The Inspiration of Scripture Part 1 of 2

Austin Rankin Culture, Featured, God, Good Practice, Jesus, Joy, Ministry, Theology

The following is a paper written for Belhaven University in 2023 by Austin Rankin. The topic is the Inspiration of Scripture: What guided the Bible’s composition? This is part 1 of 2:

R.C. Sproul stated, “The main two questions of apologetics are the existence of God and the Bible as His word, if you get those two settled then everything else is just exegesis.” (1) The claim that Scripture is the Word of God is highly debated in the realm of Christian apologetics, and at the heart of this debate is the doctrine of the inspiration of Scripture. The doctrine of the inspiration of Scripture indeed touches all of the other doctrines in regard to Scripture (inerrancy, infallibility, sufficiency, etc.). This discussion will not cover the canonicity of the Bible (how was it compiled), but rather what was the guiding hand behind the Bible. The purpose of this paper is to define what the doctrine of the inspiration of Scripture is, to discuss what the bible teaches about this doctrine, to state the importance of this doctrine, and to acknowledge how this doctrine has shaped my life and ministry. 

What is the doctrine of inspiration?

Frame defines the inspiration of Scripture as,  “…a divine act creating an identity between a divine word and a human word.” (2) To put it plainly, the inspiration of Scripture is stating how the Bible came into creation by way of Spirit-led guidance for its human authors. Yet even with divine authorship in the background of the creation of Scripture, this does not diminish the human author’s style, grammar, or personality being shown through in their writings. (3) Grudem makes the distinction that rather than “inspiration” being the term that should be used, it would be more proper to use the term “breathed out by God” as this is the expression of God Himself, not to be confused with mere inspiration as an artist or painter may be inspired. (4)

In regard to the task of apologetics and the doctrine of the inspiration of Scripture, there are assumptions that are made. There is a presupposition that there is, in fact, a divine Being that is inspiring humans to communicate His word. Epistimelogically, mankind understands that there is something known as “objective truth” that can be observed whether in the appeal to world religions or use of eye witness testimony in courtrooms. When truly examined with scrutiny, there is no room for relativism or existentialism: there is an objective truth that exists that is above mankind’s constructs. (5) If there is truly an objective truth that exists, its claims hold weight above all other opinions, emotions, etc. 

Scripture attests to being that objective truth and that it is the direct expression of God Himself. Logically, most would claim this is circular reasoning, however, all claims to such authority that make truth claims about anything would actually be circular in nature because they assume their own or someone/something’s position of objective truth. (6) The issue would not be whether the Bible is circular in reasoning of its own claim to objective truth and inspiration from God Himself: it is whether that is a truthful claim or not. 

Scriptural Evidence

What does the Bible teach about the doctrine of the inspiration of Scripture? The key text comes from 2 Timothy 3:16-17 English Standard Version: “All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.” In the older English versions, “inspiration of God” is used, thus where the doctrine of the inspiration of Scripture receives its name. (7) More accurately translated from the Greek term “theopneustos” is the English Standard Version’s phrase “breathed out by God.” (8) More than likely, Paul was speaking of the Old Testament Scripture in this verse. (9) However, the topic of the New Testament’s claim to the authority of Scripture will be addressed later in this discourse. Although 2 Timothy 3:16 is the only place in Scripture where “theopneustos” is used,(10)  the concept is written throughout Scripture.

Peter writes in 2 Peter 1:21-22 ESV that, “…no prophecy of Scripture comes from someone’s own interpretation. For no prophecy was ever produced by the will of man, but men spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit.” Peter carries along the logic of Paul in that the Old Testament writings (as noted as “Scripture” and “prophecy”) were guided by the hand of the Spirit and were not from the mere logic/thought process of man. 

Jesus attests to the inspiration of the Old Testament. In Mark 12:35-36, Jesus quotes Psalm 110:1 while teaching in the temple. Jesus states, “…David himself, in the Holy Spirit, declared…”(Mark 12:36 ESV). Jesus makes the connection clear that David wrote Psalm 110:1. But how did David write this? It was from the Holy Spirit’s inspiration that he wrote that passage. (11) In Matthew 19:3-6, Jesus is addressing a question from the Pharisees in regard to divorce and quotes Genesis 2:24. Under careful scrutiny, Jesus declares that God Himself wrote the words of Genesis 2:24 (as noted by Matthew’s use of “he” in Matthew 19:4 which carries as the subject noun in verse 5). (12) The traditional understanding of the authorship of Genesis is that of Moses, yet Jesus attributes this to God Himself. (13) Moses was the author, guided by the Spirit of God as David was in Psalm 110:1. 

Numerous verses can be given that attest to the inspiration of the Old Testament. However, for sake of length in this address, attention will be given to the doctrine of inspiration as seen in the New Testament. 

Although the Old Testament writings were completed around 435 B.C., (14) the Old Testament itself makes the notion that the story of God redeeming His people is not closed. The prophets and the progression of the narrative of the Old Testament were pointing forward to the Messiah that was coming to redeem His people (Genesis 3:15, Isaiah 53, Jeremiah 31:31-34, Ezekiel 36, etc.). This leaves the possibility that, while the Old Testament canon itself was closed before Christ’s advent, (15) there is still more to come in the redemption story of God. 

In the Gospel of John, Jesus teaches His disciples that the Holy Spirit will be coming to His apostles: 

But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, he will teach you all things and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you… When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all the truth, for he will not speak on his own authority, but whatever he hears he will speak, and he will declare to you the things that are to come” (John 14:26, 16:3 ESV). 

