The "inspired Word of God"

[His son]

Here are some you might be able to use.

Ps 138:2

2 I will worship toward thy holy temple, and praise thy name for thy lovingkindness and for thy truth: for thou hast magnified thy word above all thy name.

(KJV)

Prov 30:5

5 Every word of God is pure: he is a shield unto them that put their trust in him.

(KJV)

Isa 34:16

16 Seek ye out of the book of the LORD, and read: no one of these shall fail, none shall want her mate: for my mouth it hath commanded, and his spirit it hath gathered them.

(KJV)

Luke 16:17

17 And it is easier for heaven and earth to pass, than one tittle of the law to fail.

(KJV)

[Guest mcm42]

And I can't point to any Scripture that proves to me what I've been taught all my life - that Scripture was literally breathed into the authors by God Himself, thereby making it absolutely infallible

O.k.

Here goes... If the person you are speaking to doesn't believe the Bible is inspired, what good will it do to spout off verses? It begs the question. Now... the fact that the Bible says it's totally inspired, and therefore inerrant... we then must assess that claim.

There is more to this that I won't touch.

Also, another thing you'll run into is that Paul was writing to timothy, prior to some books being written! So should we assume that "Scriptures" refers to books not yet written?

I believe that verse is talking about the Old Testament, however I do know that there are verses that show the Apostles knew they were writing infalible material.

Lastly, the writers were not inspired, this is very important, only the original text, pen on paper if you will, is inspired. In no way were the writers inspired. I say this because Paul did not write, often he dictated, same for Isaiah and other books of the Bible. It is the text, not the people who are inspired.

But as far as verses go, in the realm of Logic, one cannot use a source that is challenged as proof that it should not be challenged.

Hope this doesn't confuse

I know it will but I hope it doesn't

[Dad Ernie]

Greetings WIP,

When Jesus was tempted in the Desert, He quoted scripture to Satan. One of the things He said was: "Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every Word that proceeds from the mouth of God."

We also have this verse which I often refer to:

Isaiah 8:20 To the law and to the testimony: if they speak not according to this word, it is because there is no light in them.

In Acts, the Bereans were thought "more honorable" and the reason is because when they heard something NEW, they ran to the scriptures to see if what was being said was so:

Acts 17:10-11 And the brethren immediately sent away Paul and Silas by night unto Berea: who coming thither went into the synagogue of the Jews. 11 These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so.

But I agree with LadyC et al, that the unspiritual cannot understand the spiritual. They will argue until they are blue in the face without a foundation upon which to stand. We have the more sure Word of God upon which we stand, and that just infuriates them all the more.

Blessings,

Dad Ernie

[Cerran]

Question: How do you explain all the different versions of the bible over the past 1500+ years that can be historically tracked? They can't all possibly be right and be the infallible word of god.

[eric]

WIP

However, I am having trouble lately with this "inspired Word of God" thing. The world says that the Bible is "just a book, written by men, and fallible". And I can't point to any Scripture that proves to me what I've been taught all my life - that Scripture was literally breathed into the authors by God Himself, thereby making it absolutely infallible.

You wont be the first one who has laboured over that part of the bible, but that's what it is, part of the bible and it is what we as christians believe. Satan, ( the world ) will always put a stumbling block in front of us, by asking us to prove something in the bible, which can catch us off guard so as to sow seeds of doubt into our minds, which sometimes, sends us to other sources to find some sort of proof that you we right and that is when the enemy has a victory. As far as I am personally concerned I dont have to prove anything written in the bible to prove to anyone, including myself, whether it is true or not. I believe it because I experience Christ in my life every single day and it's not up to me to prove anything, it's up to the world to prove me wrong. I believe the bible in it's entirety and I dont have to read any other authors just to confirm God's word. If I'm a bit confused on the translation of a verse or two, there's some pretty knowledgeable people on this board who I can call on.

Can I prove that God created the heavens and the earth, Of course I cant and neither can anyone else, but by the same token no one can disprove it. You know, Jesus said it, I believe it, and that settles it.

cheers.

eric.

[jmwhalen]

Work in progress writes:

"However, I am having trouble lately with this "inspired Word of God" thing. The world says that the Bible is "just a book, written by men, and fallible". And I can't point to any Scripture that proves to me what I've been taught all my life - that Scripture was literally breathed into the authors by God Himself, thereby making it absolutely infallible.

Help? Thanks. "

_____________________________________________________________

I cannot add anything additional to what was previously posted(and very well!) re. scriptural testimony on the inspiration of the scriptures. However, re. "the world says that the Bible is 'just a book, written by men,and fallible'", consider the following:

The common objection to the notion of biblical inspiration is much like you stated, following along these lines, that is, scripture was only written by men, containing human ideas, and all human ideas are fallible/flawed. Therefore, the scripture/Bible is flawed.

Pose this statement to the next person who says this(maybe a Jesus Seminar member!)-If all human ideas are fallible/flawed, then the idea that all human ideas are flawed is also a flawed idea. This is what is known as a "self destructing" argument, or an argument that "commits suicide". Those who use this argument have "sawn off the branch they are sitting on"! This is just another example of "self-refuting" arguments. I have posted a few on this board, but I thought I would repost:

"There is no information".

Ask: How did you obtain that information?

Truth cannot be known.

Ask: Is that a true statement?, or How do you know?

There is no right or wrong.

Ask: Is that right?

Science is the only sound method of discovering truth.

Ask: And what scientific experiment revealed this truth to you?

I create my own reality.

Ask: Really?

There are no absolutes in this world.

