Speaker 1 0:10

Welcome to the Theological Touchpoints podcast . I'm Julian . The focus for this episode is Foundations theology for the everyday Anabaptist . Well , let's get back with you all again . We are starting a new series in this podcast , this one on the inspiration of Scripture . We are continuing the series , the longer series , on Scripture . We looked previously at the Canon of Scripture . We're going to look at the inspiration of Scripture . Going forward , we're going to look at other aspects of Scripture the authority of Scripture , inerrancy of Scripture and so forth . As we have opportunity in this foundation's focus , we're going to be dealing with different themes , about themes of Scripture . The last number of episodes were more polemical , attempting to counter theological drift within our movement , and I am glad to be moving back into these episodes on basic Christian theology , aimed at edification more than correction . So we will be talking in the next few episodes about the inspiration of Scripture .

Speaker 1 1:12

The word inspiration brings many different thoughts to mind . In the modern sense , we sometimes think of inspiration as a motivating or energizing force . An artist may feel a flash of inspiration for his next painting , a musician may be inspired to compose a new song , or I may search for inspiration to study for and write this podcast . But inspiration isn't just about feeling good , feeling inspired , being energetic , maybe having a good idea or general optimism . Historically and theologically , inspiration carries a different meaning . The word comes from the Latin inspirere , which means to breathe or blow into . It was carried over into the English through its use in theology and within that vein , inspiration came to mean to influence , move or guide by divine or supernatural influence or action . When used of Scripture , it's a strong metaphor of God's very breath being at work . When we use the phrase the inspiration of Scripture , we indicate that God actively energized the writing and compilation of the Bible we hold . Specifically , god orchestrated the human writers so that the message of Scripture as delivered to us is exactly what he intended for his people to have . This concept of the inspiration of Scripture is presented most clearly in 2 Timothy 3.16 , where Paul , under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit , says all Scripture is given by inspiration of God . All Scripture is given by inspiration of God . Every part of what we call Scripture comes from God , is inspired by him . The original Greek is Pas Grafe Theonostas , which translated here all Scripture is given by inspiration of God , is just three words in the original . Really , the simplest translation is the NIV All Scripture is God breathed . Literally we could say all writings God breathed . Pas is translated , all Grafe translated writings , and it's used a majority of the time I'm not sure if it's majority of the time or all the time , but nearly all the time .

Speaker 1 3:26

The New Testament what speaks of the writings ? it's referring to Scripture . And then the third word , theonostas , is a compound word of Theo which we use in theology . It's a reference to God . It's the word used of God in the New Testament Theo And Nostas , which we use for pneumatic or pneumonia having to do with air or breath . And this is literally God breathed . It's a compound word that means God breathed .

Speaker 1 3:57

What's been communicated to us here in this text of Scripture is that all Scripture comes from the mouth of God . Put differently , we believe that when Scripture speaks , god speaks . Scripture is not a lesser revelation than if God were to show up tonight and speak directly to you or speak directly to me . The words of Scripture are the very words of God . They are no less than those words which come from His very mouth . They are breathed out by Him . Scripture comes from God .

Speaker 1 4:31

Though most Christians believe that Scripture is inspired , they vary when they define that interpretation , though the term was originally used to indicate that the entirety of Scripture is divinely . Given that definition has degenerated over time . As a good understanding of inspiration degenerated , it became necessary to be more specific about what we mean when we say the Bible is inspired . Charles Ryery , describing this , says Formally all that was necessary to affirm one's belief in full inspiration was the statement I believe in the inspiration of the Bible . But when some did not extend inspiration to the words of the text , it became necessary to say I believe in the verbal inspiration of the Bible . To counter the teaching that not all the parts of the Bible were inspired , one had to say I believe in the verbal , plenary inspiration of the Bible . Then , because some did not want to ascribe total accuracy to the Bible , it was necessary to say I believe in the verbal plenary , infallible , inerrant inspiration of the Bible . But then infallible and inerrant began to be limited to matters of faith only rather than also embracing all that the Bible records , including historical facts , genealogies , accounts of creation etc . So it became necessary to add the concept of unlimited inerrancy . Each addition to the basic statement arose because of an erroneous teaching . End quote , obviously based on this . We need clarity in this discussion .

