Page 32 - Doctrine and History of the Preservation of the Bible Student Textbook

How is the Bible Divinely Inspired?

False views of Inspiration

Rationalism
This view stresses that the Bible is neither special nor sacred in context. It holds that the word of God is
naturally written by various authors. There was no divine aspect involved. The Bible is only a
compilation of books and authors, nothing more. The stories may inspire the readers, but the words are
only words as in any other book.

This view holds that the Bible is not historically, scientifically, or chronologically accurate. Its value
resides only in the inspiration or stimulation it may give to its readers.

Mysticism
This view states that the books of the Bible were written by natural
geniuses who were mystically inspired by God to write a great work,
much like the writings of other great Christian books. There is a wide
th
range of Christian literature from the 5 to the 17 century which can
th
with propriety be described as inspired writings. For example, John
Bunyan’s, Pilgrim’s Progress, has inspired thousands who have read it
to walk a clear path to God. In this view, any Christian, if illuminated by
the Holy Spirit, could author inspired Scripture. Those who hold this
view teach that it is the writers who are inspired, not the writings
themselves.

Neo-orthodoxy
This view holds that the Bible is not the Word of God, but the Bible
becomes the Word of God through a special encounter when God
speaks to a person in some kind of subjective experience. In other

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