Study Guide for

Body of Divinity

Of the Holy Scriptures

Chapter 2

 

Note:  There will be a test next week that will cover the first three lectures and corresponding chapters in the textbook.  Let me suggest that you use your Sunday afternoons to read over this material.  It is a good way to rest your mind from you labors and focus on the glory of God.  If you wait until the night before class to read, this will quickly become just another forgettable academic exercise.

 

The topic of the inerrancy and authority of the Bible is the key to the rest of this study.  From this point on, we will be dealing with special revelation of God as found in the Bible.  If the Bible is not special revelation, then this study is meaningless.  If we, however, accept the authority of the Bible, we must also accept its authority over our lives.  Its claims regarding God, humanity, life, and the afterlife are too weighty to merely acknowledge but not be moved. (Read opening paragraph from Gill on this point).

 

Claims of the Bible Regarding Itself

  1. It is exclusive in its inspiration and authority – Revelation 22:18,19; Jude 1-3.  The canon of Scripture including the 39 OT books and the 27 NT books, is the complete special revelation of God, with nothing else to carry the same authority of stamp of divine revelation.  Note: It is not the purpose of this study to prove the canonicity of the Bible.  However, if one has questions on this issue, we can study it in more detail at a later date.  The church accepted the epistles of Paul as being Scripture – II Peter 3:15-17.  There are numerous examples of Jesus recognizing the Old Testament as Scripture.  This claim of exclusivity excludes all other works (Book of Mormon, Book of Judas, papal proclamations, etc.) from having divine authority.
  2. It is inspired.  “God breathed.”  II Timothy 3:16, II Peter 1:19-21, I Corinthians 2:13.  This inspiration was both verbal and plenary (full, complete).  This inspiration by God was to the original authors in the original languages (OT-Hebrew, NT – Greek) and not to the subsequent translators.
  3. It is the revelation of God – Heb. 1:1-3.  However, it does not provide a complete revelation of God – John 21:25.  It provides a complete revelation of God as far as He deemed wise for us to know.
  4. It is truth – John 17:17.  Discuss objective v. subjective truth.
  5. It has all authority for life.
  6. Jesus called it the Word of God – John 10:35.
  7. God esteems it highly – Psalm 138:2.
  8. It is perfect and pure.  Psalm 19:7,8.

 

Proofs of Reliability and Inerrancy of the Bible

A common acronym used for quick reference is MAPS.

-Read Nelson Glueck quote

-Read Probe.org section on Hittites, Jericho, and the perfect historical record of the author of Luke and Acts, Luke.

-Mountains of archeological evidence only accentuate the reliability of Scripture.

-Read the story of Tyre from Ezekiel 26.

-The most powerful fulfilled prophecy remains the GodMan, Jesus Christ.  Be prepared to give examples of Christ fulfilling Old Testament prophecy.

-Bible written by 40 men

-Over a period of greater than 1400 years.

-Each author writing for a different purpose.

-Each from unique background, perspective.

-Many authors unlearned, ignorant men.

-Disinterested men – not looking for personal acclaim.

-Yet with all this diversity, the Bible is unified, it harmonizes, it has one central theme(revelation of God), it does not contradict itself, its doctrines are unified.

 

Perfection of Scripture

Read this section carefully and meditate on it.  Often, we acknowledge the above proofs and are convinced in our minds that the Bible is the Word of God.  But, our relationship with the Bible can not stop at this point.  If it is the Word of God, then there are incredible implications, and we have a true treasure chest in our possession.  If it is the Word of God, we should be enamored with it.