We're all going to hell....
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scylis
Assassin/Subtlety Spec'd
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you know, i don't think they have sex in heaven, Todd.. i think there everybody just feels so much pleasure just standing around in their bright white togas that sex ain't needed.. if it exists, that is..
so we're gonna grab your ass and bring it down where the fun is!! but we're gonna hafta lighten the place up.. though i'm all for lots of fire (i'm a severe pyro), running all those furnaces runs up the electrical and/or gas bill.. i think a friend of mine and i can work on that.. she's studying to be an interior designer (not decorater, so we'll need some help there)...
*goes to hell for a little bit to see what will be needed*
i'm thinking.................................................................................................................pastels..
so we're gonna grab your ass and bring it down where the fun is!! but we're gonna hafta lighten the place up.. though i'm all for lots of fire (i'm a severe pyro), running all those furnaces runs up the electrical and/or gas bill.. i think a friend of mine and i can work on that.. she's studying to be an interior designer (not decorater, so we'll need some help there)...
*goes to hell for a little bit to see what will be needed*
i'm thinking.................................................................................................................pastels..
LittleRedDevil
Literotica Guru
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scylis said:
Don't you dare bring pastels into MY hell! There will only be bright, bold colors and lots of naked people.
Nobody Special's wife
Just Peeking
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Well Shit
I have been there done that ...But for some reason I got kicked out ...I tried to take over ~sigh~
I have been there done that ...But for some reason I got kicked out ...I tried to take over ~sigh~
Ask For More
Mystery Man
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hey...i'm the thread starter, i am the king of the theoretical castle!
*waaaaaaaah*
*waaaaaaaah*
LittleRedDevil
Literotica Guru
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You still can't have hell, it belongs to me! 
Ask For More
Mystery Man
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I'll fight you for it! *brandishing fork* En garde!
Neale
Old school bastich
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Got your back, AskForMore!
*pauses. looks around at the gathered grrly goodness.. counts our side, 1, 2... counts their side, 1,2,abunch.... abandons the former ruler of Hell, and begs for position as the boytoy to the new Queens of Hell!*
Sorry, AFM, but you are outnumbered, outclassed, and so very out of your mind to go up against these Ladies... Just step away from the throne and maybe they'll let you keep your... uh, 'scepter' and 'jewels' intact.
*pauses. looks around at the gathered grrly goodness.. counts our side, 1, 2... counts their side, 1,2,abunch.... abandons the former ruler of Hell, and begs for position as the boytoy to the new Queens of Hell!*
Sorry, AFM, but you are outnumbered, outclassed, and so very out of your mind to go up against these Ladies...
Just step away from the throne and maybe they'll let you keep your... uh, 'scepter' and 'jewels' intact.
april-wine
Deviant Lesbo!
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that would be just like Him....to pull that switch....hmmmm gonna be thinking about this all day ackkkkkkkkkkkk........
indyweasel
Roadkill
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Isolde said:
I propose a naked jello wrestling match to decide the ruler of hell!
Otherwise I want on that throne!
Or is it that I just want to be pinned in some jello with naked ladies?
SpectreT
Knight in Tarnished Armor
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Ah, the Bible....
Frequently misquoted, scarcely understood, and now a mere scattering of religious writings culled from a far larger set of understandings about God and our place in things. The council reasponsible left in some truly grating works.
Thanks to Deuteronomy, Leviticus and Genesis, for my lusts and sexual interests alone I am condemned to Hell. No reprieve, no parole and no way out of it, since I cannot repent for following my nature. Oh, I can apologise to God, ask him to forgive me, but that's useless, since it wouldn't be true in my heart. I have a certain reverence for God, wether you call him Yaweh, God, or Allah. (I think I got that right, in historical order) And the teachings to be found in that collection of books on how to live a just and moral life are good. I can, however live without the various and sundry laws laid down nearly FIVE THOUSAND years ago by a particularly fanatical desert tribe whose strict laws and taboos thoroughly baffle me. When you remember that The Gospel According to Saint Luke, the oldest of the books in the "new" Testament, was FIRST written over FOUR HUNDRED years after the death of the Christ (Ieshua ben Iousef) (also suspect, since both the Romans and the Hebrews kept fanatical records, yet not one shed of evidence has been put forward to the general public about a Jewish carpenter-turned religious rabble-rouser being accused of and crucified for sedition), one must wonder if the even "words of Christ" are close to accurate, leave alone the "laws of God" set forth nearly three thousand years before...
Just my two bits' worth...
[Edited by SpectreT on 05-02-2001 at 07:21 AM]
Frequently misquoted, scarcely understood, and now a mere scattering of religious writings culled from a far larger set of understandings about God and our place in things. The council reasponsible left in some truly grating works.
Thanks to Deuteronomy, Leviticus and Genesis, for my lusts and sexual interests alone I am condemned to Hell. No reprieve, no parole and no way out of it, since I cannot repent for following my nature. Oh, I can apologise to God, ask him to forgive me, but that's useless, since it wouldn't be true in my heart. I have a certain reverence for God, wether you call him Yaweh, God, or Allah. (I think I got that right, in historical order) And the teachings to be found in that collection of books on how to live a just and moral life are good. I can, however live without the various and sundry laws laid down nearly FIVE THOUSAND years ago by a particularly fanatical desert tribe whose strict laws and taboos thoroughly baffle me. When you remember that The Gospel According to Saint Luke, the oldest of the books in the "new" Testament, was FIRST written over FOUR HUNDRED years after the death of the Christ (Ieshua ben Iousef) (also suspect, since both the Romans and the Hebrews kept fanatical records, yet not one shed of evidence has been put forward to the general public about a Jewish carpenter-turned religious rabble-rouser being accused of and crucified for sedition), one must wonder if the even "words of Christ" are close to accurate, leave alone the "laws of God" set forth nearly three thousand years before...
Just my two bits' worth...
[Edited by SpectreT on 05-02-2001 at 07:21 AM]
indyweasel
Roadkill
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Hey Dill..
How about a tag team match me and you against LRD and Isolde?
I figure even if they pin us to the mat and we lose, we still won.
How about a tag team match me and you against LRD and Isolde?
I figure even if they pin us to the mat and we lose, we still won.
Ask For More
Mystery Man
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indyweasel said:
Sounds good to me
To correct some greivous errors concerning the Bible
This is from My Former Site and a new site yet to be rebuilt:
I. Definition and Introduction
God's Word is a Necessity:
"Man's intellectual and moral nature requires it, in order to preserve it from constant deterioration, and to ensure its moral growth and progress, an authoritative and helpful revelation of religious truth of a higher and completer sort than any to which in its present state of sin, it can attain by the use of its unaided powers." - A.H. Strong, Systematic Theology, p.111
I. Definition and Introduction
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"Bibliology includes all the topics relating to the written revelation of God: namely, the Inspiration, Authenticity, Credibility and Canonicity of the Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments." Shedd, Dogmatic Theology, Vol. 1, p.61-62
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Bibliology may be considered as foundational to any study of Theology. To fail to grasp the fact and significance of God's authorship of the Bible is like building a house without a foundation. One's actual belief concerning the Authorship of the bible will be seen in one's lifestyle.
