Bibliology (Done) Flashcards
Inspiration of Scripture
Hebrews 1:1-2
Long ago, at many times and in many ways, God spoke to our fathers…
2 Peter 1:19-21
…For no prophecy was ever produced by the will of man, but men spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit.
- God brought about his word through multiple means (Heb 1:1-2)
- dictation (the Lord commands them to write): to the churches in Revelation
- similarly, “the word of the Lord came to Isaiah…” (Isa 38)
- Luke’s historical research: “it seemed good for me to write an orderly account for you” (Lk 1:1-3)
- other scripture predominantly involved human personality and style writing, under God’s providential oversight and direction
Inerrancy of Scripture
Proverbs 30:5
Every word of God proves true…
Hebrews 6:18…it is impossible for God to lie…
John 17:17…your word is truth.
The Bible in its original manuscripts does not affirm anything contrary to fact - Grudem
- God cannot lie (Heb 6:18)
- Scripture is God’s word (2 Tim 3:16)
- Therefore all of scripture is true and without error (Ps 12:6)
- The ultimate standard of truth (Jn 17:17) not just true but is truth itself
- Scripture can still use ordinary language (esp. in scientific/historical descriptions; has more to do with truthfulness than precision)
- can still include loose/free quotations (content over precision)
- can still have uncommon/unusual grammatical constructions (a statement can be ungrammatical and still true)
Infallibility
The contradictory believe to inerrancy that says: The Bible is only authoritative for faith and practice
The Bible does not make any restrictions on the kinds of subjects to which it speaks truthfully, 2 Tim 3:16; this mistakes the major purpose of scripture for the total purpose
We have no inerrant manuscripts so an “inerrant” Bible is misleading
For over 99% of the Bible we know the original words and in the textual variants we are still quite sure from context; plus, subsequent copies were made by men with no guarantee from God that they would be perfect. Practically speaking, our current Greek and Hebrew texts are the same as the original
Primary Characteristics of Scripture
- Clarity
- Authority
- Necessity
- Sufficiency
See also Inerrancy
Clarity of Scripture
Deuteronomy 6:6-7… you shall teach them diligently to your children…
Deuteronomy 30:11
For this commandment that I command you today is not too hard for you…
The Bible is written in such a way that its teachings are able to be understood by all who will read it seeking God’s help and being willing to follow it. - Grudem
- Bible affirms its own clarity (Dt 6:6-7)
- More a moral/spiritual than intellectual ability (1 Cor 2:14, the natural person)
Authority of Scripture
2 Timothy 3:16-17
All Scripture is breathed out by God…
Luke 24:25
And he said to them, “O foolish ones, and slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken!
All words in scripture are God’s words in such a way as to disbelieve or disobey any word of scripture is to disbelieve or disobey God - Grudem
- Jesus rebukes disciples for not believing OT (Lk 24:25)
- believers are to keep disciples’ words (Jn 15:20)
- Bible claims this for itself (2 Tim 3:16)
Necessity of Scripture
Romans 10:13-17…how are they to believe in him whom they have never heard?… So faith comes from what is heard…
Matthew 4:4 (Deuteronomy 8:3)
Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that proceeds out of the mouth of God.
The Bible is necessary for knowing the gospel, for maintaining spiritual life, and for knowing God’s will, but it is not necessary for knowing that God exists or for knowing something about God’s character and moral laws (Rom 1:20).
- For knowing God’s will - Deuteronomy 29:29 …that we may do all the words of this law.
- God’s existence can be known without it - Romans 1:20
Sufficiency of Scripture
2 Timothy 3:14-17…able to instruct you for salvation… that the man of God may be complete…
Scripture contains all the words of God that he intended his people to have at each stage of redemptive history, and that it now contains everything we need God to tell us for salvation, for trusting him perfectly, and for obeying him perfectly. - Grudem
OT Canon
- earliest collection of written word of God: 10 commandments
- canon continued to grow until 435 BC
- Josephus confirmed the canon closed around 435 and Apocryphal writings were not Scripture
- Jesus, disciples, and Jews were in agreement that canon closed 435 (NT quotes)
- earliest list by Melito AD 170
Apocrypha
- earliest evidence is decidedly against it as scripture
- the use of it gradually grew until the reformation
- not declared scripture by Catholic church until Council of Trent (1546)
- Should not be considered scripture because:
- (1) they don’t claim to be scripture
- (2) not regarded as scripture by the Jews from whom they originated
- (3) not considered scripture by Jesus or NT authors
- (4) contain teachings contrary to scripture
NT Canon
- *2 Peter 3:2, 16**
(2) that you should remember the predictions of the holy prophets and the commandment of the Lord and Savior through your apostles
(16) as he does in all his letters … as they do the other Scriptures.
1 Corinthians 14:37-38…he should acknowledge that the things I am writing to you are a command of the Lord.
- list of 27 books confirmed by Athanasius in AD 367, Council of Carthage AD 397
- apostles are seen to have same authority as OT prophets to speak and write the words of God (2 Pet 3:2) (1 Cor 14:37)
- Peter appropriates Paul (2 Pet 3:16)
- Paul appropriates Luke (1 Tim 5:17-18)
- 22 books written by authority of apostles
- 4 accepted by authors’ closeness to apostles
- Hebrews by intrinsic qualities (must have been authored by God)
- canon is closed (Heb 1:1-2, Rev 22:18-19)
Illumination of the Holy Spirit
1 Corinthians 2:12
We have received not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit which is from God, that we might understand the gifts bestowed on us by God.
Ephesians 1:17-19…a spirit of wisdom and of revelation in the knowledge of him, having the eyes of your hearts enlightened,…
