The Word of God: Aspects of Biblical Revelation
Jason M. Crandall
THEO 525: Systematic Theology I
May 5, 2024
Contents
Introduction....................................................................................................................................1
Journal Entry #1: Biblical Revelation.........................................................................................2
Journal Entry #2: Inspiration.......................................................................................................3
Journal Entry #3: Inerrancy.........................................................................................................4
Journal Entry #4: Authority.........................................................................................................6
Conclusion......................................................................................................................................8
Bibliography...................................................................................................................................9
ii
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Introduction
Biblical revelation is a divine way through which God unveils Himself to humanity. The
authority of God’s Word holds ample power in imparting knowledge and wisdom to those who
seek it, offering a personal connection that makes each individual feel valued and significant in
the eyes of God. The Word of God is invaluable, offering profound insights into our relationship
with our Creator. It is not merely a collection of words, but a living, breathing, and powerful
guide for life. Through its pages, we gain an understanding of the mysteries of God’s nature and
His plans for us. By immersing ourselves in the living Word of God, we can establish a
meaningful and unshakeable bond with our Creator. It fills us with hope for eternity, and its
teachings inspire us to grow in faith, love, and obedience.
Those who hold fast to this revelation through His authority are)not only inspired, but
also-empowered with the necessary confidence to live out their faith and gain a comprehensive
understanding of how to continue growing in their spiritual journey. The Word of God is used to
refer to Jesus Christ Himself. This belief is rooted in the idea that Jesus embodies God’s message
to humanity. As described in the Gospel of John, “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word
was with God, and the Word was God” (John 1:1). This passage clearly states that Jesus is not
just a mere messenger of God’s word but rather the complete embodiment of that word. In other
words, Jesus represents the ultimate expression of God’s message and teachings, and his life and
actions serve as a living example of how to follow and fulfill God’s will. As a result, he is not
only a spiritual icon, but a powerful symbol of divine love, compassion, and wisdom. Through
his life and actions, Jesus provides a living example of how to lead a virtuous and purposeful
existence, inspiring and guiding people toward a more meaningful life.
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Journal Entry #1: Biblical Revelation
The Bible, as the ultimate guidebook for Christians, not only provides a set of principles
to live by and a framework for understanding their beliefs, but also establishes a profound
personal connection, validating their faith and understanding. According to Charles Ryrie,
“The-Bible serves as the most inclusive of all the avenues of special revelation, for it
encompasses the record of many-aspects of the-other avenues.-Though God undoubtedly gave
other visions, dreams, and prophetic messages-that were-not recorded in the Bible, we know no
details of-them.”1 The Word of God is more than just His revelation through Scripture. It
contains unrevealed truths, inviting us to embark on a journey of discovery and awe. The Bible is
a source of knowledge that has stood the test of time. Ryrie affirms, “The revelation in the Bible
is not only inclusive yet partial; it is also accurate.”2
In chapters six and seven, Millard Erickson’s Christian Theology-discusses two forms of
revelation: general and special. Erickson writes, “General revelation is most frequently thought
of in connection with the creation’s amazing and impressive character, pointing to a very
powerful and wise person, capable of designing and producing intricate variety and beauty.”3 It
refers to the understanding of God that can be acquired by observing nature, the cosmos, and the
human conscience.-Donald Thorsen also notes that “general-revelation,-which signifies-that
knowledge-available-to all people at all times and places.”4 Put simply, access to Divine
revelation is not limited to certain individuals or geographical locations. Rather, it is open to all,
1 Charles Caldwell Ryrie,-Basic Theology: A Popular Systemic Guide to Understanding Biblical Truth,
(Chicago, IL: Moody Press, 1999), 15.
2 Ryrie,-Basic Theology, 15.
3 Millard J.-Erickson, Christian Theology, Third edition, (Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Academic, 2013), 123.
4 Donald A. D. Thorsen,-An Exploration of Christian Theology, (Hendrickson Publishers, 2008), 34.
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regardless of their origins or whereabouts. The intention behind this inclusivity is to empower
individuals to pursue and uncover Divine revelation independently.
