Nature of Scripture Flashcards
Define and distinguish between revelation, inspiration, and illumination.
Revelation is the act of the Holy Spirit revealing or communicating divine truth.
Inspiration is the direct guidance by the Holy Spirit to produce the exact message God desired.
illumination is the understanding of truth that comes with the help of the Holy Spirit.
Ephesians 1:17-18 “…that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and of revelation in the knowledge of him, having the eyes of your hearts enlightened, that you may know what is the hope to which he has called you.”
Explain the relationship between the Word of God and Scripture.
The Word of God (logos) is the message of God concerning Jesus Christ. This message is communicated within scripture, but the scripture did not produce the Logos (John 1:1) nor does scripture exclusively contain it (Psalm 19).
What is your opinion of extra-biblical revelation?
The Spirit of God can use anything to reveal the truth of God to people (Psalm 19). But this extra-biblical revelation is not intended to be a substitute for engaging His truth through scripture.
Deuteronomy 6:6-9
These words, which I am commanding you today, shall be on your heart. You shall teach them diligently to your sons and shall talk of them when you sit in your house and when you walk by the way and when you lie down and when you rise up. You shall bind them as a sign on your hand and they shall be as frontals on your forehead.
2 Timothy 3:16
All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness
What is the relationship between Scripture and divine guidance?
God uses scripture to impact and guide us in ways other sources of truth cannot.
Psalm 119 Your word is a lamp to my feet And a light to my path. Hebrews 4:12-13 For the word of God is living and active and sharper than any two-edged sword, and piercing as far as the division of soul and spirit, of both joints and marrow, and able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart.
What does the term “scriptural inerrancy” mean to you?
Absolutely everything the Bible teaches is true and everything the Bible claims to be true is true.
2 Timothy 3:16
Psalm 119
What does the concept “canon” mean?
Canon is the complete selection of inspired writings comprising scripture that collectively communicate the message of God as He wished it to be communicated.
2 Timothy 3:16
What is your understanding of the criteria used for determining which books were included/excluded in the canon?
OT - written, edited, endorsed by prophets
NT - written by an apostle,
- teaches about Jesus, accepted by early church councils.
- Implicit Trust that God has guided this process
Matthew 5:17
“Do not think that I came to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I did not come to abolish but to fulfill.”
2 Timothy 3:15
“…from childhood you have known the sacred writings which are able to give you the wisdom that leads to salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.”
How would you respond to the charge that the doctrine of the inspiration of Scripture is irrelevant since “all we possess are very faulty copies and translations of the original documents of biblical authors”?
I believe in divine preservation of the scripture meaning that God has guarded the content of scripture against the erosion of its meaning.
Romans 15:4
“For everything that was written in the past was written to teach us, so that through the endurance taught in the Scriptures and the encouragement they provide we might have hope”
Explain how Scripture is necessary to correct church practice and doctrine.
Culture produces paradigms, or “thought models” that have a strong and often unnoticed influence upon how we understand and interpret life and ministry. `It is fitting that we are sensitive to cultural context in the church, but we cannot allow culture to be the authoritative voice in church practice or doctrine. Scripture provides the authoritative voice in church practice or doctrine and the guide by which we understand culture itself.
Mark 13:31 “Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away.”
Explain how Scripture is relevant to the average person in your church.
The Bible provides the explanation for how we got here, what we are like, what we need, how these needs can be met, and where we are going. Any book that has been so widely distributed and has endured for so long should not be ignored.