II. The Means of Divine Communication to Man
A. By Audible Voice
In the past God has spoken by audible voice on rare occasions. God spoke thus to Adam (Genesis 3:9), to Samuel (1 Samuel 3:4), to the disciples on the Mount of Transfiguration (Mark 9:7), and to those who witnessed the baptism of Jesus (Matthew 3:17).
B. By Prophets
God has used selected people, prophets, in time past, to relate His will and His message to man. These men spoke with authority because they were inspired. Often these messages from god were spoken orally, and then they were later recorded and preserved in written form.
C. By Urim and Thummin
The Urim and Thummin were probably two stones kept in the breast plate of the Old Testament High Priest. (Exodus 28:30; Numbers 27:21; Ezra 2:63). They may have been used somewhat as stones used in "casting lots."
D. By Lots
Lots were sometimes cast to determine the will of God, or to obtain some specific guidance for an immediate need. "Lots" were used in both Old and New Testaments. See Proverbs 16:33 and Acts 1:21-26/
E. By Dream(s)
God has caused men in the past to dream special dreams which contained a message from Himself (Genesis 20:3).
F. By Vision(s)
At specific times God granted visions to some of His special servants. These visions were usually of prophetic events relating to either near or remote future happenings. Isaiah saw a vision of the Lord in His holiness and Glory (Isaiah 6). Ezekiel saw visions of God (Ezekiel 1:1).
G. By Angels
God has used angels to relate His message to man at certain specific times. Examples may be observed in Daniel 9:20-21 and Luke 2:10-11. Scripture also shows that angels have been active in relation to animals (Numbers 22:28-33) and birds (Revelation 19:17)
H. By Theophanies & Christophanies
Prior to the incarnation of God the Son, He appeared to specific individuals as the Angel of the Lord and thus gave messages from heaven. Examples are found in Genesis 16:7-14; Exodus 3:2; II Samuel 24:16; Zechariah 1:12.
I. By Events
Specific events in history also reveal something of God. These events include creation, the flood, the changing languages of men, the incarnation and resurrection of Jesus and the history of Israel. also providence, preservation and miracles may be included under the general heading of "events."
J. By Jesus Christ
"Undebatably the incarnation of Jesus Christ was a major avenue of special revelation. He exegetes the Father (John 1:18), reveals the nature of God (John 114:9), the power of God (John 3:2), the wisdom of God (John 7:46), the glory of God (John 1:14), the life of God (I John 1:1-3), and the love of God (Romans 5:8). Our Lord did all this by both His acts (John 2:11) and His words (Matthew 16:17). Charles Ryrie, Basic Theology, p. 64.
K. By the Bible
The Bible is completed revelation (I Corinthians 13:10; Hebrews 1:1-2). it is thorough, accurate, reliable and sufficient for godly living (Psalms 119:11. It is able to make us wise unto salvation (II Timothy 3:15). Through it God has revealed the past, the future and His directives for the present.
III. A. Inspiration 1. Defined
Defined:
"...the work of the Holy spirit of God in causing the writers of the Scriptures to give forth the Word of God without error. The writers were inspired in the sense that the Holy Spirit worked through them. The writings are inspired in the sense that they are the product of the work of the Holy Spirit through the writers." J Oliver Buswell, A systematic Theology of the Christian Religion, Vol. 1, p. 184
"...that supernatural influence of the Holy Spirit upon the Scripture writers which rendered their writing an accurate record of the revelation or which resulted in what they wrote actually being the Word of God." Millard Erickson, Christian Theology, p. 199
"By 'Inspiration' we mean the actuating energy of the holy spirit through which holy men were qualified to receive religious truth, and to communicate it to others without error." H. Orton Wiley, Christian Theology, Vol. 1, p. 169
"...is the determining influence exercised by the Holy Spirit on the writers of the Old and New Testaments in order that they might proclaim and set down in an exact and authentic way the message as receive from God. This influence guided them even to the extent of their use of words, that they might be kept from all error and omission...A like inspiration was granted to the sacred writers in regard to events or facts already known by them without special revelation, that their accounts of them might be that which God willed." René Pache, The Inspiration & authority of Scripture, p. 45
"...God superintended the human authors of the Bible so that they composed and recorded without error His message to mankind in the words of their original writings." Charles Ryrie, Basic Theology, p. 71
Preservation of Scripture
God has provided the Scriptures and has committed Himself to preserve the Scriptures. This promise may be seen in numerous references including Psalms 100:5; 111:7,8; Isaiah 40:8; Matthew 24:35; Mark 13:31; I Peter 1:23. those who try to tamper with the Bible reveal themselves to be frauds.
III. A. Inspiration 2. The Fact of Inspiration
From the beginning the Bible assumes inspiration, and frequently claims inspiration. Over 3,800 claims, "thus saith the Lord," (or similar) are found in the Old Testament. One may examine claims of inspiration found in the New Testament:
"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." (I Corinthians 2:13)
All Scripture is given by inspiration (qeopuestoV: "god-breathed, breathed into by God, inspired). The Rabbinical teaching was that the Spirit of God rested on an in the prophets and spoke through them so that their words did not come from themselves but from the mouth of God and they spoke and wrote in the Holy Spirit. The early church was in entire agreement with this view." - Linguistic Key to the Greek New Testament) of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, and instruction (or "discipline") in righteousness." (II timothy 3:16)
"Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scriptures is of private interpretation. For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spoke as they were moved (feromeuoi "to be carried, to be borne along. The word was used of a ship carried along by the wind [Acts 27:15,17] and the metaphor here is that the prophets raised their sails and the Holy spirit filled them and carried their craft along in the direction He wished." - Linguistic Key to the Greek New Testament) by the Holy Ghost." (II Peter 1:20,21)
Other such statements may be noted from both Old and New Testaments: Jeremiah 30:4; Isaiah 3:1; II Samuel 23:2; II Peter 3:16. There is uniform, internal testimony to inspiration found in the Bible. ***The Bible is not the type of book uninspired man would write even if he could!***
Christians are sometimes charged with circularity on this issue. This is not a valid charge as long as Christians do not use internal claims as "proof" of their convictions. In a court room, a defendant's testimony is to be heard. Perhaps this is the best way to view internal claims of inspiration. The fact of inspiration is claimed by the writers of Scripture, and cannot be denied either by internal or external sources.
