“BIBLE BASICS” (October 2, 2002)

“All Scripture is given by inspiration of God and is PROFITABLE for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness,”

(2 Timothy 3:16)

Can the Bible be trusted?

A Study of Biblical Inerrancy and Inspiration

Inerrancy

Defined:– “The Bible is wholly true (true in whole and in part),

without error in everything that is affirmed (not just “spiritual” or “redemptive” truth).

Four Views of the Word of God

1. Liberal View

2. Neo-Orthodox View

3. Limited Inerrancy View

4. Evangelical View

Liberal View

The Bible is man’s word about God and other religious matters. It contains experiences and stories of pious men and can be described as a collection of religious experiences and insights.

Neo-Orthodox View

The Bible becomes the Word of God. It is a record of man’s encounters with God and is a combination of divine truth and human error. It is an imperfect but unique book which God uses as a means to encounter man. The Bible becomes God’s Word to an individual as he or she experiences its reality in his or her life.

Limited Inerrancy View

The Bible is the Word of God and the word of man. The parts which concern salvation, faith and practice are God’s words. Those parts which speak to culture, science and history are man’s words. It is left to the individual to decide which are God’s words and which are merely man’s opinions.

Evangelical View

The Bible is the Word of God. God is the author of the whole Bible. It is inspired by Him but written through human agents. It is true in every area in which it speaks regardless of man’s response to it. It is the Word of God written in the words of men (100% God and 100% man).

The analogy of Christ and Scripture

Similarities:– Both are divine as well as human.– In both the divine and human are united in one

medium. Two natures of Christ are united in the same person. Two natures of Scripture are united in the same

propositions. So the Bible is a theanthropic book as Christ is a theanthropic person.

– In both, the human side is without error.– Both are the word of God.

The Word of God: Two living Revelations

Living Incarnate Word Living written word

Jesus Christ The Bible

Human Parents

Holy Spirit Overshadowing

Human Authors

Holy Spirit Superintending

Without Sin Without Error

Biblical Descriptions of Inspiration

Paul’s view of the Bible:– 2 Timothy 3:16 16All Scripture is given by inspiration

of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness,

Inspiration is “theopnuestos” (God-breathed).

Biblical Descriptions of Inspiration Continued . . .

Peter’s view of the Bible:– 2 Peter 1:20-21 (20knowing this first, that no prophecy

of Scripture is of any private interpretation, 21for prophecy never came by the will of man, but holy men of God spoke as they were moved by the Holy Spirit.)

“Moved” means, “carried along.”

Jesus and the Scriptures(adapted from John Wenham, Christ and the Bible (Downer’s Grove, Illinois: Intervarsity Press, 1972)

Jesus consistently treated the historical narratives of the Old Testament as straightforward records of fact.

Jesus often chose as the basis of his teaching those very stories that many modern skeptics find unacceptable (e.g., Adam and Eve, Noah’s flood, Sodom and Gomorrah, and Jonah).

For Jesus, Scripture was the final court of appeal in his disputes with the Pharisees and Sadducees.

Jesus taught that Scripture could not pass away (Matt. 5:17-18) or be broken (John 10:35).

Jesus and the Scriptures, continued . . .

Jesus’ view of the Bible:– Matthew 5:17-18 (17“Do not think that I came to destroy

the Law or the Prophets. I did not come to destroy but to fulfill. 18“For assuredly, I say to you, till heaven and earth pass away, one jot or one tittle will by no means pass from the law till all is fulfilled.)

– John 10:35 35“If He called them gods, to whom the word of God came (and the Scripture cannot be broken),

An Argument defending biblical reliability with respect to Jesus

Premise A: The Bible is basically reliable and historically trustworthy.

Premise B: On the basis of this document, the evidence shows that Jesus claimed to be the Son of God and offered adequate evidence to prove it.

Premise C: As the Son of God, Jesus is a completely trustworthy authority.

Premise D: Jesus taught that Scripture is the Word of God and completely trustworthy.

Conclusion

On the basis of Christ’s authority, Christians accept the Bible as utterly trustworthy.

Psalm 19:7-11

7 the law of the lord is perfect, converting the soul; The testimony of the lord is sure, making wise the simple;

8 the statutes of the lord are right, rejoicing the heart; The commandment of the lord is pure, enlightening the eyes;

9 the fear of the lord is clean, enduring forever; The judgments of the lord are true and righteous altogether.

10 more to be desired are they than gold, Yea, than much fine gold; Sweeter also than honey and the honeycomb.

11 Moreover by them your servant is warned, And in keeping them there is great reward.

Application

Memory Verse– Psalm 12:6 (6The words of the Lord are pure

words, Like silver tried in a furnace of Earth, purified seven times.)

Don’t just read it … be a doer of the word!

James 1:22, “Be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves.”

Ask S.P.A.C.E.P.E.T.S. Questions:

S.P.A.C.E.P.E.T.S.

Is there a Sin to confess? Is there a Promise to claim? Is there an Attitude to change? Is there a Command to obey? Is there an Example to follow? Is there a Prayer to pray? Is there an Error to correct? Is there a Truth to follow? Is there Something to thank God for?

HEY, WAKE UP!

Brother Todd’s finally done!

Take time (or make time). . .

. . . to read the Word!!