Evidence of the Inspiration of the Bible
Written by Aidan Thomas
Brethren Of Christ Articles - The Reliability of the Bible
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Evidence of Inspiration
This is the fourth of a series of talks given to celebrate the 400th anniversary of the printing of the King James Bible in 1611.
In our last talk we considered the evidence for the accuracy of the Bible’s historical records and its astronomical and scientific accounts.
Much of what was presented then could be advanced as evidence of it being written by men under the Inspiration of God. For example certain astronomical details were revealed, which were beyond human observation and impossible to verify without the aid of telescopes. And likewise, the function of blood as revealed in the Bible, was outside human experience and has only been verified within the last two hundred years, with the aid of microscopes.
Our purpose for this talk is to look at the grounds for claiming the Bible to be written by men under God’s Inspiration, and in particular to review the evidence of prophecy.
We will also consider what determined which books/writings should be included in the cannon of Scripture
The Bible’s claim to be Inspired is set forth with great clarity and simplicity in the following two statements.
“The holy Scriptures are able to make you wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus. All Scripture is given by Inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: that the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works.” 2 Timothy 3:15-17
“We have also a more sure word of prophecy; whereunto ye do well that ye take heed, as unto a light that shineth in a dark place…knowing this first, that no prophecy of the Scripture is of any private interpretation. For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man, but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Spirit.” 2 Peter 1:19-21
From these two references in the New Testament we learn that all the Scriptures, namely the 66 books that make up the Old and New Testaments sections of the Bible, were written by men under the direct guidance of the Holy Spirit. It, therefore, follows that such God directed actions would ensure that the writings will be without error, i.e. infallible.
What then is the evidence for these claims ?
The writings themselves bear the mark of being written under the authority of God.
They differ from all human writings in that God is exalted throughout and He is attributed with a greatness, power and authority that is beyond mans abilities.
They serve no other purpose than that for which they were written, namely to reveal the plan and purpose of God; the sphere and scope of His operations in the earth, and the means for mans deliverance from sin and death.
And they set forth the conditions which He has laid down as a means of inheriting certain blessings which He alone can offer.
And they are unique in that, although written over a period of some 1700 years by a variety of individuals, it is a consistent record with no contradiction or discrepancy in its message.
Either its claims to be written under the Inspiration of God are true, or its writers were deluded or imposters. And the nobility and grandeur of its message is not consistent with men who were deluded or imposters.