III. A. Inspiration 3. Issues in Developing a Doctrine of Inspiration
a) Can or should Bible teaching on the subject of inspiration be put into formulation? The answer to this question is a "yes". Bible truth on this issue needs to be formulated in order to grasp the doctrine as a whole. Other doctrinal issues, such as the Trinity, set a model to follow.
b) Does the bible provide a basis from which a clear doctrinal position may be taken? Various answers have been given by various writers to this question. However, God has not left us to our own wisdom (or lack of it) on this vital topic. See II Timothy 3:16-17.
c) When developing a view of "inspiration" should one focus special attention on what the Bible teaches about itself on this point or should the focus of attention be on the nature and characteristics of Scripture? Both approaches will prove helpful. However, it seems best to examine the claims of Scripture, and then to explore the various other features of the sacred writings.
d) Does inspiration apply equally to all parts of Scripture, and are there varying degrees of inspiration? Were some words actually dictates while others were merely "guided?" Though God used various languages, writers and methods to supply His message to man one is not more nor less inspired that another. Inspiration applies equally to every part of scripture. Proverbs 30:5 declares, "Every word of God is pure."
e) Is it possible for man to detect "inspiration" in any writing? Some (liberals) have understood "inspired" as "inspiring." This is a serious error! The same God who gave the Word is also able to preserve it and presents it to man in a collected format. The tests for Canonicity may be applied here. The test includes:
- suitability for public reading
- acceptance by the people of god, historical testimony
- contents
- internal evidence of inspiration by God
- preservation
f) If "sources" were used by the human authors of Scripture, were those sources inspired? The answer is simply, "not necessarily." If sources were actually used they could have been used by the Holy Spirit as He used the author's personality, language and circumstances.
g) If "sources were used, does inspiration mean that they were accurate or merely accurate recording of those sources? If sources were used, inspiration does guarantee accurate recording and super intendence of the information.
h) In what way does inspiration relate to the past development and present personality of the human author? One ought never to forget that God is sovereign in His relationship with believers and non-believers. god knows and soveriegnly works in the lives of those who will become believers.
i) Were the human author of Scripture permanently inspired; were they inspired only while they occupied the office of apostle and prophet, or were they only borne along by the Holy spirit for a limited and specific task and time? The last of these three suggestions appears to best fit the facts (II Samuel 7:3-17)
j) Is the writer of written message of the writer inspired? It is difficult to separate these two points. Both may best be seen as inspired.
III. A. Inspiration 4. False Theories of Inspiration
a) The Natural or Intuition Theory...suggests that the human authors of Scripture were simply great men of vast literary ability, but were not writing with Holy Spirit guidance.
Objections:
man has literary ability, but no ability to know the range of spiritual truth presented by the bible.
man lacks the ability to write pure balanced truth...a fact evidenced in the writings of the cults.
natural or intuitive inspiration has produced both numerous and hopelessly contradictory writings.
it makes man's wisdom and ability the criteria for truth; it is utterly subjective and not objective.
it denies that God has spoken to man (which the bible claims) and quickly sinks to the level of self contradiction, and contradiction of the term "inspiration" as presented by the Bible itself.
b) Dynamic or Mystical Theory...views the Bible as written by believing men who were inspired of God but only as men may be "inspired" to write poetry, preach sermons, witness or write books today. this theory places Scripture on the same level as famous Christian literature produced down through the centuries. (This theory is also known as the Illumination of Universal theory.)
Objections: (this theory actually teaches that...)
the Bible is not infallible and may be expected to display errors and ignorance.
this theory fails to distinguish between inspiration, illumination and filling.
inspired prophets and present day preachers are not distinguished in their office.
illumination, while it is a work of the Holy spirit, does not protect from error totally, nor does it necessarily provide new or prophetic truth.
it is illogical in so far as it assures illumination may be given without the impartation of truth itself.
c) Inspired Concept Inspiration...suggests that Divine inspiration extends only to the ideas or concepts behind Scripture and not the words individually. Those who hold this view generally believe that while the concepts of Scripture are true, some of the words used to express these ideas were inaccurately chosen by human authors.
Objections:
if one changes the words of revelation, the concepts must also change. The two are not to be separated.
this makes the bible primarily a human production and opens it up for numerous "errors.'
the inspired concept theory, if followed consistently, would terminate all exegetical study.
the bible itself never simply draws attention to its basic message, but to the individual words (I Corinthians 2:13; John 6:63; 17:8; Exodus 20:1).
d) Partial Inspiration Theory...teaches that some parts of the bible are inspired while others are not. Those who advocate this theory usually insist that only the humanly unknowable parts of the Bible are inspired and that the historic and geographic parts are based on the scholarship of the human authors. This theory suggests that the intent of the Bible is inspired, but that much of the content of Scripture is uninspired.
Objections:
if the knowable facts are not trustworthy, how can one trust the unknowable statements and doctrines?
this theory makes man a judge and an authority over who draws the fine line between what is knowable and what is not knowable.
e) Degree Inspiration Theory...suggests that all the bible is inspired of God, but some parts are more inspired than others. For example, John's gospel may be considered more inspired than the book of Esther.
Objections:
this theory fails to recognize that some portions of Scripture may be more relevant to specific needs at certain times than others.
this concept of inspiration establishes man as the judge as to what is important and what is not important.
the use of this theory fails to realize the basic value of all the Scripture to our complete Christian living, and it in no way encourages a thorough study of all Scripture.
f) Barthian Inspiration Theory...advocates that revelation from God centres of Jesus, and that the rest of the Scripture is simply a witness to Him. Some parts of that witness are more valuable than others. This theory also teaches that the witness of Scripture to Jesus does contain some errors. this view is generally held by liberals who believe that the Bible becomes the Word of God when (and if) it ministers in some way to us, or "when it overpowers us."
Objections:
this renders the Bible without basic spiritual authority, which is self-claimed.
such a view gives the Bible instrumental authority, not inherent authority.
this position claims that the "witness to Jesus" does not contain errors, and thus presents a defective picture of Jesus as what we know of Him comes from Scripture.
g) Mechanical or Dictation Theory of Inspiration...proposes that God dictates each word to the various human authors as His stenographers.
Objections:
the diction and vocabulary would be that of God and not the human authors, and thus be free from any variation.
evidence of human interest and passions on the part of the human authors should be absent which is not the case.
there is no intimation within the Scripture that God dictates His revelation to man other than the giving of the law to Moses.
some information in scripture was known naturally to the human authors. God would not have to dictate what was already known. He would need only to "superintend" this information.
this theory contradicts what we know of the law of God's working in the soul. God communicated through visions, dreams, by angels, audible voice and by an animal's voice in the case of Balaam's ass.
no where does the Bible teach the mechanical dictation theory.
