Can I Trust the Bible?Sample

Authority: Scripture as God-Breathed

The Bible claims to be divinely inspired. The Greek word used by Paul in 2 Timothy 3:16-17 means literally, God-breathed (theopneustos). This means that even though humans wrote them, the words of Scripture are imbued with God’s truth and power.

In today’s reading from 2 Peter, we see this emphasized. Peter speaks of Scripture not as the production of our human will, but the result of people moved by the Holy Spirit. This divine inspiration means that the Bible carries authority beyond human opinion.

An example of this comes in Mark 12, when Jesus, quoting from Psalm 110, says that King David made his declaration “in the Holy Spirit.” It’s a beautiful thing to see how God partners with human beings to deliver His word. David is a unique individual. His particular voice matters. And yet God chooses to use David to express Himself. The human writer becomes the vessel for God’s own voice.

This same belief is the reason why Paul affirms in his letter to Timothy that all Scripture is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting, and training in righteousness. It is only on the basis that the Bible is God’s Word, and not just our own, that Paul could claim it is useful for such things.

Of course, some may choose not to believe this claim. But it is important to recognize that the inspiration of Scripture is the only stance the Bible presents. Scripture itself does not permit us to treat it as merely another human text. Instead, it asserts itself as the unique Word of God to His people, bearing His special revelation.

As we explore more of the historical development of Scripture, ask yourself, do I have confidence that God has safeguarded His Word through human authors? Do you view Scripture as God’s direct communication to us? How does this impact your trust in it? Lastly, what do you think the significance is of God choosing to work through fallen people to bring about Holy Scripture?