THEOLOGY THURSDAY | The Bible: Who Wrote?
A bite-sized lesson in doctrine: 1 Concept, 2 Definitions, 3 Passages...
Welcome back to Theology Thursday!
Here is your bite-sized lesson in orthodox, Biblical doctrine in 3 simple steps:
ONE concept explained
TWO concise definitions that must be kept distinct
THREE Scripture passages to meditate on
Concept: The Verbal, Plenary Inspiration of Scripture
All Scripture is inspired by God or “God-breathed.” But what exactly does that mean? Verbal, plenary inspiration is the idea that while all scripture, from Genesis to Revelation, is fully divine, it is also fully human. God mysteriously superintended the writing process so that, while maintaining their consciousness, personalities, and writing styles, the human authors chose the exact words God wanted them to write—free from all error. In other words, there is a dual authorship to Scripture. If you ask, “Who wrote the Bible, humans or God?” We would answer, “Both!”
Definitions/Distinctions:
Plenary: Whole or complete. The Scriptures as a whole are from God. Divine authorship extends to every part of the Bible equally.
Verbal: The words that are spoken. The words of Scripture in the original manuscripts (written in the original languages) are exactly what God intended to say. The Bible isn’t an erroneous human document that somewhere contains the Word of God; the very words and sentences themselves are the very words of God.
Passages:
“The words of the Lord are pure words, like silver refined in a furnace on the ground, purified seven times.”
Psalm 12:6
“Every word of God proves true; he is a shield to those who take refuge in him. Do not add to his words, lest he rebuke you and you be found a liar.”
Proverbs 30:5–6
“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 Peter 1:21