Scripture claims to be both the words of God and the words of men: Psalms 3; acts 26:27,28; II Peter 3:15,16; Romans 9:1-3
III. A. Inspiration 5. The Scriptural View of Inspiration
Dr. W.A. Criswell comments: "We can conclude that inspiration has three characteristics:
1) True inspiration is always plenary. It refers to the whole bible; the whole Word of God is God-breathed, 'theopneustos', plenary.
2) True inspiration is always verbal. it is the language itself. It is the words that are inspired, not just the thoughts of a man who is attempting to write down a subjective experience. There is no music or melody without notes. There is no mathematics without figures. There is no Scripture without words. If the Scripture is inspired and God-breathed, the words have to be inspired and God-breathed.
3) the inspired Word of God is not only plenary and verbal, but it is also supernatural. It is not what a man could write. 'The prophecy came not in old times out of a mans origination, but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Spirit.'"
Dr. L.S.Chafer expressed the truth of verbal and plenary inspiration as follows:
"By verbal inspiration is meant that, in the original writings, the Spirit guided in the choice of the words used. However, the human authorship was respected to the extent that the writers' characteristics are preserved and their style and vocabulary are employed, but without the intrusion of error.
By plenary inspiration is meant that the accuracy which verbal inspiration secures, is extended to every portion of the Bible so that it is in all its parts both infallible as to truth and final as to divine authorship...This teaching preserves the dual authorship in a perfect balance, ascribing to each that consideration which is accorded it in the Bible." - Systematic Theology, Vol. 1, p.71
III. B. Revelation
1. Defined: "In its theological usage, the term "revelation" is restricted to the divine act of communicating to man what otherwise man would not know." L.S. Chafer, Systematic Theology, Vol. 1, p. 48
Revelation: ...is an act of God which may involve a process in which God reveals himself and his message to His creatures. This communication could not be obtained in any other way than by God's intervention on our behalf. God's message may be understood by man in various degrees based on time, location and spiritual adaptation.
Dr. Miley wrote, "Religious truth communicated through a supernatural agency of God is a revelation. Whether the communication is by sign, or word, or immediate inspiration, the agency is equally supernatural and the communication equally a divine revelation." - Systematic Theology, Vol. 1, p. 11
"Revelation is the act by which God makes Himself know to His Creatures." Rene Pache, The Inspiration and authority of Scripture, p. 45
The noun "revelation" comes from the Greek word "apokalupsis" and implies something revealed or unveiled.
Generally "revelation" is divided into two basic divisions, general (or natural) and specific (or supernatural). General revelation is the unveiling of God through nature and history, while specific revelation includes direct acts of intervention by god through nature and history, while specific revelation includes direct acts of intervention by God in relation to man, especially in the giving of the Scriptures.
2. The Purpose of Revelation
"The purpose of Revelation is..*****, God's life, to be received and possessed by man. this practical character is marked everywhere. The 'chief end of revelation' is not philosophy, or doctrine, or enjoyment or even morality. Christianity has these, but is far more than them all. It is the religion of redemption, including salvation past, present and future...Man is to receive God's grace, recognize His will, reproduce His character, render Him service, and rejoice in His presence here and hereafter." Griffith Thomas, The Principles of Theology, p. XX
3. The Variety Within the Specific REvelation of Scripture
While the Bible is from God, it does reveal variety within the one complete Revelation. The Scriptures disclose thought which is doctrinal, practical historical, devotional and prophetic. Note the Time (1600 years approximately) and the variety (40 approximately) of human authors employed.
4. The Completeness of the Specific Revelation of Scripture
God has dogmatically instructed man not to add to His revelation in the Scriptures (Deuteronomy 4:2; 12:32; Proverbs 30:6; Revelation 22:18-19). that the Scriptures claim to be a completed revelation is seen from I Corinthians 13:10. Hebrews 1:1-2 teaches that as God has spoken (and is finished speaking) by the prophets, so he has spoken (and has finished speaking by His Son. through Christ, who is the fullness of Godhead bodily, believers are made complete (Colossians 2:9-10). thus there is no further need for added revelation to Scripture. God's truth has been given "once for all." See Jude 1:3.
5. The Progressive Nature of Revelation
God has been pleased to reveal Himself progressively in the Bible. Truth was given to Job, to Moses, to Isaiah, and to other human writes. However, that truth, though revealed in parts is totally complimentary and not contradictory. The Various parts of REvelation add light to earlier Revelation, and are to be understood in light of the total communication from God.
III. C. Illumination
Defined: Illumination may be defined simply as that ministry of God the Holy Spirit whereby He enables the believer to understand the truth of the Bible.
"In relation to the bible , the doctrine of revelation relates to the unveiling of truth in the material of the Scriptures; inspiration concerns the method by which the Holy Spirit superintended the writing of Scripture; and illumination refers to the ministry of the Spirit by shich the meaning of Scripture is made clear to the believer." - Evangelical Dictionary of Theology, p. 545
Dr. Miller Erikson writes, "...illumination by the Holy Spirit helps the scripture reader or hearer understnad the Bible and creates the conviction that it is true and is the word of God. This however, should not be regarded as a substitute for the use of hermenutical methods." Christian Theology, p. 257
This ministry of the Holy Spirit is vital to a sound grasp of the Bible because of man's inability (due to sin, and the darkened status of the human mind) to properly understand the message from God (the Bible) with a depraved mind.
Scripture references which demonstrate the truth of "illumination" include I Corinthians 2:11-12; Ephesians 1:17-18; John 14:26; I John 2:20,27.
GENERAL OBSERVATIONS CONCERNING ILLUMINATION
1. God the Holy spirit is the Illuminator.
2. Unbelievers are illuminated only in relation to salvation.
3. All Scripture is the focus of this ministry.
4. Sin in a believer's life will hinder this ministry.
5. The overall goal in illumination is to glorify Christ.
6. The Holy Spirit employs, at times, godly people in his ministry.
7. Illumination is progressive - as truth is accepted illumination grows.
8. This ministry of the Spirit also invovles the study and meditation on the believer's part.
9. Illumination is not merely related to facts; italso relates to promoting personal Christlikeness.
10. Illumination must not be confused as being direct revelation.
III. D. Inerrancy
1. Defined: "Inerrancy" is a term used to teach that the bible is without error in the original manuscripts. The Bible is without error in all fields of study including science, history, geography, morals, doctrines, etc. Inerrancy is to be applied equally to all parts of Scripture. The bible is accurate both in the recording of facts and in its statements of moral and spiritual truth.
2. Theories Concerning Inerrancy
a) Absolute Inerrancy..teaches that the Bible is fully true in all statements. Every statement is taken as absolute and exact.
b) Full Inerrancy...teaches the same view as absolute inerrancy except with regard to literal and exact reference to such things as numbers and measurements. Full inerrancy views numbers and measurements, etc. to be recorded as they were seen by the people or person involved, yet without actual error or contradiction. This is the correct and fundamental view.
c) Limited Inerrancy...teaches that the bible is fully true and accurate in all spiritual matters, but that its human authors were products of their times and education and as a result may have written scientific and historical mistakes.
d) Inerrancy of Purpose...advocates that the general purpose of the Bible is without error, but that the "facts" of the Bible may not actually be facts. This view distinguishes between inerrancy and factuality.
