The document discusses biblical inspiration and inerrancy. It defines inerrancy as the view that the Bible is completely true without any errors. It outlines four views of the word of God: the liberal view sees the Bible as containing human religious experiences; the neo-orthodox view sees it as a divine-human combination; the limited inerrancy view distinguishes God's words from man's; and the evangelical view sees the Bible as entirely God's word through human authors. The document argues that Jesus viewed the Scriptures as completely authoritative and without error.

1. ● “All Scripture is given by
inspiration of God and is
PROFITABLE for
doctrine, for reproof, for
correction, for instruction
in righteousness,”
(2 Timothy 3:16)
Bible Inspiration and Inerrancy

2. Can the Bible be Trusted?
A Study of Biblical
Inerrancy and
Inspiration

3. Inerrancy
● Defined:
– “The Bible is wholly true (true in whole and in part),
without error in everything that is affirmed (not just
“spiritual” or “redemptive” truth).

4. Four Views of the Word of God
1. Liberal View
2. Neo-Orthodox View
3. Limited Inerrancy View
4. Evangelical View

5. Liberal View
● The Bible is man’s word about God and other
religious matters. It contains experiences and
stories of pious men and can be described as a
collection of religious experiences and insights.

6. Neo-Orthodox View
● The Bible becomes the Word of God. It is a
record of man’s encounters with God and is a
combination of divine truth and human error. It
is an imperfect but unique book which God
uses as a means to encounter man. The Bible
becomes God’s Word to an individual as he or
she experiences its reality in his or her life.

7. Limited Inerrancy View
● The Bible is the Word of God and the word of
man. The parts which concern salvation, faith
and practice are God’s words. Those parts
which speak to culture, science and history are
man’s words. It is left to the individual to decide
which are God’s words and which are merely
man’s opinions.

8. Evangelical View
● The Bible is the Word of God. God is the
author of the whole Bible. It is inspired by Him
but written through human agents. It is true in
every area in which it speaks regardless of
man’s response to it. It is the Word of God
written in the words of men (100% God and
100% man).

9. The Analogy of Christ and Scripture
● Similarities:
– Both are divine as well as human.
– In both the divine and human are united in one
medium.
● Two natures of Christ are united in the same person.
● Two natures of Scripture are united in the same
propositions. So the Bible is a theanthropic book as Christ
is a theanthropic person.
– In both, the human side is without error.
– Both are the word of God.

10. The Word of God:
Two living Revelations
Living Incarnate Word Living written word
Jesus Christ The Bible
Human Parents
Holy Spirit Overshadowing
Human Authors
Holy Spirit Superintending
Without Sin Without Error

11. Biblical Descriptions of Inspiration
● Paul’s view of the Bible:
– 2 Timothy 3:16 16All Scripture is given by inspiration of
God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for
correction, for instruction in righteousness,
● Inspiration is “theopnuestos” (God-breathed).

12. Biblical Descriptions of Inspiration
Continued . . .
● Peter’s view of the Bible:
– 2 Peter 1:20-21 (20knowing this first, that no prophecy
of Scripture is of any private interpretation, 21for prophecy
never came by the will of man, but holy men of God
spoke as they were moved by the Holy Spirit.)
“Moved” means, “carried along.”

13. Jesus and the Scriptures
(adapted from John Wenham, Christ and the Bible (Downer’s
Grove, Illinois: Intervarsity Press, 1972)
● Jesus consistently treated the historical narratives
of the Old Testament as straightforward records of
fact.
● Jesus often chose as the basis of his teaching
those very stories that many modern skeptics find
unacceptable (e.g., Adam and Eve, Noah’s flood,
Sodom and Gomorrah, and Jonah).
● For Jesus, Scripture was the final court of appeal in
his disputes with the Pharisees and Sadducees.
● Jesus taught that Scripture could not pass away
(Matt. 5:17-18) or be broken (John 10:35).

14. Jesus and the Scriptures, continued
. . .
● Jesus’ view of the Bible:
– Matthew 5:17-18 (17“Do not think that I came to destroy
the Law or the Prophets. I did not come to destroy but to
fulfill. 18“For assuredly, I say to you, till heaven and earth
pass away, one jot or one tittle will by no means pass from
the law till all is fulfilled.)
– John 10:35 35“If He called them gods, to whom the word
of God came (and the Scripture cannot be broken),

15. An Argument defending biblical
reliability with respect to Jesus
● Premise A: The Bible is basically reliable and
historically trustworthy.
● Premise B: On the basis of this document, the evidence
shows that Jesus claimed to be the Son of God and
offered adequate evidence to prove it.
● Premise C: As the Son of God, Jesus is a completely
trustworthy authority.
● Premise D: Jesus taught that Scripture is the Word of
God and completely trustworthy.

16. Conclusion
● On the basis of Christ’s authority, Christians
accept the Bible as utterly trustworthy.

17. Psalm 19:7-11
7 the law of the lord is perfect, converting the soul;
The testimony of the lord is sure, making wise the simple;
8 the statutes of the lord are right, rejoicing the heart;
The commandment of the lord is pure, enlightening the
eyes;
9 the fear of the lord is clean, enduring forever;
The judgments of the lord are true and righteous altogether.
10 more to be desired are they than gold,
Yea, than much fine gold;
Sweeter also than honey and the honeycomb.
11. Moreover by them your servant is warned,
And in keeping them there is great reward.

18. Application
● Memory Verse
– Psalm 12:6 (6The words of the Lord are pure
words, Like silver tried in a furnace of
Earth, purified seven times.)

19. Don’t just read it … be a doer of the
word!
● James 1:22, “Be doers of the word, and not
hearers only, deceiving yourselves.”
● Ask S.P.A.C.E.P.E.T.S. Questions:

20. S.P.A.C.E.P.E.T.S.
● Is there a Sin to confess?
● Is there a Promise to claim?
● Is there an Attitude to change?
● Is there a Command to obey?
● Is there an Example to follow?
● Is there a Prayer to pray?
● Is there an Error to correct?
● Is there a Truth to follow?
● Is there Something to thank God for?

21. Take time (or make time). . .
. . . to
read the
Word!!