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Chapter 3: Inspiration of the Bible

Sections:

  1. Definition
  2. Declarations
  3. Definite Proofs
  4. Demonstrations
  5. Deceptive Views

1. Inspiration: Definition

a. What is meant by the term inspiration?

Webster's dictionary defines inspiration as: The act of breathing into anything.

The word inspiration is derived from the Latin in spiro meaning to ‘breathe in'.

The word inspiration literally means God breathed

2 Timothy 3:16--All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness.

The phrase given by inspiration of God is translated from the one Greek word: theopneustos, which is derived from Theos - God and pneumaThe Holy Ghost. Pneumais derived from a word that means breath. The literal translation of this phrase (given by inspiration of God) is: GOD BREATHED.

b. The word inspiration is used in reference to the Divine origin of the Scriptures.

The Bible was not just written by the mind and hand of man. The Holy Ghost breathed the Word into the men who were the human tools of the Divine Author.

II Peter 1:21--For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost

The prophecy in this context refers back to verse 20 which says: Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation. These verses refer to the prophecy contained in the Scripture. The Scripture did not come to us by man. The men were moved upon by the Holy Ghost. This Divine action of God moving upon man to give them the Word is what is meant by inspiration.

Do we have an inspired Word of God?Yes, we do! But, simply answering yes to this question is certainly not enough. Every Believer must know beyond all doubt that their Bible is none other than the breath of the Almighty God. (2 Samuel 23:2; Acts 1:16; Mark12:36)

All Scripture is excellent inspirit, beautiful in language and grand in prophetic imagery, but its superiority is not in natural talents nor is Scripture words of mere human invention, but its excellence lies in the fact its words are breathed byGod.

(Heb. 3:7,8,15; John 13:18,21; Hab. 3:2,16; Isa. 51:16;59:21; Jer. 1:9; 5:14; 20:9; 23:18-19,22,29)

2. Inspiration: Declarations

The entire Bible is inspired of God.

II Timothy3:16--All scripture is given by inspiration of God…

The view that the Bible in its entirety is inspired of God is called plenary inspiration.Plenary means full or complete. The Complete Bible from Genesis to Revelation is the inspired Word of God. All Scripture is equally inspired.

Because it is inspired of God,the Bible is infallible. Infallible means to be totally exempt from the possibility of mistake. This word is applied to God who is not capable of error or mistake. Used in reference to the Bible, infallible refers to theDivine Authorship of Scripture. The Divine Author is infallible and thereforeHis Word is infallible.

TheOld Testament is inspired by God.

Over and over again we can find the following phrases in the Old Testament:

"Word of the Lord"

"God said/spake"

"God commanded"

"God appeared"

"the Lord said/spake"

"thus saith the Lord"

These phrases affirm the inspiration of the Old Testament. The validity of these claims of inspiration is evident from the minuteness and detail as to names, times, and places which characterized their messages, and from the exact literal fulfillment of their prophecies.

Acts 28:25--And when they agreed not among themselves, they departed, after that Paul had spoken one word, Well spake the Holy Ghost by Esaias the prophet unto our fathers,
2 Peter 1:21--For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost
Hebrews 1:1--God,who at sundry times and in divers manners spake in time past unto the fathers by the prophets,
Dt.18:18-22--v.22 When a prophet speaketh in the name of the LORD, if the thing follow not,nor come to pass, that is the thing which the LORD hath not spoken, but the prophet hath spoken it presumptuously: thou shalt not be afraid of him.

TheNew Testament is inspired by God

The writers of the NT claim inspiration for OT writers as well as for themselves:

Acts 1:16--…this scripture must needs have been fulfilled,which the Holy Ghost by the mouth of David spake before concerning Judas, which was guide to them that took Jesus..,

The Men were Inspired

The Scripture declares that Holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost. -- 2 Peter 1:21 God breathed His Word through the men that were the human instruments to write the Bible. The prophet"s spoken words from God were used by God to communicate with His people. The Lord instructed many of these men to write down His Words. The men were inspired and instructed by God to give His Word to the people.