3. A Practical view of Inerrancy
a) Inerrancy does not teach that all the material given in analogous recording (i.e. the four gospels) must be exactly the same.
b) Inerrancy does not dismiss the use of symbols, pictures, poetry and other descriptive language.
c) Inerrancy does not demand the employment of technical language equivilant to the terminology of today.
d) Inerrancy does require us to merely relate the message of the Bible to the historical setting in which it was written.
e) Inerrancy is to be applied to the entire Bible.
f) Inerrancy does not suggest that the human authors were all knowing. Their every statement was true, without necessarily being exhaustive.
III. E. Canonicity
1. Defined: "A book is canonical if the Jewish synagogue or the Christian church recognized is as the bearer of revelation communicated by the Spirit of God." René Pache, The Inspiration and Authority of Scripture, p.159
However, Canonicity is not determined simply because the early church recognized a book as being canonical. A book was deemed canonical if it was written by an inspired man of God. Internal and external evidence would verify this especially as it agrees with the rest of Scripture. Dr. Shedd wrote, "If a book can be proved to be the genuine product of an evangelist or apostle, its canonicity is established." Dogmatic Theology, Vol. p. 141. This must always be related to the nature and contents of a book.
The word "canon" is derived from the Greek "kauou ", meaning a "measuring instrument." As it is used in connection with the New Testament, it means a rule of action. The early church used the term "canon" in reference to its various creeds, but by 450 A.D. it was used of the list of accepted books comprising the Bible.
As the inspired writings were given by God, other religious literature was being produced. Since the last Bible book was given, other writers have claimed Divine inspiration for their writings. due to this, the early church developed a series of tests concerning canonicity.
2. The Criteria for Canonicity
a) Does the book make claims of inspiration by God, and are these claims credible?
b) Does the book have acknowledgment by Jesus, an apostle or a prophet?
c) Does the book have manuscript evidence that can be traced back to its claimed author, and/or to the time setting of its contents?
d) Does the book honestly state true information? Is it factual? Is it theologically sound?
e) Does the book have acceptance by Jewish believers, and/or the church as the Word of God? Was it accepted as inspired of God by its original receivers?
f) Does the book require faith and obedience of its readers? Is there a claim of divine authority?
g) Does the book demonstrate complete harmony with recognized canonical books?
h) Does the book reveal accuracy of its prophetic statements? Are its promises true and in keeping with the rest of Scripture?
i) Does the book present a spiritual character typical of already known canonical literature?
j) Does the book present a relevant message to every generation and era of time?
k) Does the book come with the power of God...does it spiritually edify its readers?
l) Does the book have an author who was confirmed by God by supernatural power? This test is necessary to distinguish false prophets from true prophets.
This is from My Former Site and a new site yet to be rebuilt:
I. Definition and Introduction
God's Word is a Necessity:
"Man's intellectual and moral nature requires it, in order to preserve it from constant deterioration, and to ensure its moral growth and progress, an authoritative and helpful revelation of religious truth of a higher and completer sort than any to which in its present state of sin, it can attain by the use of its unaided powers." - A.H. Strong, Systematic Theology, p.111
I. Definition and Introduction
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"Bibliology includes all the topics relating to the written revelation of God: namely, the Inspiration, Authenticity, Credibility and Canonicity of the Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments." Shedd, Dogmatic Theology, Vol. 1, p.61-62
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Bibliology may be considered as foundational to any study of Theology. To fail to grasp the fact and significance of God's authorship of the Bible is like building a house without a foundation. One's actual belief concerning the Authorship of the bible will be seen in one's lifestyle.
II. The Means of Divine Communication to Man
A. By Audible Voice
In the past God has spoken by audible voice on rare occasions. God spoke thus to Adam (Genesis 3:9), to Samuel (1 Samuel 3:4), to the disciples on the Mount of Transfiguration (Mark 9:7), and to those who witnessed the baptism of Jesus (Matthew 3:17).
B. By Prophets
God has used selected people, prophets, in time past, to relate His will and His message to man. These men spoke with authority because they were inspired. Often these messages from god were spoken orally, and then they were later recorded and preserved in written form.
C. By Urim and Thummin
The Urim and Thummin were probably two stones kept in the breast plate of the Old Testament High Priest. (Exodus 28:30; Numbers 27:21; Ezra 2:63). They may have been used somewhat as stones used in "casting lots."
D. By Lots
Lots were sometimes cast to determine the will of God, or to obtain some specific guidance for an immediate need. "Lots" were used in both Old and New Testaments. See Proverbs 16:33 and Acts 1:21-26/
E. By Dream(s)
God has caused men in the past to dream special dreams which contained a message from Himself (Genesis 20:3).
F. By Vision(s)
At specific times God granted visions to some of His special servants. These visions were usually of prophetic events relating to either near or remote future happenings. Isaiah saw a vision of the Lord in His holiness and Glory (Isaiah 6). Ezekiel saw visions of God (Ezekiel 1:1).
G. By Angels
God has used angels to relate His message to man at certain specific times. Examples may be observed in Daniel 9:20-21 and Luke 2:10-11. Scripture also shows that angels have been active in relation to animals (Numbers 22:28-33) and birds (Revelation 19:17)
H. By Theophanies & Christophanies
Prior to the incarnation of God the Son, He appeared to specific individuals as the Angel of the Lord and thus gave messages from heaven. Examples are found in Genesis 16:7-14; Exodus 3:2; II Samuel 24:16; Zechariah 1:12.
I. By Events
Specific events in history also reveal something of God. These events include creation, the flood, the changing languages of men, the incarnation and resurrection of Jesus and the history of Israel. also providence, preservation and miracles may be included under the general heading of "events."
J. By Jesus Christ
"Undebatably the incarnation of Jesus Christ was a major avenue of special revelation. He exegetes the Father (John 1:18), reveals the nature of God (John 114:9), the power of God (John 3:2), the wisdom of God (John 7:46), the glory of God (John 1:14), the life of God (I John 1:1-3), and the love of God (Romans 5:8). Our Lord did all this by both His acts (John 2:11) and His words (Matthew 16:17). Charles Ryrie, Basic Theology, p. 64.
K. By the Bible
The Bible is completed revelation (I Corinthians 13:10; Hebrews 1:1-2). it is thorough, accurate, reliable and sufficient for godly living (Psalms 119:11. It is able to make us wise unto salvation (II Timothy 3:15). Through it God has revealed the past, the future and His directives for the present.
