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The Great Doctrines of the Bible
Lesson Three: Inspiration and Authority of Scripture In what way is the Bible inspired and authoritative? I. Background How does special revelation relate to Scripture?
A. Special revelation is not limited to the Bible. The Bible does not record every bit of special revelation ever given (Jn. 20:30-31). B. Not everything in the Bible is special revelation (Lk. 2:1-3). C. The Bible is not merely a record of special revelation. D. The Bible itself is a source of special revelation. E. The Bible is the only source of special revelation for us today (some groups like the Jehovah’s Witnesses and the Roman Catholics believe that their institutions are a source of special revelation; other groups like some Charismatics and cult leaders believe that individuals today can be a source of special revelation). Those who acknowledge special revelation hold that human language plays some part in it. Formerly prophets and apostles spoke for God. Today the Bible conveys his good news. The Bible is inspired—but in what way and with what results? How could finite, sinful men state in human language the undistorted truth of God? In answering that question, theologians differ widely on the meaning and significance of inspiration. Before examining the biblical data for yourself, consider some of the leading positions: A. The Bible is inspired and authoritative because God dictated it audibly to human
secretaries. Since finite and sinful men were passive and did not actively contribute to
it, the Bible is inerrant. (Some fundamentalists?
B. The Bible is inspired and authoritative because God prompted writers, who saw his mighty miracles and believed, to describe them for those who would not see and yet believe. Although not inerrant, these testimonies are authoritative like first-hand reports of an amazing victory in battle. (“Biblical” theologians) C. The Bible is inspired and authoritative because God prompted the authors who had experienced his presence to describe as best they could their encounter with the indescribable One. Although not inerrant, the Bible has the authority of one who knows by experience what he is talking about. It may evoke a similar experience in the reader. (Neo-orthodox theologians) D. The Bible is inspired but is only authoritative insofar as it is properly interpreted and augmented by sacred Tradition and the Magisterium (official teaching body) of the Church. (Roman Catholics) E. The Bible is inspired and authoritative because God providentially prepared the authors’ personalities and writing styles, and supernaturally superintended the writing process so that their finite limitations and sinful biases did not corrupt any redemptive truth. Although there may be errors in matters not necessary for salvation, every statement comprising the primary redemptive plan is inerrant. (Some evangelicals) F. The Bible as originally given was inspired and authoritative because God providentially prepared the authors’ personalities and writing styles, and supernaturally superintended the writing process so that their finite limitations and sinful biases did not corrupt anything God wanted written. Any scriptural statements, whether reports of events, encounters, or scholarly research are as true as portions dictated by God. Whatever the Bible teaches on any subject is authoritative truth revealed by God. (Evangelicals and fundamentalists). II. Problem Which view of the inspiration and authority of Scripture is most adequate? Which do you hold? Why? (To be answered in IV only after examining the biblical evidence in III) III. Procedure Study the Bible’s view of itself, and answer the basic issues raised by the various views. A. Do such passages as the following indicate divine dictation by an audible voice?
Ex. 4:12 Num. 12:8 Isa. 6:8-9 Ex. 19:3-6 1 Sam. 3:4-14, 21 Rev. 14:13 Lev. 1:1 1 Sam. 9:15 Num. 7:89 Summarize B. Were Bible writers ever eyewitnesses of events described?
1 Jn. 1:1-3 Lk. 1:2 2 Pet. 1:16 Acts 1:21-22 Summarize C. Did the authors of Scripture sometimes write about their experiences of communion with God?
Ex. 24:1-11 Ps. 42:1-2 Gal. 1:16 1 Kings 22:19 Ps. 84:1-2 2 Cor. 12:1-4 Job 42:5 Isa. 6:1-5 Summarize D. Did God providentially prepare the prophets and apostles for their work as spokesmen for Him?
Jer. 1:5 Ps. 139:13-16 Gal. 1:15 Lk. 1:13-16 Summarize E. Were finite human beings completely passive or active instruments of God’s communication with men?