According to Erickson, “special revelation is God’s manifestation of himself to particular
persons at definite times and places, enabling those persons to enter into a redemptive
relationship with him.”5 At times, human comprehension may-fall short-in grasping certain
concepts.-That is precisely why special revelation is important to seek aid from God to lead and
grant individuals a more profound insight into such concepts.-General revelation pertains to
knowledge and insights that are widely available to humanity, while special revelation is
intended for a select group of individuals at specific moments and locations.-
Journal Entry #2: Inspiration
The question of the Bible’s origin and its authors remains a topic of intense debate. Some
argue that God divinely inspired every word in the text, while others maintain that human writers
played a more significant role. Indeed, the divine Creator utilized human writers to pen His
divine thoughts and words, which were-passed down through the ages. Keith Johnson affirms,
“the same God who spoke creation into existence and then spoke through Israel’s prophets now
speaks through Jesus Christ.”6 This subject is undoubtedly fascinating, as it elicits a range of
perspectives. To truly understand the Bible’s message, one must be moved by inspiration.
This connection with the Word of God is crucial for fully understanding the significance
of His teachings in the Scriptures. According to Erickson, “By inspiration of Scripture we mean
that supernatural influence of the Holy Spirit on the Scripture writers that rendered their writings
an accurate record of the revelation or that resulted in what they wrote actually being the Word
5 Erickson, Christian Theology, 144.
6 Keith L. Johnson,-Theology as Discipleship,-(Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press, 2015), 86.
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of God.”7 According to Paul, as he is writing to Timothy, “All Scripture-is-given by inspiration of
God,-and-is-profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness,
that the man of God may be complete,-thoroughly equipped for every good work” (2 Tim. 3:16-
17). In this verse, the apostle Paul confidently affirmed that all Scripture is not only inspired and
God-breathed, but also profitable for all humanity.-According to Ryrie, God-breathed is simply
“The meaning that the Bible is the result of the breath of God.”8
The notion of inspiration carries immense weight as it transforms our understanding of
authorship. Instead of assuming that individuals merely recorded their own knowledge and
experiences, it acknowledges that a divine force assisted them in conveying a message from a
higher power. As a result, the actual author of these writings is regarded as none other than God
Himself, infusing them with a sense of sacredness and profundity. Although the writing style and
personality of the human authors are evident in their writings, this does not take away from the
fact that the message came from God.-According to Johnson, “When we hear or read Scripture,
we are not merely encountering human words recorded in ancient texts. We are encountering
God’s own speech.”9
Journal Entry #3: Inerrancy
Erickson writes, “The inerrancy of Scripture is the doctrine that the Bible is-fully-truthful
in-all of-its teachings.”10 However, there have been debates regarding the degree of
trustworthiness that can be placed in the Bible as being entirely accurate. According to Walter
Elwell, “Inerrancy is the view that when all the facts become known, they demonstrate that the
7 Erickson, Christian Theology, 169.
8 Ryrie,-Basic Theology, 271.
9 Johnson,-Theology as Discipleship,-87.
10 Erickson, Christian Theology, 189.
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Bible in its original autographs and correctly interpreted is entirely true and never false in all that
it affirms, whether that relates to doctrine or ethics or to the social, physical, or life sciences.”11
The Bible’s accuracy is not just a matter of academic debate, but a fundamental aspect of our
understanding of God. As Erickson rightly points out, “If the Bible is not inerrant, then our
knowledge of God may be inaccurate and unreliable.”12 This underscores the crucial role of the
Bible’s reliability in our faith, demanding careful consideration and thoughtful analysis.
Erickson explains, “Inerrancy distracts us from the proper issues, of what the Bible is
really trying to tell us about our relationship to God.”13 It is logical for those who believe that
God is holy and that everything He created is also perfect. It includes God’s revelation of
Himself through the Word embodied in Jesus Christ and the recorded Scriptures (John 1:1-3). To
fully embrace the Christian faith, it is crucial for believers to acknowledge and accept that the
Word of God is both inerrant and infallible, meaning that it is entirely accurate and never capable
of being wrong. This recognition is essential for a complete understanding of the faith. Our belief
in the-inerrancy of the Bible is not just a theological concept, but a testament to our trust in the
wisdom and perfection of God. As-Proverbs declares, “Every word of God-is-pure; He-is-a shield
to those who put their trust in Him” (Prov. 30:5).-This belief in the perfection of God’s Word is a
cornerstone of our faith and a source of our confidence.
The inerrancy and infallibility of Scripture are non-negotiable aspects of the Christian
faith. Is it then possible for someone to claim to believe in Christ yet reject the idea of inerrancy?
Ryrie says, “The answer is yes, simply because some Christians do. If it is a biblical teaching,
11 Daniel J. Treier, and Walter A. Elwell, eds,-Evangelical Dictionary of Theology, (Grand Rapids, MI:
Baker Academic, 2017), 245.
