Inspiration
OPENING THOUGHT
What does “inspired” mean?
Some popular but false ideas:
Some say the Bible is inspired only in the sense that it is the product of natural genius, on the level of the works of Shakespeare or the U.S. Constitution. This position makes liars out of the writers of Scripture, who claim they wrote as they were moved by the Holy Spirit.
Some say only portions of the Bible are inspired, not the entire book. For example, some uphold sections dealing with faith and morals while rejecting the records of miracles. Others give greater weight to the words of Jesus than they give the letters of Paul. But the Bible claims that all Scripture is inspired—all 66 books.
Some say the thoughts of the Bible are inspired but the words are not. According to this argument, God gave the human writers some sense of his will, but it could have been lost in transmission, as they made mistakes trying to put it into writing. But if the words of Scripture are not inspired, what is? The paper? The ink? The truth is, if the words of the Bible are not inspired by God, the Bible isn’t inspired.
“Inspired” means God-breathed. The correct view of inspiration is that God himself spoke the words of the Bible through human writers. If this is true, the Bible is complete and flawless.
EXPLORING GOD’S WORD
2 Timothy 3:16-17
Read these other claims of inspiration:
“The Spirit of the LORD speaks by me; his word is on my tongue” (2 Sam. 23:2).
“Scripture cannot be broken” (John 10:35).
“Knowing this first of all, 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” (2 Pet. 1:20-21).
More than 3,800 times in the Old Testament, the claim is made that Scripture is the word of God. There are 175 claims in Psalm 119 alone!
After reviewing these claims, is it possible to conclude the Bible is a good book but not the word of God? Would a “good book” falsely claim to come from God?
1 Corinthians 2:9-13
We discover information by our senses (our “eyes,” our “ears”) or we use our “imagination.” Are the things revealed by God discoverable by these means?
How has God revealed that which he has prepared for those who love him?
To whom did he first reveal this information? (Hint: The writer here is the Apostle Paul.)
How did the Holy Spirit teach the things God prepared for those who love him?
Did the Holy Spirit reveal only the thoughts of God to the inspired writers?
Ephesians 3:1-5
Who is the writer of this passage? What was his role in the church?
What is the “mystery of Christ”?
To whom was the mystery first revealed by the Spirit?
How did Paul say the Ephesians might perceive his insight into the mystery of Christ?
How does the Holy Spirit teach us God’s will today?
Is the Bible God’s Word?
Read and discuss these characteristics of the Bible. Do they not show the marks of inspiration?
The Unity of the Bible
The Bible is a library of 66 books written by more than 40 authors over a time period of 1,500 years, yet it does not contradict itself.
The Scientific Accuracy of the Bible
Read Isaiah 40:22 and Psalm 8:6-8. Did ancient people know the earth was round or that there were “paths” in the seas?
The Historical Accuracy of the Bible
No archaeological discovery has ever contradicted a biblical reference. On the other hand, dozens of archaeological findings have been made which confirm historical statements in the Bible.
The Predictive Prophecy of the Bible
It has predicted the time (Dan. 2, 9), city (Mic. 5:2), and the nature (Isa. 7:14) of Christ’s birth. His life, death and resurrection were also foretold in detail (Isa. 53; Ps. 16:8-10). Over 300 messianic prophecies were fulfilled by Jesus.
Does any other book bear these marks? Could the human writers have produced it without God?
