False Views of Inspiration

The word inspiration as used in the Bible literally means: “breathed by God” (Greek, theopneustos; Theos=“God,” pneu=“to breathe”) In 2 Timothy 3:16,17, the Apostle Paul assures Timothy that the Holy Scriptures, which he is to teach, come from God. Thus, the Scriptures are without error, authoritative, and infallible. Paul writes: All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness; that the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.

Bible Prophecy says that a rapid departure from belief in the Bible will occur in the latter days. Many will abandon the faith by seeking out other sources of guidence beside the teachings of the Bible. They will actually be following lying spirits (1 Timothy 4:1). This explains the growing interest and practice of occultism in our times. Today we are hearing of more and more Christian leaders who turning from Christ because they first turned away from the Word of God. The primary method the devil uses to persuade people to turn from the Bible is to provide a rational argument for them to reasonably doubt the true inspiration of the Scriptures. Here are some of the false views of inspiration that the devil has used to bring people to question the reliably and authority of the Scriptures.

B. Partial Inspiration: This false teaching is often found in many theological schools. It states that the Bible is only inspired in spots. The promotes the erroneous idea that the Bible contains the Word of God, but, many parts of the Bible are inaccurate. This view depends upon man to determine which parts of the Bible are true and which parts are not true. This puts man in authority over the Bible. However, the Bible itself assures us: “All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works (2 Timothy 3:16-17)

A. Natural Inspiration: The false view of natural inspiration says that the Bible was written by men who were “inspired” in the same creative way as playwrights or poets. But, the Bible says: “For the prophecy come not in old time by the will of man, but holy men of God spoke (or wrote) as they were moved by the Holy Spirit” (2 Peter 1:21)

C. Conceptual Inspiration: This view states that only the general thoughts of the Bible are inspired, but not the words themselves. Yet, the Scriptures themselves tell us that the Bible is verbally inspired. Remember that the word “inspired” means, “God-breathed.” God moved writers of the books of the Bible to set down, word for word, exactly what God wanted them to write. The Bible says: “Which things also we speak, not in the words which man’s wisdom teaches, but which the Holy Spirit teaches.” (1 Corinthians 2:13)

D. “Encounter” Inspiration: This view states that the Bible is merely a book written by men, similar to all other religious books. This idea is from a form of theology which is called Neo-orthodoxy (new-orthodoxy). This view promotes the idea that the Scriptures of the Bible only becomes the Word of God when we encounter it as God’s Word to and for me. This makes inspiration subjective and experiential. In other words, what is God’s Word for me as I encounter it, is not necessarily God’s Word for someone else. Yet, Jesus stated clearly that every word of Scripture is truth: I have given them Your Word…Sanctify them through Your truth. Your Word is truth.”

The Scriptures clearly teach that they have been written by the inspiration of the Holy Spirit by the instrumentality of the Bible’s writers. Second Peter 1:21 assures us that the Holy Spirit is the true author of the books of the Bible: “For no prophecy was ever made by an act of human will, but men moved by the Holy Spirit spoke from God.”

Today there are countless numbers of so called Bible teachers, or spiritual leaders, who are compromising the truth of Scripture or who have abandoned the Bible altogether.

People are swarming to these teachers because they want only what makes them feel good about themselves in their sinful lifestyles and rebellious attitudes toward the holiness of God. They want to be able to laugh at funny stories and be entertained by the fair speeches of preachers who are “making merchandise” (2 Peter 2:3) of people’s souls.

As the Bible has predicted for the end times, evil spirits are flooding the world in these days telling the masses that there are many ways to get to heaven other than by Jesus Christ alone. Growing numbers love to hear from leaders of non Christian religions that they also can show them a way to eternal life. Yet, the Bible is clear that that there is no other way than by personal faith in the Lord Jesus Christ through His death on the cross, and His resurrection from the dead. Jesus stated plainly: “I am the way, the truth and the life; no one cometh unto the Father but by me.” (John 14:6)

Are you trusting in Christ alone and getting to know Him through His Word the Bible? Next time, we will look at the Bible’s teaching about God Himself.