1 Thessalonians2:13; John 6:63; Eph. 3:8-9

The Words were Inspired

Not only were the men inspired by God, but the very choice of words came straight from the throne of God. God inspired the choice of the words of Scripture. This is referred to as verbal inspiration. The writers were not left absolutely to themselves in the choice of words that they should use. God guided the very wording of the Bible.

Jude 17--But, beloved, remember ye the words which were spoken before of the apostles of ourLord Jesus Christ;
2 Peter 3:2--That ye may be mindful of the words which were spoken before by the holy prophets,and of the commandment of us the apostles of the Lord and Saviour
John 12:48--He that rejecteth me, and receiveth not my words, hath one that judgeth him: the word that I have spoken, the same shall judge him in the last day.

The Letters were Inspired

The very letters of the words of the Bible are Divinely inspired. For example, let us look at the doctrine of"one seed and not many" through Christ which is established by the use of a single letter: "s."

Galatians 3:16--Now to Abraham and his seed were the promises made. He saith not, And to seeds, as of many; but as of one, And to thy seed, which is Christ.[comp. Gen.22:16-18]

The "s" in this verse makes ALL the difference. The "s" makes the difference between singularity and plurality and most important the difference of stating that there is one mediator or stating there are many mediators. Had God said "seeds" instead of "seed" the promises could have come through Confucius, Buddha, Mohammed, the Pope or anyone else that chose this claim of fame. By definite use of singularity, God closes the door on false messengers and exalts Christ as the ONLY way to God. The promised seed could only be Christ and not Christ and Buddha or Christ and Mohammed. Jesus Christ alone was and is the promised seed.

Every Iota was Inspired

Matthew 5:18--For verily I say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled.

A jot could be equalled by an apostrophe (') and a tittle equalled by a hyphen (-).

"The Bible is none other than the voice of Him that sitteth on the throne. Every book of it, every chapter, every verse, every word, every syllable, every letter is the direct utterance of TheMost High."--Dan Burgon

3. Inspiration: Definite Proofs

There are crystal clear proofs of the inspiration of the Bible. Besides the declarations of the text itself, multitudes of Biblical facts indicate that Scripture was Divinely inspired.

Its Unbroken and Perfect Unity

The Bible contains 66 books written by approximately 40 different men in four languages spanning a period of 1600 years, by men living as far as 1500 miles apart. The men used were from all walks of life; they were kings, doctors,prophets, shepherds, servants, fisherman, and even a tax collector. Yet there is unbroken and perfect unity throughout the entire Bible. This could only be the work of God.

Its Fearless Foretelling

The Bible foretells events many years and even centuries before they took place. The timing of the writing of the Old Testament prophecies can be historically documented because an accurate record of the history between theTestaments has survived. This historical record confirms the date of the ending of the Old Testament placing a four hundred year biblical silence between the last of O.T. prophecy and the start of N.T. fulfillments. The dates when the Bible books were written can be historically documented. TheSeptuagint, which is a Greek translation of the Old Testament, can be accurately placed at least two-hundred and fifty years before the birth ofChrist. Since the Greek Septuagint was translated from the Hebrew text there had to have been the Hebrew Old Testament in existence at least two-hundred and fifty years before the New Testament. This is historical proof that these prophecies were written hundreds of years in advance of their detailed fulfillment in the New Testament. There is no possible way that man could have made such accurate predictions. This is a definite and inarguable proof of theInspiration of Scripture.

EXAMPLES OF ACCURATELY FULFILLED PROPHECY:

The Prophecies of Christ

He would be of the seed of Abraham -- Gen. 22:18 -- Mt. 1:1

He would be a descendant of David -- Jer. 23:5 -- Mt. 1:1

He would come from the tribe of Judah -- Micah 5:2 -- Mt. 1:2, Heb. 7:14

He would be born in Bethlehem -- Micah 5:2 -- Mt. 2:1

There were 29 prophesies fulfilled in one day during the events of the crucifixion ofJesus which were accurately predicted in great detail centuries before His death.

There are over 300 Messianic prophecies that were fulfilled in Christ.

Acts 3:18--But those things, which God before had shewed by the mouth of all his prophets, that Christ should suffer, he hath so fulfilled.

