The Scriptures as God-breathed: Implication for the Authority of the Scriptures (original) (raw)

Inspiration and the Texts of the Bible

HTS Teologiese Studies / Theological Studies, 1997

This article seeks to explore what the inspired text of the Old Testament was as it existed for the New Testament authors, particularly for the author of the book of Hebrews. A quick look at the facts makes. it clear that there was, at the time, more than one 'inspired' text, among these were the Septuagint and the Masoretic Text 'to name but tlWJ'. The latter eventually gained ascendancy which is why it forms the basis of our translated Old Testament today. Yet we have to ask: what do we make of that other text that was the inspired Bible to the early Church, especially to the writer of the book of Hebrews, who ignored the Masoretic text? This article will take a brief look at some suggestions for a doctrine of inspiration that keeps up with the facts of Scripture. Allied to this, the article is something of a bibliographical study of recent developments in textual research follOwing the discovery of the Dead Sea scrolls.

Inspiration of the Bible

All Nations Theological Seminary, 2016

This paper is a biblical-analytical explanation of the divine origin/composition of the Bible. There is a veritable challenge today posed to the concept of the inspiration of the Bible which enquires ‘why one should believe it to be the Word of God.’ In this attitude there is an underlying genuine skepticism and often an outright rejection of the divine authorship of the Bible. Therefore, it is both necessary and mandatory to biblically and reasonably respond to the doubts and critiques regarding the biblical inspiration and thereby establish the truth/fact that the Bible is the Word of God. However, due to the fact that the subject is too substantial, it cannot be dealt here in an atomic detail. Therefore, the paper is limited to define and argue in brief through the selected biblical data for the inspiration of the Bible against the backdrop of its objections. The purpose of the paper is to explain the concept and help one arrive at biblically informed and reasonable conclusion about the divine origin of the Bible that one may find sufficient reasons to believe it as the Word of God.

The Word of Truth, Sealed by the Spirit: Perspectives on the Inspiration and Truth of Sacred Scripture (TOC and introduction)

2022

The Word of Truth, Sealed by the Spirit is a collection of seven peer-reviewed essays pertaining to the topic of biblical inspiration and truth. Two chapters provide a critical analysis of the Pontifical Biblical Commission’s 2014 document, The Inspiration and Truth of Sacred Scripture, and reflect upon its relevance and outcome. Five chapters respond to a particular aspect of this document by investigating a hermeneutical or exegetical question in order to advance the dialogue on the questions of biblical inspiration and truth. This book is intended not only for Catholic seminary and university professors and students but also Protestant scholars and students, as well as catechized lay people of all Christian denominations. Luis Sánchez-Navarro, DCJM, writes on the importance of understanding the relationship between revelation, biblical inspiration, and truth for both biblical interpretation and for Christian living. Michael K. Magee provides a critical analysis of the PBC document by situating it within the recent history of the Church’s attempts to clarify the theology of biblical inspiration and truth. Matthew C. Genung studies Exodus 19 in its context, showing that the Bible itself indicates that its nature as emended Scripture pertains to its inspired character. Anthony Pagliarini writes about the Book of Ezekiel as inspired Scripture given the non-fulfillment of Ezekiel’s prophetic vision of the restored Temple. Aaron Pidel, SJ, analyzes Joseph Ratzinger’s writings on hermeneutics and biblical theology, to propose a reliable methodology for determining the historicity of conflicting biblical reports. Marcin Kowalski, analyzing 1 Corinthians 11:2–16, addresses the question of the inspired character of a text at variance with changing gender roles in society. Kelly Anderson evaluates biblical texts depicting an inner-trinitarian dialogue in order to shed light on the relationship of inspired Scripture to the eternal dialogue of God.

The Inspiration and Truth of Scripture: Do They Still Matter?

The Word of Truth, Sealed by the Spirit. Perspectives on the Inspiration and Truth of Sacred Scripture , 2022

The paper regards the basic question whether or not the topic of the PCB 2014 Document is even relevant. It considers the story of the Church's teaching on the question of inspiration and truth treated in magisterial and theological doicuments leading up to the Second Vatican Council. He investigates further whether the inspired character of Scriptures affects the way one goes about interpreting them. The author proposes that the relationship between revelation, biblical inspiration, and truth is not only the fundamental question which the interpreter of Scripture must face, it is also the basic question that needs to be addressed in order to understand how the Bible is relevant to the life of the Christian today.

The Inspiration, Authority and Inerrancy of Scripture in the History of Christian Thought

This article traces attitudes towards the Bible amongst leading Christian thinkers from the early church to the present, showing that (with some change in how the concepts have been understood) the church has generally affirmed the Bible's inspiration, authority and inerrancy ever since the formation of the New Testament canon. Organized into four major time periods, the article should be a valuable resource for all who wish to uphold the Bible's credibility.