Jean O’Fee
Theo 201 B-16
Short Essay # 1
Short Essay on Inspiration and Inerrancy of the Bible
If I was sitting in the park reading my Bible and someone approached me, asking
why I was studying the Bible and how I could find it authoritative, I know my first
response would simply be, Faith. “Faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the
conviction of things not seen”. (Hebrews 11: 1).
As a Christian when I say to someone that the Bible has authority, I am saying the
Bible is God’s word and the sole authority for faith. It is a God-breathed, God inspired,
authored by man book of instruction. It is the blue print for every person on how to live a
life with love, faith, hope, grace and obedience. The authority of the Bible comes from
multiple convictions. The first would have to come from Genesis, that states, “In the
beginning God created the heavens and the earth”. Then Genesis 2 through 31 completes
the creation of all things including mankind. Within the Bible are indisputable facts on
history, anthropology, archaeology, science, geography and philosophy. Historically
speaking the facts that coincide with major archaeologist are undeniable. The Bible which
was written over many, many years, many different authors, many different geographical
locations, always claims to be God-breathed and Holy Spirit inspired. This is proven
throughout Scripture. “All Scripture is inspired by God”. (2 Timothy 3:16). Our Lord
Jesus Christ quoted Scripture from the Old Testament throughout His life, during His
ministries. One of these was when He confirmed the provision of manna, to the people of
Israel when they were in the desert and had nothing to eat, In John 6:31, Jesus said, “Our
fathers ate the manna in the wilderness; as it is written, and He gave them bread of
heaven to eat”. The second conviction or fact would be the confirmation of the Holy
Spirit that tells us the Bible is the word of God. “Whether you turn to the right or to the
left, your ears will hear a voice behind you saying, “This is the way walk in it”. (Isaiah
30:21). “He shall not mislead you into error but shall guide your paths of righteousness”.
(Psalm 23:3) The third conviction or fact of the authority of the Bible is the transforming
quality of the Bible. The Bible through its message from God has transcended thousands
of years, all different languages, and countries and has changed the hearts of mankind.
Nothing could do that but God. The fourth fact or conviction of the Bible that shows its
authority is the ability to unite mankind in a like mindset. This is once again shown in
how it was written by different authors at different times in different geographical
locations, but united in the message of God.
The Bible being inspired simply means “God-breathed”. God inspired the authors of
the writings of the Scripture. “All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching,
rebuking, correcting, and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be
thoroughly equipped for every good work”. (2 Timothy 3:16).
Inerrancy simply put means the Bible is without error. The God-breathed words
inspired the authors of Scripture to write the context and they are without error, because
God does not lie, or give false statements. “In hope of eternal life, which God, that cannot
lie, promised before the world began”. (Titus 1:2). In Elwell’s arguments for inerrancy,
the first states we should accept the Bible on face value for its own inerrancy because it
says to accept it. Our text has already stated, “That this is circular thinking”. You cannot
argue a point just because someone says it is so. This would be one of the weaker
arguments in my opinion. The second is the historical argument. Simply stated, it is
churches and fathers of the churches over the years accepting Scripture as God’s word.
This is a stronger argument to me. The third or epistemological is definitely a strong
argument. It encompasses our faith as a whole, which stems from Scripture. Without it
there is no truth. Fourth or the slippery slope, I also find this to be a strong argument. For
as it states once you give up a little, then you have admitted there is a possibility that all
Scripture is up for interpretation or censorship.
Inspiration of the Bible means that the context is God-breathed into the authors of
Scripture. Inerrancy means the authors are infallible or without error. Because the text
was inspired by God, we know the context written by various authors is without error.
Living as a Christian by authority, inspiration and inerrancy will truly transform your
heart. All these things allow love and peace to be a part of your life.
Word Count 799
Bibliography:
Elwell, Walter A., Evangelical Dictionary of Theology, (2001, Grand Rapids, MI., Baker
Academic), pp. 157-159. Pp. 153-154, pp. 159-163.
we
Towns, Elmer L. Theology for Today (I am sorry professor, I have a used book and all the
front pages are missing). Pp. 27-91 p 897
