The Inspiration of the Scriptures

“In the past God spoke to our forefathers through the prophets at many times and in various ways, but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed heir of all things, and through whom he made the universe.” (Hebrews 1:1-2)

The Bible is God’s revelation of Himself and His plan for man.  While the Bible is a book it is more than a book.  It sets itself apart from all other books in the same way Jesus’ feeding the 5,000 is set apart from an ordinary meal.

Inspiration is the doctrine of God the Holy Spirit’s supervising work in transmitting truth through revelation. The Scriptures are God’s greatest blessing to the human race, apart from his Son, the “Word made flesh.” (John 1.14) Through the Scriptures we are able to understand something of how the heaven and the earth came into being, who God is, how we came into being, how sin and evil originated, God’s solution to the problem of sin and evil, and how God will sum up all things in Christ.  The Bible is the only book that provides answers to man’s greatest questions, “Who am I?” “Why am I here?”  “Where am I going after I die?”

Would you like to hear God’s voice?  I would.  Here’s the place to begin, “All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness…” (2 Timothy 3:16)

The doctrine of inspiration comes from biblical texts which speak of God “breathing out” His word. (See 2 Peter 1:20-21)  When we use the word ‘inspired’ we mean that God the Holy Spirit supernaturally influenced and oversaw the writing down of Scripture in a way that these writings became reliable and authoritative, a perfect guide to any who would trust and submit to them.  For these writings are from God Himself.  Therefore, the Bible is the inspired, or God-breathed, Word of God.  God did this by the Holy Spirit through the writings of the prophets and apostles.

The finished scripture was precisely what He intended.  At times, revelation and inspiration were joined; the Holy Spirit revealed truths which were communicated in words which He inspired.  At other times, revelation and inspiration were separated; the authors simply wrote about things they already understood or witnessed. (See Luke 1:2)   Because the Scriptures are the inspired Word of God, we can conclude that they are also inerrant and authoritative.  A correct view of God will lead us to a correct view of His Word.  Because God is all-powerful, all-knowing, and completely perfect, His Word will by its very nature have the same characteristics.  The same verses that establish the inspiration of the Scriptures also establish that it is both inerrant and authoritative.

In 2 Timothy 3:16 the Apostle Paul said that scripture is inspired by God.  Now, the word scripture comes from the Greek term graphe, which means “writings.”  Paul was considering a specific body of writings.  The word scripture is used in the Bible in a technical sense to distinguish writings whose origin is God, from those that originate with men. 

This process of inspiration was not a mechanical dictation where the writer simply wrote down what was heard.  Neither did they go into a trance like some cases of "automatic writing" which are said to occur in occult practices.  Instead, the writers of the Bible were free to write what they wanted, the way they wanted, and when they wanted.  We can easily see the unique personality and perspective of each human author in the various books of the Bible.  Yet it was God moving through them to ensure the integrity and accuracy of what was said.

They also used firsthand knowledge, the aid of eyewitnesses, and written sources in the composition of Scripture. (See Luke 1:1-4)  All of these methods, however, were under the guidance of the Holy Spirit, with the guarantee of accuracy. (See John 16:13)  Furthermore, the Christian church recognizes the inspired Scriptures because the Holy Spirit, who dwells in the believer, recognizes the voice of God.  Remember, the church did not give us the Scriptures.  The church recognized the Christian Scriptures.

Inspiration means that which is breathed into the human mind by God.  In the same way Luke 20:22 tells us that Christ breathed upon the apostles, and said, "Receive the Holy Spirit" inspired men receive the influence and power which instructs and sustains their judgment, and their capacity while they are writing it.

Exactly in the same way as a musician, out of an instrument, by the touch of his fingers, will evoke such sounds as his own skill, his own will, or his own pleasure may design, the writers of the Holy Scriptures are the instruments out of which the Holy Spirit bring to mind the melodies of truth.  There is a slight difference to be made between inspiration and dictation.  Dictation addresses itself to the ear, and goes through the ear into the understanding and the heart; inspiration is more that which is within a man; it is a power dwelling in the interior of his soul, and influencing his thoughts and expressions accordingly.

The Bible is the greatest earthly treasure that could possibly be placed in the hands of mankind.  It is life-giving wisdom, leading to salvation and maturity.  It is the unique source of delight and joy in Christ.  Through the Bible, God addresses His saving message to us today.  We must read and study it obediently and diligently in communion with its living, divine author and by the help of His Spirit.  

In this way we shall understand, serve, worship, and glorify Him properly.