An Inspired Bible Apart From
Inspired Words is an Absurdity
"Which things also we speak, not in the words which man's wisdom teacheth, but which the Holy Ghost teacheth; comparing spiritual things with spiritual." 1 Cor 2:13
Take away the words, and nothing
is left except blank paper and a cover. Any sort of inspiration must have to do
with words.
The doctrine of a verbally inspired Bible does not take away the free agency of its writers.
Illus. Goal of Christian is to be completely controlled by the Holy Spirit. (This control covers thoughts, words, deeds.) If this means loss of free agency, then we are striving to be mere machines.
A. J. Gordon: "To deny that the Holy Spirit speaks in Scripture is an intelligible proposition; but to admit that He speaks, but deny that we have His words (is unsound?). It is impossible for us to know what He says except as we have His words."
Observations:
The doctrine of verbal
inspiration has been criticized on the ground that it is mechanical, reducing
the writers to mere machines, and leaves no room for free agency.
Answer:
Unfair - Reveals ignorance of the thing criticized, and of free
agency. But even if true, the accuracy of God's revelation is worth more than
the free agency of a few men.The doctrine of a verbally inspired Bible does not take away the free agency of its writers.
Illus. Goal of Christian is to be completely controlled by the Holy Spirit. (This control covers thoughts, words, deeds.) If this means loss of free agency, then we are striving to be mere machines.
-
A free agent is a man who acts as he pleases.
- A Spirit-controlled man pleases to act in accordance with the Spirit. cf. Phil. 2:12-13
A. J. Gordon: "To deny that the Holy Spirit speaks in Scripture is an intelligible proposition; but to admit that He speaks, but deny that we have His words (is unsound?). It is impossible for us to know what He says except as we have His words."
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