12 Erickson, Christian Theology, 189.
13 Erickson, Christian Theology, 193.
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then to deny it is to deny part of the truthfulness of the Bible.”14 It is reasonable to believe that if
God is holy, perfect, and all-powerful, then the writings in the Bible accurately represent His
intentions.-Furthermore,-it’s-logical to assume-that He has safeguarded these writings from any
alteration over time.
The Word of God, written in the Scriptures, is not a mere human composition expressing
personal thoughts or opinions.-However, it is God’s own inspired Word, as stated in 2 Timothy
3:16. This means that the Word of God is absolutely trustworthy and dependable.-Elwell says,
“the Bible teaches its own authority, and this requires inerrancy.”15 Christians should embrace the
notion that the canon of scripture is not merely the perfect word of God, but a holy testament that
is pure and righteous. This perspective is critical in the ongoing discussion regarding the
infallibility of the Bible. According to Erickson, “the doctrine of the inerrancy of Scripture
maintains that the Bible is entirely truthful in its teachings and should be regarded as the
infallible word of God.”16
Journal Entry #4: Authority
In His divine essence, God is the ultimate origin of all authority and truth. His power and
influence extend over every living being, including humanity. While He can exercise His power
and authority directly, God frequently chooses alternative methods of communication, a clear
indication of His profound wisdom and grace. According to Erickson, “By authority we mean the
right to command belief and/or action.”17 The Bible is a sacred text that serves as a valuable
resource for Christians seeking guidance on how to lead a meaningful life in Christ. This holy
14 Ryrie,-Basic Theology, 271.
15 Elwell, Evangelical Dictionary of Theology, 247.
16 Erickson, Christian Theology, 189.
17 Erickson, Christian Theology, 189.
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book provides a roadmap for followers to gain insight into God’s desires and learn-how-to follow
His teachings.
God and His divine nature is considered the ultimate authority over everything on earth
and under the earth. Erickson explains, “He is the highest being, the one who always has been,
who existed before we or any other being came into existence. He is the only being having the
power of his-own-existence within himself, not dependent on anyone or anything else for it.”18
An example of this is when Jesus is tempted by Satan in the wilderness after being baptized
(Luke 4:1-13). During this incident, Satan tried to lure Jesus into sinning by offering Him
worldly pleasures and power. However, in response to the devil’s lies, Jesus used the Word of
God with authority to rebuke him. It shows how Jesus relied on the power of the Word of God to
overcome temptation and resist the devil. It is an excellent example for us to follow when faced
with similar life challenges.
The Bible is a profound guide for those who believe in God. It offers purpose, direction,
and motivation in every aspect of life. A dependable source of information, it assists Christians
in comprehending what they should believe and how they should conduct themselves. As
individuals read and place trust in the Bible, they will come to understand that it is flawless and
originates from God. For the faithful, the Bible is a vital tool that enables them to draw closer to
God, and gain insight into His plan for their lives.
Conclusion
The Word of God, a belief that holds transformative power, centers around the idea that
God's will is revealed to humanity through the Holy Spirit and Jesus Christ. This conviction is
rooted in the authoritative account of God's self-revelation throughout history, as found in the
18 Erickson, Christian Theology, 214.
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Bible. The Bible is not just a collection of stories, but a profound guidebook that teaches us
about God's character and helps us navigate our lives. For a comprehensive and insightful
understanding of God, we turn to the life and teachings of Jesus Christ. By delving deeper into
the cultural and historical context of the Bible, we can gain a greater appreciation for the
complete accuracy of its message. As the infallible and omnipotent Creator of the cosmos, God's
Word is a revelation, divinely inspired and without error. The supreme authority guides everyone
in matters of faith and lifestyle, offering hope and transformation to those seeking the Christian
faith. Those who follow God's path can trust the Bible as a reliable and trustworthy roadmap.
Bibliography
Erickson, Millard J.-Christian Theology. Third edition. Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Academic,
2013.
Johnson,-Keith L. Theology as Discipleship.-Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press, 2015.
9
Ryrie, Charles Caldwell.-Basic Theology: A Popular Systemic Guide to Understanding Biblical
Truth. Chicago, IL: Moody Press, 1999.
Thorsen, Donald A. D.-An Exploration of Christian Theology. Hendrickson Publishers, 2008.
Treier, Daniel J., and Walter A. Elwell. eds.-Evangelical Dictionary of Theology. Grand Rapids,
MI: Baker Academic, 2017.
