2. A. Biblical Inspiration Read: Eugene Maly, “Purpose of the Bible”, introductory article of the New American Bible.

3. The State of the Question: In general, What is the meaning of the statement, “the bible is word of God?” In general, What is the meaning of the statement, “the bible is word of God?” In particular, How does biblical inspiration work? In particular, How does biblical inspiration work?

4. 1. Definition --Inspiration applies to the sacred writers not to the bible as an inspirational book. --Inspiration applies to the sacred writers not to the bible as an inspirational book. --from the Latin word, inspiratus, a term associated with “spirit” --from the Latin word, inspiratus, a term associated with “spirit” --Biblical Inspiration is the guidance of the Holy Spirit in the writing of the Sacred Scripture, so that it can be called the Word of God. --Biblical Inspiration is the guidance of the Holy Spirit in the writing of the Sacred Scripture, so that it can be called the Word of God.

5. 2. Biblical Background of the concept inspiration a. In the OT Certain people talked and acted in behalf of God due to the Spirit of God. Certain people talked and acted in behalf of God due to the Spirit of God. --Prophets, example Ezekiel: “Then the spirit of the LORD fell upon me, and he said to me, "Say, Thus says the LORD: This is what you think, O house of Israel; I know the things that come into your mind.” --Prophets, example Ezekiel: “Then the spirit of the LORD fell upon me, and he said to me, "Say, Thus says the LORD: This is what you think, O house of Israel; I know the things that come into your mind.” Ezekiel 11:5

6. Certain books were also considered as sacred. Example, The Lord commands the prophet Jeremiah to “Take a scroll and write on it all the words that I have spoken to you …” (Jeremiah 36:2) Example, The Lord commands the prophet Jeremiah to “Take a scroll and write on it all the words that I have spoken to you …” (Jeremiah 36:2)

7. Certain books were also considered as sacred. Example, The Lord commands the prophet Jeremiah to “Take a scroll and write on it all the words that I have spoken to you …” (Jeremiah 36:2) Example, The Lord commands the prophet Jeremiah to “Take a scroll and write on it all the words that I have spoken to you …” (Jeremiah 36:2)

8. B. In the NT Jesus often quoted passages from the Old Testament when he taught. Jesus often quoted passages from the Old Testament when he taught. --example: Mark 7:6: He [Jesus] said to them, "Isaiah prophesied rightly about you hypocrites, as it is written, 'This people honors me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me; --example: Mark 7:6: He [Jesus] said to them, "Isaiah prophesied rightly about you hypocrites, as it is written, 'This people honors me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me; The New Testament cites some 350 times the Old Testament. The New Testament cites some 350 times the Old Testament.

9. The passage in 2 Timothy 3:16 “All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful for teaching…” The passage in 2 Timothy 3:16 “All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful for teaching…” -in Greek, “inspired by God” is theopneustos, literally, “God- breathed”. This Greek word could describe the experience of the Old Testament prophets who were “inspired” by the Spirit of God. -in Greek, “inspired by God” is theopneustos, literally, “God- breathed”. This Greek word could describe the experience of the Old Testament prophets who were “inspired” by the Spirit of God.

10. 3. The manner of Biblical Inspiration “How did biblical inspiration work?” “How did biblical inspiration work?” -the problem in the Nineteenth Century is not the fact of inspiration but its manner. -the problem in the Nineteenth Century is not the fact of inspiration but its manner.

11. 1. Theories of Inspiration Divine Dictation Divine Dictation Negative assistance Negative assistance Subsequent approbation Subsequent approbation

12. The Evangelist Matthew by Rembrandt

13. 2. The Church’s understanding (see Dei Verbum nos. 9 and 11) God is actively present in a unique manner in the composition of the biblical books. God is actively present in a unique manner in the composition of the biblical books. The human authors were free in making use of their own talents and resources in composing the sacred books, The human authors were free in making use of their own talents and resources in composing the sacred books,

14. 3. The five effects of Biblical Inspiration (R-U-C-Sa-T) Revelation. The Bible is a special record of God’s self- communication. Revelation. The Bible is a special record of God’s self- communication. In the Scripture, God freely makes known the hidden purpose of the divine will and lovingly speaks to human beings as friends, inviting them “into fellowship with himself In the Scripture, God freely makes known the hidden purpose of the divine will and lovingly speaks to human beings as friends, inviting them “into fellowship with himself

15. Unity. There is a basic unity in the different biblical writings. Unity. There is a basic unity in the different biblical writings. Every page of the inspired text(both in OT and NT) tells us in some way about God’s will for salvation, for a fullness of life for his people and for all of Creation, and the about the one central reality—the mystery of Jesus Christ. Every page of the inspired text(both in OT and NT) tells us in some way about God’s will for salvation, for a fullness of life for his people and for all of Creation, and the about the one central reality—the mystery of Jesus Christ.

16. Completeness. The Bible is complete in its revelation of who God is. Completeness. The Bible is complete in its revelation of who God is. God’s revelation in the Scripture is perfect. No other new revelation is needed to complete our picture of God and his ways. The ongoing revelation of God in history and in the Church (so- called “Tradition”), is necessarily and intimately connected with the Biblical Revelation. (so Dei Verbum 10 says: “Sacred Tradition and Sacred Scripture form one sacred deposit of the word of God, which is entrusted to the Church”). God’s revelation in the Scripture is perfect. No other new revelation is needed to complete our picture of God and his ways. The ongoing revelation of God in history and in the Church (so- called “Tradition”), is necessarily and intimately connected with the Biblical Revelation. (so Dei Verbum 10 says: “Sacred Tradition and Sacred Scripture form one sacred deposit of the word of God, which is entrusted to the Church”).

17. Sacramentality. The Bible is “sacramental”. Sacramentality. The Bible is “sacramental”. One can have a real encounter with God through Jesus Christ in the Sacred Scripture One can have a real encounter with God through Jesus Christ in the Sacred Scripture (see Isaiah 55:10-11; Hebrew 4:12). (see Isaiah 55:10-11; Hebrew 4:12).

18. Truth. Truth. The Scripture teaches us “that truth which God wanted put into the sacred writings for the sake of our salvation. The Scripture teaches us “that truth which God wanted put into the sacred writings for the sake of our salvation. (see Dei Verbum 11). (see Dei Verbum 11).

19. END Proceed to Biblical Canon