Although similar in form, these two verses do say different aspects of what the Spirit is going to teach His apostles: 1.) the Spirit will teach them to remember all that Jesus said to His apostles, 2.) the Spirit will guide them in all truth, and 3.) the Spirit will speak the things He hears from God and to declare to them “things that are to come” (John 16:3 ESV). The Holy Spirit will remind the disciples of the past things that occurred or were said by Jesus, guide them in the ways of truth, and also show them the future things to come in order to progress God’s redemptive plan. The purpose of the Holy Spirit bringing this knowledge to the disciples appears to be to communicate this truth to others (whether in written or spoken form). This apostolic authority (or in conjunction with apostolic authority) (16) goes on to bring about the writings of the New Testament. 

The New Testament itself attests to its own knowledge of their circulating writings and to their authority as Scripture. Paul actually quotes the writings of the Gospel of Luke (Luke 10:7) in 1 Timothy 5:18 and deems this writing as “Scripture.” (17) The apostle Paul states in 1 Corinthians 14:37 ESV, “If anyone thinks that he is a prophet, or spiritual, he should acknowledge that the things I am writing to you are a command of the Lord.” Paul clearly conveys that his message that he is writing to the church in Corinth has the authority and status of Scripture as it is “…a command of the Lord” (1 Corinthians 14:37 ESV). In 2 Peter 3:16, the apostle Peter alludes to the knowledge of Paul’s writings that are in circulation at that time and actually equates them to the status of Scripture. These few examples demonstrate that the New Testament’s writings were to be held as authoritative, Scriptural status and that the New Testament self-authenticates itself amongst multiple writers. (18)

Scripture never attempts to hide the origins of its writings. In fact, Scripture tells us where most of the writings originated. (19) In Scripture, it is observed that God gave the writers the words to write at times (Exodus 17:8-14, 24:3-4). Other times, God used editors to compile the words of prophets spoken on God’s behalf (Jeremiah 36:4). In Romans 16:22, we see that Tertius actually coined the letter as the scribe for the apostle Paul. 

Who wrote the Bible?

So, who wrote the Bible? Human beings wrote the Bible under the guidance of God’s providential hands using various forms of media (verbal, eye-witness accounts, letters, etc.). (20) A careful reading of Deuteronomy 29:2-16 reveals this relationship. The text shows that Moses is speaking to the audience (as noted in Deuteronomy 29:2 and then the later use of the word “us” and “we”). But then in Deuteronomy 29:6 ESV the verbiage switches to, “…that you may know that I am the LORD your God.” The other authorship may be evident in Deuteronomy 29:14 ESV because the author makes mention of the covenant that is between God and Israel as the verse states, “…I am making this sworn covenant.” This is remarkable: in one passage, under careful examination, the relationship between mankind’s writing of the Bible and God’s inspiration of that writing can actually be observed. 

We will continue our study of the inspiration of Scripture in the next article by talking about what importance and implications this has on our lives today.

Footnotes

  1. RC. Sproul, “Defending the Faith,” accessed February 21, 2023, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FECVYM0O1tU&t=746s
  2. John Frame, Systematic Theology: An Introduction to Christian Belief, (New Jersey, P&R Publishing Company, 2013), 595.
  3. Tim Mackie, “Making of the Bible,” accessed February 15, 2023, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eaqKzYJ151Y
  4. Wayne Grudem, Systematic Theology: An Introduction to Biblical Doctrine, 2nd ed., (Michigan, Zondervan, 2020), 63.
  5. John Piper, “Why We Believe the Bible: Session 1,” accessed February 16, 2023, https://www.desiringgod.org/messages/why-we-believe-the-bible-session-1
  6. Grudem, Systematic Theology: An Introduction to Biblical Doctrine, 68-69. 
  7. Frame, Systematic Theology: An Introduction to Christian Belief, 594.
  8. Grudem, Systematic Theology: An Introduction to Biblical Doctrine, 64.
  9. Grudem, Systematic Theology: An Introduction to Biblical Doctrine, 63-64.
  10. Frame, Systematic Theology: An Introduction to Christian Belief, 594.
  11. John Piper, “Why We Believe the Bible: Session 3,” accessed February 16, 2023,https://www.desiringgod.org/messages/why-we-believe-the-bible-session-3
  12. Piper, “Why We Believe the Bible: Session 3,”https://www.desiringgod.org/messages/why-we-believe-the-bible-session-3
  13. Piper, “Why We Believe the Bible: Session 3,”https://www.desiringgod.org/messages/why-we-believe-the-bible-session-3
  14. Grudem, Systematic Theology: An Introduction to Biblical Doctrine, 42.
  15. Grudem, Systematic Theology: An Introduction to Biblical Doctrine, 41-42.
  16. Vodie Baucham, “Why you can believe the Bible,” accessed February 16, 2023,https://www.youtube.com /watch?v=G1XJ7DeR5fc
  17. Grudem, Systematic Theology: An Introduction to Biblical Doctrine, 65.
  18. Grudem, Systematic Theology: An Introduction to Biblical Doctrine, 65.
  19. Mackie, “Making of the Bible,” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eaqKzYJ151Y
  20. Frame, Systematic Theology: An Introduction to Christian Belief, 595-597.

Bibliography

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youtube.com/watch?v=G1XJ7DeR5fc

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Publishing Company, 2013). 

Grudem, Wayne, Systematic Theology: An Introduction to Biblical Doctrine, 2nd ed., (Michigan, 

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desiringgod.org/messages/why-we-believe-the-bible-session-3

Piper, John, “Why We Believe the Bible: Session 4,” accessed February 21, 2023, https://www.

desiringgod.org/messages/why-we-believe-the-bible-session-4

 Rankin, Austin, “Video Series: Who is God? Part 2,” accessed February 23, 2023, https://

gettingjob-ed.org/video-series-who-is-god-part-2/

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