One of the most consequential statements which can be made about Christianity is the affirmation that the Bible is inspired. Affirming this, we declare, in effect, that the infinite, perfect, all-powerful Jehovah has provided for finite humanity an understandable, complete and perfect expression of His will in written form. Being written, God will can transcend the centuries and be made known to all peoples of the world.
The Need for Studying Inspiration
Cardinal to all religions, true and false, is the matter of authority for religion presumes the existence of a being or beings who by their nature have the right to direct.
Christians believe there is one true God who has the right, by virtue of His nature, to direct us. Scripture is the means by which this direction can be known and our confidence in Scripture rests upon its inspiration. The self-claim for inspiration is made in numerous ways in the Bible. The most forthright statement 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."
The doctrine of inspiration has an additional significance in Christian thought in that Scripture is God's means of self-disclosure through His actions. Consequently, our knowledge of God's nature and intentions rests on the record of His deeds. We hold the record is trustworthy because it is inspired.
The Meaning of Inspiration
Our word, inspiration, comes from the Latin inspiration, meaning "to breathe in". The Greek word from which the Latin was translated in 2 Timothy 3:16 is an even stronger term. The word is theopneutos, literally "God-breathed". The original term, then, focuses not on what is in Scripture, but Scripture as the product of a divine act. All Scripture is God-breathed.
In an interesting parallel, Psalm 33:6 declares God breathed the heavens into existence. As there is no adequate way to explain the natural world except by the miraculous, creative act of God, so the origin of Scripture is dependent upon the act of God beyond human or natural means.
This does not preclude human involvement. The Bible teaches the member of the Godhead especially involved in the authorship of Scripture, the Holy Spirit, oversaw and directed the process of writing so the product was actually the word of God (Matthew 22:43).
This guidance of the Holy Spirit was not dictation, otherwise differences of vocabulary by the inspired authors cannot be explained. For instance, Luke not only used more medical terms than any other inspired writer, his introduction indicates his own careful research (Luke 1:3). However, inspiration was not merely the act of communicating ideas but extended to the words chosen as well (1 Corinthians 2:13).
Exactly how the Holy Spirit worked to do this the Bible does not reveal. This should not surprise us for there is much about the Holy Spirit's working we do not know. (For instance, we do not know how the Holy Spirit enabled a human being to perform a miracle.) However, there is no doubt about the finality and authority of the product. Paul spoke clearly revealed truth when he wrote, "the things which I write to you are the Lord's commandment" (1 Corinthians 14:37).
The doctrine of inspiration by which man spoke or wrote the word of God is set forth in Exodus where Moses was designated as God's spokesman (Exodus 3:16). The Old Testament prophets began their message with, "the word of God came unto me..." The claim was forthright - through the working of the Holy Spirit, a human being was the means of transmitting a divine message.
This concept of inspiration was well-established among the Jews of Jesus' day, and it was this concept which Jesus reflected so clearly. Our Lord quoted and/or referred to the Old Testament frequently. In every instance in which Jesus dealt with Scripture, He treated it as inspired. In fact, this is the supreme argument for inspiration.
The Significance of the Doctrine of Inspiration Today
Today, we are almost buried under mountains of written words. They no longer have too much significance. However, the Christian maintains another attitude toward the Bible. It is sui generis - a unique type. God - not man - is responsible for what the Bible contains.
In a world deep in speculation regarding the nature of a Supreme Being, the Bible reveals God. In a world which is adrift regarding authority, the Bible is authoritative. The Restoration Movement, in the truest sense, is but a synonym for Christianity, fully and completely Biblical.
Thank God for an inspired word.
Gospel Advocate July 18, 1985