LESSON 6 – BIBLICAL INSPIRATION Lesson Plan

How Was the Bible Written… 2 Timothy 3:16-17- “All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness; so that the man of God may be adequate, equipped for every good work.” Based on the verses above, we claim the Bible was written through the process of divine inspiration. The word we find in the original Greek for “inspired” is “theopneustos” (theos=God, pneustos=breath). Literally, according to this verse, we could say all Scripture is “God-breathed.” Though written by humans, God is the primary author in breathing out His Word. Thus when the biblical authors wrote, they wrote what God wanted them to communicate and being from God they wrote it without error. Though there is much confusion as to how God specifically used these human authors, 2 Peter 1:20-21 perhaps provides for us the clearest picture. “But know this first of all, that no prophecy of Scripture is a matter of one's own interpretation, for no prophecy was ever made by an act of human will, but men moved by the Holy Spirit spoke from God.” These verses make it clear that God spoke through the human authors so that when they wrote the words were fully their own but also fully the words that God wanted them to write – words that God would claim to be His own. In 2 Peter 1:21 the Greek word for “moved” is “phero.” It means to “bear,” “carry” or “bring forth.” For example, the name “Christopher” means “bearing Christ.” In Acts 27 the word was used for a ship that was “driven along” by the wind during a fierce storm (Ac. 27:15, 17). Likewise, these biblical writers were carried, driven along by the Holy Spirit. God moved them to write in such a way that was not mechanical or magical, but while preserving their own personalities, experiences and wills they wrote and their thoughts were the very thoughts of God (Jn. 10:35; 17:17).

What Inspiration is NOT… Theories Mechanical/ Dictation Inspiration

Viewpoint The biblical author was a passive instrument that simply wrote the words that God dictated.

Partial Inspiration

God only inspired the human authors in part. He provided general ideas but gave the human author freedom of expression. Only certain parts (spiritual issues) of the Bible were inspired and the other parts (science, history, etc) were not and thus may contain error. Gifted individuals with exceptional insight were chosen by God to write the Scriptures.

Degrees of Inspiration

Intuition/ Natural Inspiration

Illumination/ The Holy Spirit heightened Mystical human powers to compose Inspiration Scripture.

Objections The Bible is not uniform. It reveals diverse personalities, expressions, backgrounds, emphases and literary styles. Scripture claims for itself that “all” of it is fully inspired (2 Tim. 3:16) and that it cannot err (Psm. 119:160; Jn. 10:35; 1 Pet. 1:23). Same as above.

Puts the Bible on the same level as other “inspirational” works rather than recognizing that Scripture came from God through men (2 Pet. 1:20-21). It was divine communication as the human authors expressed the Word of God

Adapted from: Charts of Christian Theology and Doctrine by Wayne House, p. 23.

Some Helpful Terms… Verbal Inspiration – Inspiration extends to the very words, not just the ideas of Scripture. “But He answered and said, ‘It is written, ‘Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that proceeds out of the mouth of God’’” (Mt. 4:4). Plenary Inspiration – Inspiration extends equally to every part of Scripture. “For truly I say to you, until heaven and earth pass away, not the smallest letter or stroke shall pass from the Law until all is accomplished” (Mt. 5:18). Perspicuous Inspiration – Inspiration is conducted in such a way that Scripture (for the most part-2 Pet. 3:16) is clear and understandable for the average Christian without special training to understand. “The testimony of the LORD is sure, making wise the simple” (Psm. 19:7).

