Inspiration

IA. The main issues.

1B. Revelation.

2B. Inspiration.

3B. Canonization.

4B. Illumination.

5B. Interpretation.

6B. Application.

1C. First three issues deal with the Bible’s authority in our lives.

2C. Second three issues deal with the Bible’s impact upon our lives.

2A. Revelation: the problem of communication: Hebrews 1:1-2.

1B. Nature: Romans 1:20; Psalm 19:1-4.

2B. Miracles: II Kings 5:14-15.

3B. Christ: Hebrews 1:1-2; John 1:18.

4B. Bible: I John 5:9-13.

3A. Inspiration: the problem of accuracy: II Timothy 3:16; II Peter 1:20-21.

Definition: Inspiration is the act of God by which He directly controlled the writers so that what was written (original autographs) was free from error.

1B. It refers to the writings, not the writers.

2B. It demands inerrancy (three reasons).

1C. Trustworthiness of God’s character: Romans 3:4.

2C. Consistency of the Holy Spirit: Acts 1:16 (cf. Psalm 41:9).

3C. Teaching of Christ: Matthew 5:18.

4A. Canonization: the problem of recognition.

1B. Criteria.

1C. Its own claim of divine authorship: Hebrews 1:1-2.

2C. Written by selected spokesmen: Ephesians 2:20, 3:5.

3C. Agrees with itself (cf. Romans 4:3,6; 9:6,0,15,17,25,27,29,33; 10:11,15,16,18,19,20,; 11:2,7-10,27).

4C. Universally accepted by believers: II Peter 3:15-18

5A. Illumination: the problem of understanding: I Corinthians 2:14; John 16:7-8,13.

6A. Interpretation: the problem of study:

— II Timothy 2:15.

— II Peter 1:20: “no prophecy of Scripture is of any private interpretation.”

7A. Application: the problem of change:

II Timothy 3:16-17.

— “Profitable” root: “to increase.” Comes to mean “making a profit” or “advantage.”

1B. Doctrine: teaching us what God says and wants us to do.

2B. Reproof: convicting us of sin and rebuking us when we are going the wrong way or believing the wrong thing.

3B. Correction: “to stand or set up straight.” Rebuilding and reconstructing our lives when we stumble and fall.

4B. Instruction in righteousness: discipling and educating us in what is right.

8A. Purpose.

1B. To be prepared: “complete.”

2B. To be effective: “thoroughly equipped.”

The Biola Hour Guidelines, What We Believe, by David L. Hocking, (La Mirada, CA: Biola Univ. , 1982), pp. 6-7