Jesus fulfilled all the O.T. prophecies concerning Him despite improbability. No man is able to choose his lineage before he is born, yetJesus was born exactly according to the lineage as prophesied. There were other people involved in the fulfillments of these prophecies such as the Roman soldiers who parted Jesus garments among them and cast lots for His robe. Even the darkness that took place at the death of Christ can be historically documented and verified. The prophet Amos foretold of this darkness approximately 700 years before it occurred. There is no human explanation as to the accurate fulfillment of these Messianic prophecies. This is a clear proof of the inspiration of the Bible!

The Prophecies of Israel

Moses prophesied of the future of Israel. -- Deut. 4:23-38.

They would become captives because of their sin. --Is. 22:17, Jer.20:6.

They would be scattered into all lands. -- Deut. 30:1-3.

They would be persecuted. -- Lk. 19:41-44.

Preceding the time of Christ"s return, Israel would be gathered again to her own land. (Luke 21:29-32; Eze. 36-37) This was fulfilled May 14,1948.

Ezekiel 36:24--For I will take you from among the heathen, and gather you out of all countries, and will bring you into your own land.

God stated that He would watch over the people of Israel like a shepherd (Jeremiah 31:10). Less than 24 hours after Israel declared independence in 1948, its surrounding countries (Egypt,Jordan, Iraq, Syria, and Lebanon) attacked Israel, hoping to replace the Jewish state with an Arab state. These countries are much larger than Israel, but tinyIsrael prevailed in that war and was able to capture additional land! Israel also prevailed in two other major wars that followed (Six-Day War, 1967 and YomKippur War, 1973).

The Prophecies of Nations

Babylon was overthrown and brought down like Sodom as prophesied (Isa. 13:19; Jer.51:37). Daniel 5 describes the transfer of power to the Medes and Persians.

The Grecian Empire was the third kingdom described in the prophetic dream in Daniel2:39 with Babylon being the first Kingdom. Alexander the Great conquered the world exactly as was foretold in this prophecy. (This prophetic dream is studied in depth in the 3rd year Prophecy course.)

The division of the Roman Empire is also foretold in the division of the legs of the same image in Nebuchadnezzar"s dream in Daniel 2.

Nineveh was laid waste by fierce nomadic peoples. Nahum (1-3, 3:7) foretold that the gates would be set wide open to thine enemies (3:13). The Tigris river flooded at the time of the attack and washed away much of the walls including the gates of the city.

Tyre was to be destroyed according to Ezekiel 26:3-14. This is a very specific prophecy given approximately 588 BC. The Scripture declares that many nations would come against Tyre. v. 3. God said he would bring the king of Babylon against them. v.7. The prophecy states that the stones, the timber and the dust would be cast into the water. v. 12. Nebuchadnezzar, the king of Babylon, did lay siege to Tyre for thirteen years. Alexander the Great took the city ofTyre on the Island in 332 BC by building a land bridge to the Island. They used stones, timber from the destroyed buildings and earthen fill to make what is called a mole (earthen bridge) in the water. The soldiers put the stones,timber, and dust into the water exactly according to the prophecy. This specific fulfilled event is beyond the mere speculation of man. The Bible is the inspired Word of God. The mole of Alexander the Great is still in existence today.

Jesus foretold of the destruction of the Temple in Jerusalem. -- Mt. 24:1-2, Mk.13:1-3. The city of Jerusalem was destroyed in AD 70 under the Roman GeneralTitus. The temple was burned and the gold melted between the stones. The soldiers literally took apart the Temple stone by stone to retrieve the gold. Again the prophecy was fulfilled in detail exactly as Jesus said it would be.

The Prophecies of the Last Days

2Timothy 3:1-9--v. 1 This know also, that in the last days…

There are numerous accurate descriptions of the last days found inScripture. These are just some of the prophecies that describe the condition of our day:

An increase of knowledge -- Dan. 12:4

Think of all the new innovations that have taken place within the last one hundred years. The Wright brothers " first flight was in 1903 and today air travel is a common mode of transportation. There has been so much advancement in technology in a very short time.

