Is the bible God-inspired?
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I usually say something like this:
I know the bible is inspired by God because it was written by God-inspired people. Who all had evidence of having God (the Holy Spirit) through their words, actions, life, their preaching, their ministry. e.g. the apostles had works of power and miracles to confirm that the word they spoke was true and from God. This same inspired words are recorded in our bible.
I know the bible is inspired by God because it was written by God-inspired people. Who all had evidence of having God (the Holy Spirit) through their words, actions, life, their preaching, their ministry. e.g. the apostles had works of power and miracles to confirm that the word they spoke was true and from God. This same inspired words are recorded in our bible.
If we don't believe that The bible is God inspired, then we don't believe the Bible
2ti 3:16All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:
and if 2tim. 3:16 is not true then how do we know the John3:16 is true
we can answer with this we, can believe God for our salvation , is He not wise and strong enough to inspire every Word, that He wanted for us to have, so that we can serve Him, to our fullest,
2ti 3:16All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:
and if 2tim. 3:16 is not true then how do we know the John3:16 is true
we can answer with this we, can believe God for our salvation , is He not wise and strong enough to inspire every Word, that He wanted for us to have, so that we can serve Him, to our fullest,
G
That is a question that a lot of people have; Is the word of God Inspired by God? short answer is both yes and no. The bible is the word of God. He didn'tn so much inspired the writing of it. What he did is he wrote the word using the hand of man.
By him doing that should tell us all that a man or woman just you was in the place you yourself a little more 2,000 years ago. And that they had faith at a time when faith God was a criminal offense. But they still believedn and wrote what God told them to write.
In short any writer of the bible is the same as a reader or teacher, we are all inspired either to write read or teach the word of God. And to know where your faith at ask God to know which of the three slots you fit into.
By him doing that should tell us all that a man or woman just you was in the place you yourself a little more 2,000 years ago. And that they had faith at a time when faith God was a criminal offense. But they still believedn and wrote what God told them to write.
In short any writer of the bible is the same as a reader or teacher, we are all inspired either to write read or teach the word of God. And to know where your faith at ask God to know which of the three slots you fit into.
C
I would amend the original question somewhat to include these questions, if no one would mind:
1. Does the Bible contain the literal Word of God in its entirety?
2. What version or translation is accurate?
3. What version or translation is not?
4. How may we know if any translation of the Bible remains entirely accurate, as it has been translated through the ages?
5. What is the role, if any, of the Holy Ghost in learning an answer to these questions?
1. Does the Bible contain the literal Word of God in its entirety?
2. What version or translation is accurate?
3. What version or translation is not?
4. How may we know if any translation of the Bible remains entirely accurate, as it has been translated through the ages?
5. What is the role, if any, of the Holy Ghost in learning an answer to these questions?
This is my answer whatI think.
No. The Bible does not only contain the Word of God but also the recorded words of uninspired men, satan and devils. Strictly speaking, the Word of God is that which proceedeth out of the mouth of God (Matt 4:4) which abides within (1 John 2:14). Wherever this is written down in the bible, as being spoken through inspired men of God, or even inspired enemies of God (eg Balaam, Caiaphas), that is also the Word of God. Even ideas which come from inspired men of God can be regarded as the Word of God. Not just words of prophecy or those that are literally the same as what God would speak.
2. What version or translation is accurate?
They're all accurate, some more than others. Depends if we talking about 80%, 95% or 99% accurate. There's different types of accuracy and this depends on how it was translated. Some versions are more literal translations from the original texts to English, but they may lose some of the original meaning. Others may not be word for word translation but be more accurate and in line with the original intended meaning.
3. What version or translation is not?
4. How may we know if any translation of the Bible remains entirely accurate, as it has been translated through the ages?
I guess only by careful study and examination of those translations by various independent qualified experts. But even then there will be some uncertainty remaining. No translation can be 100% accurate in both word and meaning, due to the fact that translation between the original texts and English is not word for word exact.
5. What is the role, if any, of the Holy Ghost in learning an answer to these questions?
Although it doesn't take the Holy Spirit to do a translation of words into different languages, the proper interpretation of the meaning, punctuation, sentence structure etc, can be gained by help of the Spirit.
No. The Bible does not only contain the Word of God but also the recorded words of uninspired men, satan and devils. Strictly speaking, the Word of God is that which proceedeth out of the mouth of God (Matt 4:4) which abides within (1 John 2:14). Wherever this is written down in the bible, as being spoken through inspired men of God, or even inspired enemies of God (eg Balaam, Caiaphas), that is also the Word of God. Even ideas which come from inspired men of God can be regarded as the Word of God. Not just words of prophecy or those that are literally the same as what God would speak.
