#3 Bibliology - Inspiration, Part 2

Foundations in Christian Doctrine #3 Bibliology - Inspiration, Part 2 Inspiration refers to the Divine process whereby the Holy Spirit incorporated the thoughts of the human author while superintending the writings of the holy men which resulted in a nished product with God as its Author, thus possessing no errors (in the original manuscripts). Views of Inspiration 1. The Bible is the Word of God. 2. The Bible contains the Word of God. 3. The Bible witnesses to the Word of God. Key Questions Regarding Inspiration How did the Holy Spirit inspire the Scripture (mechanics of inspiration)? Where did the ideas originate in inspiration? Were only the original manuscripts inspired? fi 1 Foundations in Christian Doctrine Implications of Inspiration Inerrancy & Infallibility: • God is truth (Tit 1:2; Rom 3:4; Num 23:19; Heb 6:18). • Thus, Scripture is inerrant (Prov 30:5; Jn 17:3, 17; Ps 119:160). Inerrant: • Thus, Scripture is infallible (Is 55:11; Mt 5:18; 24:35; Jn 10:35). Infallible: Authority: Perspicuity: (2 Tim 3:15; cf. 2 Pet 3:16) Illumination: (1 Cor 2; 2 Cor 3) Next Week • • • • Canonicity & Preservation What about Apocryphal books? What about books used by other religions or cults? How do we know that the Bible we hold in our hands, portions of which are 3500 years old, is still accurately the Word of God? Homework Consider what you might say to someone who criticizes the Bible. • How do you know that the Bible is true? • How do you know it’s the Word of God? • How do you know that it’s been accurately preserved? • Why don’t you use the Apocryphal books? • What Scripture might you reference in support of your views? 2