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Inspiration is a vital Christian doctrine , but we must explain and defend what we mean when we use the term . I find myself agreeing with Rairi's definition in its final form . Though it is clumsy , it is accurate . We believe in the verbal plenary . Infallible , inerrant inspiration of the Bible . The words are inspired , all of it's inspired . The words are infallible , that is , we will not be led into error . The words are inerrant , that is , they are truthful , they are trustworthy and the Bible is inspired . It comes from God . So , again , when we say the Bible is inspired , we mean the Bible comes from God . When Scripture speaks , god himself speaks and that the word of God as we have it , scripture as we have it , is an accurate record of what God intends to communicate to His people . It accurately represents the truth , it is a reliable witness to the truth . And it is right to say , with the Apostle Paul , that all Scripture , every verse , every word , every book comes from God , so much so that can be said , comes from His mouth , from the very mouth of God . If we agree on the fact that Scripture is inspired , we're still left with questions on exactly how that inspiration happened . What method or what means did God use to breathe out His word .

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In inspiration we have two distinct elements the human and the divine . As we read Scripture , the human authors not the divine are most clearly seen . Yet we believe that God is the true author directing the process , so as truth is clearly revealed . How these elements come together is difficult to understand , though men have developed various theories to try to explain them , with more or less success . The aberrant views usually slide down one of two slopes Either they major on the human aspect , overlooking the divine author , or they major on the divine , to the point of eliminating the unique characteristics of the human authors . H Orton Wiley notes that the rationalistic explanations emphasize the human element , while the supernaturalistic theories minify it , maintaining the sacred writers were so possessed by the Holy Spirit as to become passive instruments rather than active agents . But neither side rightly represents the truth . The Bible is both undeniably human and undeniably divine . It is not merely a human product , but it's more than just God dictating His words . It is a combination of human authors recording history , recording what they saw , recording what they heard , and God cooperating with them so that the final product can rightly be called the Word of God , and it's God's truth .

Speaker 1 8:50

So , as I said , the insufficient or incorrect views of inspiration usually slide down one of two slopes On the one hand , emphasizing the divine element so much that the human is forgotten , and , on the other hand , emphasizing the human element so much that the divine is forgotten . On the first side the emphasis on the divine we find what's called the dictation theory , or sometimes called the mechanical theory . This view holds that the writers are merely the Holy Spirit's pen men . While it's true that the Holy Spirit used men to compose his word , this perspective holds that their unique personalities disappeared entirely when they wrote Scripture . They had no more involvement than the courtroom teller does , simply recording the information given . They heard and wrote straight from God's mouth . Now , it's true that we have instances of this happening , but is this a correct explanation of Scripture as a whole ? And I don't think it is . This is problematic because it simply doesn't fit with how the Bible is composed .

Speaker 1 9:53

Scripture is peppered with various styles and perspectives of the men who wrote it and isn't bound to a single approach . There's different perspectives , there's different languages used , there are different experiences , there are different writing styles , different ways of expressing the same truth . The Apostle Paul and the Apostle John and the Apostle James all had very similar ideas of justification and sanctification , that is , sinners made righteous , finding life in Christ and living it out . But they have different ways of expressing that . The Apostle Paul is clear to distinguish between justification and sanctification faith on the one hand and works on the other hand , if you want to use those labels where James puts them together Now . Do they disagree with each other ? No , they have different ways of emphasizing the same truth . The Apostle John talking about the same truth that those who have experienced life in Christ , who have found life in Christ , have come to him in the gospel and found salvation , are going to live differently , are going to bear fruit . In John's usage , there's no division between those who have life in Christ and those who demonstrate life by having good works . So all three of these writers have different ways of expressing the same truth but , rightly understood , they harmonize and they teach one and the same thing .

Speaker 1 11:14

If this was merely dictation from God , we would expect all three of them would write more or less the same thing . But we recognize the human element and the differences between books and that leads us to conclude that there's more going on than just mere mechanical dictation . Jc Wenger points out that the Bible contains the expression of human emotions such as disgust , discouragement , hope , aspiration , joy , sorrow and frequent accounts of the struggles and trials and temptations of the various saints of God . Even the accounts of historical events are told in simple honesty . The fact that the style and vocabulary vary sharply from writer to writer is adequate proof that inspiration does not mean mechanical dictation .