III. A. Inspiration 1. Defined
Defined:
"...the work of the Holy spirit of God in causing the writers of the Scriptures to give forth the Word of God without error. The writers were inspired in the sense that the Holy Spirit worked through them. The writings are inspired in the sense that they are the product of the work of the Holy Spirit through the writers." J Oliver Buswell, A systematic Theology of the Christian Religion, Vol. 1, p. 184
"...that supernatural influence of the Holy Spirit upon the Scripture writers which rendered their writing an accurate record of the revelation or which resulted in what they wrote actually being the Word of God." Millard Erickson, Christian Theology, p. 199
"By 'Inspiration' we mean the actuating energy of the holy spirit through which holy men were qualified to receive religious truth, and to communicate it to others without error." H. Orton Wiley, Christian Theology, Vol. 1, p. 169
"...is the determining influence exercised by the Holy Spirit on the writers of the Old and New Testaments in order that they might proclaim and set down in an exact and authentic way the message as receive from God. This influence guided them even to the extent of their use of words, that they might be kept from all error and omission...A like inspiration was granted to the sacred writers in regard to events or facts already known by them without special revelation, that their accounts of them might be that which God willed." René Pache, The Inspiration & authority of Scripture, p. 45
"...God superintended the human authors of the Bible so that they composed and recorded without error His message to mankind in the words of their original writings." Charles Ryrie, Basic Theology, p. 71
Preservation of Scripture
God has provided the Scriptures and has committed Himself to preserve the Scriptures. This promise may be seen in numerous references including Psalms 100:5; 111:7,8; Isaiah 40:8; Matthew 24:35; Mark 13:31; I Peter 1:23. those who try to tamper with the Bible reveal themselves to be frauds.
III. A. Inspiration 2. The Fact of Inspiration
From the beginning the Bible assumes inspiration, and frequently claims inspiration. Over 3,800 claims, "thus saith the Lord," (or similar) are found in the Old Testament. One may examine claims of inspiration found in the New Testament:
"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." (I Corinthians 2:13)
All Scripture is given by inspiration (qeopuestoV: "god-breathed, breathed into by God, inspired). The Rabbinical teaching was that the Spirit of God rested on an in the prophets and spoke through them so that their words did not come from themselves but from the mouth of God and they spoke and wrote in the Holy Spirit. The early church was in entire agreement with this view." - Linguistic Key to the Greek New Testament) of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, and instruction (or "discipline") in righteousness." (II timothy 3:16)
"Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scriptures is of private interpretation. For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spoke as they were moved (feromeuoi "to be carried, to be borne along. The word was used of a ship carried along by the wind [Acts 27:15,17] and the metaphor here is that the prophets raised their sails and the Holy spirit filled them and carried their craft along in the direction He wished." - Linguistic Key to the Greek New Testament) by the Holy Ghost." (II Peter 1:20,21)
Other such statements may be noted from both Old and New Testaments: Jeremiah 30:4; Isaiah 3:1; II Samuel 23:2; II Peter 3:16. There is uniform, internal testimony to inspiration found in the Bible. ***The Bible is not the type of book uninspired man would write even if he could!***
Christians are sometimes charged with circularity on this issue. This is not a valid charge as long as Christians do not use internal claims as "proof" of their convictions. In a court room, a defendant's testimony is to be heard. Perhaps this is the best way to view internal claims of inspiration. The fact of inspiration is claimed by the writers of Scripture, and cannot be denied either by internal or external sources.
III. A. Inspiration 3. Issues in Developing a Doctrine of Inspiration
a) Can or should Bible teaching on the subject of inspiration be put into formulation? The answer to this question is a "yes". Bible truth on this issue needs to be formulated in order to grasp the doctrine as a whole. Other doctrinal issues, such as the Trinity, set a model to follow.
b) Does the bible provide a basis from which a clear doctrinal position may be taken? Various answers have been given by various writers to this question. However, God has not left us to our own wisdom (or lack of it) on this vital topic. See II Timothy 3:16-17.
c) When developing a view of "inspiration" should one focus special attention on what the Bible teaches about itself on this point or should the focus of attention be on the nature and characteristics of Scripture? Both approaches will prove helpful. However, it seems best to examine the claims of Scripture, and then to explore the various other features of the sacred writings.
d) Does inspiration apply equally to all parts of Scripture, and are there varying degrees of inspiration? Were some words actually dictates while others were merely "guided?" Though God used various languages, writers and methods to supply His message to man one is not more nor less inspired that another. Inspiration applies equally to every part of scripture. Proverbs 30:5 declares, "Every word of God is pure."
e) Is it possible for man to detect "inspiration" in any writing? Some (liberals) have understood "inspired" as "inspiring." This is a serious error! The same God who gave the Word is also able to preserve it and presents it to man in a collected format. The tests for Canonicity may be applied here. The test includes:
- suitability for public reading
- acceptance by the people of god, historical testimony
- contents
- internal evidence of inspiration by God
- preservation
f) If "sources" were used by the human authors of Scripture, were those sources inspired? The answer is simply, "not necessarily." If sources were actually used they could have been used by the Holy Spirit as He used the author's personality, language and circumstances.
g) If "sources were used, does inspiration mean that they were accurate or merely accurate recording of those sources? If sources were used, inspiration does guarantee accurate recording and super intendence of the information.
h) In what way does inspiration relate to the past development and present personality of the human author? One ought never to forget that God is sovereign in His relationship with believers and non-believers. god knows and soveriegnly works in the lives of those who will become believers.
i) Were the human author of Scripture permanently inspired; were they inspired only while they occupied the office of apostle and prophet, or were they only borne along by the Holy spirit for a limited and specific task and time? The last of these three suggestions appears to best fit the facts (II Samuel 7:3-17)
j) Is the writer of written message of the writer inspired? It is difficult to separate these two points. Both may best be seen as inspired.
III. A. Inspiration 4. False Theories of Inspiration
a) The Natural or Intuition Theory...suggests that the human authors of Scripture were simply great men of vast literary ability, but were not writing with Holy Spirit guidance.
Objections:
man has literary ability, but no ability to know the range of spiritual truth presented by the bible.
man lacks the ability to write pure balanced truth...a fact evidenced in the writings of the cults.
natural or intuitive inspiration has produced both numerous and hopelessly contradictory writings.
it makes man's wisdom and ability the criteria for truth; it is utterly subjective and not objective.
it denies that God has spoken to man (which the bible claims) and quickly sinks to the level of self contradiction, and contradiction of the term "inspiration" as presented by the Bible itself.
b) Dynamic or Mystical Theory...views the Bible as written by believing men who were inspired of God but only as men may be "inspired" to write poetry, preach sermons, witness or write books today. this theory places Scripture on the same level as famous Christian literature produced down through the centuries. (This theory is also known as the Illumination of Universal theory.)
