Divine Revelation and the Inspiration of Biblical Writings

     While God’s will has been communicated to humans in a variety of ways throughout history, it is now revealed through a “Son” (Heb. 1:1-3), viz. God’s Son (Heb. 1:5; 5:5; 6:6), Jesus the Christ (Heb. 3:6; 4:14; cf. Matt. 17:5; 28:18; John 12:48; Acts 3:22). Christ’s authority is conveyed in his words (John 8:31-32; 12:48; 14:23; 15:3, 7), and from the earliest days of the Christian movement, his teachings have been considered authoritative (cf. Acts 11:16; 20:35; 1 Cor. 7:10; 11:23-25; 1 Tim. 5:18; 1 John 1:1-4).

     The Holy Spirit was sent to transmit the authoritative message of Christ through inspired men (John 14:25-26; 15:26-27; 16:13; Acts 1:1-8; Heb. 2:3-4). Supernaturally-guided apostles and prophets communicated the divine message both orally and in written form (John 21:24; Eph. 3:1-6; 1 Cor. 14:37; 1 John 1:1-4; 2:1; Rev. 1:10-11). The will of God is communicated via Jesus Christ (Heb. 1:1-3; 12:24), via the Spirit (Heb. 3:7; 10:15), via the word (Heb. 3:7; 4:12; 10:15-17).¹

     The inspired message was complete and sufficient in both its oral and written forms (Acts 20:27; Rom. 15:14; Gal. 1:8-9; 2 Pet. 1:3; Jude 3; cf. 2 Thess. 2:15; 2 Tim. 1:13; 3:16-17; Tit. 1:9). We now have access to the complete message of God through these inspired writings (John 20:30-31; Eph. 3:3-5; Rev. 1:10-11; 2:1, 7, 8, 11, 12, 17). The divine chain of authority is God→ Christ→ Spirit→ apostles/ prophets→ written word.

The Process of Revelation and Inspiration

     Much can be learned about the process of divine revelation and inspiration from the Old Testament, which serves as the backdrop for the composition of the New Testament. Approximately 130 times in the Hebrew Bible one finds the expression (or one comparable to it), “The word of the Lord came to …” (Isa. 1:2; Joel 1:1; Micah 1:1; etc.), connected to twenty-eight different persons, the majority of whom were writing prophets (M. C. Tenney, The Bible 15-17). While God is recognized as the ultimate source of the divine message (cf. Ex. 4:12; Deut. 18:18; 2 Sam. 23:2), human instrumentality is also acknowledged (cf. Josh. 1:7; 8:31; 24:26; Mark 7:6, 10; 12:36-37; Acts 4:25; 28:25; Rom. 10:5, 20; 11:9).

Conclusion

     The Bible is the word of God communicated through the words of men. “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).²

--Kevin L. Moore

Endnotes:

     ¹ See also Heb. 2:3-4; Matt. 10:18-20; Luke 1:70; Acts 3:21; 20:24-32; 1 Cor. 7:40; 11:23; 2 Tim. 3:14-17; 2 Pet. 1:2-21.

     ² Scripture quotations are from the NKJV.

Related Posts: Biblical Inspiration in Perspective, What the Scriptures Say About the Scriptures

Related articles: John Jones' What's the Big Deal About Inerrancy?, Dave Miller, The Nature of Bible Inspiration

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