Bibliology

Question 1

Define Bibliology

Answer 1

The study of the nature of the Bible as revelation.

Question 2

What six topics are included under Bibliology?

Answer 2

1. revelation
2. inspiration
3. inerrancy
4. canonicity
5. illumination
6. interpretation

Question 3

Define “revelation”

Answer 3

Revelation is the act and process whereby God makes Himself known to men and angels.

Question 4

Name 9 ways that God has revealed himself.

Answer 4

1. miracles 2. visions 3. dreams 4. theophanies 5. providential control of history 6. conscience7. Jesus Christ 8 Scripture and 9. Prophecy

Question 5

Give the three passages of General Revelation.

Answer 5

Psalm 19:1-6; Rom 1:18-20; 2:14-16

Question 6

Define Inspiraton.

Answer 6

The process whereby God superintended the human authors of scripture so that what they wrote was simultaneously their own words as well as God’s words “breathed out” through his spokespeople.

Question 7

Why did God inspire Scripture?

Answer 7

To preserve a historical record of his words and deeds for his covenant people as a means of grace that they might trust and obey him fully.

Question 8

Why do people need inspired scripture?

Answer 8

Human sinfulness and finiteness means that we require God’s guidance.

Question 9

How did inspiration work?

Answer 9

Involved whole people in their own particular life situations. It applies to the autographa (not copies or translations)

Question 10

What does the church historically see in the Bible as being inspired?

Answer 10

The words and the entire Bible. They call it the verbal, plenary inspiration of Scripture.

Question 11

Since when has it been fashionable to deny the historic church’s position on biblical inspiration and on what basis did they do so?

Answer 11

Since the Enlightenment in the 17th 18th centuries. On the basis of apparent historical inaccuracies and philosophical objections.

Question 12

On what passage can we prove that Jesus held the Scripture up as completely trustworthy?

Answer 12

Matthew 5:17-18

Question 13

Define Inerrancy.

Answer 13

The teaching that Scripture is without error in all that it affirms when properly interpreted.

Question 14

Name three things that inerrancy allows for.

Answer 14

different literary styles, poor grammar, and approximations in numbers.

Question 15

How many books are in the Protestant canon?

Answer 15

66

Question 16

Define canonicity.

Answer 16

The church’s recognition of the divine origin and authority of the books of scripture.

Question 17

Why were early Christians prompted to hold to a canon?

Answer 17

To preserve the writings of the apostles after their deaths so as to deal with heresies and doctrinal disputes. Also the Dioclectian persecution AD303-11 led to sacred books being destroyed by fire.

Question 18

What are the Apocrapha? Do they matter to the canon?

Answer 18

They are books added to the canon by Catholics at the Council of Trent AD 1545-63. Even the Catholic Church subtly recognizes them as less than canonical by calling them deuterocanonical.

Question 19

What is illumination?

Answer 19

The work of the Spirit in the people to allow them to understand and apply Scriptural Truth.

Question 20

Define Interpretation.

Answer 20

The method of discovering what scripture means. Involves recognizing our own biases and backgrounds, understanding the author’s meaning, and understanding how it applies to people today.