Without much explanation as to why I am posting this particular piece of work, You should know that the following is a paper that I've written for one of my seminary classes. The Teacher, Dr. Shera Melick asked us to write a paper describing our view of the nature of the bible. We were to incorporate 4 things that were discussed in our readings and in our lecture: Revelation, Inspiration, Inerrancy, Authority
As teachers of the Bible, a solid understanding of the Nature of the Bible is critical. I have certainly formed some views on the matter which I will summarize, but I find it important to admit that I have questions and I am still learning about many details that lead me to believe what I believe. In other words, my view of the bible’s nature includes an admission that God can be mysterious, I don’t know everything and that faith is important.
As I try to communicate the God of the bible to those around me, I can point out glimpses of God’s work in the world around us. With broad strokes, God has always revealed himself in creation. From miniscule strands of DNA to the mind-boggling expanse of the Universe, humanity can be certain that there is an intelligent, powerful God responsible. Romans chapter 1 speaks of this. The same chapter also indicates that humanity has been given sufficient knowledge of right and wrong, good and bad which also leads us to a general revelation of God.
Beyond making Himself known with broad-stroked, generalities, God always seeks to communicate to mankind with specific revelations. Miracles, for example, have always served God’s purpose to reveal Himself to specific people at specific points in history. Although there is value in the retelling of miracles, the value is limited in the sense that I, personally, am impacted less than the specific people involved in the miracle.
God has also chosen to specially reveal himself to mankind through the Bible. I’m convinced that God has inspired the authors of scripture to pass on their stories, songs, poems, accounts, and responses to form an authoritative collection by which we can base our lives. Found within these inspired narratives, I discover the most amazing specific revelation of God Himself – Jesus Christ. In Jesus I discover humanity’s road to God Himself. Jesus is so incredibly important to mankind, that without him, we are doomed to eternity spent apart from God.
As I wrestle with defining my view of the bible’s nature, I tend to lean more towards a narrative view of the bible versus a systematic view. Although universal truths can be systematically pulled out of these stories, the scriptures are nonetheless a narrative from which we derive our theology. My view of the bible isn’t one that asserts there are lists and bullet points that neatly describe the correct orthodoxy and orthopraxy.
Furthermore, as I learn about God’s general and specific revelations of Himself, I discover that none of these revelations are contradictory. Throughout thousands of years, revelations of God always compliment and build upon each other to help us form a more complete understanding of God’s nature.
Throughout my years as a believer and bible teacher, I’ve come to a firm belief that God has inspired the scriptures; therefore I can certainly conclude that the Bible is not flawed.
The Bible has a fascinating unchanging nature. For thousands of years, the Bible is what it is. It doesn’t change, but we can allow it to change us.
My faith in God and his mysterious breath of inspiration found in the scriptures gives me confidence that I can partner with God in His plan to save, repair and restore humanity.
