What would you say if I formed a doctrine based on one hard-to-translate word which is found only one time in the entire Bible?

In other words, what if I formed an entire doctrine not only from just one verse in the Bible, but from one word in that one verse?

It does happen. Though it is more than one word, the Mormon practice of “baptism for the dead” is based on one verse out of 1 Corinthians. And we all scoff at them. How could they be so foolish, to believe such thing based on one difficult statement in one verse out of the entire Bible? There are other examples as well, but if  you or I tried to invent a doctrine today based from one difficult word from one verse in the entire Bible, we would be mocked. This is not the proper way of doing theology.

Ironically, one of the key doctrines in Christianity is also based from one word in one verse in the Bible. This is the doctrine of the Inspiration of Scripture. That’s right. ONE VERSE. And not only that, but the word in this verse is notoriously difficult to translate. The verse is 2 Timothy 3:16, and we will look at this verse in more detail later. And yes, I am aware that there are other verses which support the doctrine of the Inspiration of Scripture, but the only verse which explicitly mentions “inspiration” is 2 Timothy 3:16 (and I will argue later that even this verse does not mention inspiration).

So while I understand the logic behind the doctrine, it seems that with a theological slight-of-hand we have developed a central idea to the entire Christian faith!

I find that scary. I find it troubling. More than that, I find it suspicious.

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This post contains a summary of the various views that exists on the doctrine of Inspiration of Scripture. This comes from my Seminary Class notes.

Tomorrow I will begin to analyze and critique the doctrine of the Inspiration of Scripture.

Tomorrow’s post begins with the words: “I don’t believe in the Inspiration of Scripture.” You don’t want to miss it and neither do your friends. Invite others on Twitter, Facebook, or Google Plus to come blast the heretic.

Prior to that, let me provide you with the various views or perspectives on the Inspiration of Scripture and make you guess which perspective I will fall into. The following image is a hint.

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Below is a summary of what I was taught in Seminary about the Inspiration of Scripture. In the next few posts, I will question and critique the information below.

I’m going to say some challenging things, so make sure you subscribe to the RSS feed.

Definition of Inspiration of Scripture

(Get on your thinking hats). The formal definition of inspiration is:

That work of the Holy Spirit in guiding human authors to compose and record through their personalities God’s selected message without error in the words of the original documents.

Another popular definition is:

God superintending human authors so that, using their own personalities, they composed and recorded without error his message in the words of the original manuscripts.

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Have you heard the story about a man who wanted to become rich and powerful? At first, he tried to coerce people into following him, doing what he said, and giving him their money.

But they would have none of it.

“Who put you above us?” they asked. “We are all equals here.”

One day, the man had an idea. He went out into the woods, and wrote a book. In this book, he wrote that God gave him special authority and power, and the people must follow him, obey him, and give him their money. To make sure that the people did not argue, he included several statements throughout the book that it was written by God and came from God.

Initially, the people were skeptical, but over time, more and more people believed, until eventually, the whole town was convinced that this man and his book were from God and had the right to rule and control every element of their lives. They followed his teachings, did what he said, and gave him their money, just as he always wanted.

Does this story sound familiar to you?
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Lots of people wonder if the Bible is truly the Word of God.

I remember sitting in my first theology class during my first year in Bible College and the professor, Dr. Mayer, told us that the Bible is the Word of God. I had always believed and accepted this, and was excited to get some proof for the idea.

The proof consisted of several Bible verses which speaks of Scripture as being the Word of God.

Does anyone else see a problem with this?

At the time, I did too, and so I tentatively raised my hand and asked, “So…you’re saying that we know the Bible is the Word of God because the Bible says it is?”

I don’t remember what answer Dr. Mayer provided, but I do remember being supremely disappointed. What kind of proof is that? Anyone could write a book and include statements within it saying, “This book is the Word of God.”

Later, in Seminary, I was given a slightly more involved defense for the Bible as the Word of God. I will lay it out for you below exactly as it was given to me. I am curious if you think it is convincing or not.

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