Speaker 1 11:59

So the error in the dictation theory is not that it says God wrote scripture . The problem is it over-emphasizes that fact and forgets that God empowered the writers , not just the writings . Such is clearly shown in 2 Peter 1 , 21 , where he says Holy men of God spoke as they were moved by the Holy Spirit . They themselves spoke , not just repeating what God said , but expressing his truth in words consistent with their own character and experience . The men were not passive agents , but were actively involved in the writing of scripture . A second issue with the theory is it implies that scripture is merely the Holy Spirit's memoir , when in fact it's composed from a variety of sources . The writers refer to personal experiences , to their own knowledge of history or to facts gathered from others who witness the events , all of which are apart from God's direct revelation .

Speaker 1 12:55

Riree gives us four sources of scripture that clearly show its diversity . First , material directly from God , a second prophetic material , third , research material and fourth , historical material . Of these , two are divine and two are human . Thus it's better to hold that God directed the writing rather than to teach that he merely dictated everything . On the other side of the slope , we find teachings that almost entirely remove God from the picture . Such are the intuition theory and the illumination theory .

Speaker 1 13:30

The intuition theory is rationalistic . An inspiration , according to this view , is merely a superior insight on the part of natural man . It's merely the product of human wisdom . By this , the formation of scripture didn't require God to do anything . Man simply figured out the truth himself . The problem here is twofold . First , it teaches that man can discover God on his own , which disagrees sharply with 1 Corinthians 2,14 , and it flies counter to scripture's own testimony of divine inspiration . Second , peter , chapter 1 , which says that holy men of God spoke as they were moved by the Holy Spirit , and also 2 Timothy 3,16,17 , which we talked about earlier . All scripture is given by inspiration of God .

Speaker 1 14:17

Similar to the intuition theory is the illumination theory , which takes a step in the right direction , allowing for some divine involvement , but it still doesn't suitably account for the data in scripture . It basically brings inspiration down to the level of illumination , which is the Holy Spirit's enablement to understand better that which we already know , making no distinction between the empowerment , ever-christian experiences and the special revelation given to the inspired writings . This you put some of the church's great hymns on a level with the Bible . Now we recognize that some of the hymns of the church bear the marks of divine blessing . Similarly , when a sermon is preached or when the truth is taught , God is present to open our minds , to illuminate our minds , so we can understand the truth of the Word .

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The illumination theory essentially says that's all that's happening in inspiration , where God gives men an additional ability to understand and rightly interpret the information that's already in front of them . But like the intuition theory , this doesn't require that God reveal anything . He gives the ability , but men still discover the truth themselves . This denies a fundamental tenet of scripture God's grace displayed as he reveals to us what we could never discover ourselves . The concept of revelation is God's willing disclosure of himself , so that he can be known by us , discovered by us , and we can have a relationship with him . The intuition theory and the illumination theory both remove this element , saying either we can discover the truth in and of Ourselves or all we need is a little help along the way , neither accounting for the fact that unless God speaks , we don't even have a place to start . We don't even have a starting point unless God chooses to reveal himself to us , as in the dictation theory . These two views get a certain aspect right and they focus on the fact that men were a necessary part of scriptures formation . But in that skewed perspective , god nearly disappears . The dictation theory majors on the opposite end and isn't much better .

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The right understanding requires balance , a balance between the divine and human elements of the inspiration of scripture . Now , this kind of tension shouldn't be foreign to us . Think about the person of Jesus Christ . He is the God man . He is truly human and truly divine . We hold to both , even as we admit we don't understand how that can be . Many other biblical beliefs require a certain tension and a confession that we don't always understand God's ways and , by the way , that's a good thing . Likewise , the biblical understanding of inspiration requires a willingness to believe what the Bible teaches , even when it may not quite make sense to our human minds .

