The Highway Forums General Discussion Theology Discussion Forum God's revelation in Scripture.

I have to agree with Chestnutmare that the statement is not one which is in agreement with the historic Reformed Confessions and/or Catechisms of the Church. The revelation of God in both nature (general revelation) and Scripture (special revelation) if far more than mere 'stories' The writers of Scripture often use such phrases, "Thus saith the Lord..." (Ex 4:22; 5:1; Josh 7:13; 1Sam 2:27; Isa 10:24; 28:16; 30:12,15; Amos 5:3,4; Obediah 1:1. There are c. 400 instances of this phrase used in the OT), and "the Lord spake..." (Ex 6:10ff; 2Sam 23:2; et al), and "The word of the LORD..." usually to an individual who then penned that word. (Hos 1:1; Joel 1:1; Jonah 1:1; Micah 1:1; Zeph 1:1; Haggai 1:1; Zech 1:1;) God spoke through the prophets (Lk 1:70; 2Tim 3:16; 2Pet 1:21). Jesus referred to the OT as God's word and not simply man's word about God (Matt 22:31).

Of course, one of the clearest and definitive statements found in the Bible about its origin, i.e., from God through men is Hebrews 1:1,2: "God, who at sundry times and in divers manners spake in time past unto the fathers by the prophets, Hath in these last days spoken unto us by [his] Son, whom he hath appointed heir of all things, by whom also he made the worlds;".

Books have been written on this subject of divine inspiration. We hold to the historic position of "verbal plenary inspiration".

The word plenary means "full" or "complete". Therefore, plenary verbal inspiration asserts that God inspired the complete text(s) of the Bible, from Genesis to Revelation, including both historical and doctrinal details. The word verbal affirms the idea that inspiration extends to the very words the writers chose. For example, in Acts 1:16 the Apostle Peter says "the Holy Ghost by the mouth of David spake" (KJV). Paul calls all scripture "God-breathed" in 2 Timothy 3:16 (referring to the Old Testament). Thus, the Holy Spirit guided the writers along (cf. 2 Peter 1:20-21) while allowing their own personalities and freedom to produce the Bible we have today. This view recognizes and asserts both the human and divine element within Scripture.