2. What version or translation is accurate?
They're all accurate, some more than others. Depends if we talking about 80%, 95% or 99% accurate. There's different types of accuracy and this depends on how it was translated. Some versions are more literal translations from the original texts to English, but they may lose some of the original meaning. Others may not be word for word translation but be more accurate and in line with the original intended meaning.
3. What version or translation is not?
4. How may we know if any translation of the Bible remains entirely accurate, as it has been translated through the ages?
I guess only by careful study and examination of those translations by various independent qualified experts. But even then there will be some uncertainty remaining. No translation can be 100% accurate in both word and meaning, due to the fact that translation between the original texts and English is not word for word exact.
5. What is the role, if any, of the Holy Ghost in learning an answer to these questions?
Although it doesn't take the Holy Spirit to do a translation of words into different languages, the proper interpretation of the meaning, punctuation, sentence structure etc, can be gained by help of the Spirit.
C
starfield -
I don't read or follow the Bible. I don't trust it. To many this is wrong. To some it makes me a sinner. I just choose not to put stock in something man has written and, as far as I know, can't be proven that God himself not only inspired but guided to the 'T' in its creation. I don't mean any offence to Thaddeus, but quoting the Bible to someone who doesn't believe in it (yet), like myself, doesn't prove it's legitimacy.
1. Does the Bible contain the literal Word of God in its entirety?
I don't know. I'll probably never know.
2. What version or translation is accurate?
The original, I suppose. Before they started translating.
3. What version or translation is not?
I don't know enough to say.
4. How may we know if any translation of the Bible remains entirely accurate, as it has been translated through the ages?
Many have stressed to me that it is God who has looked after the Bible, not allowing it to be tainted by corruption. However, that's all we have really: Faith that God hasn't allowed anything to taint his word which was written by men inspired by him. Certain parts of the Bible do match up to historic events, but history also shows that people in power (Kings, Pharaohs, Rulers etc) would do anything to keep that power. I honestly believe it wouldn't be beneath them to desecrate something Holy if it meant they weren't killed or dethroned.
5. What is the role, if any, of the Holy Ghost in learning an answer to these questions?
I agree with MahoganySnail. If you are to read the Bible and follow its teachings, it's best to do so with prayer also and seek God for the answers. It also helps to have an understanding Pastor that can help guide you through the book and explain anything you're unsure about.
I don't read or follow the Bible. I don't trust it. To many this is wrong. To some it makes me a sinner. I just choose not to put stock in something man has written and, as far as I know, can't be proven that God himself not only inspired but guided to the 'T' in its creation. I don't mean any offence to Thaddeus, but quoting the Bible to someone who doesn't believe in it (yet), like myself, doesn't prove it's legitimacy.
1. Does the Bible contain the literal Word of God in its entirety?
I don't know. I'll probably never know.
2. What version or translation is accurate?
The original, I suppose. Before they started translating.
3. What version or translation is not?
I don't know enough to say.
4. How may we know if any translation of the Bible remains entirely accurate, as it has been translated through the ages?
Many have stressed to me that it is God who has looked after the Bible, not allowing it to be tainted by corruption. However, that's all we have really: Faith that God hasn't allowed anything to taint his word which was written by men inspired by him. Certain parts of the Bible do match up to historic events, but history also shows that people in power (Kings, Pharaohs, Rulers etc) would do anything to keep that power. I honestly believe it wouldn't be beneath them to desecrate something Holy if it meant they weren't killed or dethroned.
5. What is the role, if any, of the Holy Ghost in learning an answer to these questions?
I agree with MahoganySnail. If you are to read the Bible and follow its teachings, it's best to do so with prayer also and seek God for the answers. It also helps to have an understanding Pastor that can help guide you through the book and explain anything you're unsure about.
In my opinion that is a very truthful and honest statement which I agree with. To the unbeliever, it can't really be proven neither can the accuracy of the bible be proven to be 100% reliable without any doubt. Except by some occurance of Divine revelation. In fact, if it weren't for people realising and pointing out the imperfections with earlier bible translations, we would not have the more highly accurate versions that we have today. I believe that thinking that the bible is perfect in absolutely every respect is naive and illogical, and is not faith, but wishful thinking, and doesn't acknowledge or respect the human effort and pure hard work which goes into making a bible translation/version.
S
The Bible IS the inspired Word. This does not mean that every word is true (watch the speaker... ie, satan, etc.) but it is recorded accurately by inspiration. It is an accurate record of what is, was, will be and what people said and did.
