Thesis: The Bible claims to be the Word of God, and is thus without error.
Intro.:
1. In 1988 a Gallup Poll on religion asked the following question--"Which statement do you feel best describes your understanding of the Bible?
a. In a moment I'm going to show these statements on the overhead.
b. As I do, I'd like you to decide how you would answer that question.
c. I'll give the percentages when we've looked at all the possibilities.
2. The Bible is ... < overhead #1 >
a. Actual word of God to be taken literally, word for word (31%).
b. Inspired word of God; it contains no errors, but some verses are to taken symbolically rather than literally (25%).
c. Inspired word of God--may contain historical & scientific errors (22%).
d. Ancient book of fables, legends, history and moral precepts (10%).
e. Not inspired by God--represents man's best understanding of God (7%).
f. No opinion (6%).
I. VARIOUS VIEWS OF THE BIBLE.
A. From this simple survey it is clear that not everyone looks at the Bible the same way.
1. Time was when nearly everyone (in/out of church!) considered the Bible to be the Word of God.
a. People testifying in courts used to "swear on the Bible."
b. Not anymore!
2. Even in many churches there is not agreement on the nature of the Bible.
a. Someone (J. Sidlow Baxter) has said: "The biggest division between Christians is no longer between one denomination and another, but between those who accept the Bible as the inspired Word of God and those who do not."
b. The six possibilities above could be found in virtually any religious group today!
c. Illust. This is a very confusing situation! The following comment is from a popular study Bible and sums up the situation quite well: "Not many years ago all one had to say to affirm his belief in the full inspiration of the Bible was that he believed it was `the Word of God.' Then it became necessary to add `the inspired Word of God.' Later he had to include `the verbally inspired Word of God.' Then came the necessity to say `the plenary, verbally, infallible, inspired Word of God.' Today one has to say `the plenary, verbally, infallible, inspired, and inerrant-in-the-original manuscripts Word of God.' And even then, he may not communicate clearly!"
B. How can you view the Bible? What are the possibilities?
1. The Bible contains the Word of God (Liberal).
a. The WOG is embedded in the Bible.
b. There are historical & scientific errors.
2. The Bible becomes the Word of God (Neo-Liberal).
a. The Bible can function as WOG to you.
b. The fact that there are errors is immaterial.
3. The Bible is the Word of God (Conservative).
a. The Bible and the WOG are one and the same.
b. Since the Bible is the WOG it is inerrant.
II. WHAT DOES THE BIBLE CLAIM FOR ITSELF? < Two important texts >
A. 2 Timothy 3:16-17.
1. This passage speaks of all Scripture as being inspired.
a. OT is in view in these verses.
b. NT is also called "Scripture" (see 2 Peter 3:16; 1 Tim. 5:18).
2. "All Scripture is God-breathed." What does that mean?
a. Word is used only here in all the New Testament.
b. Idea of "breath of God" is common (see Ps. 33:6; Job 33:4).
c. It means God is the source of Scripture--He created it! Scripture is ultimately God's doing, not man's!
B. 2 Peter 1:19-21.
1. This passage stresses that Scripture originates with God.
a. "Interpretation" (v. 20) does not mean what we usually mean.
b. It means "origin" as the very next verse illustrates.
2. While men are involved in the production of Scripture, God is still very much in control of the final product.
a. Illust. The picture in v. 21 is that of men being "carried along" by the Spirit much like a ship is "carried along" by the wind. The one at the helm has some control, but is really at the whim and mercy of the wind. Similarly, the authors of Scripture were guided along by the Holy Spirit in producing Scripture.
b. Illust. J.W. McGarvey, a famous Restoration preacher of a century ago, compared inspiration to driving a well-trained horse. You pull the rope to the left or right as you see the horse needs guidance; you slow him down when he goes too fast; you speed him up when he goes too slow, but most of the time you just let him go on his way. Your hand is always on the rope and the pressure of your hand is always felt by the horse.
C. These passages teach that God, not man, is ultimately responsible for Scripture. That's what it means to say the Bible is the WOG!
1. Can God lie?
a. "God cannot lie" (Titus 1:2).
b. No deliberate errors!
2. Is God ignorant?
a. "God knows all things" (1 John 3:20).
b. No accidental errors!
3. POINT: The Bible, which is the Word of God, cannot err.
III. WHAT IS INSPIRATION?
A. Inspiration is not translation.
1. There are mistakes in the Bible, but they are mistakes that crept in after God originally gave the message.
2. The translations or copies of Scripture are not inspired--the original writings were! This explains many so-called errors in the Bible.
B. Inspiration is not dictation.
1. Some people mock the idea of an inspired book because it conjures up the idea of a robot taking dictation.
2. Erroneous view of inspiration. < Show overhead #2 >
3. God did not "possess" the writers, he merely superintended them.
C. Inspiration is not the same thing as revelation.
1. Revelation is the direct communication of truth to a human recipient (cf. "The Revelation to St. John").
2. Inspiration is involved when this truth is passed on to others.
D. Inspiration is the supernatural influence God has on Bible writers, insuring that the message they passed on to others was accurate.
1. The Bible clearly teaches that it is inspired of God.
2. It means you can trust your Bible!
Conclusion:
1. It is possible, but not very profitable, to scour the Bible looking for contradictions.
a. There are enough seeming inconsistencies to satisfy any skeptic.
b. The issue boils down to this--should we give the Bible "the benefit of the doubt?"
2. It is my conviction, in light of what the Bible teaches about itself, that any seeming contradictions can be resolved.
a. In my study many have been so resolved.
b. I approach Scripture from the standpoint of faith, believing that what it says is true and what remains unexplained is not unexplainable!
c. I invite you to take a similar approach to Scripture.
