I am wondering, did God dictate the words for the writers to write? What is the explanation why scripture cannot contain any errors in its teachings and understandings?
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How was scripture written?
- Thread starter Ribosome
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The Conductor
Χριστῷ συνεσταύρωμαι
Since you're posting this on the ask a Calvinist subforum, I'm assuming you're looking for a Calvinist perspective. To start: "All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work." - 2 Timothy 3:16 (ESV)
For Reformed Baptist perspective, see the 1689 LBC: 1689 LBC: Chapter 1 "Of the Holy Scriptures"
For the Presbyterian perspective, see the WCF: Confession of Faith
(Note that the 1689 LBC was based on the WCF, so they're pretty much the same.)
Also the Westminster Larger Catechism, questions 3-6: Historic Church Documents at Reformed.org
Most helpful for your question, though, I think is the Belgic Confession of Faith, Articles 3-7: Belgic Confession at Christ United Reformed Church - Santee
For Reformed Baptist perspective, see the 1689 LBC: 1689 LBC: Chapter 1 "Of the Holy Scriptures"
For the Presbyterian perspective, see the WCF: Confession of Faith
(Note that the 1689 LBC was based on the WCF, so they're pretty much the same.)
Also the Westminster Larger Catechism, questions 3-6: Historic Church Documents at Reformed.org
Most helpful for your question, though, I think is the Belgic Confession of Faith, Articles 3-7: Belgic Confession at Christ United Reformed Church - Santee
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Calvin saw similarities to the Incarnation: it is both a human document and a divine one. I don't believe most Reformed writers speak of dictation. Certainly Calvin didn't. But they also teach that God is responsible for the results. Conservative Reformed take this to mean literal inerrancy. Others don't go that far. Calvin himself is cited by both sides.
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J0SHUA
☼
Here's some information I learned from the book Christian Beliefs by Wayne A. Grudem. The Bible says there are "many ways" (Heb. 1:1) the Bible was written. Sometimes God spoke to the author and he recorded what God said (Rev. 2:1, 8, 12). Other times the author based his writing on interviews and research (Luke 1:1-3). And sometimes the Holy Spirit brought to mind things that Jesus taught (John 14:26). Regardless of how it was written, every word written is exactly what God wanted written, and they are all the words that God claims to be His.
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AMR
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As the Author, the Holy Spirit superintended the writers. Scripture is not the word of God in the words of men. Scripture is the Word and words of God as the words of men.
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Apologetic_Warrior
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Apologetic_Warrior
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From all I have read on the subject, historically Calvinists have distanced themselves from the "mechanical theory" of inspiration. Historically Calvinists have held to the plenary inspiration of Holy Scripture.
Hodge and Warfield on the Inspiration of the Bible
A simple answer to the second question: because Scripture is self-revelation (disclosure) from God, if Scripture contained errors, it would speak poorly to the character of God as the source of Scripture, further it would speak poorly to His design of human language and His sovereignty.
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The new testament letters and teachings were written by apostles and the apostles were chosen by Jesus for that task.
Jesus told them if they keep my words, they will keep yours also. John 15:20.
The apostles lived a life ordained of God. Where they went, the things they taught, the life they lived, they were constrained by the Holy Spirit.
So when situations happened in the churches, or they felt a leading to write to them, they taught what the Holy Spirit wished the church to understand.
When Paul writes thus in Romans 8, these word's of God were felt with power in the apostles lives on a daily basis. And as a result of hearing the message of God, they effectually relayed the message to those with ears to hear, come with conviction and power of the Holy Spirit into the life of the people to whom they ministered God's word, that is those who get to hear the message, we included.
Jesus told them if they keep my words, they will keep yours also. John 15:20.
The apostles lived a life ordained of God. Where they went, the things they taught, the life they lived, they were constrained by the Holy Spirit.
So when situations happened in the churches, or they felt a leading to write to them, they taught what the Holy Spirit wished the church to understand.
When Paul writes thus in Romans 8, these word's of God were felt with power in the apostles lives on a daily basis. And as a result of hearing the message of God, they effectually relayed the message to those with ears to hear, come with conviction and power of the Holy Spirit into the life of the people to whom they ministered God's word, that is those who get to hear the message, we included.
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bsd058
Sola and Tota Scripturist
Ribosome said:
I think this question is an important one and one in which the Calvinist has the upper hand in the Arminian/Wesleyan controversy. God, in His providence and sovereignty, and in using and doing no damage to the personalities of the authors caused them to write infallibly. The authors were moved by the Holy Spirit to write the Word of God and therefore he overcame their own personal fallibility and fallen natures in order to give us an infallible rule of faith. There is obviously more to it than that, but that's a basic explanation. I think Wayne Grudem develops a good doctrine from the Bible which explains how the Lord used the authors of Scripture to write it infallibly and inerrantly.
I would encourage you to purchase his systematic theology book. It's huge, but since it is so widely used, it is still fairly cheap. You could probably get it on Amazon for about $20-$30.
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