Many false prophets -- Mt. 24:5,11

Wars and rumors of wars -- Mt. 24:6

Famines, pestilences and earthquakes -- Mt. 24:7

Iniquity shall abound -- Mt. 24:12

Gospel preached in the entire the world -- Mt. 24:14

Eating, drinking and marrying -- Mt. 24:38

As it was in the days of Lot -- Luke 17: 28-29

(They drank, bought, sold, planted and built. This sounds a lot like the people today. There is also a rise of the sin of homosexuality today as it was in the days of Lot.)

A departing from the faith -- I Tim. 4:1

Its Historical Accuracy

Archaeology is about learning about the past by finding things that were used by ancient peoples. These ancient artifacts tell us information about the people that used them. There have been many archaeological finds that support the historical accuracy of the Bible. As a matter of fact, no archaeological find has yet to contradict the Bible. Critics have argued that the Bible is not historically accurate, yet archaeology continues to validate the Bible as true.

A Hittite library was discovered in Turkey in 1906 confirming the accuracy of the Biblical record of the Hittite people.

There have been skeletons found of giant people confirming the description of giants in the Bible.

The remains of a crucifixion victim were found in Jerusalem in 1968. The victim"s feet had one nail hole that penetrated through both feet and one nail hole in each of the lower arms. The man was believed to have been executed by the Romans in the Jewish uprising of AD 70. This confirms that crucifixion was indeed a means of execution used by the Romans as described in the Biblical account of the crucifixion of Jesus.

The Book of Acts has been confirmed to be historically accurate.

There have been inscriptions found containing the names of people described in the Bible in the locations the Bible places the people in.

There have been many archaeological finds that continue to confirm the historical accuracy of the Bible. This is more evidence that testifies to the inspiration of Scripture.

Its Scientific Accuracy

The Bible is scientifically accurate. There are things described in theBible that the men that wrote them would have no way of knowing. God is the author of Scripture and knows all things.

The descriptions in the Bible are true and scientifically accurate.

The dimensions of Noah"s Ark given to Noah by God are in perfect proportion for a most seaworthy vessel. Modern vessels that have been designed with advanced understanding of physics and the use of computer technology use the same proportions that Noah did. There is no way that Noah could have had access to this knowledge. The only logical conclusion is to believe theBiblical account that God give these dimensions to Noah.

The book of Job refers to the parting of light. Job 38:24 Light can be separated into parts with a prism. There is no way that Job which is the oldest book in the Bible could have known that light can be divided.

Ecclesiastes refers to the circuits of the wind. There are wind currents and patterns that have been discovered by modern science with the aid of satellites and computers. The men of the O.T. times would not have had access to such information, yet again the Bible accurately refers to the circuits of the wind.

How did the writer of Ecclesiastes know that the rivers run into the sea.--Eccl. 1:7

Isaiah spoke of God sitting upon the circle of the earth. Is. 40:22. The earth was not proven to be round until Magellan"s expedition sailed around the world in the 1500"s. Isaiah did not have access to such information. This again is a testimony to the Inspiration of Scripture.

Its Peerless Power

Romans 1:16--For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.

The Bible is more than just a book. The Bible is the Word of God. TheBible was written by Holy men of God moved upon by the Holy Ghost. The Bible is to be understood by the Holy Ghost moving upon you. Those who earnestly read the Bible in faith can be changed by the power of God. God can use the Bible to change men"s lives. Many lives have been changed by the power of God by simply reading and believing the Bible.

The Bible has power to save people from all walks of life: drunkards, drug addicts, prostitutes, thieves, murderers, all sinners. All can be saved throughJesus Christ. Without exception, counsel and direction for every situation of life can be found in the Word of God. Unequalled and unrivalled, the Bible stands prominently above any and all other written works. Simply, the Bible is the only book God moved upon man to write for a pattern for eternity.

