This will be part one of a three part series concerning the inspiration and veracity of the Bible.

There is a fallacy among many Christian thinkers which says that the Bible–the Word of God–cannot be infallible or inerrant.  They do not disagree with the idea of inspiration, but their concept of inspiration does not preclude (indeed, it includes) errancy in the transference of God’s Word to man’s papyrus.  I use the word “cannot” purposely, for in their understanding, humans must err, even in transcribing the voice of God (vox dei).  As some have said, “Errare humanum est”–To err is human–and so it may be, if not for a few valuable verses which we’ll look at shortly.

I agree that man is imperfect.  I agree that nothing we do is perfect.  But we have a special case with the Bible, and the whole situation hinges on a certain presupposition.  Let’s ask two questions and see where they lead us.  First, who, if anyone, is able to perform on a perfect level?  God, obviously.  God alone is perfect in everything.  Second, what is the Bible?  Or rather, let’s ask: “What does the Bible say the Bible is?”  Let’s look at some scripture.

10:35 If he called them gods to whom the word of God came (and scripture cannot be broken),
John 10:35 RSV

Notice the strength Jesus puts behind scripture.  It cannot be broken, done away with, falsified.  But where does scripture come from?

3:16 All scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, 3:17 that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.
2 Timothy 3:16-17 RSV

All scripture is inspired by God.  Remember, God cannot err.  But these Christians may say, “We agree God inspired the writers of the Bible.  But that doesn’t mean they got the message right.”  But notice what the word “inspired” literally means.  In the Greek, the word we translate “inspired” is θεόπνευστος (theopneustos): God-breathed.  Scripture is breathed out by God.  It comes straight from the mouth of God, but could someone purposely tamper with it?  That seems foolish–they would only damn themselves.  I know C.S. Lewis wrote on the topic; here is another writer’s view:

“The Bible must be the invention either of good men or angels, bad men or devils, or of God. However, it was not written by good men, because good men would not tell lies by saying ‘Thus saith the Lord;’ it was not written by bad men because they would not write about doing good duty, while condemning sin, and themselves to hell; thus, it must be written by divine inspiration.” - Charles Wesley

Once again, could someone have tampered with the message they received?  Not in Peter’s eyes:

1:20 First of all you must understand this, that no prophecy of scripture is a matter of one’s own interpretation, 1:21 because no prophecy ever came by the impulse of man, but men moved by the Holy Spirit spoke from God.
2 Peter 1:20-21 RSV

This should be enough for the Christian, but we’ll continue looking through scripture so that no one has room to doubt again.  I find asking questions to be a helpful tool in clarifying aims of knowledge, so let’s ask, “Was Paul right?  Was Paul writing scripture?”  If Paul wrote God-breathed material, then if Paul wrote that other parts of the Bible were “scripture,” that makes them so.

3:14 Therefore, beloved, since you wait for these, be zealous to be found by him without spot or blemish, and at peace. 3:15 And count the forbearance of our Lord as salvation. So also our beloved brother Paul wrote to you according to the wisdom given him, 3:16 speaking of this as he does in all his letters. There are some things in them hard to understand, which the ignorant and unstable twist to their own destruction, as they do the other scriptures.
2 Peter 3:14-16 RSV

Peter believes that Paul speaks inspired truth.  Peter–the leader of the disciples, the leader of the group at Pentecost.  The one upon whom Christ said He would build his church.  I trust Peter’s assessment.  Well, what did Paul say about himself?

2:13 And we also thank God constantly for this, that when you received the word of God which you heard from us, you accepted it not as the word of men but as what it really is, the word of God, which is at work in you believers.
1 Thessalonians 2:13 RSV

2:13 And we impart this in words not taught by human wisdom but taught by the Spirit, interpreting spiritual truths to those who possess the Spirit.
1 Corinthians 2:13 RSV

Call him arrogant, but Paul believes his letters are the word of God.  Now, what did Peter and Paul say about the rest of scripture?

15:4 For whatever was written in former days was written for our instruction, that by steadfastness and by the encouragement of the scriptures we might have hope.
Romans 15:4 RSV

1:16 “Brethren, the scripture had to be fulfilled, which the Holy Spirit spoke beforehand by the mouth of David, concerning Judas who was guide to those who arrested Jesus.”
Acts 1:16 RSV

3:18 “But what God foretold by the mouth of all the prophets, that his Christ should suffer, he thus fulfilled.”
Acts 3:18 RSV

3:2 that you should remember the predictions of the holy prophets and the commandment of the Lord and Savior through your apostles.
2 Peter 3:2 RSV 

3:2b To begin with, the Jews are entrusted with the oracles of God.
Romans 3:2 RSV

The conclusion should be obvious.  A quick look at the Old Testament shows that the prophets agree with Peter:

23:2 “The Spirit of the LORD speaks by me, his word is upon my tongue.
2 Samuel 23:2 RSV

This is the familiar prophet’s affirmation.  “The Spirit of the LORD speaks by me“; “The Spirit of the LORD is upon me.”  It is not the prophet who speaks, but God speaking through the prophet.  The same idea can be found in Luke:

1:70 as [God] spoke by the mouth of his holy prophets from of old,
Luke 1:70 RSV

What is really important, of course, is what Jesus had to say on the matter.  Looking at a few quotes, it is easy to see His high view of Scripture, specifically as it involves inspiration:

24:44 Then he said to them, “These are my words which I spoke to you, while I was still with you, that everything written about me in the law of Moses and the prophets and the psalms must be fulfilled.”
Luke 24:44 RSV

23:35 that upon you may come all the righteous blood shed on earth, from the blood of innocent Abel to the blood of Zechari’ah the son of Barachi’ah, whom you murdered between the sanctuary and the altar.
Matthew 23:35 RSV 

11:51 from the blood of Abel to the blood of Zechari’ah, who perished between the altar and the sanctuary. Yes, I tell you, it shall be required of this generation.
Luke 11:51 RSV 

Luke 24:44 shows Jesus full support of and belief in the Old Testament as Scripture.  When He refers to the blood of Abel to Zechariah, He has encompassed all the prophets in the OT.  What does He say about these writings?

