1. 4: Theological Perspectives
Hermeneutics 1

2. Inspiration
Definition: The actions of God leading to the writing,
preservation and collection of His Words to His
people into the Bible.”
“All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for
teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in
righteousness.” 2 Timothy 3:16

3. Inspiration
“Above all, you must understand that no prophecy of
Scripture came about by the prophet’s own
interpretation. For prophecy never had its origin in
the will of man, but men spoke from God as they
were carried along by the Holy Spirit.” 2 Peter 1:2021

4. The Extent of Inspiration
Revelation: Communication of Truth that cannot
otherwise be discovered.
Inspiration: Has to do with the recording of Truth.
Inspiration does not mean the approval of content,
but the accuracy of its recording.

5. The Extent of Inspiration
Verbal: The Holy Spirit directed men in their choice of
subjects and words that the words employed are
God’s own words in the style of the writer.
Plenary: The inspiration is without restriction. It is
entire and full, so that all Scripture is equally
inspired.

6. Erroneous Theories of Inspiration
1. Natural Inspiration: Bible is inspired like other
great books.
2. Illuminated Inspiration: Writers were guided
concerning truths of God, as are Christians today.
Inspiration is continual.
3. Conceptional: Only thoughts and concepts are
inspired; words are not.
4. Partial: Only portions of Scripture are inspired.

7. Erroneous Theories of Inspiration
5. Christological Point of View: Christ alone is the
Word of God, not a book.
6. Mechanical Dictation: Writers were passive and
became “typists” for the Holy Spirit.
7. Existential View: The Bible becomes the Word of
God as it speaks to a person’s heart. Otherwise, it
is a dead book.

8. Types of Inspiration
1. Superintendence: Divine guidance is given in the
narration of facts and the selection of those facts.
1)
2)
3)
4)
Gospel Writers: wrote about what they witnesses and
used other resources.
Historical Writers: collected data from at least 14
resources.
Proverbs: Solomon wrote 3000 plus other writers
Psalms: David wrote over 70 plus other writers

9. Types of Inspiration
2. Elevation: Sublime utterances of spiritual or moral truth.
Example: Psalms, Job, Some Epistles.
3. Suggestion: Thoughts and intents of a person’s heart are
brought to focus.
“Because she thought, “If I just touch His clothes, I will be
healed.” Mark 5:28
“for it is God who works in you to will and to act according
to His good purpose” Philippians 2:13

10. Goal: Edification/Building Up
“All Scriptural Truth has one main purpose: to
promote the spiritual prosperity of
[people].” Bernard Ramm

11. Theological Perspectives
The Clarity of Scripture
External Clarity + Internal Clarity = Clarity of Scripture
(Grammar, etc)
(Illumination)

12. Theological Perspectives
Revelation as Accommodated
“The Bible is the Word of God given in the words of
men in history.” G.E. Ladd
Anthropomorphic: Description of God in human terms
(Man + form)
Ex: “The Lord smelled the pleasing aroma” Gen 8:21
“I will go down…” Gen 18:20-21

13. Theological Perspectives
Revelation as Progressive
Progressive Revelation: Revelation and redemption
move along a historical line.

14. Theological Perspectives
Scripture interprets Scripture
The entire Scripture is the context and guide for the
interpretation of any particular passage.
This principle is especially important in dealing with
obscure passages.

15. The Analogy of Faith
“The system of faith or doctrine found in the Bible.”
Individual passages must not be interpreted to
contradict the total teaching.
“No one who lives in Him keeps on sinning.” 1 John
3:6