| Author | Message | ||
| Eternal_joy Registered user Username: Eternal_joy Post Number: 20 Registered: 9-2012 |
I'm having a conversation with an SDA about the doctrine of biblical inerrancy. She did some research and said that there were several different views of inspiration and asked which one I believed in. After doing my own research, I told her that I believe in plenary verbal inspiration. She is now saying that I am on "dangerous ground" for teaching this view as the correct view of inspiration. Are there other views of inspiration that are considered orthodox besides plenary verbal? | ||
| Philharris Registered user Username: Philharris Post Number: 2821 Registered: 5-2007  |
'Plenary verbal inspiration' is the only possible concept of inspiration that doesn’t limit who God is. Just because there are things we don't understand doesn't mean it is false and any less inspired. Like Job or any of the Saints mentioned in Hebrews 11, we live by faith without knowing answers to the mysteries of God and what God does. We attribute 'plenary verbal inspiration' to the original autographs which have been faithfully reproduced through the protective oversight of the Holy Spirit for our understanding. While not all scripture was written to all people, all people can be edified and have their faith built up by knowing all scripture. Newer scripture expands upon without contradicting the older. PS I had an uncle (an ex-sda brother of my mother) who had bitterly rejected Adventism along with anything Christian or godly. I copied several examples from a book of his that he claimed proved the bible was false. The research that I did showed they were all without logic. This piqued my interest so I decided to do some ‘reconnaissance’ and entered into 'the enemy camp' to spy out their beliefs concerning the bible. What I did was locate all the known objections to God and Scripture that I could find and turn that into a bible study. The result was an awesome affirmation of my faith. Now, all I ever question is my own understanding of God’s inspired written word. It is me and not God who limits my understanding. Phil | ||
| Colleentinker Registered user Username: Colleentinker Post Number: 14215 Registered: 12-2003  |
Oh, Phil--that is such an excellent and affirming post! Eternal_Joy, Adventists love to twist the orthodox understanding of inspiration by mockingly saying we believe in "automatic writing". This accusation is nonsense and insulting. In fact, the inspiration of the Bible is completely the work of God's Spirit as He inspired the writers—without depriving the writers of their unique "voice". The best way to understand this miracle is that it is similar to the hypostatic union of God and man in the person of the Lord Jesus. He is fully God, fully man—and we simply cannot explain that mystery. Scripture was written in a similarly miraculous way. God inspired every jot and tittle of Scripture, and the men who wrote it understood the words they were writing and were inspired by the Spirit to write in their own voice. I love how Phil explained his own experience and conclusion. I agree with him: "Now, all I ever question is my own understanding of God's inspired written word. It is me and not God who limits my understanding." Those are profound words, Phil. Colleen |