The Bible is the Divine Directions that the Holy Ghost uses to guide men to Heaven

  • The Bible is the Plumber's Guide to Heaven Through faith with Power
  • The Bible is the Builder's Guide to Heaven Through faith with Power
  • The Bible is the Lawyer's Guide to Heaven Through faith with Power
  • The Bible is the Doctor's Guide to Heaven Through faith with Power
  • The Bible is the Judge's Guide to Heaven Through faith with Power
  • The Bible is the Builder's Guide to Heaven Through faith with Power
  • The Bible is the My Guide to Heaven Through faith with Power
  • The Bible is the Your Guide to Heaven Through faith with Power
  • 4. Inspiration: Demonstrations (The Spirit's Sword)

    1Co 2:4—And my speech and my preaching was not with enticing words of man's wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power:
    Eph 6:17 And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God:

    This morning:

    Lu 7:22 Then Jesus answering said unto them, Go your way, and tell John what things ye have seen and heard; how that the blind see, the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, to the poor the gospel is preached.

    Bible critics attack the Bible and its contents. They claim there is no "historical Jesus", "reliable science affirms evolution and discounts creation", and "the Bible is just man's writings with no greater value than any other writing of men.

    It produces "Born Again" Men.

    II Corinthians 5:17--Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: oldthings are passed away; behold, all things are become new.

    The following chart lists men of God who have been converted through various portions of Scripture. TheseScriptures had an impact on the lives of these men of God.

    John Calvin Isaiah 53:5 C.H. Spurgeon Isaiah 45:22 Look unto me.…"When, for the first time, I received the gospel to my soul's salvation, I thought that I had never really heard it before, and I began to think that the preachers to whom I had listened had not truly preached it. But, on looking back, I am inclined to believe that I had heard the gospel fully preached many hundreds of times before, and that this was the difference,--that I then heard it as though I heard it not; and when I did hear it, the message may not have been any more clear in itself than it had been at former times, but the power of the Holy Spirit was present to open my ear, and to guide the message to my heart"
    The minister did not come that morning; he was snowed up, I suppose. At last, a very thin-looking man, a shoemaker, or tailor, or something of that sort, went up into the pulpit to preach. Now, it is well that preachers should be instructed; but this man was really stupid. He was obliged to stick to his text, for the simple reason that he had little else to say.
    ''Look unto Me; I am sweatin' great drops of blood. Look unto Me; I am hangin' on the cross. Look unto Me; I am dead and buried. Look unto Me; I rise again. Look unto Me; I ascend to Heaven. Look unto Me; I am sittin' at the Father's right hand. O poor sinner, look unto Me! Look unto Me!''
    Preaching one day, Spurgeon stepped to the pulpit and uttered one declaration: " Behold the lamb of God Who takes away the sin of the world. (Jn 1:29)"
    Satisfied with the acoustics, he left and went his way. Unknown to him, there were two men working in the rafters of that large auditorium, neither one a Christian. One of the men was pricked in his conscience by the verse Spurgeon quoted and became a believer later that day!
    Henry Moorhouse Matthew 1:21 John Williams Mark 8:36
    Sir James Simpson John 3:14,15 W.P. Lockhart John 19:30
    David Livingston Acts 16:31 When but nine years old he received a prize of a New Testament from his Sunday-school teacher, for repeating Psalm 119.
    William Cowper Romans 3:25
    Sir George Williams I Corinthians 15:1-4 Martin Luther Galatians 3:11
    Lord Shaftesbury I Peter 3:18 Hedley Vicars I John 1:7
    James Chalmers Revelation 22:17 Robert Moffat John 3:16
    Duncan Mathieson Psalm 11 Scottish Evangelist "worship without clarity, prayer without passion — these describe the times of Matheson's childhood church experience."
    His mother died after a lengthy bout of consumption. Her dying words urged him to come to the savior, but still he resisted. One year later, he heard a message by Andrew Bonar on Psalm 11 that prompted him to re-consider the state of his soul. Shortly after he sought out a private meeting with an elderly pastor who spoke clearly and frankly to the state of his soul and his need for Christ.
    "Young man, were I to say I am pleased with you, you would go down that stair in a happy frame, but you are yet far from the kingdom of God. You have never yet dealt with the justice of God. His justice in condemning you for breaking his law has never entered your thoughts. I see you are angry with God for not giving you salvation as the reward of works. But it must be grace from first to last."
    On one occasion he handed out some 25,000 tracts in less than a week. Over the course of the war he would personally distribute 52,000 tracts, 622 bibles, 1,477 New Testaments in English. He gave away thousands more in French. After the war, he went to Sardinia where he distributed 2,347 Italian Bibles, 1,230 New Testaments and over 3,400 other books and tracts. Eventually he started and edited a gospel newsletter entitled, The Herald of Mercy, which would reach a monthly circulation of 32,000.
    He once said, "I do not know if ten minutes of my life ever pass without thinking of the salvation of souls."
    Richard Weaver John 3:16

    Who ever heard of anyone being made"a new creature" through Homer, Shakespeare, Scott, Dickens, Macauley, Huxley,Carlyle, Eliot, Kipling, Wells, or anyone else? Millions have been made new by reading and believing the Bible which is the Word of God.

