Divine Inspiration and NT Scholarship

[Pieman333272]

I have some questions on the Divine Inspiration of the New Testament. I realize my understanding of Divine Inspiration may be lacking, so just correct me if so.

1. If the Gospels are just either a record of what the authors heard from the Apostles (or their followers) or the writings of what they saw, how were they divinely inspired and why not just their writings based on what they heard/saw and their devotion?
2. If the Gospels have sources which are not Canon, such as Q, would that be considered DI’d? If no, then what about what was taken from that source? Why is that divinely inspired, if it were?
3. If some Non-Canon Gospel were proven accurate, or to, even better, be by the person it is claimed to be by, would that constitute DI on it? Why not, if so?

Thanks ahead of time.

 

[Cachonga]

Pieman333272:

I have some questions on the Divine Inspiration of the New Testament. I realize my understanding of Divine Inspiration may be lacking, so just correct me if so.

As 2 Tim 3:16 says, “All scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness,” (RSV).

1. If the Gospels are just either a record of what the authors heard from the Apostles (or their followers) or the writings of what they saw, how were they divinely inspired and why not just their writings based on what they heard/saw and their devotion?

We know that the Gospels are not exhuastive in what Jesus said and did (and they do not have to be for us to know and understand how to live the Christian life). They wrote as God inspired them (He brought to their rememberance the lessons, the acts, etc… that they each recorded in their individual Gospels).

1. If the Gospels have sources which are not Canon, such as Q, would that be considered DI’d? If no, then what about what was taken from that source? Why is that divinely inspired, if it were?

Just because something is quoted in the Scriptures, doesn’t mean the source was inspired. For example, Paul quotes from pagan philosophers, and Jude quotes from the Book of Enoch, neither of which is inspired by God. That doesn’t mean they don’t contain some truth that can be applied to the Christian life (as proven by the inclusion of these non-inspired works by Paul and Jude).

1. If some Non-Canon Gospel were proven accurate, or to, even better, be by the person it is claimed to be by, would that constitute DI on it? Why not, if so?

I don’t believe it’s possible to prove the authorship of something after this much time has passed, but even if it were possible, authorship was not the only criteria looked at. The content of the books was also considered, and some were outright rejected because they didn’t agree with known Scripture.

Hope this helps!

Pax!

 

[Vince1022]

1. If the Gospels are just either a record of what the authors heard from the Apostles (or their followers) or the writings of what they saw, how were they divinely inspired and why not just their writings based on what they heard/saw and their devotion?

The Catholic Church teaches that the authors of Scripture were inspired. We don’t know “how.” Their writings are not only what they saw/heard, but also influenced by their understanding from the Holy Spirit (that’s the inspired part).

1. If the Gospels have sources which are not Canon, such as Q, would that be considered DI’d? If no, then what about what was taken from that source? Why is that divinely inspired, if it were?

Whether non-Scriptural sources are “inspired” or not is open to speculation. They may be inspired, or not. They may be true, or not.

1. If some Non-Canon Gospel were proven accurate, or to, even better, be by the person it is claimed to be by, would that constitute DI on it? Why not, if so?

Again, whether or not such a work would be considered “inspired” is open to speculation.

The important point is that such a writing would not be part of the canon of Scripture, regardless of its truth, inspiration, etc.

 

[DPMartin]

I have some questions on the Divine Inspiration of the New Testament. I realize my understanding of Divine Inspiration may be lacking, so just correct me if so.

1. If the Gospels are just either a record of what the authors heard from the Apostles (or their followers) or the writings of what they saw, how were they divinely inspired and why not just their writings based on what they heard/saw and their devotion?
2. If the Gospels have sources which are not Canon, such as Q, would that be considered DI’d? If no, then what about what was taken from that source? Why is that divinely inspired, if it were?
3. If some Non-Canon Gospel were proven accurate, or to, even better, be by the person it is claimed to be by, would that constitute DI on it? Why not, if so?

Thanks ahead of time.

Pieman

This might not answer your questions directly, but just the same this might help:

The Truth is a double edged sword, and we know that Jesus being of the Father in the Presence of the Father witnessed to us, God the Father. Told us about the Kingdom of God, and demonstrated the Power of God. Since He is the only begotten of the Father, hence in the Spirit of God that is Holy. The Apostles were the entrusted witnesses of the Wittiness of the Father in the Son of man in the same Spirit that is Holy. Hence Divine, inspired, witnesses of God. In the Spirit of God, For it is of God. Therefore the Gospel is the Truth the Way and the Life revealed of God, through His Word in the Name of Jesus Christ, the Son of God of God, in the Son of man. Hence Peace that is of God to mankind, to be at Peace with God in His Good Will toward men, that is the Good News, “The Gospel”.

That which is of God, will draw men who seek the Truth of God, or the God of Truth to Him through His Son Jesus Christ in the Spirit of God that is Holy.