is the ultimate author of Scripture.

The inspiration of Scripture rests in the original documents, not the copies or translations. It is through the process of careful examination of all the ancient copies of Scripture that we are able to have reliable English translations today.

Mechanical or Dictational Theory

This view suggests that the writers of the Bible were merely stenographers. This would (in many ways) take away from their unique personalities and backgrounds. All of Scripture would read and sound the same.

Problem: Various portions of Scripture where deep emotions are expressed by the human author suggest that the dictation theory is not the best position (e.g. Rom. 9:1–3; the book of Psalms, etc.).

It simple takes reading the books and see the authors personalities shining through.

ASK BUT: is some of the Bible a dictation?

Yes. Revelation God says to John….write….

The Concept Theory

This view suggests that God inspired the concept of Scripture but not the exact words.

The problem with this is that the human authors may have only partially understood what God was revealing to them.

Further, Scripture repeatedly emphasizes that the words given are inspired as evidenced by the importance of the words being mentioned

Counter Argument: Exod. 20:1; John 6:63; 1 Cor. 2:13

First it is God specifically speaking these words

Second we see Jesus speaking these words.

Paul is seeking not to impart words of man but the Word of God.

Exodus 20:1 ESV

And God spoke all these words, saying,

John 6:63 ESV

It is the Spirit who gives life; the flesh is no help at all. The words that I have spoken to you are spirit and life.

1 Corinthians 2:13 ESV

And we impart this in words not taught by human wisdom but taught by the Spirit, interpreting spiritual truths to those who are spiritual.

Partial Inspiration

This view suggests that the revelatory portions of Scripture are inspired, whereas the historical, geographical, or scientific statements are not.

All forms of partial inspiration leave the reader as the final judge of whether or not a portion of Scripture is inspired.

Neoorthodox View of Inspiration

Some theologians in the 20th century have suggested the Bible does in fact contain errors. While these theologians would suggest that the Bible is in some way mystically inspired, it can only be inspired insofar as it conveys truth to each individual reader.

Problem: This, too, leaves the reader as the final determiner of what is inspired.

Naturalistic Inspiration

This view is the most extreme. It suggests that the Bible is just like any other book. God did not in any way breath out these words. Rather, it is just a collection of works that detail ancient views on religion and are all a product of human views and thoughts.

Problem: uh…no.

The Testimony of Christ

Christ affirms the Scriptures as being divine in origin and true in its claims. See for example:

Matthew 5:18

Matthew 5:18 ESV

For truly, I say to you, until heaven and earth pass away, not an iota, not a dot, will pass from the Law until all is accomplished.

John 10:35

John 10:35 ESV

If he called them gods to whom the word of God came—and Scripture cannot be broken—

Of course, Christ quoted the OT when He was tempted by Satan (Matt. 4:1ff). He affirmed the OT Scriptures and authoritative. Paul also quoted from both the OT and NT in one verse:

1 Timothy 5:18 ESV

For the Scripture says, “You shall not muzzle an ox when it treads out the grain,” and, “The laborer deserves his wages.”

For the scripture saith, Thou shalt not muzzle the ox that treadeth out the corn [Deut. 25:4]. And, The labourer is worthy of his reward [Luke 10:7].

The Bible is divine in origin and authoritative in function. It is “the Word of the Lord” (such as came to the prophets in the OT; cf. Jer. 1:2; Hos. 1:1; Jonah 1:1; Mic. 1:1; Zeph. 1:1).

If the Bible did not come from God, then our entire Christian beliefs are in vain.

CONCLUSION: Because the Bible is the Word of God, we must recognize it as the authoritative, binding rule of faith and practice.