31—FACTS REGARDING THE BIBLE
By Editor
Will you please state if you consider the whole Bible written by inspiration? Some of our teachers say that only part of it is inspired.
S. C. H. We have no reason to regard any part of the Bible as more inspired than any other parts. Concerning the Old Testament Scriptures, the Scriptures which were in existence in the days of the apostle Paul—for the New Testament was not written then—we read, "All Scripture is given by inspiration of God,"—literally, "God-breathed." 2 Tim. 3:16. We do not understand by this, however, that the translation is inspired, but the original Scriptures are inspired. The translation is simply turning the Scriptures into another language. There are many other expressions which indicate the same thing. In Acts 1:16, for instance, in referring to the Psalms, Luke does not say that they were David's words, but, "The Holy Spirit spake before by the mouth of David." The same thought is expressed in Heb. 3:7. Peter tells us that "holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost." 2 Peter 1:21. The apostle Paul says of his own writings, "Which things also we speak, not in the words which man's wisdom teacheth, but which the Spirit teacheth." 1 Cor. 2:13. In many instances inspiration records the words of others; and many times the words of others recorded in the Scriptures are not inspiration. For instance, we read in Genesis 3 that Satan said so and so. Satan's words were not God-breathed, but the record that tells us about them is. So in the case of some of Job's friends. They said many good things. They made wrong application of the good things. Their words were not necessarily inspired, but the record which gives their words is inspired. If we were to judge as to what is inspired and what is not inspired, in a little while all the word of God would be set aside. Whatever did not agree with us, or with our judgment, or with our tastes, or with our desires, would be set aside as not of inspiration. Others would reject other parts, until nothing would be left of the Bible but the covers. Better it is, it seems to us, to regard the Word even as our Lord Jesus Christ did. He ever spoke of it reverently. He never questioned. He quoted from Isaiah and Jeremiah, from the Psalms, from Moses, but He always regarded it as the word of God.