Bibliology

There is a distinct relationship between the Bible and the Christian faith. God revealed Himself in two ways: general revelation ((Ps. 19; Rom. 1-3; Acts 14:15-17; 17:22-37) and special revelation. It was through special revelation that He revealed Himself to the writers of the sixty-six books of the Bible. He gave us (mankind) Himself in written form so that His will may be accomplished in His time for His church. The infallibility and inerrancy of Scripture is fundamental to this doctrine. In this detail of God’s divine revelation to mankind, the Bible is inerrant, inspired, and to be interpreted using a correct biblical hermeneutic in view of illumination.

Paul warned Timothy of the things that were to come in the last days, as people would stand in opposition to the truth (2 Tim. 3:8) but that he was to remain faithful to the promise that Christ would always be there for him, no matter what situation presented itself. It is through the writing of Scripture that Paul tells Timothy that the Scriptures will be profitable in leading others to salvation. .

First, the Bible is inerrant. This means that there is no room for error within Scripture. The Bible is properly written and interpreted to be true in sound doctrine. All Scripture is truth (Ps. 119:160; Jn. 17:17), as God cannot lie (Tit. 1:2).

Second, the authority of the Scriptures is rested on the final authority of God. Christ Himself viewed the Scriptures as authoritative in applying the hermeneutic of understanding the intended meaning of a passage (Matt. 5:18, 22-44; Lk. 4:1-13). It is within the pages of the Bible that interpretive principles are found, as those that heard Him (Jesus) speak understood the authority of which He spoke (Mk. 1:22-27). Through God’s special revelation of Christ, man has been given what is necessary to pursue godly living. God did not commit any act of error in the composition of the Scriptures because He serves as the ultimate example of truth (Jn. 14:6).

It was through the person of the Holy Spirit that the Bible was inspired to be written, as it was communicated with God’s authority and clarity in view. Therefore, the Bible is a result of God speaking through man.[1] God is the first element in the inspiration of the Scriptures. It was through the Spirit that God was able to superintend the writers to ensure the accuracy of Scripture (2 Pet. 1:21). Next, man communicated the words given to them through the Spirit to the intended recipients through their own written language and grammar. This ensures its accuracy (Matt. 5:17-20). As God exhaled Scripture, this promises that the Scriptures are all from Him, not from man (2 Tim. 3:16-17).[2] The Greek word “theopneustos” means “breathed out” by God, through the Holy Spirit, to write the whole counsel of God.[3] This act is proof that the Scriptures were superintended in authorship into what the Father wanted to communicate with His greatest creation, mankind.

Next, illumination of the Scriptures applies to the ability that creation has to understand Scripture in correct context. This act enables the message of Scripture to be received, as the believer yields to the power of the Holy Spirit to teach all wisdom. The Bible illuminates: the person of Christ (Jn. 15:26; Acts 5:32), sin, righteousness and judgment (Jn. 16:8-11), assurance of salvation (Rom. 8:16; 1 Jn. 5:7-12), and all truth from God (1 Cor. 2:12). “For it is not possible ever to exhaust the mind of the Scriptures. It is a well that has no bottom.”[4]

Without the indwelling Holy Spirit, the unbeliever misses the spiritual blessing of studying the Scriptures in order to grow closer in relationship with Jesus. It is through the Spirit that illumination works in the heart to reveal truth (Lk. 24:13-34).

[1] Mark Allen, Professor. “BIBL 324 Class Room Lecture” (2018).

[2] Ibid.

[3] Ibid.

[4] Mitch Finley, SAINTS SPEAK TO YOU TODAY: 365 Daily Reminders (S.l.: WIPF & STOCK PUBLISHERS, 2018), 257.