Speaker 1 17:07

And the Bible presents the writings of humans , but according to the apostle Paul . It says those writings were directed by God and God worked in and through them , and it is right to say that the product of those writings , what we call scripture , what we call the Bible , can be said to be the word of God and even can be said to be from the mouth of God . So , in finding the balance , the theory that's generally accepted among Christians and that I believe best degrees with scripture , is sometimes called the dynamical theory , and I'm going to assume that most of you listening hold to this in one form or another , even if you don't know to call it by this name . I wouldn't either . This label is given by theologians seeking to describe and Categorize the different definitions and explanations of inspiration that are given by believers .

Speaker 1 17:59

This theory , called the dynamical theory , is a marriage of the divine and human elements . In a nutshell , it holds that God used men to write scripture without stripping away their personalities . They wrote God guided , and scripture was created . God directed the content so that they wrote all that he wanted them to write , without excess or error . Nothing should have been in scripture that is not , and everything is exactly as God wanted it to be . Yet they did write , using their knowledge and their experience .

Speaker 1 18:31

The Bible is distinctly supernatural and distinctly human . This combination evidence is a wise , loving revealer . The fact that it is human makes it accessible , but the fact that it is divine means it teaches us truth We could not understand if it weren't from God . It's fortunate that the Bible is not written in the form of an oracle from heaven , without any evidence of human emotion or experience . The fact is that the Bible employs the language of common people in everyday life , as they experience their trials and difficulties and Receive divine grace from God . It's just these truly human factors which makes the Bible meaningful to millions of people in all ages of the world . It is indeed fortunate that the Lord did not allow his word to be written in the language of science or philosophy , or even theology .

Speaker 1 19:24

The purpose of the inspiration of Scripture is to make the sacred writings able to instruct us for salvation in Jesus Christ . God speaks to us through men , meeting us on our level and through the Word of God , leading us into relationship with Him , leading us into a life of faithfulness . Through Scripture , we are instructed for salvation , instructed for faith , instructed how to live , as 2 Timothy 3.17 says that the man of God may be complete , thoroughly equipped for every good work . It's easy to lose focus in the muck of this discussion , but several things are clear . We will dig further into inspiration in the following podcasts , but for now I'll leave you with these six things .

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First , inspiration is essentially guidance . The Holy Spirit supervises the writing , preserving the authors from all error and all omission . Secondly , the Holy Spirit's involvement covers a spectrum . Sometimes he was directly involved , other times less so . Yet he was always involved and the resulting Bible is exactly as he wanted it to be . Third , inspiration includes the thoughts and concepts , but it also includes the individual words the writers used . Fourth , the writers were not passive . Each one wrote from his own perspective and experience . Fifth , inspiration in this sense only applies to the authors of Scripture . It is distinct from individual revelation , individual relationship with God and the Holy Spirit day to day guidance each Christian experiences . This is something distinct . The inspiration , this work of God in speaking through men , only applies to the authors of Scripture , only applies to those who spoke for God and whose writings are preserved for us in the pages of Scripture .

Speaker 1 21:14

Sixth and finally , inspiration is only fully true of the original documents , and this gets into issues of preservation of the text and so forth . We believe the original documents , which nobody actually has access to , are fully inspired . The manuscripts we have today are entirely trustworthy . They are accurate representations of the original . And , yes , there are scribal errors in the discrepancies between texts . None of those affect the central truthfulness of Scripture . We believe the words of God were inspired when they were written . We believe God has not only written his word but he's also worked to preserve that truth so that we today , 2000 or more years after these words were written , can still learn the will of God , learn of God , come to faith in him through them .

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So sixth inspiration is only fully true of the original documents . That said , we have good manuscripts and we can trust that we truly have the words of God and , even through translation , can be confident that we are hearing the truth of God . When Scripture speaks , god speaks . It behooves us to hear and obey . Thank you for joining us for this episode of the Theological Touchpoints podcast . This podcast is a production of Sword and Truppet Ministries . For more information , visit wwwswordandtrumpetorg Or theologicaltouchpointscom . If you have thoughts or questions , you can contact us at podcastattheologicaltouchpointscom . Now . May the God of Peace himself sanctify you completely and may your whole spirit , soul and body be preserved blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ . He who calls you as faithful , who also will do it .