Mk. 12:36 Acts 28:25 Acts 1:16 1 Cor. 14:37 Summarize F. Did any Scripture originate with human initiative alone?
2 Pet. 1:20-21 2 Tim. 3:16 Summarize G. How did the Holy Spirit work with the writers of Scripture?
2 Pet. 1:21 Zech. 7:12 Summarize H. Do the claims of the New Testament imply that only some of the Old Testament is true and authoritative, or that all that it teaches is true and authoritative? Which view of the Old Testament was held by Christ and the apostolic witness?
Mt. 5:17-18 Jn. 10:35 2 Tim. 3:16 Lk. 24:25 Acts 10:43 Rom. 15:4 Lk. 24:26-27 Acts 3:21-24 1 Cor. 10:6, 11 Lk. 24:44 Acts 28:23-25 Summarize I. Do the allusions of the New Testament to events recorded in the Old Testament imply that some detailed facts in the Scriptures may be in error or that all its assertions of fact are true? Which was the view of Christ and the apostolic writers?
Mt. 12:39-41 Jn. 3:14 1 Cor. 10:7-10 Mt. 19:4 Jn. 6:31-33, 49 Heb. 11:1-40 Mt. 24:37-39 Acts 7:1-53 Lk. 17:28-32 Summarize J. Write out and memorize 2 Pet. 1:20-21 IV. Your Conclusion Sum up in your own words the important elements of your view of biblical inspiration and authority, showing how it differs from other positions and why. V. Significance A. Those who defend inspiration may be charged with worshiping, not the living God, but a lifeless idol of paper and print. What would you say to that? B. Discuss the popular statement that “our attitude toward God is shown in our attitude toward the Bible.” C. Should one who believes in the verbal inspiration of the whole Bible be any less diligent than others in maintaining personal fellowship with God? Next lesson, Divine attributes: What is God like? Addendum I. Criteria for canonicity The word “canon” means a rule or a standard. The canon of Scripture is the collection of recognized God-inspired, authoritative books of Holy Scripture. Important: Canonicity is recognized not determined, because God decided what is Scripture not man. The only real test for canonicity is inspiration by the Holy Spirit. But the following questions were raised when people tested the inspiration of individual books. A. Old Testament (canon closed ca. 425 B.C.; recognition settled ca. A.D. 70-90) 1. Is it authoritative? Does it claim to be from the Lord? 2. Is it prophetic? Is it written by a man of God?
3. Is it authentic? Is it consistent with other revelation? Does it record facts as they actually occurred? 4. Is it dynamic? Does the book come with the power of God?
5. Was it received? Has this book been accepted generally by the people of God? B. New Testament (canon closed ca. 90; recognition settled A.D. 367)
1. Apostolicity – Is it written by an apostle or someone closely associated with an apostle? 2. Antiquity – Is it traced to the time of the apostles? 3. Orthodoxy – Does its teaching agree with the apostolic teaching? 4. Reception by the churches – Did the Christian churches accept it? 5. Spiritual value – Did it have the power to change lives? II. Evidence for Inspiration A. Internal evidence
1. In innumerable passages, the Bible declares or assumes itself to be the Word of God. Many of these we have already looked at. B. External evidence (hand as mnemonic device)
1. (Pinkie) Prophecy - supernatural predictions of the future that are precise, detailed, and accurate. Sum: supernatural predictions.
2. (Ring finger) Unity - Diversity of authors, settings, and topics yet converging on a unity of testimony. Sum: supernatural unity.
3. (Big finger) Answers the big questions in a way that is consistent with the way we experience and perceive the world and in a way that is internally cohesive. Sum: supernatural insight.
4. (Index finger) Historical accuracy - Consistent with archaeology and history; gives unimpeachable testimony; tremendous amount of manuscript evidence. Sum: supernatural events.
5. (Thumbs up) Changes lives - The Bible transcends time and culture to radically transform sinners into saints. Sum: supernatural impact. 6. (Fist) Survival through time and persecution. Sum: supernatural survival.
7. (Open, raised hand) The Bible declares or assumes itself to be the Word of God. Sum: supernatural testimony. |