How Can We Know This is True… 1. Internal WitnessRepeatedly, the Bible claims to be the “Word of God.” And while many state this claim is “circular reasoning,” it is valid because the Bible cannot appeal to any higher source. Naturally if there were a higher court of appeal, that authority would be truer and more reliable than the Bible. “For this reason we also constantly thank God that when you received the word of God which you heard from us, you accepted it not as the word of men, but for what it really is, the word of God, which also performs its work in you who believe” (1 Thes. 2:13; cf. 2 Tim. 3:16-17). 2. Confirmation by JesusThroughout His ministry, Jesus highly esteemed and frequently referred to the Old Testament (the only Scripture available during His earthly ministry). If Scripture is not the infallible Word of God, Jesus, based on His claims, was greatly mistaken and thus disqualified from being our God and Savior.  Jesus verified biblical figures (Mt. 12:39-41).  Jesus affirmed the authority of Scripture (Mt. 4:1-11).  Jesus supported His actions with Scripture (Mt. 26:53-54).  Jesus stated the Scripture was true down to its smallest parts (Mt. 5:17-19).

 Jesus claimed to fulfill prophecy (Psm. 22:1).  Jesus even declared the whole Old Testament was about Him (Lk. 24:25-27). 3. Testimony of Man’s SinfulnessIt is hard to believe that if the Bible was written solely by man that it would speak as negatively about humanity as it does. The authors make no attempt to cover over their specific flaws or the general depravity of mankind.  Specifically- The biblical writers frequently spoke about their own weaknesses. Paul called himself a “wretched man” (Rom. 7:24) and the “foremost [of sinners]” (1 Tim. 1:15). 2 Samuel does not shy away from David’s sins of adultery and murder (2 Sam. 11). And the gospel writers frequently mention the repeated failings of Jesus’ disciples – their betrayal, denial, unbelief and selfishness.  Generally- The biblical writers have nothing positive to say about humanity. There is nothing about us basically being “good at heart.” On the contrary, humanity in general is described as being spiritually “dead” (Eph. 2:1, 5), “useless” (Rom. 3:12), “deceitful” (Jer. 17:9), “evil” (Mk. 7:21), not “good” (Mk. 10:18) and with no desire to seek God (Rom. 3:11). The Bible clearly declares we are hopeless in desperate need of God’s help (Rom. 5:8). 4. UnityThe Bible was written by approximately 40 different human authors over a period of roughly 1,500 years. These men were quite different. For example David was a shepherd, Solomon a king, Matthew a tax collector, Paul a former Pharisee, Luke a doctor, Amos a farmer and Peter a fisherman. They all wrote under a variety of circumstances from three different continents (Europe, Asia and Africa) in three different languages (Hebrew, Aramaic and Greek). All of this diversity and yet the Scripture does not contradict itself. 5. Fulfilled Prophecies God spoke to men informing them of the things He would do in the future. Many of these were written in the Bible and many of them have been fulfilled. For example, it is estimated that there were at least 300 prophecies concerning the Messiah before He ever came into the world. Jesus Christ fulfilled them all perfectly.

6. Personal Conviction – Though it may not carry much weight in an intellectual debate, there is no denying among Jesus’ followers that God uses the Bible to speak to our hearts unlike any other source. Through the Scriptures, God’s people do hear the voice of their Shepherd. “My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me” (Jn. 10:27). On the contrary the Bible also teaches, “Natural man does not accept the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him; and he cannot understand them, because they are spiritually appraised” (1 Cor. 2:14). John Wesley said, “The Bible must have been written by God or good men or bad men or good angels or bad angels. But bad men and bad angels would not write it because it condemns bad men and bad angels. And good men and good angels would not deceive by lying about its authority and claiming that God wrote it. And so the Bible must have been written as it claims to have been written by God who by His Holy Spirit inspired men to record His words using the human instrument to communicate His truth.”

Why’s it so Important… Think about the following questions:  What if the Bible contained mistakes? -You would know it wasn’t from God. -You wouldn’t know what is true and what is false in the Bible.  What if you had doubts about the Bible’s truthfulness? -You wouldn’t devote your life to applying it. -You would have no foundation for your faith.

Bible Memorization… 2 Timothy 3:16-17- “All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness; so that the man of God may be adequate, equipped for every good work.”