What is Inspiration?

[StevenS]

When it comes to the Bible being “inspired”, just what does this mean? I have come across vast differences in beliefs in this area. Some have indicated the “God nudges the authors to write at times or on certain topics”. Others have maintained that Biblical inspiration comes down to God choosing the words that the “author” writes. What do you think?

 

[Daniel_Marsh]

Theories of Inspiration

 **     The natural theory--**the Bible writers were inspired only in the sense that a poet or writer is inspired naturally. In other words, that spark of divine inspiration that supposedly is in all men simply burned a little brighter in the hearts of the Bible writers.

      However, 2 Peter 1:20 says, "no prophecy of Scripture is of any private interpretation, for prophecy never came by the will of man, but holy men of God spoke as they were moved by the Holy Spirit."

** The mechanical theory–**God coldly and woodenly dictated the Bible to his writers as an office manager would dictate an impersonal letter to his secretary.

     ** The Bible is the story of divine love**, and God is anything but mechanical or cold concerning inspiration. The Holy Spirit never transgressed beyond the limits of the writer's vocabulary. We can see this because the highly educated Paul used a larger, more complicated vocabulary than the fisherman, Peter. The Church has never held what has been stigmatized as the mechanical theory of inspiration. The sacred writers were not machines. Their self-consciousness was not suspended; nor were their intellectual powers superseded. Holy men spoke as they were moved by the Holy Ghost. It was men, not machines; not unconscious instruments, but living, thinking, willing minds, whom the Spirit used as His organs....[T]he sacred writers impressed their peculiarities on their several productions as plainly as though they were the subjects of no extraordinary influence. [2]

      **The content theory--**Only the main thoughts of the Bible are inspired. This is the position of the liberal theologian who would cheerfully accept those portions of the Bible which deal with love and brotherhood, but quickly reject the passages dealing with sin, righteousness, and future judgment. But this is contrary to 2 Timothy 3:16 (quoted above). Charles F. Baker writes,

A certain bishop is purported to have said that he believed the Bible to have been inspired in spots. When asked for his authority for such a statement, he quoted Hebrews 1:1, stating that this meant that God spoke at various times in varying degrees. Thus, some spots were fully inspired, others were only partially inspired, and still others were not inspired at all. The bishop was embarrassed when a layman asked: "How do you know that Hebrews 1:1, the one scripture upon which you base your argument, is one of those fully inspired spots?

    **  The spiritual rule only theory--**The Bible may be regarded as our infallible rule of faith and practice in all matters of religious, ethical, and spiritual value, but not in other matters, such as some of the historical and scientific statements found in the Word of God.

      Jesus said, however, "If I have told you earthly things and you do not believe, how will you believe if I tell you heavenly things?"(John 3:12).

      **The verbal-plenary theory**--All (plenary) the very words (verbal) of the Bible are inspired by God. Matthew 4:4 says, "Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God." First Corinthians 2:13 says, "These things we also speak, not in words which man's wisdom teaches but which the Holy Spirit teaches, comparing spiritual things with spiritual." Jesus says in John 17:8, "For I have given them the words which You have given Me; and they have received them, and have known surely that I came forth from You; and they have believed that You sent Me." Jesus says in John 6:63, "It is the Spirit who gives life; the flesh profits nothing. The words that I speak to you are spirit, and they are life."

answers.org/theology/illumination.html

also, see newadvent.org/cathen/08045a.htm

 

[Todd_Easton]

This is discussed a little in Chapter 3 of Vatican II’s Dogmatic Constitution on Divine Revelation (Dei Verbum):
In composing the sacred books, God chose men and while employed by Him they made use of their powers and abilities, so that with Him acting in them and through them, they, as true authors, consigned to writing everything and only those things which He wanted. (11.)

 

[StevenS]

Daniel,
Thank you very much. I enjoyed the supplied links and plan to offer them at the next study group.
God Bless you,
(Dare I say you were a real inspiration!?)
Thanks again,
Steve

 

[StevenS]

Todd,
Thank you very much. I read and enjoyed your link “DEI VERBUM”. I plan to offer it as well in the next study group.
God Bless you,
Steve