Proofs:
Manuscript evidence is greater for the Bible than any other writing of antiquity.
Archaeological evidence constantly affirms what the Bible has always said.
Prophecy and its fulfillment shows the foreknowledge of the writers that would only be available by inspiration.
Scientific foreknowledge shows a level of knowledge well in advance of mere human discovery again showing the divine mind behind it.
Proofs:
Manuscript evidence is greater for the Bible than any other writing of antiquity.
Archaeological evidence constantly affirms what the Bible has always said.
Prophecy and its fulfillment shows the foreknowledge of the writers that would only be available by inspiration.
Scientific foreknowledge shows a level of knowledge well in advance of mere human discovery again showing the divine mind behind it.
I'd personally say it's strictly more accurate to say the Bible contains the Word of God, rather than is the Word of God or is in its entirety. When we use the expression " the Bible is God's Word", we normally say to mean that the Bible in general, is God's instruction manual for living. Which it is. We can learn even from the words of satan, and the words of uninspired men. In a way that is God speaking to us from his enemies. In that sense the bible is God's Word in its entirety. But if we're talking about which Words come out of God's mouth Himself via prophets, the Spirit etc, and which come out of satans mouth etc, we can draw distinctions between the two.
D
I think you should explain your own personal account of the Bible, to a non believer it is easy to dismiss there are many arguments against it,
However as we know that is not the case, how many times has God spoken to us through it, how many times has it helped us when we needed it most, how many times has it filled you with awe, made you cry and made you love. regardless of the Bible been written by man, even if it was written by spider monkeys what's there is there, and its there for a reason, and if you help them experience that bring them to Bible studies etc there soon wont be any doubt left in there mind's.
However as we know that is not the case, how many times has God spoken to us through it, how many times has it helped us when we needed it most, how many times has it filled you with awe, made you cry and made you love. regardless of the Bible been written by man, even if it was written by spider monkeys what's there is there, and its there for a reason, and if you help them experience that bring them to Bible studies etc there soon wont be any doubt left in there mind's.
The Bible is the revealed Word and Will of God.......absolutely.
The scriptures were given by inspiration of God [God-breathed].....see Timothy
Holy men of God spoke as the were moved by the Holy Spirit........see Peter
What Paul wrote in his epistes .....he said it didn't come from man......but by revelation from God..............see Galatians 1 and Ephesians 3
God bless........you never have to defend truth
You tell them, "That's what the Word says and I believe it."
The scriptures were given by inspiration of God [God-breathed].....see Timothy
Holy men of God spoke as the were moved by the Holy Spirit........see Peter
What Paul wrote in his epistes .....he said it didn't come from man......but by revelation from God..............see Galatians 1 and Ephesians 3
God bless........you never have to defend truth
You tell them, "That's what the Word says and I believe it."
C
I completely agree. As an ex-non believer, and quite an aggressive one as well, it was far easier to pick apart someones reasons for believing in the Bible when they defend through someone else's words or through what they've been told.
"My Pastor said I'd be closer to God if I read the Bible."
"What? How?"
"Because it's God's word."
"And he knows that for a fact?"
"Yeah, he does."
"And how does he know that?"
"It says so in the Bible. Everyone reads it. He believes in it."
"So you merely believe in the Bible because your Pastor does? And you think that's a reasonable argument as to why its all true? I think that's stupid."
But if you tell them honestly that you have spoken to God in prayer and it is Him who has guided you not only TO the Bible but also THROUGH the Bible, then they can only argue against your opinion/belief. And if it's your honest and true answer; then you don't need to elaborate further. You've given a reason why you believe it's Gods word, because He himself has told you.
In the end, you don't have to defend anything. Arguing as a non-believer, I could be satisfied as soon as the counter-response came as "Well, I dunno bro. It's just what I believe and my understanding of it."
"My Pastor said I'd be closer to God if I read the Bible."
"What? How?"
"Because it's God's word."
"And he knows that for a fact?"
"Yeah, he does."
"And how does he know that?"
"It says so in the Bible. Everyone reads it. He believes in it."
"So you merely believe in the Bible because your Pastor does? And you think that's a reasonable argument as to why its all true? I think that's stupid."
But if you tell them honestly that you have spoken to God in prayer and it is Him who has guided you not only TO the Bible but also THROUGH the Bible, then they can only argue against your opinion/belief. And if it's your honest and true answer; then you don't need to elaborate further. You've given a reason why you believe it's Gods word, because He himself has told you.
In the end, you don't have to defend anything. Arguing as a non-believer, I could be satisfied as soon as the counter-response came as "Well, I dunno bro. It's just what I believe and my understanding of it."
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