Page 26 - Bible Doctrine Survey I - Student Textbook (3)

3. Conceptual inspiration – The thoughts of scripture are inspired but the actual words used are
not. There is factual and scientific error.
4. Dictation theory of inspiration – The writers passively recorded God’s words without any
participation of their own styles or personalities.
5. Verbal, plenary inspiration – All of the actual words of the Bible are inspired and without error
(see definition). This fits the Bible’s description.

Defense for verbal, plenary inspiration
The Bible claims verbal, plenary inspiration in 2 Tim.3:16 All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for
teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, 17so that the servant of God may be
thoroughly equipped for every good work. The Bible it’s inspiration as “God-breathed writings (2
Tim.3:16), “Spirit-enabled” writings (2 Pet.1:20,21), and as God superintended the writers and writings
(2 Pet. 1:21).

The Scripture describes the “God-Spirit-Man” interaction of verbal inspiration in the following verses:
Zech.7:12 – “The words which the Lord of Hosts had sent by His Spirit through the former
prophets.”
Acts 4:24,25 – “God…who by the Holy Spirit through the mouth of our father David…did say.”

God used several methods of inspiration in writing the Scriptures. The first is called direct dictation
found in Deut. 9:10. Secondly God superintended human research (Luke 1:1-4). Third, God spoken
directly to the writer (Gal.1:12).

Verbal inspiration means that the very words are inspired. (1 Cor.2:12,13; Gal.3:16; Matt.22:31-32). God
superintended that every word choice, though the words of the authors, were exactly the words He
wanted published in the Scriptures.

Can I trust the Bible?

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