5:18 For truly, I say to you, till heaven and earth pass away, not an iota, not a dot, will pass from the law until all is accomplished.
Matthew 5:18 RSV

16:17 But it is easier for heaven and earth to pass away, than for one dot of the law to become void.
Luke 16:17 RSV

Complete support of the Law.  We’ll get back to this idea in part three of this series.

How does this apply to the NT writings?  Jesus believed the OT was inspired, but how do we know the NT was so written?  Well, Christ made a specific promise to His disciples:

16:13 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. 16:14 He will glorify me, for he will take what is mine and declare it to you.
John 16:13-14 RSV

Looks like they were inspired by the Holy Spirit.  Is there internal support?  Actually, we find just that in Paul’s writings:

1:9 As we have said before, so now I say again, If any one is preaching to you a gospel contrary to that which you received, let him be accursed.
Galatians 1:9 RSV

Now, we recognize that Paul may be referring to the general gospel message or tradition.  But he goes beyond generalities, mixing Luke’s gospel and Deuteronomy and calling it scripture:

5:18 for the scripture says, “You shall not muzzle an ox when it is treading out the grain,” and, “The laborer deserves his wages.”
1 Timothy 5:18 RSV

The laborer part comes from Luke 10:

10:7 And remain in the same house, eating and drinking what they provide, for the laborer deserves his wages; do not go from house to house.
Luke 10:7 RSV

Paul supports the Gospel, Peter supports Paul, and Jesus supports Peter. 

Let’s summarize what we’ve seen:

• The Bible claims inspiration for itself–namely that it is God-breathed.
• The NT affirms that the OT is completely inspired.
• The OT affirms its own inspiration.
• The NT internally confirms its inspiration.

It is absurd, as a Christian, to believe that the Bible is fully errant.  And it is dangerous to believe that only parts of the Bible are inerrant.  For if this is the case, we make nonsense of Jesus’ beliefs, and we render a lot of scripture deceptive:

4:12 For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and spirit, of joints and marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart.
Hebrews 4:12 RSV

If the Bible is not really the word of God, then all it is is the musings of mendacious men.  The presupposition we’ve been discussing is that men ultimately wrote the Bible.  But if this is true, scripture is a lie: for we know, from these and other verses, that God is the ultimate author of the Bible.  Indeed, this is why we refer to it as the Word of God.

A simple question shows how absurd the belief is that the Bible is not the God-breathed expression of the divine.  If someone expresses this belief, ask him or her, “Where do you get your faith in Jesus from?  Where do you get your understanding of Jesus and His promises?”  Consider the implications if one answers, “From the Bible,” but maintains that scripture was originally contaminated.  If scripture is contaminated, then so is its portrayal of Jesus and His words.  And if he or she gives a different answer, say, from a non-Biblical source, then they are no better off.

Essentially, the only reasonable answer is, “From the Bible,” but if the Bible is contaminated, they have no rational grounds for their faith.  The conflicts are inescapable.  If these people would embrace irrationality to support their faith, then so be it.  They cannot have both irrationality and scripture, nor scripture and ineffective inspiration.  Faith comes from scripture and involves a belief in scripture, or else faith is logically absurd (and thus, who can blame skeptics for their beliefs?).

One last consideration: is perfection in totally depraved people possible?  Well, what if you mix flesh with the Spirit?  If the Spirit guides the flesh, would that not produce perfection?  Have we heard of any such occurrence?…

(Remember the answer to our very first question: that God works perfectly.)  How about the Lord Jesus Christ?  The God-man; fully divine and fully human.  And what do we know about Jesus’ conduct?  He was perfect–the Lamb of God Who, because He was perfect, took away the sins of the world.  Jesus: man and God–perfect.  The Bible: man and God–perfect.  Can we assume, therefore, that the Spirit can really speak through man?  Can it guide him inerrantly?  Yes.  Jesus even predicted such things:

10:16 “Behold, I send you out as sheep in the midst of wolves; so be wise as serpents and innocent as doves. 10:17 Beware of men; for they will deliver you up to councils, and flog you in their synagogues, 10:18 and you will be dragged before governors and kings for my sake, to bear testimony before them and the Gentiles. 10:19 When they deliver you up, do not be anxious how you are to speak or what you are to say; for what you are to say will be given to you in that hour; 10:20 for it is not you who speak, but the Spirit of your Father speaking through you.
Matthew 10:16-20 RSV

As we said before, God deals in perfection.  Thus, because He is the ultimate author of the Bible, scripture is merely another perfect product of its Creator. 

So what is the Bible?  Simply put, it is the word of God written through man.  Verbum dei per verbum homo.  It is either this, or it is not verbum dei at all.  Tertium non datur.

Posted: 03|26|08 at 9:02 pm. Filed under: Apologetics, Nick's Posts, Thoughts.
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