    John 9:25 —He answered and said, Whether he be a sinner or no, I know not: one thing I know, that, whereas I was blind, now I see.

    It produces spiritual growth.

    The Bible produces spiritual growth in the lives of the saints of God. The Bible is the spiritual food of theChristian and must be read daily for Christian strength and growth.

    Memorizing Ecclesiastes 5:3 as child dramatically transformed my speaking habits. —Stephen Reynolds, Jr.

    Jeremiah 15:16—Thy words were found, and I did eat them; and thy word was unto me the joy and rejoicing of mine heart…
    1 Peter 2:2—As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby:
    2Peter 3:18—But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ…

    Martin Luther's Reformation began not when he nailed the 95 Theses to the Castle Church door, but when we discovered and Believed the Biblical Gospel. Luther's Tower Experience with Romans 1:17 was the pivotal event of his life.

    My wife's describes her thrilling experiences of her first year of Bible school when God daily fed her, His Word and exhilarated her soul!

    It cleanses the life.

    The Bible can cleanse the lives of men and women. The Holy Ghost will convict men through the Word. The Bible will reveal to men what needs to be changed in their lives. The laver in the Tabernacle is a symbol of the Word of God. The priests were required to wash in the laver every time they came into the service of the Lord.

    John 15:3--Now ye are clean through the word which I have spoken unto you. [Eph. 5:26]
    Psalms 119:9--Wherewithal shall a young man cleanse his way? by taking heed thereto according to thy word.
    1Peter 1:22--Seeing ye have purified your souls in obeying the truth through the Spirit unto unfeigned love of the brethren, see that ye love one another with a pure heart fervently:

    It builds up the believer.

    Is there any weak or sickly among you? There is strength and encouragement in the Word of God. The Word will build you up and sustain you in the difficult times. Christians can stand upon this sure foundation.

    Romans 16:25--Now to him that is of power to stablish you according to my gospel…
    Eph. 2:20 -22--And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone; In whom all the building fitly framed together groweth unto an holy temple in the Lord: In whom ye also are builded together for an habitation of God through the Spirit

    It ends in perfection.

    Ephesians 4:11-15--11 And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; 12 For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ: 13 Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ: 14 That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive; 15 But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ:

    5. Inspiration: Deceptive Views

    The Bible was produced by natural inspiration.

    This false view holds that theBible is the product of genius of a high order, but not supernatural, orDivine. This is the type of inspiration that Milton, Shakespeare, or Confucius show in their writings. No man of intelligence, however, can go from readingShakespeare to reading the Bible without feeling that the difference between the two is more than just by degree. A book can be inspiring without being inspired. The Bible far supersedes the books of men.

    God used levels of inspiration to give us the Bible.

    This false view claims thatGod used different levels of control at different times in the process of inspiration. This view advocates that sometimes God used Divine inspiration and at other times, God only offered suggestions or promptings of instruction.

    This is totally contrary to true Biblical inspiration.

    God only gave the concepts or thoughts to the men who wrote the Bible.

    Those who promote this false view advocate that only concepts or thoughts were given by inspiration. This position leaves the wording of the text to the minds of men. This again is contrary to the correct meaning of true Biblical inspiration.

    Only portions of the Bible are inspired.

    This is a dangerous false doctrine referred to as partial inspiration. This position states that the Bible contains the Word of God, but is not all of Scripture is inspired. Who then decides what is and what is not inspired? Such a theory leaves man in awful and fatal uncertainty.

    What is the correct understanding of the inspiration of the Bible?

    "Verbal and plenary inspiration" is the correct view. (Will be explained in greater detail next)