Objections: (this theory actually teaches that...)
the Bible is not infallible and may be expected to display errors and ignorance.
this theory fails to distinguish between inspiration, illumination and filling.
inspired prophets and present day preachers are not distinguished in their office.
illumination, while it is a work of the Holy spirit, does not protect from error totally, nor does it necessarily provide new or prophetic truth.
it is illogical in so far as it assures illumination may be given without the impartation of truth itself.
c) Inspired Concept Inspiration...suggests that Divine inspiration extends only to the ideas or concepts behind Scripture and not the words individually. Those who hold this view generally believe that while the concepts of Scripture are true, some of the words used to express these ideas were inaccurately chosen by human authors.
Objections:
if one changes the words of revelation, the concepts must also change. The two are not to be separated.
this makes the bible primarily a human production and opens it up for numerous "errors.'
the inspired concept theory, if followed consistently, would terminate all exegetical study.
the bible itself never simply draws attention to its basic message, but to the individual words (I Corinthians 2:13; John 6:63; 17:8; Exodus 20:1).
d) Partial Inspiration Theory...teaches that some parts of the bible are inspired while others are not. Those who advocate this theory usually insist that only the humanly unknowable parts of the Bible are inspired and that the historic and geographic parts are based on the scholarship of the human authors. This theory suggests that the intent of the Bible is inspired, but that much of the content of Scripture is uninspired.
Objections:
if the knowable facts are not trustworthy, how can one trust the unknowable statements and doctrines?
this theory makes man a judge and an authority over who draws the fine line between what is knowable and what is not knowable.
e) Degree Inspiration Theory...suggests that all the bible is inspired of God, but some parts are more inspired than others. For example, John's gospel may be considered more inspired than the book of Esther.
Objections:
this theory fails to recognize that some portions of Scripture may be more relevant to specific needs at certain times than others.
this concept of inspiration establishes man as the judge as to what is important and what is not important.
the use of this theory fails to realize the basic value of all the Scripture to our complete Christian living, and it in no way encourages a thorough study of all Scripture.
f) Barthian Inspiration Theory...advocates that revelation from God centres of Jesus, and that the rest of the Scripture is simply a witness to Him. Some parts of that witness are more valuable than others. This theory also teaches that the witness of Scripture to Jesus does contain some errors. this view is generally held by liberals who believe that the Bible becomes the Word of God when (and if) it ministers in some way to us, or "when it overpowers us."
Objections:
this renders the Bible without basic spiritual authority, which is self-claimed.
such a view gives the Bible instrumental authority, not inherent authority.
this position claims that the "witness to Jesus" does not contain errors, and thus presents a defective picture of Jesus as what we know of Him comes from Scripture.
g) Mechanical or Dictation Theory of Inspiration...proposes that God dictates each word to the various human authors as His stenographers.
Objections:
the diction and vocabulary would be that of God and not the human authors, and thus be free from any variation.
evidence of human interest and passions on the part of the human authors should be absent which is not the case.
there is no intimation within the Scripture that God dictates His revelation to man other than the giving of the law to Moses.
some information in scripture was known naturally to the human authors. God would not have to dictate what was already known. He would need only to "superintend" this information.
this theory contradicts what we know of the law of God's working in the soul. God communicated through visions, dreams, by angels, audible voice and by an animal's voice in the case of Balaam's ass.
no where does the Bible teach the mechanical dictation theory.
Scripture claims to be both the words of God and the words of men: Psalms 3; acts 26:27,28; II Peter 3:15,16; Romans 9:1-3
III. A. Inspiration 5. The Scriptural View of Inspiration
Dr. W.A. Criswell comments: "We can conclude that inspiration has three characteristics:
1) True inspiration is always plenary. It refers to the whole bible; the whole Word of God is God-breathed, 'theopneustos', plenary.
2) True inspiration is always verbal. it is the language itself. It is the words that are inspired, not just the thoughts of a man who is attempting to write down a subjective experience. There is no music or melody without notes. There is no mathematics without figures. There is no Scripture without words. If the Scripture is inspired and God-breathed, the words have to be inspired and God-breathed.
3) the inspired Word of God is not only plenary and verbal, but it is also supernatural. It is not what a man could write. 'The prophecy came not in old times out of a mans origination, but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Spirit.'"
Dr. L.S.Chafer expressed the truth of verbal and plenary inspiration as follows:
"By verbal inspiration is meant that, in the original writings, the Spirit guided in the choice of the words used. However, the human authorship was respected to the extent that the writers' characteristics are preserved and their style and vocabulary are employed, but without the intrusion of error.
By plenary inspiration is meant that the accuracy which verbal inspiration secures, is extended to every portion of the Bible so that it is in all its parts both infallible as to truth and final as to divine authorship...This teaching preserves the dual authorship in a perfect balance, ascribing to each that consideration which is accorded it in the Bible." - Systematic Theology, Vol. 1, p.71
III. B. Revelation
1. Defined: "In its theological usage, the term "revelation" is restricted to the divine act of communicating to man what otherwise man would not know." L.S. Chafer, Systematic Theology, Vol. 1, p. 48
Revelation: ...is an act of God which may involve a process in which God reveals himself and his message to His creatures. This communication could not be obtained in any other way than by God's intervention on our behalf. God's message may be understood by man in various degrees based on time, location and spiritual adaptation.
Dr. Miley wrote, "Religious truth communicated through a supernatural agency of God is a revelation. Whether the communication is by sign, or word, or immediate inspiration, the agency is equally supernatural and the communication equally a divine revelation." - Systematic Theology, Vol. 1, p. 11
"Revelation is the act by which God makes Himself know to His Creatures." Rene Pache, The Inspiration and authority of Scripture, p. 45
The noun "revelation" comes from the Greek word "apokalupsis" and implies something revealed or unveiled.
Generally "revelation" is divided into two basic divisions, general (or natural) and specific (or supernatural). General revelation is the unveiling of God through nature and history, while specific revelation includes direct acts of intervention by god through nature and history, while specific revelation includes direct acts of intervention by God in relation to man, especially in the giving of the Scriptures.
2. The Purpose of Revelation
"The purpose of Revelation is..*****, God's life, to be received and possessed by man. this practical character is marked everywhere. The 'chief end of revelation' is not philosophy, or doctrine, or enjoyment or even morality. Christianity has these, but is far more than them all. It is the religion of redemption, including salvation past, present and future...Man is to receive God's grace, recognize His will, reproduce His character, render Him service, and rejoice in His presence here and hereafter." Griffith Thomas, The Principles of Theology, p. XX
3. The Variety Within the Specific REvelation of Scripture
While the Bible is from God, it does reveal variety within the one complete Revelation. The Scriptures disclose thought which is doctrinal, practical historical, devotional and prophetic. Note the Time (1600 years approximately) and the variety (40 approximately) of human authors employed.
