Views of Inspiration Flashcards
The story of the flood is not placed in the Bible as historical truth but was placed in Scripture as a spiritual lesson that suddenly touches the reader’s heart about the seriousness of sin.
The Neo-Orthodox View
When Paul wrote that women should not teach or exercise authority over men in the church, he was expressing his own opinion (i.e. suggestion) and it should not be considered as a message from God. In this particular case, Paul was simply a male chauvinist who was against women. This portion of scripture is not from God.
The Partial Inspiration View
Every word in the Bible is exactly what God intended even though He used the individual personality of each writer.
The Verbal Plenary Inspiration View
Referring to the demoniac healed in Matthew 8:28-34, one commentator wrote, “It may seem fantastic to us; but the ancient peoples believed implicitly in demons. If a man gained the idea that he was possessed by a demon, he would easily go on to convince himself that there was a demon inside him.” The basic idea that becomes the Word of God is the fact that Jesus freed this self-deceived man, not from demons (which do not exist) but from ignorance and fear.
The Neo-Orthodox View
Scripture is a great book that holds some of man’s greatest thoughts about morals.
The Natural View
The story about the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah is either an exaggeration or a legend, but Abraham’s faith (in the story) is genuine.
The Partial Inspiration View
The story about the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah is either an exaggeration or a myth, but the lesson God is teaching is that He is all-powerful and will punish wickedness.
The Neo-Orthodox View
The Bible is the Word of God and contains the words of God, even though He uses the individual words of men.
The Verbal Plenary Inspiration View
The Veda (Hindu Scripture), Koran (Muslim Scripture), and the Bible are all attempts by deep thinkers to investigate the spiritual realm.
The Natural View
John 3:16 (“For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish, but have eternal life.”) has come to mean that man has a poor self-image and needs Jesus to save him from prolonged depression and to guide him into positive thinking. This inspired message from God is that which jumps out from the pages of Scripture and speaks to us today.
The Neo-Orthodox View
The Bible has errors such as “O sun, stand still” (Josh. 10:12), which implies the sun rotates around the earth. But the Bible is important for its theme of salvation and it is not concerned about being scientifically correct.
The Partial Inspiration View
The entire message of Scripture is given by God and is profitable for salvation, correction, instruction, and reproof, even though each author was allowed to use his own style and approach to writing.
The Verbal Plenary Inspiration View
Although many past events recorded in Scripture may be inaccurate or unprofitable and some of it may be just man’s suggestions, the primary importance is its basic message about spiritual matters.
The Partial Inspiration View
The words are not so important as the experience a person has as he feels God’s presence when he reads the Bible.
The Neo-Orthodox View
Jesus was not God but a great martyr who teaches us the true meaning of sacrifice.
The Natural View
Not every aspect of Scripture is important to man, only those thoughts that seem to meet his needs, catch his attention, and melt his emotions.
The Neo-Orthodox View
