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Class #6
1. Why do you think that there are so many different views of inspiration?
A: I believe that there are many views of inspiration because naturally there are those that would be on opposite ends of the spectrum (as per any argument). When speaking of the Bible, it is obvious to me that the different writing styles and differing vocabulary, the tones and intonations of the authors make it difficult to argue that people didn’t play a role in the creation of the Bible. However, if we believe that it is God’s book, and it is “God-breathed”, then God must have had a significant role in the writing and making of it. It appears to be normal practice in the past for views to be viewed as either-or rather than the more agreeable also-and approach. It makes little sense to try to evaluate the percentages attributed to each side. Rather, after evaluating the evidence, a 100% each makes more sense.
2. How important do you believe it is to get the right view? Explain.
A: I believe that it is imperative that we understand the insinuations behind the different viewpoints. If the book is only man-made, then we don’t really need to follow it, we can argue the merits of any point we don’t like or disagree with. If it was 100% God only, then we have some explaining to do. There are too many minor errors that we would HAVE to attribute to God if he simply used the writers (mechanical dictation). We must find a balance. One that explains the personality and writing styles used by the authors, yet also recognizes that the Bible is God’s Book, containing His message, and that everything that is in there has a purpose.
3. How does the fact that C.S. Lewis held to a view of inspiration that most
would call unevangelical at best and unorthodox at worst affect your view of
its importance?
A: I would argue that your view of inspiration COULD affect your hermeneutics. With the natural view, this leads to a very liberal interpretation of the Bible. It opens up a potentially unhealthy dialogue that may question the very issues that make us Christian. The extreme the other way could lead to other heretical problems. I would argue that provided you believe the Bible, that you understand and believe the message of Christ, and that even though you may believe that the book is man-made, but is inspired by God none-the-less, then it doesn’t matter. However, I see this important as a church body and a potentially divisive issue.
4. Further discuss why it might be dangerous to say that inspiration is limited to
only those issues that speak on matters of “faith and practice”?
A: How could you have an authentic, believable message from God if only 50% of it is considered His. If you have a book that appears to be, at various times in history, inaccurate in its historical and scientific details, and difficult to discern in other areas, and the book is not considered wholly the word of God, then there would be a danger of eliminating these parts from the Bible, or simply becoming inattentive to much of the details, for they are not important anyways. Many different verses were once considered incorrect in it’s historical details, which may have lead many people away from the Lord and His word. Many of these “errors” have now been found correct. I believe the historical and scientific details are correct, until proven beyond a shadow of a doubt that they are in error.
5. Further discuss why it might be dangerous to say that God sometimes speaks
in accommodating language and that the “accommodation” might be wrong?
A: If God spoke in an “accommodating” language, He did so in order to increase our understanding of a topic. Because God is perfect, He wouldn’t make mistakes while trying to use easier language for us to understand. This doesn’t make any sense. The example given in the notes was the “days of creation”. I’ve read genesis numerous times, and still fail to see how this is considered accommodating. The only accommodating going on is Bible believing Christians changing the words and meaning of God’s message in order to align it with modern day scientific theory. This is dangerous. If God says He made the world in seven days, then I think we should give Him the benefit of the doubt.
6. If the message of inspiration lies in the mind of the author, how should this
affect your hermeneutic (method of interpretation).
A: You would expect minor mistakes in the writings, you would find personality of the author, the writing style of the author. My hermeneutics would be that God’s message will be accurate as He would ensure it would be, but at the same time, the author uses his own style to write the message.
7. Discuss ways in which you have practiced or witnessed Biblical Docetism in
action.
A: I have witnessed the random opening of the Bible to see what it has to say. I have also seen people try to apply every scripture to themselves, forgetting who the book was written to and why. And apparently I am “guilty” of believing that if it’s in the Bible, it’s true. My opinion is that it is a book of truth. It is truth.
8. How has this lesson most challenged your thinking?
A: I actually found most of this lesson difficult for some reason.
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