4. The Completeness of the Specific Revelation of Scripture
God has dogmatically instructed man not to add to His revelation in the Scriptures (Deuteronomy 4:2; 12:32; Proverbs 30:6; Revelation 22:18-19). that the Scriptures claim to be a completed revelation is seen from I Corinthians 13:10. Hebrews 1:1-2 teaches that as God has spoken (and is finished speaking) by the prophets, so he has spoken (and has finished speaking by His Son. through Christ, who is the fullness of Godhead bodily, believers are made complete (Colossians 2:9-10). thus there is no further need for added revelation to Scripture. God's truth has been given "once for all." See Jude 1:3.
5. The Progressive Nature of Revelation
God has been pleased to reveal Himself progressively in the Bible. Truth was given to Job, to Moses, to Isaiah, and to other human writes. However, that truth, though revealed in parts is totally complimentary and not contradictory. The Various parts of REvelation add light to earlier Revelation, and are to be understood in light of the total communication from God.
III. C. Illumination
Defined: Illumination may be defined simply as that ministry of God the Holy Spirit whereby He enables the believer to understand the truth of the Bible.
"In relation to the bible , the doctrine of revelation relates to the unveiling of truth in the material of the Scriptures; inspiration concerns the method by which the Holy Spirit superintended the writing of Scripture; and illumination refers to the ministry of the Spirit by shich the meaning of Scripture is made clear to the believer." - Evangelical Dictionary of Theology, p. 545
Dr. Miller Erikson writes, "...illumination by the Holy Spirit helps the scripture reader or hearer understnad the Bible and creates the conviction that it is true and is the word of God. This however, should not be regarded as a substitute for the use of hermenutical methods." Christian Theology, p. 257
This ministry of the Holy Spirit is vital to a sound grasp of the Bible because of man's inability (due to sin, and the darkened status of the human mind) to properly understand the message from God (the Bible) with a depraved mind.
Scripture references which demonstrate the truth of "illumination" include I Corinthians 2:11-12; Ephesians 1:17-18; John 14:26; I John 2:20,27.
GENERAL OBSERVATIONS CONCERNING ILLUMINATION
1. God the Holy spirit is the Illuminator.
2. Unbelievers are illuminated only in relation to salvation.
3. All Scripture is the focus of this ministry.
4. Sin in a believer's life will hinder this ministry.
5. The overall goal in illumination is to glorify Christ.
6. The Holy Spirit employs, at times, godly people in his ministry.
7. Illumination is progressive - as truth is accepted illumination grows.
8. This ministry of the Spirit also invovles the study and meditation on the believer's part.
9. Illumination is not merely related to facts; italso relates to promoting personal Christlikeness.
10. Illumination must not be confused as being direct revelation.
III. D. Inerrancy
1. Defined: "Inerrancy" is a term used to teach that the bible is without error in the original manuscripts. The Bible is without error in all fields of study including science, history, geography, morals, doctrines, etc. Inerrancy is to be applied equally to all parts of Scripture. The bible is accurate both in the recording of facts and in its statements of moral and spiritual truth.
2. Theories Concerning Inerrancy
a) Absolute Inerrancy..teaches that the Bible is fully true in all statements. Every statement is taken as absolute and exact.
b) Full Inerrancy...teaches the same view as absolute inerrancy except with regard to literal and exact reference to such things as numbers and measurements. Full inerrancy views numbers and measurements, etc. to be recorded as they were seen by the people or person involved, yet without actual error or contradiction. This is the correct and fundamental view.
c) Limited Inerrancy...teaches that the bible is fully true and accurate in all spiritual matters, but that its human authors were products of their times and education and as a result may have written scientific and historical mistakes.
d) Inerrancy of Purpose...advocates that the general purpose of the Bible is without error, but that the "facts" of the Bible may not actually be facts. This view distinguishes between inerrancy and factuality.
3. A Practical view of Inerrancy
a) Inerrancy does not teach that all the material given in analogous recording (i.e. the four gospels) must be exactly the same.
b) Inerrancy does not dismiss the use of symbols, pictures, poetry and other descriptive language.
c) Inerrancy does not demand the employment of technical language equivilant to the terminology of today.
d) Inerrancy does require us to merely relate the message of the Bible to the historical setting in which it was written.
e) Inerrancy is to be applied to the entire Bible.
f) Inerrancy does not suggest that the human authors were all knowing. Their every statement was true, without necessarily being exhaustive.
III. E. Canonicity
1. Defined: "A book is canonical if the Jewish synagogue or the Christian church recognized is as the bearer of revelation communicated by the Spirit of God." René Pache, The Inspiration and Authority of Scripture, p.159
However, Canonicity is not determined simply because the early church recognized a book as being canonical. A book was deemed canonical if it was written by an inspired man of God. Internal and external evidence would verify this especially as it agrees with the rest of Scripture. Dr. Shedd wrote, "If a book can be proved to be the genuine product of an evangelist or apostle, its canonicity is established." Dogmatic Theology, Vol. p. 141. This must always be related to the nature and contents of a book.
The word "canon" is derived from the Greek "kauou ", meaning a "measuring instrument." As it is used in connection with the New Testament, it means a rule of action. The early church used the term "canon" in reference to its various creeds, but by 450 A.D. it was used of the list of accepted books comprising the Bible.
As the inspired writings were given by God, other religious literature was being produced. Since the last Bible book was given, other writers have claimed Divine inspiration for their writings. due to this, the early church developed a series of tests concerning canonicity.
2. The Criteria for Canonicity
a) Does the book make claims of inspiration by God, and are these claims credible?
b) Does the book have acknowledgment by Jesus, an apostle or a prophet?
c) Does the book have manuscript evidence that can be traced back to its claimed author, and/or to the time setting of its contents?
d) Does the book honestly state true information? Is it factual? Is it theologically sound?
e) Does the book have acceptance by Jewish believers, and/or the church as the Word of God? Was it accepted as inspired of God by its original receivers?
f) Does the book require faith and obedience of its readers? Is there a claim of divine authority?
g) Does the book demonstrate complete harmony with recognized canonical books?
h) Does the book reveal accuracy of its prophetic statements? Are its promises true and in keeping with the rest of Scripture?
i) Does the book present a spiritual character typical of already known canonical literature?
j) Does the book present a relevant message to every generation and era of time?
k) Does the book come with the power of God...does it spiritually edify its readers?
l) Does the book have an author who was confirmed by God by supernatural power? This test is necessary to distinguish false prophets from true prophets.
bluntforcemama
Aqua Vulva
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indyweasel said:Hey Myst, how many points to I get for lusting after you??
Atleast 1 point, I would think. But it's sort of up to you.... how strong is your lust?
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Mystery Man
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*phew*
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Mystery Man
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Only if you're watching the instant replays when we kick your ass
