Inspiration of the scriptures

Transcription

1 Inspiration of the scriptures 2 Tim 3:16ff all scripture is inspired by God

2 What is inspiration God-given word Not dictated, but given through the human personalities. cf. Isa 40:6-8; 1 Peter 1:22-24 (cf. Ps 90; Js 1:10)

3 models for inspiration (genres) >> Prophets: thus says the Lord (cf. visions) >> Narrators (Luke 1:1-4) >> Wisdom (Prov 24:30-34; cf. Ps 1:7; 9:10; 31:30; Eccles 12:13-14; Job 28:28) >> Psalms both word to God and word of God (2 Sam 23:1-3; Mark 12:36; Ps 110) >> letters both personal instruction and with authority as Christ s Apostles

4 The inspiration of the scriptures points to their truthfulness (inerrancy), authority and permanence (canon).

5 What are implications of the inspiration of all scripture? Deuteronomy 4:1 So now, Israel, give heed to the statutes and ordinances that I am teaching you to observe, so that you may live to enter and occupy the land that the LORD, the God of your ancestors, is giving you. 2 You must neither add anything to what I command you nor take away anything from it, but keep the commandments of the LORD your God with which I am charging you. 5 See, just as the LORD my God has charged me, I now teach you statutes and ordinances for you to observe in the land that you are about to enter and occupy. 8 And what other great nation has statutes and ordinances as just as this entire law that I am setting before you today? 9 But take care and watch yourselves closely, so as neither to forget the things that your eyes have seen nor to let them slip from your mind all the days of your life; make them known to your children and your children s children (NRSV) > people are accountable to God s word > God s word is enduring > God authorizes human delegates teach his will, and their words are his word > God s revealed word is unique > God s people are responsible to teach God s will to the up and coming generation

6 What are implications of the inspiration of all scripture? Deuteronomy 11:18 You shall put these words of mine in your heart and soul, and you shall bind them as a sign on your hand, and fix them as an emblem on your forehead. 19 Teach them to your children, talking about them when you are at home and when you are away, when you lie down and when you rise. 20 Write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates, 21 so that your days and the days of your children may be multiplied in the land that the LORD swore to your ancestors to give them, as long as the heavens are above the earth. (NRSV) > the word of God is to be the constant and pervasive preoccupation of human thinking > instructing the up and coming generation in God s word is to be ever-present and ongoing

7 What are implications of the inspiration of all scripture? Deuteronomy 8:1-3 This entire commandment that I command you today you must diligently observe, so that you may live and increase, and go in and occupy the land that the LORD promised on oath to your ancestors. 2 Remember the long way that the LORD your God has led you these forty years in the wilderness, in order to humble you, testing you to know what was in your heart, whether or not you would keep his commandments. 3 He humbled you by letting you hunger, then by feeding you with manna, with which neither you nor your ancestors were acquainted, in order to make you understand that one does not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of the LORD. (NRSV) Deuteronomy 31:26-27 Moses said, Take this book of the law and put it beside the ark of the covenant of the LORD your God; let it remain there as a witness against you. 27 For I know well how rebellious and stubborn you are. If you already have been so rebellious toward the LORD while I am still alive among you, how much more after my death! (NRSV) > the word of God is life > the word of God speaks judgment against sinners

8 Psalm 119 offers sustained praise for God s revealed word. 119:24, 29, 35, 43, 47, 54, 65, 70, 89, 90, 91, 92, 97, 98, 103, 113, 127, 137, 138, 140, 142, 143, 144, 151, 152, 159, 160, 163, 167, :89 The LORD exists forever; your word is firmly fixed in heaven. > God s word is authoritative (cf. 119:43, 98, 137, 138, 142, 144, 151, 160) 119:103 How sweet are your words to my taste, sweeter than honey to my mouth! > God s word is a gift and a delight (cf. 119:24, 29, 35, 47, 54, 70, 92, 97, 103, 113, 127, 140, 143, 159, 163, 167, 174) 119:142 Your righteousness is an everlasting righteousness, and your law is the truth. (NRSV) > God s word is truthful (cf. 119:65, 89, 90, 91, 152)

9 What about scriptural narratives? Deuteronomy 6:20 When your children ask you in time to come, What is the meaning of the decrees and the statutes and the ordinances that the LORD our God has commanded you? 21 then you shall say to your children, We were Pharaoh s slaves in Egypt, but the LORD brought us out of Egypt with a mighty hand. 22 The LORD displayed before our eyes great and awesome signs and wonders against Egypt, against Pharaoh and all his household. 23 He brought us out from there in order to bring us in, to give us the land that he promised on oath to our ancestors. 24 Then the LORD commanded us to observe all these statutes, to fear the LORD our God, for our lasting good, so as to keep us alive, as is now the case. 25 If we diligently observe this entire commandment before the LORD our God, as he has commanded us, we will be in the right (NRSV) > God s works and his word need to be taught to the next generation > the commands are based upon the salvation of God > narrative testimony of God s redeeming works define the responsibilities of God s people > narrative testimony of God s redeeming works demonstrate his fidelity to his promises