Basic Theology: The Inspired and Inerrant God of God
The Bible is an astounding book! Written over 1500 years by about 40 authors across three continents, it is a testimony to God’s care and provision of knowable truth. Kings, prophets, poets, and fishermen—men from totally different backgrounds and cultures, writing in Hebrew, Aramaic, and Greek, spanning cultures and continents—speak with one voice from Genesis to Revelation. Their miraculous consistency over that long period is a powerful demonstration of divine inspiration and inerrancy.
What is Inspiration?
In the context of Scripture, inspiration is not dictation nor a big idea to run with. It means that God, while utilizing each human writer’s personal experiences and personalities, ensured that their words and message perfectly conveyed His own, without error.
As 2 Timothy 3:16 beautifully states:
“2 Timothy 3:16 All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness; 17 so that the man of God may be adequate, equipped for every good work.”
The Greek word for “inspired,” theopneustos, literally means “God-breathed,” highlighting the text’s divine origin and authority.
In Charles Ryrie’s book Basic Theology, this passage reveals several crucial aspects of inspiration:
The entire Bible, both Old and New Testaments, is inspired and beneficial. Every word is divinely ordained.
Extent: The entire Bible, both Old and New Testaments, is inspired and beneficial. Every word is divinely ordained.
Means: The Bible is “God-breathed”—it originates from God Himself, not merely from human insight. It is the very words of God communicated to humanity.
Purpose: The purpose of Scripture is to equip and transform believers. It teaches us the truth, rebukes our errors, corrects our misunderstandings, and trains us to live righteous lives. The Bible is not merely a historical document but a living, active Word designed to shape our thoughts, actions, and character.
What is Inerrancy?
Inerrancy means that Scripture is without error or fault in all its teachings. The Bible tells the truth. It means that the Bible records events and accurately reflects God’s truth in all matters addressed, from creation to salvation.
Jesus and the Inerrancy of Scripture:
The Gospels provide compelling evidence for Jesus’ belief in the inerrancy of Scripture.
Consider these examples:
Of course, Jesus confirms the events recorded throughout Scripture, including the Creation account and Adam and Eve (Matthew 19:4-6 ), the Flood (Luke 17:26-27), Jonah (Matthew 12:38-42), and other miracles, as literally true events.
Matthew 4:1-11: In his temptation by Satan, Jesus quotes Deuteronomy 8:3 Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God, emphasizing the importance of every word of Scripture. Comparing Jesus’ words to Paul’s quotation above in 2 Timothy 3, Jesus says “every word,” which correlates to “all Scripture”… “the mouth of God,” closely related to “God-breathed”… and “man lives by every word,” similar to Paul’s “profitable for teaching… and righteous living.”
Matthew 5:17-18: Jesus declares, “Do not think that I came to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I did not come to abolish but to fulfill. For truly I say to you, until heaven and earth pass away, not the smallest letter or stroke shall pass from the Law until all is accomplished.”
This powerful statement affirms the full authority of the entire Old Testament (the Law and the Prophets), down to the smallest grammatical detail (the smallest letter or stroke). Jesus’ words underscore the inerrancy and importance of every word of Scripture. God’s entire Word, even the least used letter and slightest accent mark, will be fulfilled!
The Bible is a source of comfort, guidance, authority, wisdom, and truth, equipping us for every good work, and an abiding relationship with God is perfectly revealed.
The Bible is not just a book; it is the living Word of God, inspired and inerrant. It is a source of comfort, guidance, authority, wisdom, and truth, equipping us for every good work, and an abiding relationship with God is perfectly revealed. Embrace its power, trust its truth, and allow its transformative message to shape your life.