Ask: Are you absolutely confident of this?

You cannot know anything for sure.

Ask :Are you sure?

I do not think you should impose your values on me.

Ask: Aren't you doing the same thing by your statement?

And on and on....!

In Christ,

John Whalen

[His son]

WIP

Here is one that could help you. A good Genesis to Revelation on the intergity will do wonders for you, and will help you tremendously in handling all who insist that they have to each on privately interpret for themselves.

Josh 23:14

14 And, behold, this day I am going the way of all the earth: and ye know in all your hearts and in all your souls, that not one thing hath failed of all the good things which the LORD your God spake concerning you; all are come to pass unto you, and not one thing hath failed thereof.

(KJV)

Quote:

Here goes... If the person you are speaking to doesn't believe the Bible is inspired, what good will it do to spout off verses? It begs the question. Now... the fact that the Bible says it's totally inspired, and therefore inerrant... we then must assess that claim.

There is more to this that I won't touch

That last statement is the wisest you make. There is not a Scripture in The Bible that tells anyone to assess God's Written Word. In fact it tells you just the opposite so your premise is total folly. Heres a couple of good Scriptures for you to meditate in until they permeate your mind totally.

Prov 3:5-8

5 Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding.

6 In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.

7 Be not wise in thine own eyes: fear the LORD, and depart from evil.

8 It shall be health to thy navel, and marrow to thy bones.

(KJV)

Isa 55:7-9

7 Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts: and let him return unto the LORD, and he will have mercy upon him; and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon.

8 For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the LORD.

9 For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts.

(KJV)

Quote:

Lastly, the writers were not inspired, this is very important, only the original text, pen on paper if you will, is inspired. In no way were the writers inspired. I say this because Paul did not write, often he dictated, same for Isaiah and other books of the Bible. It is the text, not the people who are inspired.

With This statement you are actually calling God a liar.

2 Tim 3:16-17

16 All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:

17 That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.

(KJV)

God says All Scripture, not your misconception.

[His son]

Question: How do you explain all the different versions of the bible over the past 1500+ years that can be historically tracked? They can't all possibly be right and be the infallible word of god.

They are not all right totally, only as far as they line up with the original in each language which is the one inspired by The Holy Spirit. God has never had to create anything more than once. God does say He winks at mens ignorance for a period of time. So get the original in your language and if you have to use any of the others always compare them with the original to make sure they haven't been altered to the extent of adding to or taking away from what God says. Men do this because they don't believe thay can trust God's interpreter The Holy Spirit to enlighten them to The Truth.

[eric]

The word 'believe' or 'believed' is mentioned 71 times in the gospel of John alone. So either you believe that all scripture is God breathed or you dont. If you are in doubt, it means that you dont believe. I cant prove it, but I defy anyone to disprove it as well. We as christians cant prove that Jesus is coming back for His church, but we believe that He is, because we have faith in what we believe and faith is the substance of hope, the evidence of what's unseen. No faith=no hope. As for me and my house. we will serve the Lord because we are believers.

cheers.

[jmwhalen]

His son writes:

"Lastly, the writers were not inspired, this is very important, only the original text, pen on paper if you will, is inspired. In no way were the writers inspired...."

"original in your language"

___________________________________________________________

I agree with much of what you write(because it agrees with the Holy Bible). However, you may want to rethink your statements that " only the original text...is inspired", "original".

There is no original text available today-they do not exist. As you well know, Psalms 12:6,7 is the LORD God's promise to preserve His word. So, where is "scripture"? I often wonder if people realize that the often repeated,standard , but meaningless claim that "God's word is found among all the available Greek manuscripts"(or Hebrew, Aramaic, Chaldean............) is equivalent to saying God's word can be found in a dictionary or the letters of the alphabet. And to refer to "the original Greek text" is pointless-that does not exist! perhaps 2 examples would clarify:

1. 2 Timothy 3:15: Timothy did not have "the original text"-and yet he had "the holy scriptures"

2. The Etheopian Eunuch Acts Chapter 8: He did not have "the original text", but he was reading "scripture"(8:31)

The reason I point this out is what I call "expertism"-everyone is an expert("Experts say"."Analysts say"............), with the following disasterous result: Since the "originals" no longer exist,scholars and their opinions replace the Bible as the final authority-they replace God's authority with their own. If the Bible is inspired only in the "original autographs", which do not exist, some other authority must be substituted for them , whether that authority is revelation(charismatics, for eg.), a scholar, the "book of Mormon", the pope speaking ex-cathedra, etc., etc......And if the Bible is inspired only in "the original languages", only those who know those languages can read it, and these "language experts" become the final authority(no matter that most so-called Greek experts couldn't tell you the difference between a fraternity and a sorority)= "Thus saith the Greek...", which leads to my next point-How often do we hear "...to accurately teach the meaning of a verse, and since I personally don't have the seminary training in such languages, I depend on pastor-teachers who do know Greek, Hebrew........."

Sounds a lot like " Romanism",i.e.," we are too stupid to figure this book out. You need to have "the Magisterium" led by the Pope explain what this verse means. You need to have a the pope, priest, nun or a "catechism" explain what this really means. You need an "expert" in the original languages of Hebrew and Greek to "really understand" this passage. Besides, we need to consult what the 'Latin' says in the original languages'. We need to consult with the 'scholars'. We are 'unlearned and ignorant'(Acts 4:13). Depend on us, the experts. No need to read the Bible, rely on us-we will check it out in "the original languages", we will consult the "original Greek".

I hope you would consider this.

Thanks

In Christ

John Whalen