How Did Inspiration Work??

[Guest]

My apologies if this has been beaten to death elsewhere. But i would like some thoughts on how others feel that inspiration of the scriptures worked. Much of the Bible, as we know, is written by persons who weren't actually present to witness first hand the things being written about. for example, Samuel didnt personally witness all the events that he wrote about. however, he records conversations between people, etc. i dont see samuel running around with a notepad and pencil like a reporter asking everyone a bunch of questions, etc. after the events occurred. surely he did not have time to do so. so when it came time to write his books, did the words just "come to his mind?" the same would obviously be true for Moses, who was writing about events (including conversations) that occurred many generations earlier. i know that it was a miraculous (god-breathed) process, but i still wonder how it may have worked.

TK

[Guest]

I too have no theory on this and would be interested if anyone has any ideas.

[Guest]

With regard to Moses and Genesis, there's an interesting theory called the "Tablet Theory."

"the “Tablet Theory” suggests that portions of Genesis were originally written on clay tablets by men who personally experienced the events described. The tablets were later compiled by Moses. Since the original writers were said to be eye-witnesses, their accounts should be historically accurate."

Check it out, it makes for very interesting reading:

http://www.trueorigin.org/tablet.asp

Ely

[Guest]

Hello,

For what it is worth ... is there any reason that it could not have taken place in the way inspiration takes place today? Which is to say, in the same way godly people are inspired to think and act today, so were the people who were inspired "back in the day."

This inspiration can arrive in conjunction with different "lightning-rods" - for example, things that come to mind through contemplation, personal or observed experiences, other people's words. The enlightenment/empowerment/vindication of the spirit often electrifies people by means of conductors, and not out of sheer vacuum (although it can arrive "out of vacuum" as well). What is definitive is the imprimatur/investment of the holy spirit in the product.

As for eyewitness testimony, on clay tablets or otherwise, that would not necessarily guarantee inspiration, nor is it necessary for an inspired product.

(And all of which is not to say that I agree with the premise that all of the contents of the Hebrew or Christian bibles are perfectly inspired.)

Shalom,
Emmet

[Guest]

I don't have a super duper concrete theory exactly. But unless this verse is untrue....2 Tim 3:16 All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness.......then I would have to believe that ALL scripture is inspired by God.

That doesn't necessarily mean that He controlled every single word that was written and forced each word to be that particular word, but each particular word and each particular idea was given to the writers by God.

Their own ways of speaking were not diminished by this, but they could not go beyond what God wished to be said. There is not one inappropriate word in the written Word of God in it's original languages....All scripture is given by the breath of God.

[Guest]

I agree that scripture is inspired and all that-- i dont so much of a problem with the historical apsects-- what i have a problem understanding is the recording of conversations.

i try to resist the idea that the scripture writers were simply "taking dictation" from the Holy Spirit-- although this may have been what occurred.

TK

[Guest]

Hello,

But unless this verse is untrue....2 Tim 3:16 All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness.......then I would have to believe that ALL scripture is inspired by God.

Of course, this verse does not explicate what texts qualify as "scripture."

Shalom,
Emmet

[Guest]

Revelation, is how it worked:
2 Peter 1
20Above all, you must understand that no prophecy of Scripture came about by the prophet's own interpretation. 21For prophecy never had its origin in the will of man, but men spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit.

I think the NIV lost the Holy Men of God

KJV
20Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation.

21For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost.

And it is God Breathed Revelation that seems plain.

[Guest]

Hello, JF,

In the interest of precision, it should be noted that the verses you quoted are referring to prophecies within scripture, and not to scripture in totality.

Shalom,
Emmet

[Guest]

Aaron:
But unless this verse is untrue....2 Tim 3:16 All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness.......then I would have to believe that ALL scripture is inspired by God.

Emmet:
Of course, this verse does not explicate what texts qualify as "scripture."

Exactly. The Greek word "grapha" simply means "a writing", and not necessarily an inspired writing.

Clearly Paul was not claiming that every writing was inspired.

I see only one of two possibilities:

1. Paul was stating that every inspired writing is also profitable for reproof, etc. (as in the alternative translation given by RSV)

2. The word "grapha" refers specifically to the group of writings accepted by the Jews, essentially what we now call "the Old Testament".

It is interesting that Peter wrote (if indeed, 2 Peter was written by Peter), "... Our beloved Paul wrote to you according to the wisdom given him, speaking of this as he does in all his letters. There are some things in them hard to understand, which the ignorant and unstable twist to their own destruction, as they do the other writings." 2 Peter 3:15,16

It is thought that, by use of the phrase "the other writings", Peter was identifying Paul's letters as "scripture".